“So, who’s going to take care of the girls when you go back to Eorzea?”
Misah’to blinked up from the box he was setting down in the apothecary, looking over to Helen in surprise. “I.. Pardon?”
Helen, a lovely woman with pale brown hair and a softly shaped face, continued to look concerned over her question. “Annia and Bianca. Surely you’re not taking them to Eorzea? Not with the way you’ve talked about how bad it was, being taken from your own people.”
Misah’to straightened up then with a sigh and took a moment to crack his back. He then gave Helen a very sheepish smile. “I’m not taking them to Eorzea. And… I’m not giving them to someone else to raise. I promised them I’d take care of them. I have no intentions of becoming an oathbreaker.”
Helen’s concern only deepened at this. “But… You’re not going home then? I know you miss it.”
Misah’to nodded and then shrugged, turning back for the door. “I do miss it. But it’s not going anywhere. At least… not unless the rest of the world does. But… in another ten years, when the girls are grown, and I see about going home, part of me is going to miss Garlemald. I’ve lived here longer than I have there. I’m not sure I’m ready to go back to Eorzea anyway. Not… Not without knowing there’s Garleans there who’ll understand me.”
Helen looks down, fretting with the empty potion bottle she was supposed to be filling. Misah’to liked the woman well enough. She had a warm personality, once you got past the introvert in her. He smiled and leaned down to meet her eyes. “Hey… Whatever happens, I’m going to do what’s right for the girls. It’s important to me. And Norhi understands that. And so does all the family she’s made. Besides, I’ve got you and everyone here to support us. It’ll be fine.”
Helen nodded and then looked up with a small smile. “I suppose that is for the best. I’m sorry that you have to wait so long. I guess… Yeah. I’m glad the girls won’t have to be separated from you. I wasn’t looking forward to that.”
Misah’to grins and looks to the door to see Norhi coming in with the girls and a tray with dinner. “I’m glad too,” he says, before turning to join his family.
---
—Tonight—
Misah’to laid in the cot that had been set up for him. His right hip and leg were wrapped up and immobilized for healing. That one drone had rammed pretty hard into him, after he’d disabled its gun. He was lucky he’d not been alone. And that help had come. That ship had just come down from the sky and the red was as much on the ground, as it was above the clouds. So many were badly hurt. Several were dead. And his girls, his dear Annia and Bianca, were badly shaken.
So, he laid there in the cot, Bianca curled up on his chest and Annia tucked into his left side. His cousin, Norhi, had emerged from the ship with several others that had helped build the town. Somehow they’d ended the conflict. Norhi wasn’t eager to talk about how. Not with the girls listening. Though, the notch in her ear was new. She complained that it made her feel unbalanced. But as late as it was now, she’d even succumbed to sleep, slumped in the chair next to his cot. She’d bustled about for bells, healing and bandaging the injured. She was going to have a sore back when she woke up.
About this point, Bianca whimpered and shifted. Sah’to turned and rubbed her back, gently shooshing to soothe the nightmare away. But she woke up with a quick inhale, panicked eyes checking the room before focusing on him. Annia startled from this and woke as well. He sighed and hugged them both. “Go back to sleep. It’s still late.”
Annia frowned and looked at her sister. The two seemed to be having a silent debate. Finally Annia turned back to Misah’to. “We want to go to Eorzea.”
Misah’to frowned and looked between the two girls, trying to digest what they really wanted from that. “That doesn’t sound like you’re proposing a vacation.”
Bianca shook her head and buried her face against his shoulder. “It’s scary here.”
Annia hugged against Misah’to tightly. “It’s gotta be better there, right? No more broken city and no more danger? We could go live with Norhi, right? In her forest?”
Misah’to sighed and wrapped his arms around both girls. “Well… First off, she doesn’t own that whole forest. And… Eorzea has dangers of its own too. Like everywhere does. But… I can see how it might be less scary. Are you sure about this though? Lots of people aren’t too kind to Garleans in Eorzea. And… you’d not have your people around you.”
Annia frowned, her voice insistent. “If Uncle Pollux can do it, so can we! Besides, he’s gonna go back too.”
Norhi shifted and laughed faintly at the conversation, sitting up and knuckling her back. “If it helps, the Bellworks is a sanctuary company for Garleans. There’d be a community there for you. And, while it’s a great deal hotter than Garlemald, I think the girls would like Ul’dah a lot more than the Twelveswood.”
Misah’to sighed and looked at the girls. “I’ll think about it. We can talk again in the morning.”
Satisfied with that answer, the girls settle again. And Misah’to then noticed Helen giving him an amused grin from across the infirmary. She just gave him a thumbs up and goes back to restocking the bandages. He looks at his cousin who produced a pillow from somewhere and was getting comfortable on the floor. “You think the Bellworks might have work for me?”
Norhi hummed. “Maybe. I can talk to Brave about if you want?”
Sah’to echoed her hum. “Maybe. I’ll see how I feel about it in the morning.”
Misah’to felt the pick slip from its place in the lock, losing the progress he’d made. He sighed and pulled the pick free, dropping it and the lock on the table. He sat back in his seat and frowned at Gratian. “Why are we doing this again?”
Gratian was a tall, wiry man with a mischievous air, a sharp grin, and an artfully unruly mop of dirty blonde hair. He just grinned and tapped the lock. “You said you wanted more quality time.”
Misah’to rolled his eyes. “I wanted you to take me on a date. Like the theater. Or dinner. Not… whatever the hell this is about. What are we going to do with it? Rob someone?”
Gratian snorted. “Like you’d have the balls to break in anywhere. Too damn worried about that job of yours, to piss off your boss or his wife.”
Misah’to grumbled softly. “And where else am I going to find work that good, huh?” he answers, knowing it wasn’t about finding work. It was about avoiding being sold again. He’d never told Gratian that part. He never told anyone that part. Last time that happened had gone very badly for him. And he did not like being called a liar for telling the truth.
