Settle Down Pt 7 Fair

"What would you like to do next, Neo dear?"

It was a good question. We'd done so much already! Eaten a bit, attractions some rides... I pointed down a row of stalls, booths and tents where people were selling things. He smiled and nodded taking my hand.

Most of the stalls and vendors selling things weren't that exciting. There were interesting things and items that I hadn't seen before but I didn't really want or need anything in particular and it was the same for Walt. The fun was in looking around together.

The clothes and accessories had been different though! We had more fun trying on different outfits and picking things out for each other to try. Silly hats, novelty shirts and lovely accessories. I didn't need any though because I had my semblance... or so I had thought!

We found a little shop selling things that was out of the way. Honestly it was just in a bad location... but they had wonderful things. Vintage and hand made pieces. The elderly couple complemented us on our "style". The elderly man and Walter talked in a language I didn't know for a bit but then were all smiles and chummy. He explained they were distantly related somehow. They didn't look at all alike but as soon as that happened they invited us in and treated us like family.

The man pulled out a chair for Walt and the woman pulled out a chair for me. "You are his wife?"

I started to shake my head but Walter put his arm around me and said something to which they both smiled and said something else and when Walter made me sit in the chair and sat by my side it made them both very happy! The woman put her hand on my knee and said "We are happy for you!"

They genuinely seemed happy and nice enough if eccentric. I looked at Walt and he smiled. "Do you still have that pickpockets money?"

I nodded and showed him and he smiled and shook his head "I don't want to give them a "bad mans money" even if it's good enough for us. It's bad luck to them.". He reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet and all the money he had in it. He was giving it to the man who was trying to refuse when Walt held up two fingers saying something else.

"He is trying to trade for what he wants." The woman explained to me. "He is good man. He makes the bad deal his gift. It is hard to refuse."

The old man nods and takes Walt's hands studying them. Then he shuffled to the back of their tent and back with rings with simple green stones and pink stones. He's pointing to certain ones he thinks will fit and Walter's nodding and after consideration deliberately picks one of each. He puts a simple ring with a pink stone on his left pinky finger and one with a green stone and puts it on his right pinky finger.

He's showing them to me as he holds his left hand out for me to judge. My eyes are filling up as I look at the simple pink stone with its streaks of white. The lady tells me, "That stone. He loves you very much! Hmm... "unconditional love" but also "healing and peace" for you." I take his hand in my hands.

Walt holds up the other with the simple green stone and the woman says, "For your friend he chose that stone. Hmm... "deep love and joy" and "luck". You both are very loved."

I nod. We are. They both put their hands on top of ours.

The man speaks again. His wife translates. " He asks for blessings for you both. Stay strong for each other. Together even when apart. May you... hmm... bind together."

He lifts hands. His wife says, "He thanks you for the good deal. He is tired now and wishes you well." The old man shuffles to the back of their tent and lays down on a cot. Walt and I smile at each other... but the woman doesn't let go.

She looks up into my eyes and I get a funny feeling. "You will face two trials. If you know what is important, you may find your happiness." She keeps looking at me as she releases our hands.

I shiver. That sounded ominous... but Walt squeezed my hand and I squeezed back. I smile and nod determinedly to the woman. Bring on the trials. I wont back down! She must have liked that because she laughed and grinned nodding back at me. "Remember... good fortune to you!"

We leave and I look at Walt. He raises his eyebrow at me and I do the same lifting his hand. He smiles at me.

He reaches out his other hand and tenderly touches my new silvery grey bandana around my neck. "I'm not always a fool. You and Penny didn't do this to match each other. "I share a bond with this person". That is what this means where you're from? Incorporating someone else's colors into your own is significant." He looks at the ring and then me. "I love you, Neopolitan."

This is it. This is the moment I have been practicing for over and over. With tears in my eyes I hold up my hand and tell him "I love you" just like I practiced. In my own words with my silent voice.

He is surprised but happy. He tells me "I love you" back in sign. A tear rolls down his cheek.

I reach up and wipe it away with my thumb and he's doing the same to mine. We kiss. There's nothing else in the world at this moment. Nothing else that matters. Just us. Right here, right now. Two people in love.

"All teams pull back to a reasonable distance. "Boss" has given the privacy signal. Repeat pull back but stay alert. "Private time" for "Boss" and "Ice Cream". Over."

Things got tense again. "Boss" had his reasons and they generally trusted his judgment. But "private" time could mean anything. It could just mean they wanted alone time or didn't particularly want surveillance or a record of his dealings. Sometimes it meant he'd encountered a "friendly" or a "hostiles" he knew. Either way it meant he wanted minimal or no backup or support.

They all breathed a sigh of relief as they got the signal they could continue as previously. But something was different now.

They watched a tender moment of "Boss" and "Ice Cream"s lives play out. Someone started crying and blew their nose loudly they looked back at the big man who apologized. No one said anything. Someone passed him some tissues. He wasn't the only one.

"I see... and you say Master Walter liked it when you wore this sort of "uniform"? Then I will do as you suggested and take one of these as well." Roberta looked at herself wearing yet another much more revealing maid uniform. "But do things like these even look good on me?"

Lifts-Her-Tail nods as do most of the others. "Lita thinks you looked wonderful in all of them Roberta. Just like Sayoko and Haruhime did in theirs. She is certain Master will also think so!"

"Trust me. He'll love it!" Deadpool assured her. "Most men do!"

Roberta smiles. It was embarrassing but she did like the idea of pleasing Master Walter. She understood now why Sayoko had went first. She was oddly bold when she wanted to be... also she'd ordered nearly as many things as Anastasia! The two were sitting together discussing disguise techniques. Sayoko gave Roberta a thumbs-up. Haruhime had been the opposite and very timid and needed encouragement and support. After those two Haruna, Senko and even someone like her and was a piece of cake.

"Gracias. I shall take this one as well." Roberta nodded and stepped off the platform.

Lydia, Aela and Serana were up next. They chose some medieval/Nordic Skyrim and fantasy pieces but also modern designs with those influences as well. They'd been on Prime for awhile... however after Pyrrha had learned about "exotic" dancing earlier and told Penny they'd both begged the other ladies to show them "dance" outfits until they gave in and complied.

This had sparked a great deal of interest in some of the original eight! And Ms Tiffany was delighted that many of them told her they wanted more outfits of that nature as well! Watching many of them strip down she was on the verge of tears watching their commission grow larger still!

As the new ladies, and Deadpool who was surprisingly knowledgeable about the subject, shared their knowledge Penny had Friday request "dance equipment" for the gymnasium and the house.

[Walter Stark Penny Polendina F.R.I.D.A.Y Neopolitan Pyrrha Nikos Blake Belladonna Kali Belladonna Sienna Khan Willow Schnee Glynda Goodwitch Ahnassi Lifts-Her-Tail Senko Sayoko Shinozaki Roberta Cisneros Haruna Sasha Blouse Ilulu Raven Manami Aiba also with Tsuyu Asui Haruhime Sanjouno The Baroness Demona Mystique Pirotess Lydia Aela the Huntress and Serana

Will Return In

Settle Down Pt 8

Coming Soon]