I don't even remember going upstairs. Or laying down. Or changing. It's just… Next thing I know, I'm waking up. The sun is already high in the sky & I already feel *so much better*.
I roll out of bed & quietly get up, heading to the bathroom… That apparently isn't fucking working. Fucking fantastic.
I had downstairs & clean my face, neck & arms in the sink. I don't see… Anyone. I can hear someone snoring upstairs. Which felt kinda good to know I wasn't the only one who was beat.
Once I feel a little cleaner, I head back upstairs to check on everyone. Seeing Michelle & the red haired girl sleeping together in the same bed. Holding hands. My heart swells at the sight. I couldn't be more glad that they were getting along.
I quietly close their door & turn around, nearly jumping out of my skin when I turn around & see Ivy *right there*, practically on top of me, "Fuck!" I whisper yelp, "What the hell!?"
She smirks, "What?" She practically purrs.
I roll my eyes & try to go around her, but she steps to the side to stay annoyingly in my way. I throw her a glare.
"What?" She asks again, this time less of a purr & more of a seductive bitchy voice.
"What are you doing?" I demand, bristling.
She glares at me, then huffs, tossing me something, turning on her heels & storming off. I'm so shocked, I barely have time to catch it. Nearly dropping it. Then I look down & in my hands is a little carved figure of a tiger face. I blink, staring at it. It hangs from a leather thong. Like a necklace. I flip it over & on the back is written something in… uhh… Japanese, I think?
I stare at it for a long time, then sigh & slip it into my pocket. Making a mental note to ask Fletcher or Zeno about it later.
I'm just about to start heading back downstairs when a scream pierces through the house. I whip around & run back, throwing the door open to Michelle & the girl's room.
The peaceful scene I saw from before is now completely shattered. The redheaded girl is on the floor, scrambling away from Michelle & screaming. Michelle looks horrified & confused. Her hands out & reaching for the girl, but frozen with confusion & fear.
"What the hell happened!?" I demand rushing in.
"I don't know! I woke up to her having a nightmare! I woke her up & she started screaming!" Michelle recaps.
"Stop! Hey, hey. You're okay!." I tell the girl, crouching down & grabbing her shoulders gently, trying to-
*Snap* her hand cuts out & cracks hard against my face.
I blink, stunned. But the action seems to have snapped the girl out of her panic. So, we just sit there in silence for a second.
I slowly look back at her & the look of crushing horror on her face suggests she think I'm going to hurt her for it. And a small part of me that's wounded by a stinging cheek actually wants to hit her back. But I take a deep breath & say, "I'm fine. I've had worse." with an annoyed sigh.
Tears well up in her eyes.
"No. No, no. Seriously. I'm fine. Don't cry. Take a deep breath. Ready?" I take in a deep breath through my nose then slowly let it out.
She copies clumsily, with a shaky inhale, then an almost sobbed exhale.
"Thats great." I tell her, "That's great. Again. Okay. Really?"
We do it a couple more times. Until she's no longer shaking. Then I hear Fletcher say, "You're good with her."
I flinch & turn around to throw him a glare, "Shut up." I muck him.
He only smirks.
Behind him, Zeno & Cecil are also watching. Great. A full house.
I look back to the girl & flinch again as I find her hand nearly on my face. I shrink back a little as she reaches for me, "Uhh… Whatcha doing?" I ask.
I stiffen when her hand touches my sore cheek. Where she had struck me. A soft, calming warmth spreads from her hand. And the pain eases a little. "Uhhh… Fletcher?"
He's at my side in a moment, "What's she doing?" He asks, scenting the air.
"Healing… me?" I say, unsure.
The girl nods, then shows me her hand. An intricate rune was carved right into the palm of her hand. "Jesus! That must've hurt!" I gasp, taking her hand in mine & examining it.
She nods.
I glance at Fletcher with worry & he shrugs, "Magic can be carved into anything that's living or was once living." He explains, "I don't know runes, but I get the jist of the general rules. Apparently, lots of witches carve runes into their body." He explains.
I look back to the girl with sadness, but she only nods. Looking… proud?
"Are you gonna tell us your name yet?" Michelle ask her, kneeling beside me & taking her scarred hand into her own. Her fingers rubbing gently against her knuckles.
She hesitates, pursing her lips as her eyebrows pinch.
"It's okay." Michelle tells her, "No one's gonna hurt you here. I promise. I just wanna know your name. I bet it's as beautiful as your eyes." She says gently.
The girl blinks, clearly surprised by Michelle's words. As was I, but the complement seems to do its job as she opens her mouth. Attempting to speak. I hold my breath as she hesitates. Then after what feels like an eternity, "R-Row…an…" She whispers, her voice cracking.
I smile, & Michelle kisses her hand whispering, "It's not quite as beautiful as those eyes, but almost."
This brings a smile to her lips. It's small & fragile, hesitant & cautious. But, it was the first smile the girl-No, Rowan has given us.
We sit in comfortable silence for a bit, then Zeno asks, "What's your favorite food, Rowan?"
Her eyes flicker up to him, then back to Michelle, then back to Zeno. Then, she finally decides to pull Michelle close & whisper into her ears.
Michelle smirks & before she can relay it, Zeno gasps, "Fluffernutter!? I can work with that." He says, pleased with himself as he smiles & walks away. Muttering ideas.
I shake my head.