Peacekeepers

Chapter 48: A New Town

Anne put the last finishing touches to Alice in the corner of the train station, gently patting the cotton puff against her cheeks to put the makeup over her bruises. "There we go." She said in satisfaction, leaning back with a smile as she looked over her work. The bruises on her arms and face looked only like a faint shadow now, barely noticeable.

"Thank you, Anne. You're a sweetheart." Alice sighed in relief. "I wasn't looking forward to all the stares."

"Not a problem." Anne smiled, closing the small box of concealer and putting it back into her bag.

"Besides, this will be your first train ride, right?" Garreth grinned from beside her. "We have to make it a good one. I think you'll enjoy it."

"I hope so." Alice sighed a bit nervously, looking to all the trains waiting in the station. The rest of the group was further down the dock waiting for the train to come. "I'll admit I'm a bit nervous. They're so big and loud, and they go fast, right?" She asked, looking back to Anne.

"You won't be able to feel it once you're on the train. Try not to worry." Anne waves a hand to dismiss the fear.

"Thank you, both of you, for helping us out. I know it's a lot-"

Garreth scoffed, and grinned happily. "You three helped us out. Besides, Diane is excited to have you at the wedding."

"And I get to be a bridesmaid!" Anne said, clapping her hands together happily.

"And Sebastian asked me to be on his side to." Garreth said in a softer tone, still reeling a bit from that. Who'd have imagined that as a possibility a few years ago?

"I've never been to a wedding either so I'm excited too. I know Mary is beside herself, and Penelope is more looking forward to the party." She chuckled.

"Ah, well there will be a party too of course." Garreth laughed. "Can't have a wedding without a party!"

Granted he wouldn't be able to invite his family to this one... he knew very well that a few firebrews in and his family wouldn't be able to shut up about magic. They could go to the December wedding though... that one was going to be wild.

"Have we figured anything out about the wedding yet? I hate to leave Ominis out. I know he said he didn't mind, but..." Alice shook her head.

"I think Poppy and Danny are working on that." Anne said, tilting her head thoughtfully. "It's not for a few weeks yet, so there should be time."

"Oh good." Alice sighed. "I hope they do find something. Even if Ominis can just be part of the ceremony. Of course he can't sign the paper or anything."

Garreth hummed thoughtfully, grateful that Wizard laws were much less strict about relationships than muggle laws.

"I think they'll figure something out. Danny and Poppy are very resourceful." Anne smiled. "And if there's a way, Poppy will find it."

Alice chuckled in amusement, nodding happily. "I do have to ask though... who's the stranger coming with us?" Alice asked, pointing over to the man dressed in blue, standing aside from the rest of the crowd and watching the train silently.

"Oh that's Linus. He's coming with us to help me in my research." Anne said, wondering why he was so stand-offish still.

"Linus, huh? Penelope keeps looking at him." Alice snickered in amusement.

"He doesn't seem to notice." Garreth chuckled, finding Linus' lack of awareness a bit amusing as well.

"Oh he will. Penelope isn't one to beat around the bush." Alice smirked. "Now... let's get going, I'm looking forward to this trip."