Sounds of Fire

10

With his sisters new found happiness fresh in his mind, Derek allowed himself to be a little more open with Lady Grace on their way to the office in the morning. He said a soft, mumbled good morning to her, and that was the most he had said to her face in a long time. Anatolia was slightly proud and more than impressed. Derek did attempt civil conversation with anyone Anatolia dated or brought home, but he never started on his own. Never.

By Lady Grace's shocked face, she wasn't expecting him to start to talking to her, either. She uttered a shaky good morning, wanting to say something more but not sure if he would respond. She decided against it and simply stared out of the car window with a smile on her face. Anatolia witnessed the whole, short exchange with a shake of her head. If things went well, Derek might have a clipped answer to the difficult question, 'How are you?'

Anatolia sat across from Derek and beside Lady Grace, not too close, and she kept her body aimed elsewhere. She knew the driver wasn't watching them, or at least was pretending not to, but she wasn't sure if he was a gossip. She didn't know him that well and wouldn't take the chance. Thankfully, Lady Grace sensed Anatolia's apprehension and didn't try anything, at least not outwardly.

You didn't even kiss me good morning, Lady Grace said, the words pounding in Anatolia's skull. I got more from Derek than I got from you. There was no spite in the tone, only gentle playfulness.

Anatolia was beginning to like the feel of Lady Grace's thoughts in her head. It was pleasant and had the texture of velvet. From experience, Anatolia knew the quality of someone's thoughts, no matter the content, reflected on how well they were liked. The only person that surpassed Lady Grace's caliber in Anatolia's mind was Derek.

When the trio finally arrived at the firm, there was a shock of people waiting for their turn for Lady Grace's time. Chief looked ruffled behind his desk, not sure how to please so many people with their own grievances. He exhaled audibly, relieved, when he noticed Lady Grace and was quick to catch her up on what was happening as she walked to her office. Apparently, though Lady Grace had hired someone to cover for her, clients were adamant on speaking with only her. There were a few that were content with Lady Grace's hire, but most were not. They had all arrived today, having been informed that Lady Grace would return and would be readily available.

Lady Grace sat down behind her desk and informed the still ruffled Chief to let in client number one. She knew the day would be hectic and wanted to get it over with as soon as possible, and without incident. Anatolia and Derek grimaced, standing at their posts, and knew that there was bound to be someone out in the lobby that had ridiculous notions about being the first to see Lady Grace. There was sure to be a fight of some sort. They hoped Chief could get everyone to calm down and convince them to form a system on who would see Lady Grace and when. Unsurprisingly, there were shouts and shrieks, then hard footsteps coming towards Lady Grace's office. A moment later the door swung open and man with a snub nose and lip permanently curled in disgust walked in. Despite knowing he had no right to simply barge in, Lady Grace sighed and let him make his plea.

-----

"That was the worst day of my life," Lady Grace groaned. Now that all of the days clients were gone, her desk was cluttered with files and contracts and witness accounts and ink stained papers, and some things she didn't know what to do with. The day had been long but it hadn't been too crazy. Most clients were truthful, just angry. Lady Grace pushed her chair back and blew a raspberry at all the work in front of her. "I'm never taking a day off again."

Anatolia chuckled and hefted the carcass of a dove into the trash bin, the poor thing being 'proof' of unlicensed pixy activity. "You took more than a day off." She tied the trash bag up nicely and set it outside of the office for the night janitor to take care of. "You reap what you sow."