A Small Distraction - part 2

A Small Distraction - part 2

'Well, I hope he likes this,' Rollie thought to herself as she walked out of the tailor's shop. Part of her was reluctant to leave; king's pride was inside, Lorrin working for Gnasher, Sirene and Lear with her while she worked on the eevee's bag, 'Borio'. Sirene, who had just come back from the past. Too frightened and exhausted still to speak of what had happened, and shockingly vague when Rollie asked about Piers and Shemp frantically. Either she did not know for sure, or... Rollie let out a breath, clutching her bundled package to her chest. A present for Samuel.

As much as she wanted to put the whole sordid affair behind her, Rollie could not simply forgive herself for what she had done to the old crobat. What she had tried to do. Terrence had tricked her, yes, but she should have sorted her mind out before jumping to conclusions. She should have thought, asked, figured things out. As Piers would have done. She blinked heavily, slowly, rolling her green gem necklace in between her claws. Her actions had nearly gotten them both killed.

Rollie looked around the village carefully, trying to spot the giant bat from where she stood by the fountain. There were no other crobats in the village aside from Aerill and Samuel, so if the old man were around, she would be able to see him without much difficulty. So concentrated on searching was she, that she barely noticed the small tapping at her leg. She furrowed a brow, looking down curiously to the tiny igglybuff struggling to get her attention.

"Can I help you?"

"Um... Um..." The pink pokemon's tiny body quivered with nerves, thrusting out a letter after a few moments standing frozen. "M-Message from G-Gunpowder...."

Well, that explained the pokemon's fears, then. The gabite was a rather frightening mon to one of his own stature, let alone one he could trample without thinking. Rollie took the letter from the igglybuff, nodding. "Thank you," she said, smiling. The igglybuff, rather than ooking reassured, squeaked and bounced away quickly, vanishing from sight within moment. Rollie made a face, shrugging. Well, maybe she was a scary pokemon too, then. She looked to the note in her hand and sighed, unfolding it. What a time for Gunpowder to need her assistance.

"Take 'the stuff' to 'the spot' near Tao Lake. Watch out for 'the fuzz'."

Great. Gibberish.

Clearly it was meant to be some kind of code, which seemed unnecessary when simply deciphering her guild leader's writing was a task unto itself, but she would decipher it later. It could wait until she had found Samuel and made amends. With that, she folded up the letter and set back out into the village to search.

It only took a few minutes before her eyes fell on the purple furred-bat, and her eyes pinned back when she saw him standing under the Snowflake Memorial. She made her way closer, grimacing. She and Piers had been here many times, ringing the bell underneath for those dead and gone. She loved the memorial, was happy for a way to reach her grandpa, but seeing Samuel's slumped and saddened shape underneath made her feel depressed herself.

She halted a few feet away, watching Samuel bow his head. His back was to her, but she could see his thumbs clasped together, hear him whispering some kind of chant under his breath. She tried to figure out what he was saying, but his voice was simply too low. She imagined it might be some kind of elegy for the dead. When, after a few moments, he rose his head once more to ring the bell, she felt her suspicions confirmed.  

"Um, hi Samuel!" she called out. She did not want to interrupt him, but simply watching while he went about this ritual felt too much like she was spying in on something personal. Something she shouldn't see. She stepped closer, paws clenching on the wrapped bundle she still held to her breast.

"Hello, my dear," Samuel replied, turning to her. Rollie held back a wince as she looked upon him, seeing all the bruises marring his face, arms and chest. He smiled, despite the pain he must have been feeling. His gaze turned back to the bell, eyes growing misty as he viewed the shining metal. "I have heard, when you ring this bell, the dead hear it and are at peace. I have rung it a good many times today, for the lives I have taken."

Rollie shifted her feet uncomfortably, rubbing her neck. She did not know how to respond to that. Clearing her throat, she held out her bundle, throwing on a smile. "I, um, I got you this!"

Samuel cocked his head curiously. "What is it?"

"It's, uh, a present!" she said awkwardly, trying to hold up her smile. "I can't tell you what's inside, you have to open it first!"

"A present?" Samuel's confusion changed to surprise. "My dear! You did not have to - "

"I know, I just..." She sighed, shaking her head. "It's not just because of guilt, okay? I thought you could use it." She held out the bundle once more. "As a friend."

Samuel took the bundle from her gently, his movements careful and precise. As if he was not quite sure he was doing it right. Rollie smiled, a genuine smile, as he tored the wrapping paper from his present, depositing it neatly on the groundbefore unfolding his gift.

"Oh my..." he said softly as the poncho unfurled, the fabric a deep yellow with a stripe of dark brown across the center. He stared at it in shock, not speaking for nearly a minute. Rollie shuffled, wondering what he was thinking.

"It, um... I mean, I know you're self-conscious about your scars and stuff, so you could wear this to cover them and keep warm. I mean, without fur, you have to be cold..." She coughed shyly, poking the side of the garment. "And, um, I got Gnasher to modify it so you could wear it over your wings." She looked at Samuel anxiously, the crobat still staring at it silently. She scraped her foot over the ground. "If you don't like it - "

"No!" he blurted, shaking his head fiercely. "No, no, I... I love it, I..." Rollie was shocked. His eyes were welling up with tears. "No one... has ever given me a gift, let alone one so thoughtful." He wiped his eyes quickly, Rollie still watching him in surprise. He pulled it on over his head, settling it comfortably on his shoulders. The colours clashed with his fur, but he did not seem to notice or mind. He smiled widely, looking to Rollie. "Thank you very much, my dear." He leaned closer, kissing her forehead gently.

Rollie grinned shyly, ducking her head to hide the blush on her cheeks. "I'm... I'm glad, I'm really glad." She watched him run his thumbs over the soft material, still smiling to himself. It was a perfect fit, which was a relief. Rollie had really had to guess at his size. She did not see why all those numbers and measurements were needed for every article of clothing, it made things so difficult. She sighed, looking to the letter in her paw. Well, as much as she wanted to stay here with Samuel, she really needed to check on this task. Samuel looked at her curiously as she unfolded the note.

"What is that?"

"Gunpowder has given me a mission," she said, reading it over again. "He wants me to deliver something, I guess. Very hush-hush."

"Oh?" Samuel's ears perked. "Perhaps you would not object to my company? It has been a very long time since I practiced my, ah, stealth capabilities."

Rollielooked at him doubtfully. She knew the man was a... successful assassin, but looking at him, she still found it hard to believe he could sneak about unseen. A giant bat, with all those giant wings? Samuel smiled at her hesitance.

"I assure you, I was, and am, at the top of my guild," he said, a touch of pride in his voice. Rollie smirked, putting her paws on her hips.

"Well, I guess we'll see, won't we? Come on. The 'package' is probably waiting for us at the rogue's guild." She trotted off toward Devonshire's law firm, Samuel following behind her.

*****