Painted Roses

Whispers in the Dark

Yumiko let out another scream. The Frog let out a croak of fright. Mr. Kaga drew his sword and Rosalia shrieked before she launched herself onto The Frog, gathering him up to her chest and falling face first to the ground, hugging him tightly as Mr. Kaga drew back, staying his blade and Yumiko threw her hands up to her mouth.

"Rosalia! Get away from it!" she cried, about to rush forwards before Mr. Kaga stopped her with his arm.

"Stop! It's alright! Don't hurt him!" Rosalia shouted, pulling The Frog to her side as she sat up, keeping her body between him and the sword and held up a defending hand.

"It's an evil spirit!"

"He's is not an evil spirit," Rosalia snapped, glaring, "Now calm down and I will explain to you just what is going on."

Mr. Kaga kept a firm hold on Yumiko to make sure she kept her distance, manoeuvring them around so that, when they finally took a seat on the opposite end of the blanket, she was sat behind him, holding onto his arm, peering over his shoulder and he still had his sword drawn.

"Oh for goodness sake," Rosalia snapped and smacked the flat of the sword, batting it aside and frowning at Mr. Kaga, "It is extremely bad manners to point a weapon at a lady. You have nothing to fear, she shan't do anything to you."

"You as mistaken, my friend," Yumiko said quickly, "A talking frog. It must be an evil spirit. It will do you only harm."

"If he were an evil spirit, I would be inclined to agree with you, however he is neither spirit nor evil." She lifted The Frog, presenting him to the pair, though keeping him close to her body in case she needed to shield him again. "This is Mr. Frog, he is not a spirit but a man who was cursed to take this form."

Yumiko and Mr. Kaga stared at The Frog for a moment, then Yumiko raised an eyebrow and looked at her.

"Mr. Frog?" she repeated.

"Do not comment on the name. He is called Frog and I am one for manners, so Mr. Frog."

"Rosalia, are you sure you are quite alright... a lady with a frog and-"

"Surely when the frog has the ability to speak it gives one reason to not question another's sanity," Rosalia said, rolling her eyes and setting The Frog on her lap. He inched backwards, closer to her as he eyed Mr. Kaga's sword.

"He's really cursed?" Yumiko said, eyeing The Frog.

"I am really cursed," he replied and she shrieked, hiding her face and Mr. Kaga lifted his sword again until Rosalia smacked it with the half-a-baguette she's had in the basket, glaring.

"Let him speak," she growled.

"I am really cursed. I was a human man many, many years ago but a misfortune befell me, though I suppose I am not entirely blameless. I have remained a frog since that day. I met Miss. Rosalia some weeks ago and she allowed me to stay with her, for now," The Frog explained.

Yumiko stared at him for a long, long moment, then suddenly shoved Mr. Kaga out of the way and leant forwards, staring at him.

"How fascinating," she said, eyes wide, "I've never heard of someone being cursed in such a way. To change so drastically. May I pick you up?"

The Frog glanced up at Rosalia and she shrugged so he hopped onto Yumiko's hand and she lifted him to her face, turning her hand to look at him from all angles.

"Amazing. And is this permanent? How would you go about breaking your curse?"

The Frog looked at her. Rosalia raised an eyebrow at him, wondering at the answer herself.