Gratian huffed a sigh and scooted his chair around the table, reaching to tug Misah’to into his lap. And even though Misah’to was more broad-shouldered than Gratian, he was a good deal shorter. Something he liked quite a lot. However, he did make an initial attempt to resist the pull, frowning still at his boyfriend. Gratian eventually won out, simply by leaning in and nuzzling his nose into Misah’to’s hair.
It was manipulation. Misah’to knew it. Gratian was mimicking what he’d seen other miqo’te do with each other. And Misah’to couldn’t bring himself to admit how weak he was to it. How weak he was to any physical affection really.
But still, he found himself cuddling into his boyfriend after a bit. He sighed and mumbled, “Jerk.”
Gratian laughed softly. “I’ll make it up to you.”
Misah’to knew what that was code for. And it wouldn’t solve the problem. But it’d be a nice distraction. It always was.
-
Moons later, Misah’to didn’t know where Gratian was. Hadn’t heard from him in two weeks. His apartment was being rented out by someone else now. And he found himself thinking that maybe it was okay this way.
Their relationship had started to feel like a haunting rather than a companionship. And he knew it had been inevitable. He’d jumped into bed with Gratian merely a week after Teodor’s wedding. It hadn’t helped the hurt. But it had been a nice distraction.
Now, he didn’t want a distraction. He had resigned himself to the thought that unlucky bastards like him didn’t get to have someone fall for them. Not for real.
He was on his way home from dinner at the Glass Garlic, these thoughts idly circling through like the buzzards they were. And he spotted Gratian. He was in a clean suit, his hair neatly shorn along the back and sides, still leaving the artful flop of blonde along the top. He was smiling and flirting with two women in pretty dresses. Women with money.
So, that’s where he’d gone. Escort work. Gratian had always joked about it, in that way that suggested it wasn’t an idle thought.
Misah’to watched as Gratian spotted him. There was a moment of panic on Gratian’s face, before realization sank in. Misah’to wasn’t reacting beyond simple recognition. Misah’to nodded. And Gratian nodded back. Misah’to turned and walked away, hearing one of the women ask what was wrong and Gratian quickly responding that everything was just perfect.
Three hours later, far too early in the forsaken hours of the morning, there was a knock on Misah’to’s window. Misah’to opened it when he saw that Gratian was there. The man fidgeted and said, “Hey umm… Look, I meant to tell you.”
Misah’to just tiredly leaned against the windowsill. “A note would’ve been nice,” he muttered, voice kept low to not wake the household. But also holding only resigned exhaustion.
Gratian flinched and then shoved his hands in his pockets. “M’sorry. You deserved better.”
Misah’to’s expression didn’t flicker away from resignation even once. “Maybe. Doesn’t matter now. Congratulations on the job.”
Gratian blinked in surprise, examining Misah’to in confusion. There wasn’t a sign of anger or grief or begging. He was just letting go.
He pulled his hands from his pockets, almost as if to reach for Misah’to. But Misah’to reached up to grab the window, intent on closing it. So Gratian pulled back a step. “Right. Thank you. I’ll let you sleep. Goodbye, Misah’to.”
Misah’to didn’t even waver. “Goodbye Gratian.”
He closed the window then and went back to bed.
This was how it was meant to be, after all. Locked away in freedom and heart.
It would be only a few days after Overseer’s announcement that phase two had begun. And Annia and Bianca were at the window of the apartment, watching some drones at work. Finally, Bianca turns and looks at Misah’to. “Where did Overseer go?”
Misah’to looked up from the sock he was darning. “What? What do you mean?”
Bianca glanced at her older sister, before turning and walking over to Misah’to. “Overseer doesn’t talk to us anymore. Twelves kinda does through the drones. But... it’s like he’s broken now. Why isn’t the Overseer here to fix him? Is he okay? Is that why Mister Arym’s gone too? He’s looking for Overseer? Is that why everyone’s sad? Why Norhi’s always cleaning everything now?”
Misah’to sighed and set aside the sock. “I... Something happened with Overseer, yes. It’s complicated and it is why lots of people are sad. Twelves isn’t broken. He’s just... doing the job the Overseer was doing before. And it’s hard. I want you two to remember to be polite. Say please and thank you and all of that. Okay?”
Annia came over from the window. “And Mister Arym’s looking for Overseer?”
Misah’to frowned a bit more. “I don’t know if he’s doing that or not. But you know he considered the Overseer his friend. And all this upset him very much. So, we need to be patient and wait for him to come home. But when he does come home, don’t ask too many questions, okay? It will probably hurt too much to talk about. And it’s probably a conversation for people who understand what happened.”
Bianca fidgeted and then said, “I bet I know how to get him to come home! Whenever Papa worked too much, Mama would go clean out his desk! And one of the maids would call him in a panic and he’d come home! So, if we go clean out Mister Arym’s place, he’ll come home.”
Annia nodded. “Papa always got super mad about it. But I bet that would work! We can have Miss Vicky call him, once we get started!”
Misah’to winced and then quickly reached to take the girls’ hands in his. “When you’re older, I’m going to explain to you why your mother probably shouldn’t have done that. But, I can’t allow you to go to Mister Arym’s home without him there. So, no cleaning his place. If you want to clean something, I’m sure Norhi would love the company right now.”
Bianca pouted. “But how do we know if Mister Arym’s okay?”
Misah’to sighed faintly and pulled the girls into a hug. “Norhi’s already exchanged a couple letters with him. So, we know he’s out there. And he’s a competent sort. He’ll be home soon enough.”
Annia fidgeted. “But how did Norhi get him a letter? The postal service is gone.”
Misah’to chuckled and leaned back. “Ah... Well... She used an Eorzean service. There are these folk called Moogles. They’re small, fluffy, magical, and can fly. She got one to go find Mister Arym.”
Annia perked. “Can we write Mister Arym a letter too?”
Bianca grinned suddenly. “The Belisars have a kitchen not on a ship now! Think they’d help us bake cookies to send Mister Arym?”
