Mila's First Outing (Completed)

[Artemis Black]

Artemis was surprised at how strong Mila was as he was shuffled outside with Katarya. He shook his thoughts free and focused on the woman in front of him, his pupils widening outside the dark home.

"She tried to touch my rocks," he said with a grin and a wink. He shook his false coin purse for emphasis. "Then we robbed a drunkard, got her some food, and came for you. I didn't have the slightest what was really wrong, and I can't save everyone, but I'm not going to let the ones I can help pass by."

Artemis' eyes looked distantly at something only he could see. "Besides, she'll be a looker once I've got meat on her bones, she's quick-fingered enough, and she can keep up in the high places." He held up his hands suddenly, "No worries Love, she goes after the fairer kind, not a wink interested in me despite my oozing charm." A grin lit his face suddenly, "Should have a healer give a close look at that charm in private I think."

[Katarya Frost]

Kat couldn't help but smile, despite the situation. "I'm sure I can fit you in to my schedule. I'll have to put you down for regular visits ... maybe a bed bath." She gave him a quick kiss on his lips. It wouldn't do to get too heavy in light of what was happening.

***

Mila wiped the tears from her face. They had left tracks in the dirt that covered her. "So what happens to him now?" She asked.

Kat put a hand on her shoulder. "I''ll get a message to House Enlann, one of the Noble Houses that runs the hospitals and such. They can arrange for a burial."

Mila nodded dumbly.

Kat sighed. "In the meantime, you can stay at the Hart. I am sure they'd be sympathetic to your situation and let you stay, just until you got on your feet. I will happily vouch for you."

But to Katarya's surprise, Mila shook her head. "No, I don't want to stay there." She said, adamantly. "I don't want to live under the roof of a place that would have denied my pa healing just cos he was human."

The witch sighed. "Prejudice is rife in this city; but where will you go?"

Mila looked up then, without asking him or even looking his way, she motioned to Artemis. "With him." She said. "He's gonna teach me things. I'm gonna make a life for myself. You can't teach me what I need to know, but he can. I seen him do it. You're just a healer." She realised that the last bit sounded cold. "But you came, when you didn't have to. Thank you. I will pay you when I can, I promise."

Kat shook her head. "No payment is owed. I wouldn't charge for this ... situation."

"You mean coming out and telling someone they're pa is dead? I guess that makes sense." She couldn't help it, she was upset, and angry. She had always known she would outlive him; children were supposed to outlive their children. But she was so young! And now she had no one. Except maybe Artemis, if he would take her on. She'd show him her value. She was determined.

The witch nodded. "well, you'll always be welcomed there. If you need work, there are contracts I'm sure you'd be given. But if Artemis will help you out ... he might be better equipped. He can start by getting you to a bath."

Mila shrugged. She didn't care about her appearance right then, so she didn't take any offence. But she supposed it would do her a favour not to look like a slum rat.

[Artemis Black]

Artemis didn't look like he was having the right emotions for the scene playing out before him. He had a lingering dumb smile on his face, and his eyes were somewhat unfocused. Then he heard his name, and a blade naturally flicked into his palm.

"Wha-" he stuttered for a moment. "I mean, I'm happy to teach you, but I don't exactly have a bath or even really much of spare bed space. The blanket would do something fierce to your skin too. You'd be ruined with blemishes in the week." He noticed the blade in his hand and failed to discreetly tuck it back into its sheath.

"Let's take you to the Hart, get you a washing up, and see where things go from there. First lesson, this one's free," he said, holding up a single finger. "They may be prickly, but you shouldn't turn away assistance offered without strings when you need it." He tapped Mila on the nose. "Besides, that's my Lover you're disparaging and she's not just anything but beautiful."

He turned to leave the place, confident in Katarya to handle whatever else was needed and still not terribly used to working with others. "Also, we can get the fine seamstress to gussy you up some. Get you some spare pockets. We'll need them. Can I borrow Beaky tonight, my Love?" he asked over his shoulder as he moved to the door.

[Mila Glade]

Mila shook her head. "It's not about you." She said to Katarya. "You tried to help him, but ..." She coughed back a sob, and took a deep, quick breath. "Thank you."

Kat thought the girl wouldn't appreciate being hugged. "I'll do whatever I can. Are you ready to go?"

