Unfamiliar Faces [Book Two]

Chapter Thirteen | Compassion is Half-Wrong

                  

Somehow, Mr. Copper managed to get to her front door. He found the strength to bring up his hand and knocked twice, then three times, then three times more. The secret knock only those of the community knew.

He tried not to think too much as he waited for Hornroot to answer the door. The last few times he had been so lost in thought he had nearly jumped out of his skin when he realized the door had been opened and two bright yellow eyes were glaring down at him. Even after visiting the Lady's new home several times, he was still used to the creaks and groans of the ancient, dark house she used to call home.

Mr. Copper unconsciously straightened as the front door opened moments later. The first thing he saw was her familiar's eyes. A frighteningly bright yellow that only seemed right on a face as untamed as Hornroot's.

The second generation all had that look about them. Something in-between man and beast.

Terrifying, that was Mr. Copper's first impression when his brother first showed him their files. Their human bodies were all of older men, somewhere in their late forties or early fifties, though Lachlan explained that they could still fight like trained warriors a third of their age.

"Of course, they're scariest in their true forms. When they are animals..." 

Lachlan would always have a certain look in his eyes whenever he talked about the familiars. A little twinkle that his little brother would come to learn gave away his fear, and the excitement that came along with it.

"We're still trying to figure it all out, but the majority of us agree that they get stronger the longer they live. They can do things now that we're sure they weren't able to at the beginning. They take hits better, they dish em out harder. But, Giles, that isn't even the craziest part..."

Giles knew Lachlan had been pausing for dramatic effect, that he was enjoying himself in his attempts to scare his little brother. But Giles himself was a wide-eyed teenager who ate up everything his cooler older brother said. If his big brother was going out of his way to try and get him scared, then Giles would be more than happy to play along.

That was why, despite his eagerness, he asked his brother with a trembling voice, "W-What is the craziest part?"

His brother grinned and pointed to his head. "They're communicating with other animals."

"Good afternoon, Stalwart."

Mr. Copper was pulled from his memories by a cold, firm voice.

Even when he was prepared for the eyes, he still got pulled down memory lane. Mr. Copper attempted to hide his embarrassment behind a curt nod. "Afternoon, Hornroot. Is your Lady ready for me?"

Still with most of his body inside the house, the Lady's familiar paused for a moment before answering. "She's a bit under the weather. Could I ask the Stalwart to return in another day or two?"

Mr. Copper stiffened at that. This was the first time he had been refused at the door. Normally, it was the routine response "Yes, of course" and then a short walk to her study.

He hadn't made a contingency for this. He couldn't be sure if Mouse was already in the house now, implementing their plan. And he couldn't just leave her to fend for herself.

"Actually, I'm afraid my familiar and I will be very busy after today, and for quite some time thereafter. If there's any way at all your Lady could see me now, I would very much appreciate it...as would the community."

Mr. Copper somehow managed to say all this, with confidence, even while suffering the burning gaze of Hornroot's yellow eyes. The familiar said nothing for a few moments, to the point where Mr. Copper was almost sure he would be refused again, before Hornroot muttered a quick "One moment," and closed the door.