Annia bounced in place. “Norhi’s got good cookie recipes! We can ask for one!”
Misah’to sighed slowly and mumbled, “You’re determined to do something, aren’t you?”
Annia and Bianca both nod firmly. “Yes!” “Please!”
Misah’to shook his head. “Get your coats and shoes. Let’s go talk to Norhi. She’ll know if her moogle friend can help you.”
The girls cheered and turned to get ready to go out. One enthusiastic vs befuddled conversation later, the girls had a written copy of a cookie recipe that Norhi had. Time to ask for help baking!
Hey, can y’all rb this if it’s okay to send you messages asking about your ocs, cause on god I wanna interact with y’all but I am terrified of being annoying lol
Misah’to finished stacking the new school books they’d kept, on the desk by the girls’ bunkbed. Annia and Bianca were outside, free of their schoolwork. Not that Annia was upset about still having to study. After all, if she wanted to be an architect (or an engineer), she needed to learn. Bianca mostly kept up out of a sense of competitiveness with her sister. A fact that Misah’to was thankful for.
He sighed and turned away, scooping up some laundry to go in the basket. The other families in Alvarium had quickly gathered up a few things for him and the girls. Couple spare changes of clothes. Items for household use. Like a laundry basket. Towels. Toiletries. It wasn’t a lot. Which made for easy cleaning of the small apartment. But overall, it was far more than they’d had while hiding in the city’s ruins.
With that little bit of cleaning done, Misah’to found himself looking out the window to the plaza. Norhi was out there, hobbling along with her sprained ankle. His cousin was determined not to slow down for anything. Reminded him all too much of Aunt Cordhias. And Grangran.
He leaned against the window and wondered how he could even keep up. Somehow, despite the trauma of losing their entire family, facing the discrimination of Gridania, seeing the seventh umbral calamity, and no small list of other terrifying events, she was strangely determined to keep her head up. The red sky above them didn’t deter her. And neither did a sprained ankle.
He turned away from the window and slid down to the floor, quietly thinking to himself. He was barely anybody. He survived. He kept the girls safe. But surely that was the bare minimum. Right?
He could barely fight. Watching Miss Cass go after Arym for training had frankly terrified him. Is that what someone had to do to learn? How the hell could he survive that when thinking of the few fights he’d had, left him with shaking hands?
He didn’t have enough aether for spells, either. A matter that had benefited him a little in Garlemald. Allowed him to blend in better. But now, at the end of the world, it availed him nothing. No fire to help keep them warm. No healing magic. No lightning or wind to fight. He’d never expected to even be able to cast a single spell. And here he was, envious of them for once.
He found himself wishing he could talk to Nadia. Or any of his old coworkers. But they were gone now. Dead. How did people make friends if they didn’t work with them at a job? He wasn’t sure he knew how to do this.
And for as much as he’d admitted to feeling out of his depth, he was afraid to show everyone just how useless he really was.
(cw: garlemald story line centric stuff. implied death)
Misah'to sat with his back to the closed door of the house, shaking hands with fading adrenaline. He could hear the radio through the window. And the fearful whispers of the two girls inside. He looked back to the grim scene in front of him and frowned. What were they doing to do now?
He shook his head and pushed that thought away, focusing on what he knew could be done. He then stood up and called through the window. "The immediate danger has passed. But stay inside. I will… bury them."
A face appeared in the window, ash blond hair braided up and framing warm brown eyes. She was tear stricken and her voice wobbled as she answered, "We should help you!"
Misah'to jumped up and blocked her view from the window. The view of what he'd done. He shook his head. "Stay inside, Annia. I don't know who else heard that weird call. Or… what just happened. Were either of you hurt?"
Annia shook her head nervously. Behind her, a smaller girl of blonde pigtails and tearful brown eyes, hiccuped. "Why did Mama and Papa become like those others?" she asked.
Misah'to fidgeted and then sighed, remembering the run for safety. The girls' father leading them and his wife away from their home, while chased by soldiers shouting praises to the emperor. He shook his head, before answering, "I don't know, Bianca. I think your father was right about the radio though. Annia, keep your father's rifle close. Okay?"
Annia nodded once. "Don't go away from the radio?"
Misah'to smiled sadly and gently rapped a knuckle on the window frame. "I won't. You two go work on that math book. I'll make us something to eat when I come inside."
Annia nodded again and then dropped down from the window bench. She took Bianca's hand and pulled her away.
Misah'to sighed tiredly and turned to pull a shovel out of the tool shed. He remained in hearing of the radio as best he could, despite knowing that leaving the window open would let heat out of the house. He worked quickly, digging one larger grave, instead of two simple ones. He carefully interred the couple there and began to bury them. He whispered prayers to Nald'thal under his breath, as he worked. "See their souls safely to the other side, I plead. For all that I was their property, they always called me by my name. And they taught their daughters to see me as a person. I will always resent their hypocrisy. But I would never judge their children for their own sins. So please, for their daughters' sake, see their souls to safety."
Once finished, he slipped inside the house. He locked the door and closed the window. He then carried the radio over to where the two girls were sullenly staring at a math textbook. He sat by them with a wince and set the radio on their table. He started digging through their bag of food stores. "Alright. I promised you dinner," he murmured, watching the two girls clamber closer to their new guardian.
Misah'to sighed as he managed to close the door behind him. The girls stood near him, peering around the darkened and dingy diner. Annia frowned and looked back to Misah'to. "This place will be better than the last one?"
Misah'to nodded and reached down to scoop up the bag he'd drop. "There's a woodburning stove in the kitchen. And it's smoke was redirected so as not to disturb the neighbors. We won't be reliant on ceruleum. And wood's a lot easier to find right now. There may even be food that hasn't been scavenged yet. We'll set up some barriers around the wood stove, to make our hiding space. I will show you."
Annia nodded and helped herd Bianca after Misah'to. Bianca reached up to tug at Misah'to's sleeve. "Mimi… Why's it called The Glass Garlic?"
