IP: 66.208.250.154
Posted on September 22, 2014 at 10:47:14 PM by grimbaud
I've always considered Grimbaud to be special. There is a lightness to her, a joy that seems as natural to her as breathing. But here, in this quiet kitchen with this man, I see Grimbaud truly relax. It's not that she's ever been tense with me, nor has she ever really grasped the fear or pain that has come from homelessness (she would far rather look at the good than the bad), but... I think, somewhere inside her, Grim knows that she is safe and looked after. I do my best with her, of course, I always have and always will, but there are so many things I cannot provide. Food that she can eat until her belly is full and happy, a warm soft place to sleep... These are things I cannot always give her, and though she never complains, I know it cannot be easy on such a young and special child to worry, even subconsciously, about such things. I hope Mallos will be able to find my girl somewhere to sleep, even a dry corner of the kitchen would suffice, but I cannot bring myself to ask this of him. Already, I fear he has done more for Grimbaud than I can repay.
While she shovels her food in, the man rises. I eye him, not with my typical suspicions, but with curiosity now. He has fed my girl, what more did he have planned? There is a part of me, a small and vicious place, that worries he is about to call the authorities, but it is a part that is easily ignored. If that had been his plan, well, I - plop! Great slabs of meat, thick and juicy, slide from box to floor and interrupt my train of thought. Grimbaud cheers, clapping her hands together with such glee you'd think Mallos summoned them from thin air. My stomach growls incessantly, reminding me abruptly that I, too, have not eaten for some time. Pablo, the little sneak, dashes away with a particularly juicy slab and settles down in a corner to gnaw at in, his ratty tail thumping the ground with enthusiasm. I look to Mallos, then back to the steaks. I have such pride in me that I am tempted, though only for a second, to refuse the offer, but that twinge is quick to leave me. I select one of my own and settle near Grimbaud's feet, unable to stop the loud and slightly off-key purr that rises from deep inside my chest. Grim's feet rest on my back, absently running along my spine, and I find myself lulled into the same happy state she is. Several delicious pieces of meat, and crepes, later, Grim and I let out dual sighs of pleasure. Even Pablo, who has thus far done little more than slink after Grim, is suddenly upbeat, with a lightness to his step that I had not yet seen. With each passing moment I feel myself falling further into debt with this man, but I can't bring myself to worry just yet. There is food in my belly, and my girl and her stupid dog are happier than I have seen them in weeks. How could I regret something when the results were just so precious? Our meal done, Mallos stands and offers his hand to Grim, who takes it without a second thought. I can see in those familiar gray eyes that she will follow this man to the end of the world and back, her trust is so complete in him. Of course, Grimbaud is never quite as cooperative when I suggest a bath, but that earlier pinch of envy does not flare again. If someone can convince the child that being clean is far more enjoyable than being dirty, I won't stand in their way! I feel a shiver of nerves run down my spine each time we encounter another fairy, but - although there are a number of reactions, several of which make me curious - no one seems particularly perturbed at our presence and we are not stopped. I study this Mallos from the corner of my eye again, curious about his status at the castle. He seems rather at home amongst the servants, but instinct tells me he is not among their ranks. No, this Mallos is... important, somehow. Eventually, I tune back into the conversation (or, rather, Grim's rambling). She is telling Mallos a story, likely one entirely made up on the spot, about a rabbit named Jamie who ate all the carrots out of a garden and got a tummy ache. He reacted at the appropriate times, but I could tell he was thinking hard about something. When we at last reached a set of rooms, Grimbaud paused in talking long enough to gape at her surroundings. She'd never been inside a place so well furnished, and I could see her awe as she glanced around. She was tempted, I could tell by the gleam in her eye, to bounce on the sofa a time or two but thankfully, for both Mallos and the sofa, he directed her to the bathroom before she could give in to temptation. "Bath nymphs?" Grim repeated, looking up at Mallos with a grin and a giggle. "What are they?" |
Replies:
- the dark side of the sun. - By mallos September 23, 2014 at 00:59:05 AM
- come with me now! - By grimbaud September 23, 2014 at 01:54:27 AM
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