The Inventor from Velothain

Maria

“Can I offer you a room?” The woman asked again after looking at the blank expressions of the trio.
“Uh. Do you know where he went?” Percy asked.
“No. we don’t tend to ask where they go.” The woman replied. “But can I offer you a room?”
The three looked at each other.
“We’d like three please.”
“Sure. Can I get you anything else?”
“Like room service?” Jasper interjected.
“I was referring to a drink, but sure?” The woman sighed.
“Oh, right yeah. sure.” Jasper looked around at the others Who, nodded collectively.
They sat around the bar as the woman poured a few drinks.
“What is this place?” Jasper asked.
“This used to be called the Quakland inn. I run the inn. We did have two owners but the other one quit…which is kind of awkward considering the fact that this is a family run business.”
Silence fell across the bar.
“Where do you think he could’ve gone?” Florence asked, hanging the subject.
“I don’t know. He could be anywhere at this point.” Percy responded.
“Are you talking about your little friend?” The woman leaned over the bar.
“Yeah. we’ve been looking all over the place for him, we knew he’d be here.”
“If he’s on the run, you’ll want to check the circus.” The woman said with a smile directed at Florence.
“I don’t think Edgar’s a ‘circus’ type of guy.” Percy said.
“If you’re desperate, then you’ll try anything.”
“I don’t think Edgar’s desperate.”
“It’s still worth a look.” The woman shrugged. “I’m Maria by the way. Not that any of you will remember.”
“We’ll look for him tomorrow.” Jasper said.
“That’s easier said than done.” Percy reached into his pocket and turned it out. “We’re practically broke.”
“We could go on foot?” Florence suggested.
“All the way to the circus?” Maria Raised an eyebrow.
“Well what else are we going to do?” Florence sighed.
“Maybe I can help.” Maria looked up from her work.
“How?” Percy looked sceptical.
“I have a sister. A few years ago, she was stolen by the circus. I’d like to find her, but alas I have an inn to run. If one of you could mind the in while the three of us go out to find my sister and your friend all travel and accommodation, excluding your night here.”
The three of them looked at each other.
“Agreed.” Said Percy quickly. “Who’s it going to be?”
Florence and Percy looked at each other, sharing the same idea.
“Uncle Jasper?” Florence asked as innocently as she could.
“No!” Jasper yelled.
“Come on Uncle J. Percy and I need to find Edgar because we need to know what’s going on.”
Jasper folded his arms.
“And, you’d make such a fantastic barkeep.” Percy added.
“Fine.” Jasper gave a low growl.
“Thanks Uncle Jasper!” Florence wrapped her arms around the older man.
“I’m glad we’re at an agreement.” Maria reached over the table and shook their hands.
“Actually. I think I’m going to turn in.” Jasper said with a hint of exasperation.
“Me too.” Percy agreed.
“Very well.” Maria ducked underneath the bar and presented them with two keys. “Rooms three and 4. I’ll leave you both to decide which room you’d like between you.”
“Thanks miss.” Jasper took the keys off Maria with a smile.
“And you, my sweet?” Maria asked Florence in a low tone.
“Uh actually, I’m going to stay up a bit longer.” Florence rubbed the back of her head. “I like your company.”
“Very well,” Maria poured herself a drink of a weird golden substance. “What would you like to talk about?”
Florence shrugged.
“You don’t look like you come from around here.” Maria looked at her acid washed jeans and ripped black jumper.
“No, I’m not. I’m only visiting. I was in the area because I wanted to visit my brother.”
“Ah your brother?”
“Yes, we came to Velothain about a year ago, while I went home, Edgar stayed in Velothain. It was difficult on my part. But here we are; Velothain is in shambles, my aunt’s dead and Edgar will be if he doesn’t get his head out of his ass.”
Maria looked up from what she was doing. “Oh? Do tell.”
“He and our Aunt made a device that created the bond between the land of the living and the afterlife. They asked some people from the public to test this device out and when they finally got there they were wiped out.”
Maria chuckled.
“It’s the truth. They public weren’t too happy about that and now they want vengeance for the deaths that they have caused.”
“How stupid do you think I am?” Maria placed a hand on her hip. “A portal between heaven and earth?”
“You wouldn’t believe where I’m from.” Florence looked away.
“So, say that I did believe all this, which I don’t because this sounds like a load of rubbish, why are you going after your brother who clearly messed up and now, he just wants to forget about it and live a normal life?”
“Because Velothain is in a mess and he needs to fix things, because he’s the only one who can.”
“That maybe the case, but what if the only thing he can do is give himself up to the people of Velothain. What happens then?”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.” Florence said quietly.
“And if it does?”
Florence looked up. “I’ve been protecting Edgar our entire life, if it came to it; I would give my life for him. But no matter what happens Edgar will walk away from this.”
Maria smiled. “You know what miss Swan; I may not believe you whole heartedly but I will be rooting for you.”
“You can call me Florence.” She beamed. “You’d do the same for your sister right?”
Maria hesitated. “Yeah.”
“I’m not convinced.” Florence smirked.
Maria shook her head. “It’s not that. I was just thinking about something.”
“Penny for your thoughts?”
“I worry sometimes. I’d been spending so much time thinking about how I was going to save her from the circus but I wonder if she’d even be happy to see me or want to come home with me. I worry that she may still be thinking of the last time we spoke. I said some awful things.”
“How long has it been?”
“Five years.”
Florence thought for a moment. “If she doesn’t want to come with you, you can’t force anything, but if you do find her and you can patch things up, then that’s the best-case scenario no matter what happens, right?”
Maria sighed. “Can I buy you another drink?”
“Can you hold the offer for the next time we’re at a tavern?”
“Very well. Would you like your room key?” Maria asked.
“Yes Please.”
Maria picked out another key from her little hook beneath the bar.”
“Room ten.” She handed the key to Florence.
“Thank you.” Florence beamed before moving upstairs.