Lucian grasped the bronze handle of the front door; cold and horrifying to the touch, he sucked in a large amount of air, and turned his head to Fei.
"Be careful out there you two." The old lady from before called out to them. Both of them turned to look at her sweet and endearing smile, reminiscent of a grandma wishing her grandkids off.
"Thank you…" Lucian responded, his eyes scrolling to Fei then the door. "We will…"
On the other hand, his hand was shaking whilst clutching the door knob. His partner was equally horrified, her breath was shaky, and her eyes bore a hole into the door.
D-Do… we… we have to…? Fei questioned internally, a subconscious urge to block her nose became reality. As one last glance at her from Lucian happened, he turned the doorknob.
'We just need to finish this…'
Lucian and Fei held their breath, the door flung open with immense force; and what greeted them was an odd sight.
The old man was leaning against a pillar, his arms crossed and head held down. Alongside his impatient tapping of his foot, he looked bored, as if he was waiting for them for years.
"Ah, took yer time didn't ya?"
"S-Sorry…"
'Does he not smell that?!' Lucian exclaimed inside of his mind; he stared at the old man who stayed in the same position.
Once the old man tilted his head upwards, furrowed his eyebrows, he asked, "what is with those looks?"
"Um- do you not smell that…?"
"Smell what?"
"That bad smell…?" Lucian inquired, an eyebrow raising at the old man's nonchalant tone. "White hair, and messy hair, ya can unplug yer noses."
'But what about the smell…?' Both Lucian and Fei thought with slightly tilted heads.
"That tea mah wife gave ya turned off yer smell receptors, go ahead and take a big whiff! Did you think I'd just send ya both out like that?"
With a begrudging look, Lucian took a deep breath from his nose. Fei shallowly breathed in; nothing, nothing entered their noses.
'What the heck?!' Lucian thought.
Fei's jaw lowered at the revelation. Initially, it caused her to fall unconscious, now her mind was clearer than before.
"Hey, half-ear. Grab a net from inside, go ask my wife for it."
In an instant, Fei's hands clenched tightly. Her already hastened breathing worsened.
Lucian stepped in front of Fei, his arm acting as a side barrier between her and the old man. His fearful demeanor immediately changed, his gaze was fixated on him, in addition would his shoulders raise.
"Why did you call her that?"
"Call her what?"
"Why did you call her that..?" Lucian asked again, this time his fists tightened
Without knowing, the Old Man tilted his head. Then the realization was plastered on his face.
Fei's left ear was missing from the middle up: the jagged parts caused the old man to back down
"I don't know her name! What else was I supposed to call her?!"
With the old man's rebuke, Lucian unclenched his hands; Fei's frantic breathing slowed, the realization finally entering her heart.
"Sorry…" Lucian apologized as he lowered his head. With a slight tug of his shirt from Fei, he repeated his apologies.
Although, he never knew what happened with Fei's ear; it was a touchy subject, even a slight touch would cause her to panic. This situation he knew very well when they were growing up, paired with external individuals.
Growing up, she was harassed by many people because of it. Alongside the small amounts of demi-humans in their home-kingdom.
"He's not like the other people, it'll be okay." Lucian grabbed Fei's hand, whilst whispering this to her. Alongside a slightly forced smile, Fei calmed down more.
"O-Okay…"
"Geez…" The old man let out whilst scratching the back of his head. "I'm not some racist. Whatever race you are, if ya can do yer job fine, yer good in my eyes."
"Ahem… What do you need us to do specifically?"
"Yer job on that request; also, "
"That's the magic of mah wife.." With a thumbs up, the old man shooed Fei to his home. "Ye and I will talk, messy hair."
"Huh?"
"You'll be catching the mice with yer hands."
Lucian squinted at the old man, couldn't he use a net as well? This thought entered his mind. It would make each catch easier. Instead he only shook his head, listening to the old man's orders.
Once his job was fully understood, he was given a basket with a lid, and a pair of gloves.
For his companion, she hesitantly entered the old couple's home. Once her first step inside occurred, her heart began to race further; an urge tried to overtake her instincts, roaring at her to turn around.
However, her mind despite its racing had a goal in mind.
I-I have to… I don'- I don't want to hold him back… Fei's mind raced, this statement banged around her skull. Furthermore, her legs began to feel like jello when she took her second step.
With each consequence step, the pressure became heavier. When she got to the corner, she heard the old lady humming; and the rattling of dishes mimicked the rampage in her head.
With a clench of her jaw, she turned the corner.
"Now… what should I make…?" The old lady thought out loud, slowly letting the words roll off her tongue.
Net… I nee- Need the net… She repeated this statement, her mouth opening with each word. Yet, she took too long, and the old lady slowly turned around.
"Oh? Hello Missy, can I help you?" She asked, watching the two furry ears atop Fei's head flop down. "Hm? Do you need something?"
"Um,- um-"
"Hm?"
"I- I need-,nee- ack-.." As Fei stammered, she unconsciously bit down; a slight pang of pain enveloped her tongue plus, a taste of iron filled her mouth. "So-sorry…"
Just after Fei lowered her head, a call stopped her from leaving. "White haired Missy, you need the catching net, right?"
"Y-Yes…."
"Just stay here a moment, I will grab it for you!"
With a slight pat on Fei's shoulder, the old lady happily hummed as she neadered down the hallway; next, she turned left on the second door.
I need to… need to do this…
I can't…- can't slow him down…
Ignoring the static feeling on her shoulder, she stayed standing. Moments passed, for her, it felt like an eternity. Every passing moment caused worries to cloud her mind.
Thoughts ebbed and flowed, but stayed the same; eventually, the old lady returned with soft steps.
She held out the bug-net in front of Fei's eyes. However, Fei didn't move or seem to react until the lady spoke. "Here you go Missy, be careful out there okay?"
Fei shakily took the net, thanked the old lady and wobbly took her steps to the front door. With a turn of her head, and a reassuring wave from the old lady, she took her leave.