What's that thing they say about a rose by any other name?

Chapter 4: Taken by the Capitan and Meeting the Outcast

3 days later

Yumie's P.O.V:

I was at my store fixing up a bouquet of Black Roses, Violetgrass, and Qingxin for the funnel of Alan's mother. It seemed that she was murdered last night. I tried not to laugh at Karen getting a proper burial. She's lucky that she got a closed casket funnel.

'She deserves way worse than what I gave her. Maybe I should've cut off her fucking hands.'

I thought before shaking my head to calm down. "Now, don't think like that, Yumie. It won't do you any good." I said to myself before putting in the final piece: a dark purple angel's trumpet. This will be perfect. "Excuses me, ma'am. I'm looking for a Miss Yumie..." I looked up to see a young Fatui agent holding a letter, and I smiled softly at him.

"That would be me, young man. What can I help you with?" I said as I wrapped the bouquet and walked over to him. "oh, right. You need to be at the Zapolyarny Palace this afternoon. The Tsaritsa has deemed it so," the agent said, and I started to frown a bit and then sighed. "Please tell her that I will not be there. I have to go to a funnel for a friend," I said as I walked past him. He looked fearful while he tried to put the letter in my pocket, but I swatted his hand away. 'Why does he look scared? It shouldn't be a big deal telling The Tsaritsa No.'

I thought as I got my keys to lock up my shop with the agent talking my ear off to convince me to change my mind. "listen, I know you are just doing your job, but please leave me alone. I'm very busy and don't have time to deal with this," I said, glaring at The Agent before walking off and going to the graveyard.

'It's time to give Karen the final farewell she had coming a long time ago.' I thought, holding the bouquet and seeing some of the neighbors already there. "Yumie, there you are, and you brought the flowers. Thank you so much. Karen would have loved it.' Iris said, and I smiled. "it's the least I can do. Karen deserves this. She was a mother and a great Friend," I said before putting the bouquet on the casket and saying a small prayer for Karen.

'I hope you burn in fucking hell cunt for all you did to poor Alan.'

I bid my goodbyes to everyone before returning to my store and rubbing my head. 'great, another headache. just what I need.' I thought as I got my keys out to unlock the doors when I felt someone's gaze on me. I turned to see some Agents watching me before I entered my store and closed the door behind me. I looked out the window to see them still watching, and I groaned before going to the backroom to work on a few more orders, cleaning the store and making sure everything was in place.

When I finished up, I saw it was midnight. I smiled as I got my coat on and walked out of the store before locking it up, shivering at the wind picking up. "Damnit. I better hurry home." I said to myself, and I started walking home faster than usual as I held my coat closer to me, ensuring I stayed Warm. 'It's a beautiful night with Alan, who is safe with the other children at the orphanage. No one can hurt him any-'

crunch crunch

I heard the snow crunching behind me as I kept walking, and I started to get nervous as I pulled the hood of my coat up to hide my hair. 'I can't let them see me. If this is someone dangerous, then I will have to run. I won't let them catch me so easily.' I thought as I felt my hair changing and started walking faster. The person began to catch up to me at the same speed, and soon, this turned into a full-on chase as I was running home and finally reached my front door, unlocking it.

"MISS WAIT!!! I JUST WANT TO TALK!!!" I heard them yell at me, but I slammed the door shut, locking it quickly. I started to breathe heavily as I ran upstairs to my room and locked my bedroom door. My Snakes were hissing softly to calm me down, and I took my coat off, throwing it on my bed as I went to my window, locked it, and started to back up to my bed.