Mila took one last look back at the body which used to be her father. It wasn't him any more. It was a husk, just a shell devoid of spirit. Her father had been a fighter. What she saw before her was not her father. So she nodded and stepped outside.

When asked about Nyx, Kat raised a brow. "That depends on what for." She said. " I wont have her put in danger, and you should remember I see what she sees? If it's safe, then yes, I'll ask her."

Mila looked at the healer with some confusion. "Who is 'Beaky'?" She was curious, in spite of everything.

The half-Elf's question was answered by a raven descending from the sky to land on Kat's shoulder, chattering something. Kat nodded as they walked, as if she knew what the bird was saying. Was she some kind of mage? She had seen summoners in Ajteire, but they had dealt with spirits. Maybe it was just a pet.

But Kat spoke to her as if she were fully aware. "Artemis wants to borrow you, tonight." She said to the bird, who croaked in response. Kat glanced over to Artemis. "That's a yes." Then she answered Mila's questioning gaze. "This is Nyx; she is my familiar. I'm not just a healer, I'm a witch."

"Oh," was all Mila said. She had grown up around magic, so this was hardly shocking to her. But she didn't think anyone would be so blatant in a place like this. Katarya must be confident in herself.

***

Mila sat in the bath, scrubbing herself near raw, the dirt seemed to be stuck to her skin. When she finally emerged, she was red all over, but felt so much better. Katarya had set out a plain dress, but Mila would not be using that. She had never worn a dress before and she didn't intend to now. She slipped back into her clothes and went back downstairs to the two people who had helped her. Some of the staff had tried to talk to her, and though she understood most of it, she kept her head down. She didn't want to become well known. Being a thief and even a killer, meant it was better to be ignored.

***

Kat sat across from the table with Artemis. "So you're going to train the girl?" She asked. "That's kid of you. Anything I can do, you must let me know. I can't imagine what she must be feeling right now, and she obviously looks up to you. Kat smiled. "You do make an impression on people!"

She stopped talking as Mila had approached. She had not put on the dress Kat had borrowed from the servant's lot, but her clean skin and hair made her look so different. She was very pretty, though she looked tired. How could she not be. "How are you feeling, Mila?"

Mila shrugged. "Don't know. Be better when I have something to do. Pa never let me sit idle. He wouldn't want me to sit and cry about him all day." She took a seat, her eyes going to Artemis. "I wanna be the best thief in this city." The conviction in her words was undeniable. This was no wistful statement; she meant every word.

Kat raised a brow as she took a drink of her wine. 'You've picked the right tutor', she thought. Then she rose. "Come back if you need anything. You'll be welcome here, even if you don't really like it. Just keep it in mind." She moved to Artemis and gave him a long kiss. "See you soon, lover." She stood up and inclined her head. "Nyx, you stay with Artemis. And good luck, Mila." She said, moving off, while Nyx hopped over to Artemis' shoulder.

Mila had nodded her thanks, then quietly, after the woman had left. "I don't need luck." She turned to Artemis. "I can see what you like about her. She's beautiful. What do we do now?"

[Artemis Black]

Artemis stopped when Katarya mentioned Nyx. “She can what?! You never shared that little tidbit but…” Artemis let out an evil chuckle to himself and smirked. He waited for the women to leave the house and smiled as Nyx fluttered down to make her pronouncements. When the bird flitted over to his shoulder he petted her gently and offered a blueberry. “Who’s the second best woman in my life?” he cooed at the familiar. “I think it’s you. Yes I do.”

Nyx croaked in indignation, making Kat laugh. “I don’t think she likes you talking to her like that!” But smiled as the bird still accepted a blueberry. “She also seems to be easily bought. Don’t you make her too fat to fly!” Nyx croaked again.

He fell in behind the women as they moved away from the house. “Many of the best women are, and I’ll have plenty to stretch her wings,” Artemis replied over his shoulders, running his fingers along the birds head as he moved. They’d arrive at the White Hart soon enough, and there was a lot to consider afterwards.

⁂

Artemis settled in to a table at the inn and watched Mila as she was shuffled upstairs. He turned his attentions to Katarya once she was out of sight. “I’m not entirely sure where I can have her sleep, but I can certainly understand the desire to be somewhere that doesn’t discriminate.”