Misah'to blinked down at her and then said, "Umm… That's the name of a song. Some band may years ago. I figure the owner of this place must've liked the song."
Bianca frowned. "Someone wrote a song about garlic?"
Misah'to smiled. "People write songs about a great many things."
Bianca was dissatisfied with this answer. But she let herself be pulled into their work for the day.
The two girls helped him disassemble a few tables to use the tops as impromptu walls. With those and some table cloths secured in a small shelter around the wood burning stove, Misah'to then set about shoving some of the table legs into it's opening. He quietly instructs the girls, teaching them about maintaining fires and what they needed to know.
Once the fire was started, they scoured the kitchen for what food was left and quickly stashed it in their shelter, with their other supplies. And by the time that was done, there was warmth enough to sleep.
Not that Misah'to was capable of any solid sleep any more. He woke every bell, checking on the girls worriedly. And by morning they all woke to a sparse, but grateful breakfast.
Once breakfast was cleaned up, Misah'to turned to the girls. "Now, I'm going to go take care of a couple things. I won't be gone more than a bell. But… I'm going to leave clues for someone. We can't stay here forever. And I don't know… who we can or can't trust right now. But I remember someone who I think would help us, if he's still about. So, I need you both to stay here and stay warm. I won't be long."
Annia and Bianca looked at each other and then back to Misah'to. Bianca lurched forward and hugged him. "Be careful, Mimi."
Misah'to blinked and then melted a little, gently hugging the girl back. "I'll do my best."
Annia quickly dived in as well then, joining the hug. "We'll stay put and we'll be quiet. I'll keep Papa's rifle ready."
Misah'to nods. "Good girls. Now, the password is laurifolium. Got it?"
Bianca nodded. "Laureefo-lum!"
Misah'to chuckled. "Good enough."
He took up his spear then and slipped out of their enclosure. He snagged a cocktail napkin from the bar, looking at the watermarked name on it. He never did actually like that song. He then exit the diner and made his way up the street. It wasn't a long journey by distance. But longer in time than he wanted, dodging those strange monsters, and the loose magitek. But soon enough, he was at the old Verzo household.
As he stepped inside the gate, he found himself staring up at a large window that faced the street. His mind was transported back to an odd moment, eight years ago, when Misah'to stood in this same spot and stared at that same window. It was late. And the bright light inside showed Galeia cen Verzo walking back and forth and rocking her two year old daughter, Annia.
Misah'to felt anger in that moment. Anger that the woman used that too public view for an audience, showing off what a good mother she was. Anger that the 'good mother' routine hadn't extended to helping find her daughter that morning, when Annia had slipped out into the garden and ditched her governess. Anger at how Misah'to had to desperately scramble to keep the child from discovering the danger of thorns, if only so as to not disturb the Lady's very important political guests. And anger at how close that had come to disaster. He did not want to know what would've become of him, had he embarrassed the Lady in front of her important guests, all because of allowing Annia to learn what consequences were.
Misah'to shook off the memory and turned for the garden. Poor Annia probably didn't even remember him gently pulling her away from the rose bushes. Or the half panicked governess coming to fetch her. And with the sky burning that sickly red above, it hardly mattered anymore. Galeia was dead. Dead and buried in someone else's yard.
He took a moment to dig up a jasmine plant that hadn't died, potting it in an extra clay pot. He then took the napkin and gently nailed it to the front door of the house, trying to make as little noise as possible. With that done, he scooped up his potted jasmine and snuck back to the diner. He left the potted plant in an alcove at the top of the stairs, before descending and going back inside. He called out the password and heard the rushed sighs of relief and exclamations of joy, at his return. He looked around the diner and knew this couldn't be a long term solution. And who even knew if that big guy would even remember him. But this was what he had for the moment. He and these two girls.
Whiskey was his drink. Marcello had introduced him to whiskey. He did like other stuff. But whiskey was something that made him recall that giddy hopeful feeling, of wanting, of thinking “Maybe this time.”
But Marcello was gone. He’d never once gave anything more than enough to string Misah’to along to his next request. And they were always requests. And oh how he twisted and danced for each one, hoping for another kernel of those elusive flirtations.
Marcello had been an ass. But where Marcello was a manipulative, subtle ass, Donic was a right bastard. And Misah’to still hated his guts. To this day he still didn’t know why they kept meeting up. But the sex had been great.
Eventually Donic disappeared without a word. Marcello hadn’t said anything. But Misah’to at least knew why he was gone.
After that it was Teodor. Teodor had been kind. A warm light and right joy, in the midst of misery and exhaust painted snow. A simple man who also enjoyed a good whiskey. They talked. And talked. And talked. They were friends. And Misah’to had never wanted to hold someone’s hand so badly in his cursed life.
But Teodor met this girl. And she was beautiful. And perfect for him. And Misah’to bought them the best bottle of whiskey he could afford, as a gift for their wedding.
Then Misah’to met Gratian. And he was charming. Bit of a bastard. But he always soothed the hurt. He knew what button to push and just how far. And Misah’to knew that this wasn’t good either. But it was hard to walk away, when he had someone warm in bed next to him.
Gratian eventually walked away. He apologized. But Misah’to knew it for a lie. He didn’t argue. And he didn’t chase. And for once, it seemed Gratian was off balance for a moment, as Misah’to just let him go without a fight.
Tonight, as Valentione’s was in full swing in Alvarium, Misah’to had found himself a quiet rooftop. He’d climbed up with a bag holding a bottle of whiskey and two glasses. He poured a finger’s width in one glass, capped the bottle and put it back in the bag. He set the empty glass on the roof in front of him and sipped from his own.
Maybe he could keep a lid on it this time. He had too much to risk to his own weak heart. The girls deserved a parent who wasn’t completely twitterpated with every guy who smiled at him or even showed him a bit of kindness. One who could just focus on getting their lives sorted out. After all, what were his own desires, compared to their safety and comfort?
