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Painted Moose via Discord

Zadia turned the key on the apothecary and locked up with a sigh. With Mr. Fowler visiting the capital all their orders had fallen onto her shoulders and while she loved good challenge it was draining work. Often she spent late nights toiling over her tinctures and ‘remedies’ without so much as coming home to her shared apartment until early in the morning. While the odd hours had never been anything new to her family, as so many held nightshift lifestyles, she did worry about leaving Lioe alone. He was such a shut in already and despite not taking care of her own needs she liked to make sure he was taken care of.

Which was why she’d asked him to meet her that evening outside the shop. She wanted them to spend some time together, either by eating out or grabbing something to go, but mainly just to talk. It felt like ages since she’d spoken to either of her brothers and while Isaia was off in the airship she could spend as much time as possible with Lioe.

She’d just turned the key in the lock when something moved out of her peripheral. A Lightning man leaned against the stone wall to her left and tossed a grin her way. “Closing up so soon? I thought Fowler’s was known for taking late night clients.”

Zadia frowned and pocketed the key. “Not tonight. We’re closed so you’ll have to come back tomorrow.”

“Too bad. I was hoping to talk to you about a project,” he reached up to touch a lock of her hair, but Zadia took a cool step back. “Come on now, that’s no way to act.”

“I could say the same to you.” When she tried to turn her back he snatched her wrist. “Let. Go.”

“Not until we have a talk first.”

Zadia wasn’t keen on physical violence, but she wasn’t above hitting someone who pressed their luck. There were other ways to handle the situation, though she doubted he would care to hear any of them. When she tried to take a step away he blocked her once more, earning a deeper scowl to match his near proud one.

Thankfully she could see Lioe from around him and at the very least she wasn’t alone. He wasn’t nearly as abrasive as Isaia would have been, but having her triplet there was still comforting.

“If you’ll excuse me.” Once again she tried to side step the lightning man, but all he did was turn to look at Lioe instead of actually getting out of the way.

“Whose this then?”

“My brother and we’re leaving.”

“So bitter. Listen, Zadia and-“ He looked Lioe up and down, “-Zadia’s brother. I just need a favor that Fowler was supposed to be good for. Now you can either help me willingly or this can get ugly. I really don’t think either of you want that.”

“Zadia’s as good as Fowler, aren’t’cha? Got just as much dirt on yo-“ In an instant Zadia took the sharp heel of her laced boot and slammed it against his shin. With a cry the man let go of her arm to reach down toward his leg.

The hybrid wasted no time in reaching for Lioe’s hand. “Come on!” She jerked her brother away from the shop and took off at a dead run. It was so much harder to get a good sprint in Belrea than it ever had been in Tale, both because of the streets and the clothing, but Zadia gave a good show. Of course, she also made sure never to let go of Lioe, even when she dipped down a few turns and surprise alleyways to throw him off.

And speaking of Lioe! He’d stood up for her! Having him do that…Spirits, what a thrill! “You holdin’ up?”

Zadia’s breathing came in harsh, quickened pants as she turned to look out the alleyway just in case. When it wasn’t obvious that they were being followed, she ducked back and leaned against the same wall her brother was. Several locks of freshly dyed hair fell around her face and tumbled down her thin, pointed shoulders. “It’s nothing; really.” She should have made eye contact with him; usually she did. This time, however, Zadia couldn’t. Lying to them was easy when it came to little, catty things, but bigger worries were different.

“If I thought I couldn’t handle it I would tell you. You believe me, don’t you?”

She’d expected that to be the end of it. After all, it wasn’t usually Lioe that pried. After he’d helped to tuck her hair back, she offered a soft smile and reached up to finish pinning it back into it’s usual severe bun.

Just when she’d been about to suggest they keep moving he started to speak and Zadia was perplexed. Why…why now of all times did Lioe decide to question things? Zadia’s brow furrowed, her opening just a tab before closing on a firm pressed frown. “…Come along then. If this is going to happen then I’m not staying in this alley.” She’d fully intended on spending some time with her brother doing nice things and that didn’t include getting clothes sullied by touching walls.

“…How much do you know about Mr. Fowler?”

She took his arm as easily as she had since they were children and gave it a little squeeze. What was going to come wouldn’t be easy, but…maybe she was selfish in telling him? No one beyond her employer and customers knew what she did. If Lioe knew then he could be implicated…. but sometimes secrets were just too hard to hold on your own.

“Do you remember my garden back in Tale? The one papa and I had?” When she’d shown interests in plants Uquin had eagerly shown her to his garden and together they grew a variety of plants. Most had been herbs used for healing, but others had much darker purposes. “When I found out Mr. Fowler’s apothecary had interests in antidotes and serums I applied to work as an apprentice. It’s been…hard, as an outsider to gain apprenticeships, but he saw my work. I was so happy to be involved that I never questioned him….but…”

Taking a deep breath, Zadia continued, “...The same herbs that we made antidotes from are also used to make the poisons they treat. Fowlers…serves the underground, Lioe.”

“I do. I’m in just as deep as he is.” Zadia fervently put her other hand ontop of his, pressing the appendage into the skin of her arm as a new light took over her eyes. Or rather, one that had laid dormant until now. It was always there, contained and waiting, with only her work to draw it out.

“That’s why I can’t walk away. I’m not going to walk away. Don’t you see, Lioe? The work that we do is so much bigger than a few nasty transactions. It’s not all bad. I have access to so much more than I ever did in my classes and the venom I can study…Do you know the kind of channels we would have had to go through just to get a sample?”

“…You don’t have to.” She didn’t expect anyone to understand it fully. “…But you know what that feels like, don’t you? About your work? When what you’re searching for is right there and you could have it if you just tried hard enough?” He could understand that, right? Isaia had his machines, Lioe had his books and she’d always been an herbalist at heart. They still came from the same source, though; from two knowledge hungry parents who never let anything stand in their way.

“I can’t predict what they’re going to use my work for any more than Isaia can know what he’s transporting to Tendaji.” It was a stretch, she knew it, especially since there were so many more regulations on airships than apothecaries. “It’s a risk that I’m willing to take so…I need you to promise you won’t tell anyone what happened tonight. Not about what I’m telling you or about what you saw. That man is a jerk, but he’s a client and whatever he’s brought to Mr. Fowler’s attention was worthy of his time.”