by Black.Fire. » Wed Mar 15, 2017 8:21 am
ENA BROOKER// Tagged: Samuel, Valery, Theo, and Ila // Twenty-Two // 1,028 words
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬( ｙｏｕ ｃａｎ'ｔ ｓｔｏｐ ｍｅ )▬▬▬
Things were going to plan, until she felt a grip like iron on her wrist, yanking her back and away from the small group. She winced slightly, a frown passing over her features. Surprisingly, Ena remained calm in the situation, staring back defiantly into her captor’s eyes. He was tall, over a foot taller than her, but Ena had learned that height and weight held no advantages in the field of hand to hand combat. Of course, he would have the benefit of pure muscle strength, but Ena was quick and if worse came to worse, she had several knives hidden throughout her wardrobe. He asked her name, glaring down at her from his lofty heights. “Ena.” She answered simply, with no title to produce. “And, why, sir. I am flattered that you think my face is pretty.” Hmm.. He didn’t seem to take that well. She decided he must not have a sense of humor. And that was a failing indeed since Ena had come to realize that much of life was humorous, depending on the circumstance and point of a view.
He continued to growl at her, reminding Ena of a very big dog, his pale eyes searching her face with distaste obvious on his face. The guards? Ena swallowed, refusing to show any sign of weakness in front of these strangers. Of course, she had her run ins with the guards, on multiple occasions. And although she had been fortunate enough to escape, she was sure her luck would not hold out much longer. She felt a painful twinge in her shoulder as he twisted her arm behind her back, pulling her into his chest. It must have been obvious, the panic in her eyes, since the victim of her crime spoke up softly. Oh wait. He was blind. So why was he stopping her inevitable punishment? Ena tensed, swallowing as his soft voice carried to her ears.
He made his way over to her, gently making excuses for her wrong. It was true, Ena would have only used the money for food. Living most of her life on the streets, Ena was used to sleeping in doorways or haystacks. Lodging bothered her little, but food was a never-ending necessity that demanded attention. And since she was an unbetroth woman, with no family or connections and a soiled past, there was no work to be found besides the work in the brothels or allies. And Ena hated to stoop so low. So, she resorted to stealing from those who could spare some coins, and although she felt terrible for attempting to rob a blind man, she also could justly say that he could afford it. After all, a prince?
He asked for her hand, Ena slowly reaching on and uncurling her fist. Her hands were small and dirty, grim coating her nails and cracks in the skin. Yes, she knew that he could afford to give her a few coins, but.. Why? His generosity touched Ena’s cold heart. It was unbelievable that he would offer his money to someone who had just tried to steal from him. Ena felt an unfamiliar tightening in the back of her throat, as he gently counted out the coins and retracted his hand. “Thank you, sir. I don't deserve such kindness.” Ena whispered. The man in front of her, had earned her respect, unlike the boy beside him who burst out with a high pitch. Ila’s eyes widened at Samuel’s impudent language. “Samuel! Hold your tongue! Do not address your elders in such a fashion!” A tiny smirk spread over Ena’s face as she watched the boy fidget with agitation.
The man behind her began to speak again, his grip still incredibly tight on her wrist. A deal? Ena cocked her head, listening as he purposed his trade. A large sum? Ena immediately brightened, nodding enthusiastically. With coins in her purse, the opportunities were endless. “Deal.” She said firmly, twisting back to look over at him with a nod of her head. “But we need to trust each other.. To some extent.” She pulled back and away from him, but he still didn’t let her go. “And it would also mean that you’d have to let go of my wrist.” Just then, the boy, who had been struggling to keep silent burst out again, his voice carrying his displeasure.
Stupid, Old hag? Ena raised an eyebrow, almost amused by his innocence. Did he really assume she could just.. Get a job? What jobs were to be had? Most woman stayed at home, well protected and provided for by their husbands or fathers. Ena had neither. And the jobs to be had were incredibly degrading and humiliating. You could only imagine the horrors that awaited poor women on the filthy streets. “I don’t remember anyone asking you for your opinion, little girl.” She said quite pointedly, her eyes flashing. Yes, she had purposely called him a girl, just to subtly mess with him. And Ena knew she had hit a sore spot, when a tiny smile passed over Ila’s features. The blonde lifted a hand to her mouth, hiding the smile from the perturbed child. “You are very high and mighty for a child barely learned to think for herself. I would watch your mouth, little girl. You’ll be spoiled by the filth around you if you keep it up.” It was a threat, left hanging over Samuel’s head as Ena turned her attention back to the adults of the party.
“If you have rooms, I’ll be fine sleeping outside in the stable.” She said simply, shrugging. Of course, she didn’t blame them if they didn’t trust her to escape under the cover of night. But it was up to them. “I-I could share with her..” Ila piped up, slipping off the stool to stands beside Theo. “I trust her. And Val, don’t call me naïve. I know what I am doing.” She cast him a quick look, before her soft smile settled on Ena again. “And.. I like her.” Ena flushed slightly, unsure as to why this girl, who was obviously above her on so many levels was accepting her into the party.
