"Brennar?" A woman knocked on the forge door. "Are you here? Brennar?"
Inside, she heard a clatter of tools and hurried footsteps.
The door swung open to reveal a tall, broad-shouldered man. He yawned, scratching his chest absently."Morning, Thera. Something you need this early?"
As his eyes adjusted, he noticed a girl standing at Thera's side. The child's distinct red eyes caught the light, her whole presence giving off something eerie and unsettling. Best to call her the girl. Everyone in the village knew who she was—and avoided her. Everyone, that is, except Thera, her foster sister, the only one who ever showed her kindness.
"Could she stay with you today?" Thera asked, gently nudging the girl forward with a bright, encouraging smile.
The girl, however, only pouted, looking away and refusing to meet the blacksmith's gaze.
"Ha—what?" Brennar blinked. "Why in the world would I be the one to babysit her?"
"Oh, come on. You know exactly why I'm asking you."
Brennar scratched at his beard, pulling a face like a man being saddled with chores. His sigh came out more like a growl."You're sure there's no other option? Can't she just… I dunno… hang around on her own?"
Thera clasped his hand in both of hers, her eyes locking with his, voice earnest."No, she can't!"
The girl flinched at that.
"Brennar," Thera pressed, "you might be the only person in this village who doesn't treat her like a demon."
"Oh, so she isn't one? You're sure about that?" he quipped.
"Very funny," she deadpanned "But seriously - I need to go to the city today. And we both know how that would end if I took her with me. And…" She cast a pointed glance at the girl, raising an eyebrow. "…I'm afraid she'd follow me anyway. So please-please could you keep an eye on Althea for today?"
Brennar studied her for a moment. Then, in one smooth motion, he pulled her closer by the elbows and shut the forge door behind them, muttering so the girl couldn't hear.
"Look - I don't mind you taking her in, as long as you're still alive and keeping that beast calm. But I never signed up for this. What if someone shows up today and sees her? What if—"
"Don't call her that!" Thera snapped. "She's not a beast. She's just a girl - who happens to have red eyes. She's kind and full of life, if people would bother to see it. We've had this argument a hundred times already! If I had to name the kindest, purest person in this village, without hesitation I would choose-"
**(Here should go some stupid, completely out of line joke from Brennar that he immediately regretted)**
Thera crossed her arms, unimpressed. "Are you done?"
They both knew this was just another of Brennar's pointless jokes, tossed out of habit. But this time, Thera didn't laugh. And he noticed.
Maybe this wasn't the best moment for fooling around.
"Anyway," Thera continued, her tone sharp, "this whole thing isn't a precaution—it's unfair treatment, plain and simple. And if someone does show up, then boo-hoo. Just tell them she's a normal girl, and there's nothing to be afraid of."
The man scratched the back of his head—still not entirely convinced, but in the end yielding to his friend's request. Part of him felt ashamed of the unnecessary joke he'd made, and part of him trusted Thera too much to refuse.
"Fine. I'll keep her in. But mark my words—you'll regret this. And when all's said and done, I'll charge you ten times more for the next year."
Thera's face lit up, a genuine smile spreading across her cheeks. She didn't even seem to hear the second part of his grumbling.
"Great! Thank you so much!" She threw her arms around him, pressing her fair brown hair against his chest.
Brennar stiffened for a second, then placed a steadying hand on her shoulder and exhaled.
Thera pulled away, opened the door, and crouched down so she was eye level with the red-eyed girl.
"All good, darling. You'll stay at Brennar's place today, okay?"
Althea frowned. "Don't you think that's a little excessive? Why can't I just stay in the garden, gather apples, or do some chores?"
"Nice try," Thera chuckled. "I know you'd only end up following me. We've been through this."
The girl pouted, lips pressed tight.
Thera wrapped her arms around her, pulling her close. One hand rested on the girl's head, the other around her waist. Althea clung tightly in return. For a few peaceful moments, they simply stood like that. Then Thera kissed her foster sister's forehead.
"Okay, princess. I'm heading out. Be nice to Brennar, and be careful near the forge."
Straightening, she backed out the door with a bright wave. "Love you, sweetheart. Take care!" Her gaze flicked to the man behind her. "And Brennar—I will kill you if anything happens to her." She said it with the same sweet smile and voice.
Now only Brennar and Althea remained, standing on the workshop porch.
He cleared his throat, scratching the back of his neck."Soo… you already had breakfast?"
"Yes," the girl replied flatly. "I ate rabbit today."
"…Not alive, I hope?"
Awkward silence.
"…Okay then," he muttered. "I'll just… uh… let's go to the furnace. Warmer in there anyway."