Sunday Pt 6 Settling in a Princess

"Och, ah dinnae ken whit a' body's kinch is! A'm speaking normally. They're a' dunderheided! 'Twas th' identical thing at Seumas steid ainlie worse. At least ye kin ken me braw Walter."

Walt smiled at her. "I can understand you just fine, Merida and you can understand me and what the others say. That's something."

Merida smiled. It really was a relief having someone who could understand her and not having to repeat herself over and over again. She had quite enjoyed the stables and was happy taking the tour. The estate was huge and the countryside reminded her of the highlands and home a bit. Walter was a gentleman too. Offering her his arm no matter how often she told him he didn't need to concern himself with that. But...

"Keek... Ah ken that a'm juist yer property. Ah appreciate ye bein' a gentleman wi' me bit ye dinnae hae tae sugarcoat it or pretend otherwise wi' me," she said.

Walt shook his head patting her hand. "That's not what I'm doing at all, Merida. I maybe your owner, just like all the others, that's true. But you're not just something I own. You are a person as well. I'll offer you the same thing as the others. We can just be owner and property but it'd make me happiest if we can be friends or family instead. Whatever you choose for our relationship to be is fine by me though. Either way this is your home now and as your owner my responsibility is the same. To care for you, see to your needs and looking after, provide you a good home and hopefully one where you can be happy as well. I take my responsibilities and duty seriously. If I'm lacking I need you to be honest with me about it so I can rectify my mistakes. That's the least I can do. Understood?"

"Ye pure mean that. Ah kin tell," she said nodding her head. "Ye'r a guid jimmy. Ah kin see Seumas steals efter his "uncle" in some ways... Sae... Ye wilnae be taking advantage o' me? Amen't a bonnie tae ye or something? Fur ah clocked ye hae a fair few redheads 'ere! Is thare something ye dinnae lik' aboot me?"

Walt swallowed and blushed. "No. I didn't mean it that way. You're a very fair bonnie lass! And I won't be taking advantage of you! That maybe how other owners do things but that's not my way. As for the number of Redheads I didn't plan any of this... things just worked out this way..."

Merida blinked and looked at him then grinned. He was different! "Ah wis wrong aboot that bit ye dae lik' redheads! Keek at ye! A auldjin yer age blushing lik' a bawherr laddie. Ye'r timorous! 'N' ower sweet tae. Ah lik' that. A proper gentleman. Tis a wonder ye aren't merrit!"

Walt nodded. "I was. I'm a widower."

Merida winced and instantly regreted her words. "A'm sorry. Ah didnae ken. Ah aught nae hae teased ye aboot that."

Walt smiled and shook his head. "Nothing to be sorry about and there's no way you could have known, Merida. It was a longtime time ago."

Merida smiled but it was a bit sad. She could tell it was a wound that had healed but had obviously left a deep scar. "Ah see. 'N' th' other's?"

Walt shook his head. "Only recently."

She nodded. That meant he'd been alone a longtime. It had taken a long time in healing. Starfire had mentioned something about that. That "he was very kind man. As kind as he was lonely" had been her words. Merida understood now. Understood a little about him and why the others were so happy for him too. She looked out around the countryside thinking about one man living alone this far. The mountain was like an island and he had exiled himself to it in his sorrow. A self-imposed castaway.

Still he seemed OK... and he certainly wasn't alone anymore! There were as many girls here as there were in James household though it seemed like he was... romantically linked with fewer of them. *For now,* she thought. *He just admitted it was still a recent development!* she decided to ask. "Whit changed?"

Walt smiled. "I met Penny. She opened up my heart to love again and she convinced me to share my heart not just with her but others as well." He laughed. "You can ask her about it sometime and she'll likely be happy to talk about it, I'm sure! But that changed my life... my perspective. Her theory is a little crazy sounding at first... but more and more I think she's right. With each love, family member," he patted her hand. "And each new friend I grow. As a person. As if trying to make up for all those many lost years. And in turn those here seem to grow and heal too. Overcome their past negative experiences, traumas or just realize their deepest desires and goals and aim for them. Many had "bad ends" to their stories or had suffered in various ways. Some even died. Here they are trying to capitalize on their "second chances"... and it seems to be working for most of them."

Merida was thinking about that when They'd reached their destination. "Well here it is," he said.

Merida grinned. The "little" cottage he'd described but it was splendid. It's mossy stones and size were only snall compared to the mountain, the main house and the large tree that sheltered the building. A great big immense oak spread it's boughs overhead. "This?"

Walt looked at her. "Aye. What? Is it no good?"

"Boggin'? Nae! Tis splendid! Tis far tae muckle though fur juist me," she said.

Walt nodded. "Well actually... I been thinking of spreading somefolks out a bit. Especially those who like the wilderness. Team them up in pairs or threesomes. Have them help keep an eye on the trails and woods. Watch out for the bears-"

"Thir's bears?" Merida groaned. "Nay. Dinnae tell me. O' coorse thare ur! Thare wid be. Likelie stoatin muckle hulking brutes tae, aye?"

