Episode 29

Scarlet's eyes swelled upon realizing the color change, and she quickly yanked her hand from Helfeirch, who made no effort to continue holding it. Holding both hands in front of her, she stared at them in disbelief before rushing to the bathroom.

It wasn't just her hands, her whole body was now covered in pearl-colored scales. When at the right angle, they still shone an emerald gleam like before, but the red seemed to have completely vanished from them.

She gripped the edge of the sink as she stared down at the faucet. 'I don't know how much more of this I can take.'

"We should probably not keep that old man waiting too much longer," Helfeirch said as he leaned against the frame of the bathroom door.

Scarlet took in a deep, steadying breath before nodding in agreement. Helfeirch was quick to pull his goggles over his eyes as they left the room. They soon found themselves sitting in a private dining area at a small round table. Scarlet was so happy to have decent home-cooked food.

'Pops has always been a good cook.'

She stole glances at Helfeirch while they ate, trying to gauge his reaction to the food.

'He seems to be enjoying it. That's good.'

"So, I imagine you've quite the story to tell." Came the elderly man's voice as they continued to eat.

"You could say that." Scarlet took a drink. "The last job I had went sideways and then some."

The man looked down. "They caught you then." He sighed. "Only takes once. I'm surprised you're still alive."

Scarlet let the food in her hands drop lightly back onto her plate. "By all rights, I shouldn't be. I didn't just get caught; I got shot… They did something to me after that, turned me into whatever it is I am now and brought me back. And the more I think about it, the more it feels like they let me go." She then felt her left hand encompassed with warmth as the older man reached over, causing her to look up into his eyes.

"No matter what they've done to you, they don't get to decide who you are in here," he said as he pointed at her heart. "Or who you are in here," he continued as he pointed at her forehead. His eyes held unwavering conviction, and something about them made her feel stronger from within.

"I need to talk to the people who hired me for that last job."

The older man nodded, patting her hand. "I'll send word. In the meantime, you will stay here."

Scarlet simply nodded.

"Now, when are you going to tell me how you met this young man?" Pops pointed at Helfeirch.

Scarlet's eyes slid over to the younger man. "He found me while I was trying to get here from the ground and has been helping me ever since."

"I see. Then I must thank him," Pops said as he gave Helfeirch a knowing smile.

"The food and shelter are enough, thanks," Helfeirch stated plainly.

Pops nodded. "Indeed. I imagine this food is much different than what you're used to."

Scarlet stopped mid-chew to stare at the elderly man.

"Food is food," was all Helfeirch said in return.

"Well, you're welcome to stay as long as Scarlet wants you by her side. She needs as many allies as she can get."

They were soon done eating, and the two guests found their way back to their room. The sun had begun to set. Scarlet stood staring out the window toward Heaven's Spire, her thoughts swirling like great storm clouds. The room was silent, save for the sound of Helfeirch sharpening one of his knives.

Scarlet suddenly realized her fingers were mindlessly rubbing her lips. Her mind instantly went back to when Helfeirch kissed her earlier. In that moment, he was telling her something. He was telling her he wasn't going anywhere, that he was going to stay by her side. She remembered what he'd said to her before about the woman he'd loved, the one who'd died in childbirth.

'... Believe it or not, I'm a picky man.'

His words repeated in her mind. She still wasn't sure what it was that he saw in her. She couldn't help but wonder if everything he saw about her as special was somehow tied to her mutations.

"You should take this opportunity to rest." Hearing his voice made her jump. Turning, she found him standing behind her.

'Geez. How long had he been standing there?'

"I know. But honestly, I don't know if I can," she admitted. Her mind was too chaotic to let her sleep. He reached around her and tugged the curtains shut, plunging the room into darkness. Without another word, he made his way back over to the bed, climbing in.

"You can't tell me you aren't exhausted. Come lay down, Scarlet."

But Scarlet didn't move, continuing to stand there. He was right. Even though she'd gotten some sleep, she was still so tired.

'But…'

Before she could finish that thought, a loud sigh interrupted her. In the next moment, Helfeirch arose from the bed and strode over to her. She suddenly found herself hoisted up on one of his shoulders, causing a yelp to escape her mouth.

"Helfeirch, what are you doing?"

He then lowered her down on the bed, caging her in. "Making you come lay down," he answered.

"Simply laying down isn't going to make me able to sleep."

"True enough." She felt his fingers twine in her hair. She both loved and hated how great and calming it felt. He continued petting her hair and massaging her scalp, causing her to close her eyes. And before she knew it, she drifted off to sleep.