And then he quietly remembers the first time he understood love. He was a child again in The Forest. That weird pink haired idiot was back and following Aunt Cordhias around, with flowers and poetry. Finally, he got the chance to talk to him without his mother or aunt around. “Why do you act like that? It’s weird.”
Vhene’to smiled softly at young Misah’to and shrugged. “Yeah, it’s weird. But... Cordhias... makes me happy in a way that nothing else does. Just by being here. Knowing her and having her as a part of my life, brings such an immense feeling of joy.”
Misah’to frowned. “And if she didn’t want you around anymore?”
Vhene’to’s smile saddened. “Well, that would hurt a lot. But... I know I’d treasure the memories like they were the most precious thing I have.”
Misah’to didn’t get to ask more, as Gran Bhetti showed up and reminded him of his chores. But the way Uncle Vhene’to always smiled at Aunt Cordhias stuck with Misah’to through the years. And part of him wanted very much to find his own chance to experience that sense of cherishing someone and holding them close. To be cherished as well, he figured.
Misah’to stared up at the red sky above them and thought about how Norhi had her father’s smile. And found himself grateful that his cousin had her father’s heart.
His eyes dropped to the empty glass and he sighed. He raised his own glass in toast. “Wherever you poor bastards are, may your gains outpace your losses. I’m barely breaking even, these days.”
Misah’to was twenty, when Galeia gave birth to their daughter. He remembered he was elbow deep in the dianthus bed, when one of the maids came careening out of the house with a shriek of glee. “They had a little girl! She looks just like her father and they named her Annia!!” the woman laughed, darting over to hug Misah’to.
He held still so as to not get dirt all over the woman’s uniform, awkward though it was to be so casually hugged by anyone else at all. “Ah... Everything went well then? A safe delivery?”
The maid bounced, shaking Misah’to with her as she did. “Yes! Madam and Little Miss are just as healthy as can be! Sir said he’d bring them home tomorrow!”
Misah’to managed an awkward smile. “I’ll look forward to it, then.”
The maid giggled, kissed his cheek, and then danced back inside. Misah’to just sat there, wondering why this prompted any sort of inclusion of him. He rarely spent any time inside the house as it was. Even so, he’d have the garden neatened back up by tomorrow.
And the next morning, thanks to the forewarning, Misah’to was out front with the rest of the household staff, when the transport arrived. Levitas was first to step out, quickly reaching to help his wife out. Galeia smiled at her assistant, talking softly with the man, while Levitas turned to unstrap the carrier next.
Misah’to watched as half the staff converged on Levi and the baby. Misah’to, being shorter than most of them, just hung back. He didn’t want to be in the middle of that melee. But Levi made them back up, so that Galeia could pull Annia from the carrier. She held the baby in her arms, with her face visible to the small crowd.
Levitas cleared his throat then and says, “May I present Annia bas Verzo. My eldest child.”
Misah’to managed a smile then, as most of the staff cheered eagerly. But then the family was chivied inside, out of the cold. And Misah’to took the moment to go back to work. He hadn’t been around an honest to Galvus child in a decade. He didn’t know what to do with one now. He supposed she was kinda cute though. For a baby.
----
It would be nearly two years later, before Misah’to had any real interactions with the child. After all, Annia almost never left the immediate proximity of her mother or her governess. But a few moons shy of her second birthday, the girl suddenly developed a streak of independence and began ditching her caretakers. And more often than not, this meant she wound up in the garden.
Most days, Misah’to didn’t mind. He’d take his own coat off and drape it around the Little Miss’s shoulders, to keep her warm, while she sat in the grass or snow, and played with whatever safe plant he’d handed her. Eventually her governess would show up and just sigh in exhaustion, before whisking the child back inside.
It would be shortly after this started, that it was announced that Madam Galeia was pregnant again. And Misah’to learned why Annia was getting away more. Both Mother and Governess were wrapped up in new baby preparations. And even while this was going on, Madam Galeia hadn’t slowed down her career trajectory at all. She still had political guests visiting all the time.
It was during one of these visits, that Annia escaped once more and wound up in the garden. But today, the child wasn’t content to sit and play with the chive blossom she’d been handed. Today she wanted a rose. And she was quickly trotting over to the blooming bushes.
Misah’to squawked in alarm and scooped the child away from the bush, before she could grab the thorn covered branch. Annia’s face screwed up, about to cry. Misah’to desperately tried to shush her and shook his head. “No no... Sh shshshs... Hey here... Watch!”
He reached out then and gripped the thorns of the bush, wincing when they broke his skin. He then turned his hand to let Annia see the little bleeding cuts. “See? Thorns hurt. We don’t want you to get hurt.”
Annia gasped at the blood and teared up even more. She darted out of Misah’to’s grasp for the house, calling, “Nada! Nada!!”
Misah’to squawked again and followed after the child, trying to quiet her before the guests heard. At this point, Nadia bas Ruera appeared. “There you are. What in the blazes is going on!?”
Misah’to just wilted. “She tried to grab the rose bushes Miss Ruera. I simply tried to show her how thorns can hurt,” he said, revealing his hand, “I didn’t mean to scare her.”
Annia tugged at Nadia’s skirts. “Nada! Make Mimi’s booboo better! Nada!”
Misah’to blinked and then muttered, “Mimi?” Wait... Oh, it’s okay, Little Miss. I can fix them up.”
Nadia rolled her eyes and scooped Annia to her hip. She then grabbed Misah’to’s wrist and pulled him into the kitchen. “Just let me do it. She’ll be inconsolable otherwise.”
Misah’to grimaced and let himself be pulled along. “Yes, Miss Ruera.”
He then sat on the stool he was directed to, watching as Nadia set Annia on the counter next to him. He then watched Nadia clean the blood from his hand and carefully apply salve and bandages. “There. All better,” the woman said primly.
Annia puffed her cheeks. “No! Kiss too!”