Walt chuckled and nodded. "Aye that's a pretty accurate description. There's one that is indeed a huge brute. He and I have... a bit of a history. But despite the occasional quarrel he's a good neighbor."

He proceeded to show her around the not so wee cottage. She realised it was a series of smaller cottages. They'd been built near together and surrounded by a stables like structure and a wall of sorts. That's what had made her confused. It was several buildings together.

They must have been done originally in the old-style and would've looked quite at home in her place and time. That's where the similarities ended... at least half had been updated to be surprisingly modern and bright inside. Large panes of glass, beautiful wood work and modern state of the art conveniences. "Tis grand! Ur thay a' lik' this?"

Walt smiled glad she approved shaking his head. "They've all been restored, they were in a frightful state, but I kept a couple the original way. Come see."

Sure enough he'd restored a few to exactly how people had built them for hundreds if not thousands of years. "The oldest Gardner kids had gotten excited reading about and seeing "hobbit holes" and "Hagrids hut" and so, one summer, I started restoration and updating these. There wasn't much of the original structures left. Just the stones. Now everyone loves them. Including me... when I ain't knocking my noggin that is. Even expanding them they're a few that are a wee bit low for me."

She ran her hands over the stones and timbers. "Ye'r folks made thae? Thay remind me o' hame."

Walt smiled. "They did. Long, long ago they'd immigrated from Scotland." He chuckled shaking his head. "A once great people, famously storied and "noble", fallen on hard times in their conquered homeland. For better or worse they came here to settle these lands hundreds of years ago slowly making their way across the continent. Soldiers, hunters, explorers and the like. They adapted to and embraced the lands and people they encountered until they came here. Became highlanders again in away and cattle barons too. They changed but never forgot their roots... any of them. Just added to them. My great, great grandfather was something of an architect. He kept building different styles around and about the property. Anyway settling here they needed help and extended an invitation to cousins from across the sea separated by many, many years. Some came and built this place for themselves... including a fair wee young lass who was bold as brass, could out shoot and out ride the men. She caught my great ancestors eye and then his heart after she whooped him proper. Story goes she was the first and only person to do so. Her name was Catherine but he nicknamed her "Cat" short for Catamount cause she was wild as a mountain lion. They were married not long after that."

Merida laughed. "Aye! She sounds a guid 'un! Captured herself a guidman likelie by laying an iron skillet upside a thick skull, hey? That's a guid wey tae dae it! she soonds lik' a real pure mental lassie!"

Walt grinned laughing as well. "Aye! The lovely ones always seem to be a bit wild to boot for some reason! And often with hair kissed by fire like... yours...uhh..." he was blushing. "Sorry... that came out wrong!" He rubbed the back of his neck. "I didn't mean to say that... not that you're not lovely, you are... but... I don't think... *Ahem!* The stables! I haven't shown you those yet! Follow me- Ow! Dammit!" He rubbed his head where he'd smacked it into a beam. "Low ceilings in these old style ones."

Merida smiled. "Aye! Wee fur a muckle, braw giant, mibbie." She was blushing too. He thought she was wild AND lovely AND her hair was like fire AND... she was his type! The great big, brawny, silver tongue-tied, handsome, dashing and charming buffoon of a gentleman! She shook her head. He was old enough to be her father! Her father... he reminded her of him in someways. She suddenly felt home sick.

"... and over here is the... well... what's wrong?" Walt asked looking at her face. "No good after all?"

Merida shook her head. "Na! tis bonnie, it's. Perfect even. Th' air is fresh 'n' clear. Th' ben 'n' forests ur grand. Th' steid ye'r offering is spectacular... Ah juist remembered hame is a'..."

Walt took her hand and they sat down on the lip of the old well. "I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do? I could buy your family for you perhaps-"

"Nay!" Merida said vehemently. She couldn't stand that thought. She wouldn't wish that upon them... but he was trying to be kind to her. "Nay. Tis a'right..."

Walt nodded thinking quietly rubbing and patting her back. "Then maybe a friend?" Seeing her confusion he said, "Your horse, Angus?"

Merida blinked then looked him in the eyes. "Ye kin dae that? Ye wid dae that? Fur me?"

Walt nodded. "If I can I'll do it now if you'd like. Friday?"

(("Checking RealDreams database for the Angus the horse from Merida's instance... we have a match. They would have to go get him but he could arrive as soon as tomorrow afternoon. Shall I complete and expedite the order?"))

Walt looked at Merida as she thought about it. "It's up to you. You're going to want someway of getting around out here. You'll have 3S training on vehicles, basic medical and first aid as well as self-defense starting tomorrow. You'll probably like training in that stuff more than "princess" training! Seeing as you're an experienced horse woman and rider we can get you any horse. I just thought you might want your horse and friend by your side-"

"Aye!" Merida said it before she had finished thinking. Her heart knew what it wanted before her head. "Ah wid! A'd lik' that gey muckle! Please?"

