After the fall

Chapter 8

"Oh hush, someone needs to put you in your place from time to time you overgrown child." The lady said teasingly. "Oh how forgetful of me! I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Matilda, I'm the boss around here." Matilda reached her hand over the counter and took Lapisas hands into her own. Matilda's hands were a bit rough to the touch but they were still so incredibly warm. Lapisa's cold hands immediately warmed up and felt her mind fog up a bit. "You seem hungry. Why don't I go fix you some food and then we can talk. Lan, you know what to do." Matilda let go of Lapisa's hands and made her way through a doorway behind the counter into what she believed to be the kitchen.

At the mention of food, Lapisa's stomach began rumbling and she hesitantly took a seat on one of the barstools. Lan had picked up his bag again and was beginning to make his way outside. "Don't run off while I'm gone, Matilda will take care of you." At that Lan made his way outside with his bag slung over his shoulder and when Lapisa turned back to the counter she was met with a plate of what looked like a meat pie and an amused looking Matilda leaning against her hand that were prompted up on the counter. "So, Lapisa. What were you doing traveling with Lan, he didn't rope you into anything now did he?" Matilda said as Lapisa took her first bite of the meat pie. "No, he just helped me along the way. I am a bit lost." Lapisa said in between bites. "You can slow down, the pie won't run off you know. And if you're still hungry you can get another one" Matilda said softly and pulled out a mug filled with some kind of murky liquid. Lapisa slowed down and gave herself space to breathe properly. "I think this will be enough, and I don't think I even have enough to pay for this meal." Lapisa said hesitantly and picked up the mug and sniffed it. "That won't be necessary, it's on the house." Matilda answered back and picked up her own mug and started sipping on it.

Lapisa, mid sip, began coughing, not only at the taste of the drink but also at the statement. "What do you mean 'on the house'?" Lapisa asked between coughs as tears began welling up in her eyes slightly. Lapisa quickly composed herself and stared at Matilda in confusion. "Aren't I just a stranger? You don't usually give out free meals to strangers do you?" Lapisa asked "You're not just a stranger darling. You, are a stray, and strays have nowhere to go." Matilda said while taking back Lapisas now empty plate and handed them to a passing staff member that was making their way into the kitchen. "And I have a habit of picking up strays and taking care of them, Lan's one himself."

"But I can't take it for free, I gotta do something to make up for it." Lapisa said hurriedly, starting to feel stress creep up her bones as she clenched her hands in her lap. "Then how about I give you a job. You get residents (residents? roof on your head or residence) and food on the table at the same time as you work for me to pay for the meal. How does that sound?" Matilda said. "You-, you're giving me a job? Why? You just met me not even an hour ago." Lapisa said, startled slightly trembling from feeling overwhelmed.

"Why not, you seem like a darling and I need the help, with Lan running around all the time." Matilda was now staring into Lapisas eyes, as if trying to comfort her like she knows that she's struggling internally. "If it's really not a bother..." Lapisa said quietly and looked down at her lap while she fidgeted with her hands. "Not at all!" Matilda made her way around the counter and took a seat on the barstool next to Lapisa's. "You can see this as your home for the foreseeable future, until you can stand on your own two feet." It was at this moment that Lan decided to make his entrance again and stepped through the wooden doors making his way towards where Lapisa and Matilda sat at the bar.

"You having fun without me ladies?" Lan said as he jumped up and sat on the bar counter. "Very. You just got yourself a new colleague. And don't sit on the counter, it's disrespectful." Matilda said in response and began poking Lan in his ribcage to try and get him off the counter. Because of the threatening finger of death poking him close to his heart, Lan hopped off the counter and went around Lapisa so that he was standing behind her and leaning over her shoulder. "How's the wound, hurts?" Lan asked as he poked softly at Lapisa's shoulder. Lapisa winched slightly as her wound was being prodded, she had almost completely forgotten about it and was painfully reminded by the aching throb spreading through her shoulder down her arm. "Wait, how do you know about my injury?" Lapisa asked, she doesn't remember telling him about it anytime during their travels. "Hard not to notice considering you were covered in half dried blood when I found you." Lan said as he shrugged his shoulders, acting as if it was the simplest thing in the world.

"What! You're injured?! And you kept it from me!" Matilda shouted out, earning a few curious glances from visitors. "Lan, show Lapisa to one of the unoccupied staff rooms and I'll be with you in a moment." With that, Matilda stood up from the barstool she occupied and walked back in through the doorway leading to the kitchen. While Matilda walked away Lapisa took notice of how Matilda walked with a slight limp, it almost went unnoticed. It was either only a small complication or she's just really good at concealing it. Lapisa felt herself being slightly lifted off the stool she sat on by her arm and placed her feet on the floor. "Come on, follow me." Lan said as he removed his grip on Lapisa's upper arm and turned to walk out through the main entrance.