Roses and Thorns

14- The Beekeeper

Asha Violaera's nightmares clear up when I move into the room, but the damage has already been done when it comes to Ace. He refuses to move out and often sleeps less than either of us, pacing the room late at night or leaving to go walk in the woods and coming back hours later. I catch him accompanied by white fur, white with green tips, and the thought of he and Ivy sharing solitude becomes reassuring instead of threatening.

Sometimes I wish I was out there with them, but what would I say? I may be tired, but I'm successful, and there is a strange adoration of self-pity they share that I can not sympathize with.

For now, I let them rest, and I let them heal.

I have been no better myself.

I do not pretend I am soon to go home, as Ivy advised, and instead take to digging the wreckage regularly. It makes my paws bitterly cold, but it also gives me something to do in the quarter month I've been given off work. The Cloud Chasers haven't touched me since I almost fainted on the trail and all the numbers seem to blur together when I look at reports, though that's likely for the best given the noise Eris and Tammory have been making. Even Alabaster seems concerned, and his grave expression is practically a constant in the town.

Today, on the rising half moon, I decide to use my time for something practical for once in my life. I pass the old stick, bent over and sallow, and pass under the tree to meet the Hunter, who is resting in quiet contentment.

"News?" he asks, barely looking up as I approach.

"No." I tell him.

"There's never news." he replies, "I appreciate the effort though. I especially appreciate the visits. It's cold and boring now, instead of just boring."

"If this drags on much longer, they'll be forcing my paw. Expect me to appear in the middle of the night, wild-eyed and muddy-furred, and we'll stage the greatest prison break in Dreamlandian history."

"You're already wild-eyed and muddy-furred. You make me look impressive and I only get out once a quarter moon or so to bathe by the river."

"Alabaster takes you out?"

He nods. "Often, actually, and that doesn't even count the times he takes me out of the cell to get to necessities on this floor. I still enjoy my baths the most, though. He stares at me and I stare back at him. Sometimes he asks me if I value my life or my sanity more, friendly little things like that. It's very pleasant." He notices my confusion and adds wryly, "You didn't think I sat around here all day, did you? Alabaster does have a job outside of looking impressive and scaring small pups."

"No, no, I figured you'd be out some, I just didn't know to what extent... I suppose I'm formulating a plan right now."

"Really. Does it perhaps involve midnight baths, Alabaster's infernal collar-leash, and some night investigations?"

"It does." I tell him. "It does indeed."

He smirks. "Can we cut out the middle one?"

I reply, "Not a chance. I should be going, though- the pups have promised to have my neck if I don't play with them. I've been holding off on them since time immemorial."

"Rose is a bad pupsitter? Shame, shame."

"Don't you dare, I'm great with pups." I tell him, turning to go, "-and don't insult my hygiene! I deserve some credit, I'm a mess and I'm in a constant state of panic! Let's see you care for yourself through mental and physical trauma!"

"Already done!" he calls after me. I shake my head and race back up into the blinding glare of snow.

The three Violaera pups, of which Asha is the oldest, are all standing about in quiet, resolute boredom. Asha brims with an energy not unlike that of all the birds, long gone, as if she's come as the emissary of spring and new life. "We already have our characters set up!" she tells me. "I'm Eneera, and I'm a cleric. Healing powers, Rose! I'm going to protect the party from all the bad guys in the forest."