Hilda and Melfina

Hilda heard a soft song being sung. It was beautiful but somewhat sad... a song full of... longing and hope.

She opened her red eyes. She was in an unfamiliar room with a dark haired young woman with round ears wearing a short half cloak. She looked at her and smiled. "Oh, you're awake... Good morning, Hilda."

Hilda blinked. "Where... and whom might you be?"

Melfina nodded. "Oh, my apologies. I should have started by introducing myself first. My name is Melfina. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Hilda nodded. "Charmed, I'm sure. Where are we? This..." she looked at the simple but darkly furnished and clean decor, "isn't my castle."

Melfina nodded. "It isn't but it is a castle. We're on another world."

Hilda sat up. "Not Lorule... Hyrule, then?"

Melfina shook her head. "I'm not familiar with Hyrule but this isn't it. It's Prime. Our owner brought us here-"

"What?" Hilda said. "I have no-" she sees the collar around Melfina's neck. "No." She goes to touch hers but can't for some reason... but she can feel it there. She rises to look at her collar around her neck in the mirror. "This can't be! I'm Princess Hilda of Lorule! I won't-" she goes to draw forth her power... and nothing happens. "I can't..." She tries again and nothing. "No, this isn't possible!" She turns towards Melfina. "You there! Melba!"

"Actually my name's not Melba it's Melfina but my friends have started calling me Mel-"

"Irrelevant!" Hilda said imperiously. "I demand an explanation at once! What vile fiend has done this to us? Kuga? Ganon?"

Melfina frowned. "I don't know those people but we belong to Master David and he isn't "vile" or a "fiend". He's our owner and-"

"No!" Hilda pronounced. "I'm not some **** strumpet to be "owned" and abused by some cad captor! Tell me of this blackhearted knave! What twisted thing or spell has he-"

Melfina stood up getting upset. "He's done nothing of the sort! Master David is a kind and caring person! He's been nothing but nice and generous and gentle and..." she blushed. "He even... he's teaching me so..."

"Aha!" Hilda said her red eyes flashing as she smirked. "He's taken liberties with you! Probably ensorcelled you! Help me break free from this enchantment and I shall hold the wretched beast at bay until a champion-"

"Don't call him that!" Melfina shouted. "You have no right to say such mean and awful things about someone! Especially in their home! A princess should know better! Apologize!"

Hilda is taken a back by her outburst but then bridles at being chastised. "Do not lecture me on proper manners! I have done nothing wrong- wait... I see! You're his! A lowly strumpet that he's used and now you serve your "master" willingly! I should have realized. Youre a wench! A floozy! Your masters servant slut. A slattern for him to use and discard you poor deluded-"

"Shut up!" Melfina tried to slap Hilda but something stopped her hand arresting her movement... but the violent intent was clear and surprised Hilda. "You don't know anything! You assume that you do but you're clueless! Saying mean and hurtful things about things you know nothing about! Master David is kind, thoughtful, attentive, a gentleman and- and- and I like him! Maybe even love him! I tried to say it earlier and I got all tongue tied! I want to try to love him! And he's waiting patiently for me to... for me to... tell him how I feel! And I... I..." they see Dave and Tink in the doorway staring at them. "... i messed up... I'm sorry!" Melfina runs past out of the room crying.

Dave looks at Tink who nods tightly. "Go," she says. "I'll handle this one. It's my mistake. I shouldn't have left them alone."

Dave nods. "Remember the rules, Tink." He kisses her check and she nodded. "I know. Go after her."

Dave nodded and raced back out the door. "Pepper. Give me Melfina's location please!"

Tink watched him go then turned towards Hilda picking up her remote. "We live by simple rules here and you just broke one of them-"

"I don't-..." Hilda's eyes got wide as she could no longer speak as Tink pressed a button. "I wasn't finished talking... princess..." she hissed then took a breath. "As I was saying... we have some basic simple core rules here with minor rules added as necessary. The core rules are: Firstly is David is in charge, obviously, and as such has final say in all things... but he rarely enforces it. He prefers a happy coexistence with his Characters and so do we. Second is to make an effort to get along with each other. Third is no attacking each other, or others, except in Self-defense or when instructed to. Fourth is to try to look out for and support one another and fifth is to help out where you can, either at work or at home."

Hilda glared trying to speak but nothing came out. Tink shook her head. "I can guess. You didn't know the rules. And honestly I don't really care because you hurt Mel... but I'm not going to break them for you because you're not worth it right now in my opinion... and I am mad at myself because I shouldn't have left you two alone. Two wrongs don't make a right. Knowing Dave he won't punish you either because you didn't know... but now he has to punish Melfina because you antagonized her into breaking rule number three. She just blurted out a confession and now the man she has feelings for, who cares for her back, has to punish her because of your actions! Do you understand how cruel that is to everyone?"

Hilda blinks. She wasn't a heartless monster. She still wasn't sure what was going on here but... she nodded. She understood that she had hurt someone. Possibly several someones. She'd been too quick and rash in her words. She closed her eyes and nodded again slowly.