Misah’to squawked. “Oh no. It’s alright Little Miss. I feel loads better already. I promise.”
Annia huffed. “But kiss!”
Nadia just sighed. “How about, Miss Annia, you kiss Mimi’s booboos then?”
Annia perked at this, excited. “I kiss better!”
Misah’to shook his head quickly at Nadia, his expression pleading for this to end. Nadia just shrugged and gestured at him to hold out his hand to Annia. What were they going to do? Disturb the entire house?
Misah’to sighed and gave Annia a sheepish grin. He held out his bandaged hand and held still, as the girl took it and pressed a toddler’s kiss to his palm with a big “Mwah!”
Misah’to smiled shakily then and answered, “Thank you kindly, Little Miss. I’m going to get back to work now. Okay?”
Annia nodded. “Kay!”
She then let Nadia scoop her back to the nursery, and Misah’to escape to the garden. Once free, he just sagged against the building and made plans to have dinner out that night. The last thing he’d needed was the Madam’s daughter learning what consequences were, while there was a political guest in the house.
----
Misah’to was once again elbow deep in flowers, delphiniums this time. And once again, one of the maids was shrieking in joy. He turned and looked, as the woman leaned out of the window to yell at him. “She had the baby! Another girl! Her name’s Bianca!!”
Misah’to nodded and then waved in acknowledgement, awkwardly smiling as the woman darted back inside with her glee.
A short bit later, Annia escaped outside. She pouted as she sat on a bench, crossing her little arms in a surprisingly good mockery of her father. Misah’to smiled and shrugged out of his coat. He layered it over the girl and then cut down a rose. He stripped the thorns and gave it to her, before returning to work.
Annia sniffled. “Dun wanna be sister.”
Misah’to hummed a bit. “It’ll certainly be different. What part upsets you?”
Annia frowned. “Mama busy lots. Gonna busy more.”
Misah’to nodded then and gave her a smile. “Well... It’s not the same, I know. But, when Little Miss Bianca’s a little older, you two can have each other, when Madam is busy.”
Annia sniffled. “Mebbe.”
Misah’to then winked. “At any rate. She can’t make her way out to the garden for a while. Needs to learn to walk first.”
Annia straightened up then, perking at the thought. She then nodded. “My garden.”
Misah’to just smiled and didn’t correct her.
The next morning, Misah’to stood out with the staff, much like the time before. The transport came and they presented another little blonde baby girl. Little rounder in the face maybe. He wasn’t sure. It was a baby.
Over by Miss Nadia, Annia clung to the woman’s hand, eyeing the child with trepidation. Levitas just scooped her up and hugged her tightly, before leaning in so she could see her sister. Annia wrinkled her nose and mumbled, “Guess she cute...”
Misah’to smiled and turned to go back to work. Things were not going to calm down.
----
It would be about three years later, when Annia started bringing Bianca into the garden with her. The two would sit and share Misah’to’s coat and whisper to each other about the flowers. But where Annia had often been content like this, Bianca would inevitably get up and wander.
Today, Misah’to found himself watching as Bianca poked at the dirt he was filling in around a new bush. She poked and poked, until she tried to pull something free.
Misah’to leaned in. “What did you find, Little Miss?” he asked, watching her pull a worm out of the dirt.
He waited for the expected scream, but it didn’t come. In fact, the child looked puzzled. Bianca held it up to Misah’to, getting uncomfortably close to his face. “Wazzit?”
Misah’to leaned back and carefully rescued the bug from her. “It’s called a worm. They enrich the soil,” he says, gently returning it to the dirt.
Bianca oohs. “Worms neat.”
Behind her, over on the bench, Annia makes a face. “Worms’re gross.”
Bianca frowns. “Nooo.”
Misah’to quickly waved between them. “They can be both.”
He then looked up and was grateful to see Nadia arrive to take both the girls back. He didn’t have the energy to handle the two of them bickering. Half of it wasn’t even in understandable words anyway. Even so, it was clear that where Annia was more reserved, Bianca had gotten the sense of adventure.
----
Annia had now been five years old for some manner of moons. And her first year of school at Docere Academy started tomorrow. At some point, late in the afternoon, Annia snuck out into the garden. She ran up to Misah’to and clung to his side.
He frowned as he noted she’d been crying. He knelt then and pulled out a handkerchief. Being the hobby of two young girls had necessitated he start carrying one. He gently wiped her face dry and asked, “And what has you upset today, Little Miss?”
Annia sniffled and pouted. “I don’t wanna go to school. Can I learn to be gardener like you?”
Misah’to blinked at this and then smiled worriedly. “Well, I can certainly teach you to garden. But I don’t think your parents will let you get out of school for it. Besides, even gardeners need school. Reading, math, history. All very important.”
Annia frowned. “But you didn’t go to school.”
Misah’to shrugged. “I still had lessons. It was basically school. I think you’ll like it though. You like learning about architecture from your father. School will help with that.”
Annia fidgeted. “Really?”
Misah’to nodded once. “Really.”
Annia fidgeted and then nodded. She hugged Misah’to and turned to go inside then. “Guess I have to take my bath then.”
Misah’to waved. “Ask for bubbles.”
Annia perked at this and then grinned, running inside. The bubbles always did it.
The next morning, Annia exited the house in her new school uniform. Misah’to watched as Galeia, dressed impeccably as always, joined her. Hand in hand, the two walked out of the gate and down the street. Docere Academy wasn’t far. A few blocks really. And Misah’to merely thought that it’d almost be sweet, watching mother walk daughter to school. If mother didn’t have an angle for being seen as publicly reliable and political. But Annia hadn’t figured that out yet. And Misah’to wasn’t about to spoil the illusion for her.
He lost himself back in his work for the day. And by the time the afternoon had rolled around, Levitas could be seen walking back home with his daughter in hand. Annia bounced and waved excitedly at Misah’to, as she followed her father inside. Misah’to smiled and waved back. He had the feeling it had gone very well.