On the stage, Raen was strumming gently, his clear voice singing a lilting song in Elvish. It sounded like a love song, but perhaps one of tragedy. It certainly made Katarya a little thoughtful whenever she tuned in.

Artemis got an odd half-smile on his face and started to tap his fingers to the tune while staring intently at the bard. After a few moments he began to whistle out a lilting birdsong. It rose and fell with the music, matching it note for note as the bard played. The sound added a dash of extra somberness to a tale that clearly turned for the worse in the end.

Raen glanced up in surprise when a sweet whistling was added to his music. Some of the patrons gave Artemis a dark look, but there were others who seemed to appreciate it. Raen gave a smile and continued to sing

“Show off,” Kat smiled.

“For you, all my skills and talents,” he said, taking her hand for a light kiss. He leaned in and whispered, “Though I recall you sang a bit better that one time.”

⁂

Artemis watched Mila come down the stairs. She was washed and refreshed but still carried all the signs of exhaustion that only time could fix. When she declared her dream Artemis smiled broadly. When Mila complimented Katarya his grin practically glowed. “I know, but you keep your wiles away and I’ll send you any that might catch your fancy in exchange.” He raised two fingers at the woman. “Lesson two, also free. Don’t declare your dreams aloud for all to hear. It draws ire and enemies you needn’t have.”

He accepted Katarya's kiss with gusto then turned to Mila once she'd gone. “Now, I take you and the littler lady out for a walk about. We collect some donations, and make our way over to home. Though we should probably stop at a clothier on the way. You’ll not want to wear that in the morning and I need more blankets.”

[Mila Glade]

Mila looked down at her clothes. She couldn't help but agree. If she were to be able to steal anything worth stealing, she needed to be able to blend in, so she nodded. "Sounds like a plan, boss." She said.

When he rose, she quickly gulped down the last of her ale, wiped her mouth on her shirt and followed along.

Somehow, she managed to put her pa's death from her mind, at least for now. There'd be time for tears later, but she had to sort herself out first, and this man would be her ticket to being able to actually live here.

She managed to get up, and stand beside him. They had gotten to the roof of the building opposite the elven inn.

He turned to her. "Head to your front, until you hit Anchorleave. Then west a ways. Look for The Discerning Maiden and stop beside it. You'll figure it out." After a pause he added, "Cow Maid sign, raggedy."

Mila nodded as he gave her the directions. So she was leading? No doubt this was to test her, and she had no intention of failing this. She couldn't do much, but she could throw and run, they had gotten her this far. "Yes, boss.

She took off at a run, her sharp eyes darting this way and that, her flight smooth and her movements precise, no doubt down to her years of running the trees at Ajteire. This was almost the same, but with more smoke and noise. She stopped when she reached a wide road, her eyes turning west. It was a big jump from one building to the next in line, but she managed to pull it off, even if she winced on landing. Then she was off again. It felt good to run, as if she were able to outrun all that had happened. She liked it up here.

Then she spotted the sign. She crouched atop a smaller building, waiting for a gap in the passer bys, and then dropped to the ground. She looked up to Artemis. "Did I get it right?"

[Artemis Black]

Artemis watched her clamber up onto the rooftop and nodded appreciatively. After she’d gotten instructions, she was off like a hawk, flitting from one building to the next. She clearly had spent time in something similar, but not quite the same, as shifting roofs and walls. When she lept the larger gap at Anchorleave, he noticed her hitch and made a note to explain the benefits of the wood shingles as springboards. Then they were at their destination, and she hopped down after looking for an appropriate gap.

He slid down beside her, giving a gently pat on the shoulder. “That was impressive, I think we can get you better than me with a few tricks and practice. Though I’ll fight you every step for the honor,” he said with a grin. “Though we’ll need to find something other than boss. It makes me sound like a slum lord or some such.”

His praise given, Artemis moved into the shop. The inside of the shop was musty and oppressive. From barely a foot into the door stood racks near to bursting with second-hand clothing. Artemis had frequented the place many times in his career. It helped to blend in with the working folks when you were trying to be invisible during the day time.

He turned to Mila just inside the place. “Alright, find yourself a few things. Warm stuff, stuff with pockets if you can get it. If the fit is close I have someone who can cinch it up. And don’t try and snitch anything, we pay here, always.” With that, he moved off into the racks of used clothing and piles of fabrics. He was looking for a good blanket, or sheet, or even a mattress wrapping without bugs or too many stains.