Tink sighed. "I really wanted to get along with you from the start but we're getting off on the wrong foot-" her phone keeps making message alert noises. She knew from the hyena sound it was Harls blowing up her phone now it was laughter which was her ringtone of course. She held up a finger. "Excuse me a moment, won't you?" She hit the accept button. "What-"

"I'm getting in the battle van right now! It's hammer time! I'll be there in-"

"Harleen "Harley Quinn" Quinzel! You drop what your doing and listen to me!" Tink said.

She could literally hear Harley drop whatever she was doing. It sounded like a bunch of blunt type instruments and sports equipment. "Imma listenin'."

Tink smiled. "You're a good friend. Everything's fine. Everything's being handled. You leave this to me... got it, Harls?"

"But-"

"Capishe?" Tink asked.

She heard Harley sigh. "Comprende, Tinky... I'll just... put this stuff back and finish up work..."

Tink smiled. "TCB, Harls. TCB. You're awesome and We'll fill you in later. Love ya mean it."

"Understood. TCB. Love ya mean it, Tinky." Harley hung up.

Tink sighed turning back to Hilda. "Sorry about the interruption but that girl loves to overreact. Now I don't want to keep just talking at you. That's rude. I'm going to give you back your ability to speak and try to explain your situation and answer your questions but first..." she presses the mute button. "Princess Hilda would you join me for tea?"

Hilda blinked and nodded. Tink waited and she opened her mouth. "Ah *ahem*... ah, yes please Great Fairy. I would be delighted to join you for tea. Thank you."

Tink smiled. Just because they started on the wrong foot doesn't mean they have to continue that way. "My proper name is Tinker Bell but my friends call me, Tink."

Hilda nodded and smiled tentatively. "I see, Tinker Bell. May I... may I address you as Tink as well? You may call me Hilda."

Tink smiled. "I'd like that Hilda. Come... let me show you the way."

She showed Hilda a few things along the way as she lead her to the kitchen. Tink put the kettle on and looked at the teas before selecting Camomile and taking down two cups.

Hilda watched her make the preparations in silence. She wasn't sure what to say having said the wrong things earlier... even if what she had said turned out to be true she aught not have said them that way. She watched Tink bring the cups over and set one in front of her and blinked looking at it. It was purple, the same color as her hair, with the Lorule Triforce emblazoned on it. "Is this...?"

Tink nodded taking her seat. "That cup is specifically for you. We picked it out for you the other day at RealDreams. We figured everyone should have some kind of a simple "welcome" gift. Harley, Dave and myself started the tradition in our first home and we wanted to continue it here. It's not much."

Hilda smiled. It wasn't much... but it was thoughtful. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Tink said. They sat and sipped tea for a minute. "Well, now... where to start..."

Hilda cleared her throat. "Actually... before I was unfortunately rude to... Melfina?" She saw Tink nod and Hilda nodded. "Melfina was telling me about Prime?"

Tink nodded thoughtfully. "I suppose that's as good a place as any to start. Well..."

It didn't take long to find Melfina. Friday gave him his general heading and he saw Miller patrolling the perimeter beyond the castle and noting things. When he waved to her she and her subordinate saluted but then she nodded her head in a direction. Dave nodded and saluted them back before quickly heading that direction into the woods.

He found her siting on a log singing her song. *Of course she is,* he thought. He waited for her to finish before walking over to join her. "I... I always loved that song, you know?"

"You..." Melfina cleared her throat. "You could have joined in..."

He smiled and slowly took her left hand in his right. "I could have... maybe next time... but I always liked it because you sang it, Melfina..." his mind flashed to Harry McDougall briefly and he frowned. "If you want to be alone I can-"

"No," Melfina squeezed his hand. "Please don't..."

Dave nodded and put his other hand ontop of their hands. "I won't then... I like you too, Melfina. And if you want to try loving me... I'll try loving you... I'd like that if it makes you happy... but only if it makes you happy. There's no pressure. You set the pace you're comfortable with and I'll match it."

Melfina leaned her head on his shoulder. "I know... I... I really messed up... I'm sorry Master. Am I... did I displease y-"

"No!" Dave said. "Not at all... I'm upset with myself... that was irresponsible of me. I should have been the one to handle Hilda from the start. I miscalculated. I need to be a better owner for all your sakes, Mel. I'm sorry."

Melfina smiled and placed her other hand on top of his. "You're an excellent owner. I can tell already. Thank you... thank you for being my owner, Dave."

Dave smiled and leaned his head against hers. "You're very welcome, Melfina and thank you for being my very special friend and maybe more."

Melfina smiled turning towards him. "You're very welcome... Dave."

They kissed.

"And... done!"

Harleen checked her phone. Only three messages. Dave and Tink assuring her everything was fine... and Mel through Pepper asking her what she wanted for dinner.

The guy manning the desk asked if she was staying and if she wanted him to order something for her. She shook her head smiling wiping at her eyes. "Nope... thanks Danny. I'm gonna run some quick errands and have dinner with the family! Have yourself a great afternoon!"

[Anythings good as long as we eat it together! Tell me what to get and I'll pick it up!]

[David Stark Pepper Tinker Bell Harley Quinn Melfina VSD02C and Hilda

Will Return In

Punishment and the Rules

Coming Soon]