Servitude: The Hydrangea Chapters

Chp 19: The Paradoxical Twins - Part 1

With the enticing smell of dinner wafting through the air, Mordecai takes a few large bowls from the cupboard and fills each with a generous serving. Handing one to Marlina to help carry carefully, she follows him to the barracks, where he taps on the twins' door with his boot.

"You two awake? Dinner's ready."

After a few moments, Natalia opens the door, smiling at the sight of the bowls. Although her hair is tied up in a high, messy bun and she isn't wearing her desert armor, her outfit still resembles a form of protection with tightly stitched, layered leather straps covering most of her torso.

"Finally, I've been dying for this." She notices Marlina, how still she stands, holding the bowl by cradling it through the holes in her wrists to prevent spillage. "Here, let me take that for you..." Frustration and embarrassment show on her face as she holds the bowl. "I'm so sorry, but I forgot your name."

"You didn't forget, we never learned it," Neterion's voice echoes from behind Natalia.

"He's correct, we didn't have a chance for proper introductions. I'm Marlina." She bows as she introduces herself.

Natalia feels a sense of relief and smiles at Marlina. "Natalia Ryder, I'm glad to see that you seem okay for the most part."

Mordecai pushes the door wider. Neterion is hunched over an inclined table while sitting in a tall chair. His clothing is casual too, but he's wearing a long leather vest, with his wavy, shoulder-length hair peeking out from beneath a leather bandana that keeps it out of his face as he draws.

As guards, it makes sense for them to always wear protection. However, it's unfortunate that they can't fully relax in case something happens. Luckily, they were already dressed in their full gear when they had to rescue her.

Neterion's absorbed in his drawing, sketching with a stick of lead. Placed next to him on a stool is a skull, its face covered in pegs of various lengths, casting glances at it before he returns to drawing.

Mordecai then walks over to Neterion, holding out a bowl. "Did you manage to get any rest? Or did Elek throw that skull your way as soon as I wasn't around?"

"He asked, but I'm not tired." Even though he claims he isn't tired, his stomach rumbles at the smell of dinner.

"But you're hungry, so how about taking a break to eat and maybe properly introducing yourself to our new friend?" Mordecai tries to coax him.

Neterion glances over his shoulder at Marlina, showing his reluctance about the idea. Natalia shakes her head before placing her bowl on a nearby table cluttered with their armor.

Taking his stick of lead, she sets it down and then grabs the back of his chair. Neterion holds onto the seat to avoid falling as she pulls him toward the table. She then gathers their armor in her arms and tosses it into her hammock before sitting down.

Mordecai chuckles as he's about to take a seat as well. With only three chairs available, Marlina is left standing.

"We can't chat with you standing like that. Give me a moment." Mordecai then heads to his room to get a spare chair, leaving the others in awkward silence.

Natalia almost forgot about Marlina's body; the holes in her are worse than when they first met. Looks like Tessa couldn't do anything to help her.

As Colonials themselves, their discomfort slightly differs from Elek's. They are aware of Constructs from their multiple visits to the Colonies, and that they can be designed for all sorts of things, including nefarious tasks.

For Neterion, this is a source of worry. Although everyone in Englias can defend themselves, he's always concerned about the intentions of newcomers. To him, everyone here has enemies to fear or evade—powerful ones that could put them in danger.

Natalia, being kind-hearted, sees Marlina as someone in need. Everyone here has their reasons for ending up in Englias, searching for a better and safer life. Marlina may not have arrived here on purpose, but perhaps the universe deemed it necessary.