[Mila Glade]

Mila made sure to take in any notes he gave, nodding as he spoke. "Boss seems about right. Got taught that in the guard at Ajteire. I'll call you what you like, but first names are for equals, and I ain't there yet." She said, with an emphasis on 'yet'.

She followed him into the shop, and when he instructed her to pick out something, she quickly bypassed the skirts and dresses that might catch the eye of a young woman. Instead, she found some light clothes, probably meant for a man. There were some good garnments here, and she quickly pulled out two shirts, and two pairs of trousers. They were simple; a light blue for the shirts, and plain grey for the trousers. They all had pockets, but she considered his words at having them altered. She took them to him. "These please. I reckon if I can get a few more pockets, and somewhere for my knife; they'd do me right. Easy to move in, and all that. She looked at him. "That alright by you?"

[Artemis Black]

“Black then, if you absolutely must,” he said with a faint irritation in his voice. “I’m not a captain or some lord,” he added over the racks of clothing.

When she came up to him suddenly, Artemis looked up from his stack of not moldy blankets he’d managed to snag. He gave an appraising eye to her selections and nodded. “I approve of your fashion sense leaning towards practical. Though we might have to get you into dresses from time to time. You make a fetching distraction.” He added her clothes to the pile and then grinned as he spotted a clean looking mattress form.

He pulled the bundle down and gave it an intense work over with his eyes and fingers. He found no major stains or bugs, but there was a large rent in the middle of the fabric. “Kessy can fix that right up tonight if we go soon,” he mumbled to himself. “Did you want anything else?” he asked her, looking up from his growing stack.

“Never worn a dress, don’t intend to, either. But yeah. These’ll do just fine. Thank you, Black. I’ll not forget my debt. It’ll be paid back with plenty to spare.” She insisted.

“A Black doesn’t forget, we don’t forgive, and we keep our damn promises,” he said to her, almost like a mantra. Then he moved through the long rows of clothes to drop everything on a counter at the back of the shop. “Miss Turley, I’ve brought another beautiful woman to get clothes with. This one doesn’t even want to sleep with me,” he said, projecting his voice towards an open door.

An old woman tottered out from the back room and gave Artemis a glare, “You’ve said that more times than I can count, and I know my numbers,” she said, but smiled as she looked to Mila. “Dearie, if he gives you any trouble just let me know. I’ll give him the strap right good.”

Artemis grinned and dropped a quarter-silver on the counter. Miss Turley snatched it up and it disappeared, to be deftly replaced by twelve copper. “Many thanks for your eternal kindness Miss Turley,” he said as he gathered the bundle off the counter and turned to leave. The old woman huffed and shooed him away.

Once they were outside he nodded to a sloping stone wall. “Head on up, and make your way to the inner south gate. Slower this time, as I’m basically carrying a sack of potatoes. And stay on the alley side of the roofs. Guards will be looking for runners around this time.”

[Mila Glade]

Mila snorted in a rather unlady-like fashion when he called her 'beautiful', she'd have to put that to rest quick. The menfolk had used it sometimes in Ajteire, and she felt degraded by it, like she was lesser, or that all she was was how she appeared. That was not so.

She listened to his banter with the shop keeper, he obviously had the gift of the gab, that was for sure. Maybe she needed to learn that too, but then, if she wanted something bad enough, a knife in the throat was a bit faster, if messier.

The half-elf nodded at his directions, and sprung up the wall, waiting for him and looking quite impressed he managed to do this with a bundle of clothes under his arm. He was her superior in this, for now. She'd be the best one day, she swore it to herself.

The wind in her hair was refreshing, and she felt more relaxed up on the roofs. She followed Artemis's instructions with a "Yes, Black" "On it, Black". She had swapped out 'boss' for 'black', giving him a title made it easier for her. First name terms felt wrong for a mentor, which is what seemed to be happening between the two.

She also managed to talk somewhat, at their reduced pace. "Is Miss Kat really a witch?" She asked him. "I didn't think I'd meet any magic users here. This city has a stupid attitude towards it." She stepped over the slope of the roof they were traversing. "You called her 'lover', is it just fucking, or is it love?" She glanced at him. "No judgement either way. She's beautiful."