Hooks and Poison Apples

Girl Talk and Acorns

After a week of dwelling on it, Evie had come to her decision. Her nerves begged her to put it off but Evie had decided that she couldn't leave Harry waiting any longer. She planned on giving him his answer today, as soon as the right moment presented itself.

Lost in thought, Evie walked up the winding foot path that would take her to Misery Rock. This fencing lesson would be the first time she had seen Harry since his confession under a twilight sky. Time had passed by far too quickly, seemingly in a hurry to bring about her next meeting with the pirate.

"I'm sure she's on her way ye overgrown weed!"

Evie couldn't help but smile at the sound of Harry's voice snapping at Hauntie in the distance. When she came around the bend and Misery Rock came into view, she found the haunted tree looming over the pirate, two branches like gnarly arms with talon like fingers slowly creeping towards the boy. Its face was contorted into its usual, intimidating glare and the noise it was making sounded like a gravelly growl. Harry was scowling up at the creature, raising his hook threateningly.

I better get over there before they kill each other.

Meaning no offence to Harry, she would place her money on Hauntie winning that fight - as he had several times already.

Evie shook her head and hurried along the rope bridge that led to their fencing practice area. It was a normal grim and grey day, a light breeze churning the sea. Thankfully, the wind wasn't too strong and the decaying bridge didn't sway too much as she crossed it.

"Harry, I hope you're not picking on poor Hauntie," Evie scolded, placing her hands on her hips.

Hauntie and Harry's attention turned to the approaching girl. Instantly, Hauntie's foul mood improved, something resembling a frightful smile appearing on its trunk. Harry glowered at her, his mouth dropping open in disbelief.

"Poor Hauntie? That waste wood-"

Hauntie snapped his gaze back to Harry, leering over him and snarling again. Evie rolled her eyes. She wondered if those two would ever get along or if they would ever even want to get along. Harry's constant name calling of the tree certainly wasn't going to win him any poison apple points with it.

Evie made her way over to Harry, gently placing a hand on his shoulder and leaning in close so Hauntie couldn't hear.

"I'm only teasing, Harry," Evie said, smiling coyly.

Harry lowered his hook but kept glaring at the tree.

"So, ready for our lesson?" Evie asked, rubbing her hands.

Hauntie let out another snarl.

"And that would be reason two why the glorified twig is angry," Harry said, taking a few steps away from the hissing tree. "I was wondering if ye wouldn't mind if we leave the lesson for today. There's something I need to tell ye."

Evie eyed Harry cagily, not liking the sinking feeling in her chest.

"Uma and Gil want to meet you."

Evie blinked, taking a bewildered step back. Uma and Gil... wanted to meet her? Why in her mother's name would they-

"They know," Evie realized. "How did they find out?"

"Gil saw us in town a few weeks ago and both he and Uma saw me making sure ye weren't at the party when all hell broke loose," Harry explained. "They want to call a truce. Only between ye and them though. The offer doesn't extend to the rest of the VK's."

"Weren't they angry at you?" Evie asked worriedly.

"Uma was a wee bit... surprised," Harry said cryptically. "But she was fine with it once I talked it over with her. She wants to try and make amends with ye so she's invited us down to the chip shop for a chat."