Walt smiled. "Done. Make it so, Friday."

(("Understood. Transaction complete, Boss."))

Merida threw her arms around Walt's neck. "Ta... Ta sae muckle! That... A' o' this... Tis sae kind o' ye!"

Walt smiled hugging her back. "It was my pleasure, Merida. It makes me happy to see you happy. That's all I want. For you to be happy here with me- er, us! With us!"

Merida grinned. *He messed up again saying what he was truly thinking,* she thought. *It's actually a bit charming! I like that about... him...* but then blushed realizing how she was acting! She could practically hear her mother in her head! *"A princess doesn't sit oan some streenge man's lap lik' a common strumpet! A princess shows proper gratitude fur th' kindness o' ithers given freely."*

She let go of him and realized he did as well but slowly... almost like he didn't want to. She shook her head and slapped her cheeks. *Get it together!* she turned to Walt smiling. "A've made up mah mynd sae ye ken. Ah owe ye... sae sin tis yer request ah hae decided we aught tae huv a go bein' mukkers... Ah ken ah'ament perfect. A'm bull-headed, impulsive 'n' a wee bit temperamental at times-"

"Your honest," Walt cut her off from running herself down. "You've a kind heart and good nature, you're brave as can be and I like that you're spirited. I think we'd be good friends if you'll put up with me... I'm a bit dense at times, I have trouble with my words sometimes, I swear my speech checks are all only "pass or fail", and I can be overprotective of others while reckless with myself-"

Merida interrupted him now. "That's nae true! Ah kin awready tell. Ye'r gey caring, ye'r sensitive tae th' needs o' ithers, think aboot thaim foremaist afore yersel', ye'r generous 'n' ye'r sincere. Ye speak fae yer hert ... 'n' ah think tis a guid yin!"

They paused and were both blushing now but Walt rose and grinned as spat in his right hand and offered it with a wink. "Friends?"

Merida could hear her mother in her head again but she shut her out as grinning she spat in her own hand and clasped his shaking it. "Aye! Ahd like tha'! Friends!"

They chatted away happily as they got her settled in to one of the cottages. The one nearest the small stables. Walt told her about the one who'd be joining her out here. Merida was surprised and took his advice to heart about giving her some space but also engaging with her regularly. She was slowly settling in and Walt felt that the cottages would be more comfortable to her in that process.

Merida loved the "watch tower" a look out post way up in the top of the big oak. The original had been a wooden platform but this one was grown out of the tree itself. And there was one more secret to share.

"Hotsprings?"

Walt nodded. "Aye. You take this little path and It'll take you right to them. Would you like to see?"

"Hoot! Wid Ah? Let's go!" She said excitedly.

"So you're really leaving?"

Pirotess nodded packing up her things. She was mostly packed already having made her decision the other night. *No,* she thought. *I'd made that decision awhile ago... I just finally decided to act on it.*

She looked at Baroness and said, "It gets me out of this bunkhouse and into the forest. I'm sick of being in here surrounded by so many people with the forest so close by. I'm not going to be far. It's just down a little ways from the hotsprings. You'll all see me everyday anyway."

Anastasia nodded. She was... happy for the darkelf. She was less thrilled about her own situation. Now it'd be her, Demona and Mystique... along with the other bunkhouse ladies. She didn't trust the other two the way she and Pirotess had agreed to mutually watch each others backs.

Pirotess nodded. She understood. "If you need to... you can drop by sometime..." she made a face and they both nodded and laughed. It had felt weird. Still...

"I might," Anastasia told her. "Though I think your tiger friend will be hanging around more than me."

Pirotess nodded and sighed. "Maybe so. She's more like some stray cat sometimes!" She looked at her. "You know you could likely tell him you want out of this bunkhouse too, Anastasia. He'd probably be happy to-"

Anastasia raised her hand and shook her head and Pirotess nodded. She wasn't ready... yet.

They hesitated for a moment. "Well..."

"Let me... give you hand?" Anastasia asked. "Carrying your things to your new residence, that is."

Pirotess nodded. Sienna had already offered the same thing. The three of them could move her few things quickly. "Sure... Thank you. Bring your towel. We'll hit the hotsprings."

Anastasia grinned and dud while also pulling out a couple bottles of wine. "In that case?"

Pirotess nodded laughing. "Yes! After the day we all just had? I'm sure you're not the only one thinking the same thing! Let's go!" She started texting Sienna.

[Walter Stark Penny Polendina F.R.I.D.A.Y Neopolitan Pyrrha Nikos Nora Valkyrie Yang Xiao Long Blake Belladonna Kali Belladonna Sienna Khan Willow Schnee Glynda Goodwitch Zwei 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 Serana Mission Vao Curie Ada PAM KL-E-O and Merida

Will Return In

Sunday

Coming Soon]