Servitude: The Hydrangea Chapters

Chp 23: Finding Even Ground

After Marlina extinguished the lights in the tavern, she'd leave and wander the halls, letting the conversations replay in her mind. The night was so quiet, that all she could hear were her metallic footsteps against the floors. During her pondering, she'd then hear a chirping sound. Turning towards the sound, she found the braxl with the cloth tied to it. Its head was peeking out from the entrance to the den where the other braxl resided, flicking its tongue all around as if it was seeking her.

Marlina smiled, tapped her toe against the floor, then stepped toward it until it found her. Slowly coming out from the den, it nudged its nose against her arm.

"Good evening my friend." Seeming it wanted scratches, she'd rub her forearms against the top of its head and under the chin. "I'm sorry, I have no snacks for you."

With the braxl shifting behind her, it would use its tail to have her sit on its lower back, holding its head in her lap to have her keep going.

Marlina being thorough, her smile remained. "It's a shame you may leave and not return. Regardless, I believe you should have a name, but what to name you?" She thought about it for some moments. "I think I'll call you Lexi."

Of course not understanding her, it was more engrossed with her pampering and was chirping.

"I'm happy that you are comfortable around me, even if it's just from me spoiling you."

Though Marlina didn't hear anything, Lexi would as its ears shifted around and hurried back into the den with her still on its back. Its tail was around her to keep her still while it and the other braxl who were awoken listened too. It was a few moments until they sniffed the air and sat up, Neterion stepping in with a bucket of food for the braxl, thick gloves covering up to his elbows to protect himself from their barbed tongues.

He silently fed them rotting vegetables for several moments, not looking away from his hands. "I'm sorry for tackling you earlier. And calling you an idiot, and a loudmouth. If it makes you feel any better, I'm going to end up with a few bruises from how solid you are." His tone was softer, Natashia giving him an earful from his attitude all night.

Marlina could tell what he was doing, but she still was a little sour about it. "You have been quite rude to me, so perhaps those bruises are a bit deserved."

Neterion glances at her, his lips shifting and lightly nodding in agreement. "Yeah, I'm sorry about that too."

Marlina lightly smiled, seeming satisfied in his attempt to be civil. "I can forgive you, due to saving my life. I just ask that we step on a better foot from this point forward."

If she had hands, she would have held out her hand to shake, but he also had the maggot and vegetable-covered gloves, so they had to settle for a nod.

"Deal." He returned his focus to feeding the braxl as they waited for their turns. "So, how much did you get to hear?"

"More than I wanted to."

"He wants to go for Latos, doesn't he?"

Marlina nods.

Neterion scoffs. "There's no way Mordecai will get into that city if he can even get into the Colonies. Even Natashia has to act as Tessa for that chronicle of hers. But that prince is there, and now Mordecai won't stop until he gets through to him. He can't do it alone but doesn't want our help."

"He attempted to ask Sir Elek, but it would put him at great risk which Miss Tessa would not condone. She demanded another course of action. As for not wanting your involvement, I believe he doesn't want you two to get hurt."

"It's too late for that. I have my own bone to pick with that prick." As Neterion spoke, Marlina couldn't help but gaze at his scars with sympathy. Neterion then notices Marlina and feels uncomfortable from her staring. "Why are you staring at me like that?"

"Latos gave you those scars, didn't he?"

Neterion sighs, his scowl easing and he holds a handful of food to Lexi. "Guess it's not a big secret where these came from. Did Mordecai tell you?"

"There were hints towards that. I'm sorry, but I was caught. Mordecai spoke to me after the conversation."

Neterion lightly groans. "So it looks like we'll be getting extra drills tomorrow. He probably wouldn't have known if I hadn't tackled you and made all that noise. You did your best, I guess."

Once Lexi had its fill, it would curl its body to sleep, Marlina and Neterion left to let them rest. "I'll let Natashia know what's been said. I'm going to get some sleep since Mordecai will be running us ragged. Good night." Neterion put away the bucket and gloves, he'd then head to the barracks. Leaving Marlina on her lonesome, she'd make her way to Natashia's perch at the top of the outpost, having the best view to gaze at the stars for a while.

Before the sun had risen, Marlina would hear voices down below. Peeking down from her perch, she'd see Mordecai and the twins standing in the courtyard, dawned in their uniforms. If Marlina didn't know their relationship with each other, she'd only guess they were just fellow soldiers from how they stood. A sharp whistle came from Mordecai, and the twins began to cycle through drills and exercises alongside him as Marlina had watched him do every morning.

As they'd change from one basic drill to the other, Marlina would make her way down to get a better look, only seeing Mordecai do these alone. By the time they reached the final one that Marlina usually saw, she'd be at one of the windows of the upper story of the outpost. Things had changed since once the exercises were done, it only seemed to be a warm-up once they started to spar together hand to hand.

It soon became no surprise why Marlina was tackled and pinned by Neterion so easily the night before, for they wouldn't hold back locking each other into their grips by any means they could. How they could pry or slide themselves out of the lock made her wonder if she could learn how to defend herself that well, wishing she had the skills they had in a few situations in Urush, it certainly would have been useful.

Studying their movements, Marlina would have moments where she'd subtly shift her body the same way and hear a giggle from behind her. Turning around, she found Tessa, awake earlier than usual. Though she had her usual gentle smile, her eyes did seem to sag from lack of sleep.

"Oh, Miss Tessa, I didn't see you there. Good morning." Marlina greets as she bows to her.

"Good morning, hun. I was wondering if you could help me today. I wanted to start preparing the field for our crops and planting seeds and you assist me?"

Marlina did not know the first thing about farming, but couldn't refuse to lend a hand. "Of course, Miss Tessa, whatever you need."