As You Wish, Princess

Hello, Mom.

Andersen: 

We had just landed in the small airport, and I was driving us to the hotel we were staying in. From what I've seen of the small village, it was quaint, but you can tell it had that air about it. Like if you weren't from the place, don't bother stopping. We step into the hotel, and Thorn was silent the entire flight, but we would use our bond to check in with each other. With the help of Thorn's shadows, my skin and other oddities are hidden. 

" Hello, and welcome. Do you have a reservation?" 

" Yes, I am Mr. Lucas Knight, and this is my wife, Anna."

" Mr. and Mrs. Knight.... Ah yes, I see you are here for two nights in a one bed suite. Here are your keys, and I hope you enjoy the stay." 

" Thanks, I was wondering if there was anywhere around here to get something to eat?" 

" There is a very nice locally run diner across the street. Real sweet old couple. Their daughter helps out as a waitress." 

" Thank you. Come on, dear. Let's get settled in, then we go eat, yeah?" 

Thorn just nodded, but sent a yes to my head. 

" Um, I don't mean to pry, but, is your wife alright?" 

" She's just tired from the flight." 

" Ah, I understand completely."

We got to our room, and as soon as the door was shut, Thorn was looking everywhere, for what I didn't know. 

' What are you looking for, woman?'

' Hex bags, runes, cult like shit, as well as camera's.'

' I see. We should go to the diner if not to eat just to get some local information about these attacks.'

' Sounds good, but if anyone asks, I am mute, I don't talk. If something fishy is going on, I'll talk to you like this.' 

' Are you afraid of someone recognizing you?'

' Yes, wouldn't you be afraid of a job so close to Rome?' 

' Fair enough.' 

We changed out of our clothes from the flight into our hunter's gear. I now wore a black trench coat, a sheath for my claymore in the back of the coat, a plain white tee, and a pair of black jeans, along with my normal boots I've worn for years. Our swords were still in the case we stored them in back home, and we hid the swords under the bed. Once we were finished with getting changed, we went across the street to find the diner open, and it had a few customers. We walk in, and a girl who kinda looked like Thorn came over, and seated us at a table near a window. 

' Is it just me, or did that waitress look like you back when you were a teen?'

' She does, and it concerns me greatly. Keep an eye on her.' 

' As you wish, Princess.'       

  " Hello, my name is Umbră, I will be your server tonight. What would you both like to drink?" 

" Two glasses of  water, please. We just stepped off the plane." 

" Oh, minunat! Where are you two from?" (wonderful)

" England." 

" Oh, I would love to go to England! I've lived here my entire life, and never had the chance to leave, my mother is so paranoid about me ever going anywhere outside of this little town. Let me get you your two waters. Here is our menu, there are English translations underneath for your convenience."

" Thank you." 

' Why did you give her an honest answer?'

' She doesn't seem like the cult kind, she was polite and nice as well, and you see how happy she looked. What's the harm?' 

' Fine, but if she asks anymore questions, try to divert back to the mission if you can.'

' Yes, love.'     

As the waitress brought us our drinks, I saw Thorn test them with her shadows for poison or other roofies. 

' they're clean.' 

" Have you decided on what you would like?" 

" Yes please, we would like to try the tripe soup, please." 

" I hate to pry, but are you alright, miss?" 

" She's mute. She doesn't like talking, especially in a place she doesn't know." 

" Oh, I'm sorry for prying! Vă rog să-mi scuzați. I just feel bad for asking. I'll put your order in post haste!" (please, excuse me.)

" It's no worry, we get asked that a lot."

The waitress brought out two bowls of soup, and with a quick shadows check, we dug in and to my surprise, it was really good. Thorn looked lost in memory, as if remembering something. 

' What's on your mind, Princess?'

' This tripe, it's sweeter than I remember, but it could also be the recipe.'

' How do you remember it tasting?'

' A touch more sour, but just as delicious. I miss Romanian cuisine.'

' I could learn how to make this for you if you'd like.' 

' I would love that dear.' 

 As we ate, it was a nice reprieve from the feeling of work. The waitress came back over, a smile on her face. 

" How is it?" 

" Wonderful. It's a touch sweeter than I remember it being."

" You've had it before? They make this in England?" 

" Yes. I learned to make it a while back. Is there anything you can tell us about the area?" 

" Oh certainly. Do not go near the docks at night. People have been going missing lately down there, and no one knows what happens to them. Also, if you want to try a traditional Romanian sweet, you have to check out the baker's plum cake! Is there anything else I can help you with?" 

" Just a check please." 

" Certainly. Will you be paying cash or credit?" 

" Cash." 

" I'll be right back with the check."

' We need to check out the docks later tonight.'

' Agreed. We will wait a couple hours then go down.' 

A small nod told me Thorn was on board. We paid our check, and left a nice tip for the waitress, and as we leave, an older woman walks in, and I can feel Thorn latch to me like a vice. The woman looks at Thorn, and the air became thick with tension. 

" Sânge? Is that you, my little girl? Prințesa mea fără viață?" (my lifeless princess)

" I'm sorry, Ma'am, you must have her confused. This is my wife, Anne." 

" Mama, leave these two alone, they are from England. I'm sorry, my mother is going senile in her old age." 

Thorn moved from behind me, her face in a very terrifying scowl so acidic, it could melt steel.

" Hello, Mother, long time no see." 

That was the first time I had heard Thorn speak in hours, and her words fucking scared me. This was her mother, and that means the waitress was her sister. The very thing that Thorn had been dreading, happened.