And sure enough, a bell later, the girl darted outside and tackled him into the phlox. “You were right! It was awesome!” she crowed, from her perch on his back.
Misah’to carefully straightened back to his knees, careful not to dislodge her grip.He smiled over his shoulder to her. “Had fun then?”
Annia nodded. “Yes! The library there is waaaaaay bigger than the one here at home. Not as big as the pretty one near the palace though.”
Misah’to aha’d and then reached to fix the phlox he’d landed on. “Well, sounds like you’ll have lots of books to read then.”
Annia giggled and hugged Misah’to tighter.. “So many books!”
At this point, the garden door opens and Nadia leans out. “Annia! Homework!”
Annia squeaked and then giggled. She slid off Misah’to’s back and darts for the door. Misah’to just shook his head and turned back to work.
----
A couple more years pass and it was Bianca’s turn for school. And where Annia had been worried, Bianca was incredibly excited. She’d listened to her sister talk about school for two years. And now it was her turn!
When she came home from her first day, she was a lot less enthused than Annia had been. But, like her sister, she escaped to the garden barely a bell later. Bianca sat by Misah’to. “No one said it’s a buncha sittin’ still.”
Misah’to quickly choked back a laugh. He cleared his throat and gave Bianca a sympathetic smile. “I suppose that would be important to know. Surely not all of it is sitting still?”
Misah’to nodded softly and continued weeding the dianthus. “Well, there’s something. If I recall, Annai’s not so fond of gymnasium, herself. Just means you two like different things.”
Bianca crossed her arms. “I guess.”
Misah’to grinned. “I think so, anyway. Now, I imagine you have homework. And Miss Nadia’s going to yell, if you don’t show up.”
Bianca made a face then. “Ew. But sitting!”
Misah’to shrugged. “Stand by the table then.”
Bianca blinked. “I can stand by the table! Thanks, Mimi!” she cheered, before darting inside.
-
Another year passed. The girls get used to school. The household finds a new rhythm. And all was well. Until it wasn’t.
Annia and Bianca walked to and from school on their own now. Just the two of them. And of late, they’d seemed very subdued on their way home. Nadia sat by Misah’to in the kitchens one night, during the dinner how. She fidgeted with her fork, before asking, “Have the girls confided anything to you recently? Any trouble at school?”
Misah’to shook his head. “No. In fact, they’ve not been coming out to the garden as much, recently. I’d been meaning to ask you.”
Nadia sighed. “They’ve said nothing to me. And when I ask, they insist everything’s fine. The only thing I can think is... A few weeks ago, Annia asked if they could be picked up from school by car.”
Misah’to frowned a bit. “I think tomorrow, I’m going to walk down to the convenience store by their school, just before they get out.”
Nadia nodded. “Sounds like it’ll be a nice break.”
Misah’to hummed an agreement. And then he ate his dinner.
The next afternoon, shortly before the school let out, he went on his walk. He stopped in front of the convenience store and looked over the ads plastered on the windows. He heard the bell ring and the chatter of voices, as children started to exit the building.
Before long, three boys were standing at the corner, laughing and talking about what they were going to do. They were raucous, in that way that young men with no outlets often were. But the one of them hissed at his friends and pointed. Misah’to glanced over and saw Annia and Bianca had exited the gates. They were clinging to each other and making their way to the other sidewalk.
Misah’to frowned and stepped past the boys to wave at them. “Little Misses! Afternoon!”
He heard the boys squawk and back away from him, hissing in alarm. He didn’t even look at them. But instead watched the girls dart over to him in surprise. Annia took his hand while Bianca took the other. Annia then said, “Misah’to? Why are you here?”
Misah’to just smiled. “I wanted to buy something from the store. I got a little extra. How about I get you two something too?”
The girls nod and he takes them inside the store, seeing the boys dart off down the street. Once inside, Misah’to quietly asks, “Who were they?”
Annia frowned. “That’s Nico bas Saltamare. And his friends. They... think they’re special.”
Misah’to hummed in understanding. “Maybe I should make a habit of walking through here in the afternoon. It’s a pretty neighborhood.”
Annia and Bianca both smiled and nodded. Misah’to bought them each a candy and then walked them home. He quietly informed Nadia of what he’d learned. And then he went to work.
That evening, after dinner, Levitas came down to Misah’to’s room. He had with him a nice jacket, with the Verzo crest on it. “Misah’to... I’ve been meaning to thank you for a long time. You’ve always been very good with my daughters. And I know they’ve caused you no end of trouble. And today... I wish I’d noticed. Thank you for that. And I know it’s not part of why we hired you. But I’d like it if you officially walked the girls home from school now. Galeia’s going to handle the Saltamares. But she’s afraid she doesn’t have enough leverage to stop blowback from happening. They won’t go after you, if you’ve got the girls with you. Or the girls, if you’re with them. I... “
Misah’to nodded. “It’s alright, sir. I’ll walk the girls. I already had plans to just... be in the neighborhood anyway.”
Levi sighed in relief and then held out the coat. “I know it’s more formal than we usually have you wear. But it’ll make you look like you’re on the job, at least.”
Misah’to accepted the coat, carefully looking it over. “I’ll take care of it, sir.”
Levi nodded awkwardly and then said, “I’ll... be adding a small pay raise too. For the increase in duties. Again... Thank you.”
Misah’to watched his owner walk away. He wished he could get rid of the bitter feeling that came from the words hired and pay. Instead he closed his door and gently hung up the coat. Didn’t matter tonight anyway. He couldn’t change it.
----
Later that year, an election cycle had finished. And Galeia had won herself a low level position, with a well funded advocacy group. The political guests were more frequent now. There was one woman that always brought this odd little dog with her, whenever she and Galeia wanted to strategize on something. It was very common for the girls to bring their books out to the garden, when this happened.
Well, Stella dus Cossire had arrived before the girls got home today. Misah’to hoped this meant that she’d be gone by the time he returned with the girls that afternoon. Unfortunately for him, Stella and Galeia were out on the front walk, talking still, as Misah’to arrived with the girls.
