Dizgaia ~ The Dreamfinder's Daughter

Chapter 32 ~ The Path of La Creadora

Author's Note: There's a bit of Spanish in this chapter (not a lot, but some). It should still be easy enough to read, but I will try to provide some translations in the footnotes. Incidentally, my Spanish is a little rough around the edges (it's been a while), so if there are any Spanish speakers who could critique any mistakes I've made, it would be much appreciated. Thanks!

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It would appear that the swiftest way to a young woman's heart... was shopping. Mia eagerly dragged Hook around the Mercado the way a girl might drag a doting father or boyfriend. Hook was content with this. He would gladly buy the girl's affections if he must. So off they went to the different shops, buying whatever struck Mia's fancy.

Mia expressed an interest in assorted weaponry, but Hook was adamant that the dirk on her leg was enough. Mia suspected he didn't want to arm her too heavily for fear she'd attempt to kill him in his sleep, should she be seized by a desperation to escape. Mia pouted quite heavily, but when Hook bought her two gold bracelets – real gold! – and silver hoop earrings and a beautiful ruby necklace, all thoughts of weaponry left her head and she was again content.

Actually, she was practically squealing. Hook was catching a glimpse of how Mia might have been as a child. How peculiar that he should imagine her as a child! He loathed children. And yet it did not sicken him as children ought to, for little girls were far more pleasant than their male counterparts, and Mia was such a sweet, vibrant young thing when she was happy.

Still, the thought stuck in his mind like leafy green garnish between one's teeth. Mia was a young woman, and yet she must be somebody's little girl. In that moment, Hook thought of her father, whoever he may be. The man must be worried sick. A surge of guilt rose within him, but he swiftly quelled it, and it receded like the tide. Mia was his now. Nothing and no one else mattered.

As they strolled away from the Mercado, Mia held his hand, swinging their arms between them as she rambled on about her new prizes.

"Dressing up like this and getting presents... It's just like Halloween and Christmas all wrapped into one!"

Hook cocked an eyebrow. "Such strange customs you speak of. Cerenopian holidays, perhaps? You must regale me with them later."

Mia bit her tongue. It was so easy to forget that certain holidays from Earth weren't necessarily celebrated on Dizgaia. She needed to be more careful. How many times had she almost slipped up in front of him? Thankfully, it seemed Hook was none-the-wiser.

In a hurry to change the subject, she asked, "Where are we going now?"

"Well," said Hook, "After this little detour, I aim to take you to the place that I'd originally intended. Come. This way."

He led her to the far side of town to a quaint little out-of-the-way-shop which didn't seem to have much in the way of patronage. There was no signage on the building. Nonetheless, Hook pushed the door open and entered unannounced. Tentatively, Mia followed. The inside was dimly-lit and the walls were decorated with paintings. Some were quite good, while others were not yet finished.

"Paintings?" said Mia, going to the wall to inspect them. "What sort of shop is this, Hook?"

"One rarely frequented by the common riffraff of this town," he replied. "It is owned by a dear old friend of mine, one in whom I'm certain you'll find a kindred spirit."

Mia lifted a skeptical eyebrow. Hook had a dear old friend? It was hard to imagine the notorious pirate captain having anyone in his life whom he could refer to as 'a dear old friend.'