| When she left the lady's abode, that night, Faustine could barely walk. She stumble in the doorway, and slumped down to the floor. She felt hot and flushed, so she pushed back her cowl, and pulled on the front of her corset to let in some of the cool night air. She felt delirious, and seemd to fade in and out of consciousness. After a brief moment in oblivion, she opened her amber eyes to find Banewort's frightening face just inches away from her own. As usual, he was smiling, which always turned up his features in a rather unsettling way. His breath engulfed her in a fog of sickening sweet pungency. "What is the matter my little sweeting? Do you not feel well?" "My head pounds like a taiko drummer and I feel sick in my stomach." "Ah, perhaps you are hungry. Please, let me get you something to eat. I have some fresh berries here that I have picked and cleaned just for you. I had intended to give them to you before, but wanted to make sure that Ms. Belladonna would permit it, as they are her berries after all." "Berries? Are...are they safe?" said the ailing girl, with much diffidence. "Are they safe! Really my dear, what you must think of me! Would I ever hurt you? Have I ever hurt you? Watch me; I'll eat one, nay, a handful--watch!" After having said this, Banewort shoved a bunch of the purple-cum-black berries into his maw, and chuckled as the juice dribbled out of the side of his mouth in inky streaks, which could only be seen by their reflection of the moonlight upon his swart features. Faustine took a few of the berries, and with some degree of trepidation, put them in her mouth. As she began to chew, she was surprised by their sweetness, and as she swallowed, almost began to think to herself how silly she...had been...to doubt... |