Stella paid them no attention, but her little dog perked up and started yapping angrily. Misah’to moved to usher the girls past, only to see a flash of that light tan brown leaping from Stella’s arms. He instinctively pushed Annia and Bianca behind him, as the dog suddenly latched onto his leg with his teeth.
The little thing snarled and growled and tried to shake his prey. Tried. And only succeeded in shredding part of Misah’to’s pants leg and digging into his skin. His leg jerked with the pain and shook the dog off. The dog landed a short bit away with a yelp, limping back to his own with a whine.
Stella only now reacted, gasping with shock as she scoops her dog back up. “Boomer! You’re hurt!”
She then snarls at Misah’to. “How could you!?”
Misah’to bit his tongue, though his ears flattened angrily. Galeia stepped neatly between them then. “Oh Stella, don’t mind him. You know how they get. You take Boomer to the clinic and just send me the bill. Okay?”
Stella huffed and then frowned. “Fine. I’ll see you at the next meeting, Galeia.”
Galeia smiled all too calmly and waved. She then sighed and turned around. She didn’t look at Misah’to yet. “Girls? Are you hurt?”
Annia peeked around Misah’to. “No, Mama. Mimi got between us in time.”
Galeia nodded and then gestured at the house. “Go inside. Start on your homework. I’m going to walk Misah’to to the kitchen to get his leg cleaned up.”
The girls nod. They both give Misah’to worried looks and then darted inside.
Once the door closed, Galeia turned her gaze to Misah’to. She examined him silently for a moment, before saying, “Levi keeps saying you do so much for the girls. And I suppose you do. Thank you for looking out for them. I will make an effort to meet Stella elsewhere, I think. Bad enough her little cretin keeps urinating in our fireplace. Come. Let’s get that wound looked at.”
Misah’to nodded and quietly limped to the kitchen with Galeia at his side. After a moment, she spoke up again, “For what it’s worth, this won’t harm your job or your pay. If Stella has a problem with it, I know who can deal with her.”
Misah’to eyed her with mild alarm then. Just what did that mean?
He didn’t get to find out, as Galeia left him in the care of one of the maids in the kitchen.
Either way, she was right. Stella only tried once, to make a stink about it. But within a day, she retracted her statements, even going so far as to apologize to Annia and Bianca. Though, she did not apologize to Misah’to. Rather, she ignored him completely. And he was just fine with that.
----
Another year later and it was a party at the house. Some long lobbied piece of legislation had been accepted and sent to the emperor for approval. And he’d stamped it that morning. And so, Galeia had her fellow politicians and all their friends over for a last minute party.
It was the weekend, thankfully. So the girls didn’t have school. And no one complained that they were up far too late. However, it had gotten quite noisy and so the girls had retreated to the kitchen. Where Misah’to and the kitchen staff were quietly playing a card game.
When the girls appear, the chips are cleared away and hands dealt to the girls. If nothing else, it was more fun with the kids around.
But then one man barged into the kitchen, waving around an empty wine bottle. “I say! Where is the vintner!? We need more grapes!”
The chef hopped up to try to handle the man, thinking to gently talk him back out into the party, with the promise of more wine. But then the man veered away, heading for the table. “Oi, what are you two little ladies doin’ here? Good ladies don’t play cards with the help!” he snarled, reaching for Bianca’s arm.
Bianca squeaked and dodged his wavering grasp, darting around behind the chef’s assistant. The man snarled as if to follow. But Misah’to had seen enough, and was now in his way.
Misah’to took him firmly by the shoulders and said, “Sir, the party going on without you. You should go join them. Tell them that there’s more wine coming.”
The man growled and then suddenly lashed out with a punch, clocking Misah’to across the jaw. This knocked Misah’to back, rattling the table and their card game. And then Misah’to heard one of the maids scream. The drunken man recoiled and snarled, reaching for the maid next, having not seen her come in behind him. Misah’to lurched forward and grabbed his shoulder again, giving the maid time to scamper out of the way.
At this point, Levitas had come into the kitchen, brandishing a fireplace poker. He frowned at the scene, as his girls dart around everyone to go hug their father. Annia looked up at Levi with teary eyes. “That man hit Misah’to! And he tried to hit Tricia! He also tried to hurt Bianca. Said we shouldn’t be back here!”
Levi listened to this and looked up to see Misah’to had managed to restrain the man. He rubbed his eyes. “Misah’to? Take him to the foyer. I’ll call someone to take him home.”
Misah’to nodded and then frog-marched the man to the foyer. The party broke up shortly after that. The tearful girls were soothed and permitted to make sure that Tricia and Misah’to were both alright. Before being shuffled off to bed.
And Misah’to collapsed into his own bed, tired and in need of quiet. Though, a knock came a minute later. He hauled himself up to find Levitas at his door again. The man held out a bottle of beer. “Thank you.”
Misah’to accepted the beer. “I wouldn’t let anyone hurt the girls. That’s all it is.”
Levi nodded. “Still, thank you.”
He then walked away. And Misah’to went to bed.
----
It was Annia’s tenth birthday. Misah’to had long since started giving the girls little flower corsages for their birthdays. And today was no different. He passed it over, letting Nadia pin the crocus bundle to Annia’s school coat.
Once it was done though, Annia quickly pulled out a box and passed it to Misah’to. He blinked, “What’s this?”
Annia fidgeted. “You won’t tell me when your birthday is. So... I’m just going to celebrate it when I celebrate mine.”
Misah’to half chuckled then. “If that’s what you wish.”
Annia rolled her eyes. “Just open it already!”
Misah’to shook his head and opened the box, pulling out the nice hat inside. “Oh... It’s that one I was looking at, on our way back from school last week. Thank you, Annia.”
Annia smiled. “Happy Birthday, Mimi.”
Misah’to smiled softly. “Happy Birthday, Little Miss.”
