The man was sent on his way, after speaking with Mr. Lingo for a while, as Abigail was now looking clean and well fed. It was as if she hadn't gone through what she had.
Though she still had the painful scars to prove that, and what's more she also had her hair in a bun. After cooking for both herself and Mr. Lingo, she was cleaning up.
Lingo came back inside his home as he kissed his door. It took him a while to come back inside, as Abigail watched him briefly before continuing to clean.
She didn't know if she should thank him, or if he wanted to even be thanked. She was honestly feeling a bit uncomfortable and out of place.
Mr. Lingo didn't seem to like company, and frankly he looked like he had taught people how to fight. Judging by his appearance, he seemed far too wise to be where he was.
All of this was simply speculation for Abigail, as she wouldn't bother to ask him these questions personally. Lingo would eventually come where Abby was, as Abby stopped in her tracks.
The two would look at one another before Lingo would speak.
" Did you always stop working, simply because your boss came in to check in on you? "
Abigail a bit puzzled, would speak.
" I — well, no, it's just— "
" Then why do such things with me? "
" I — I don't — "
" Finish your work, girly. Then— you may ask me questions. " He remarked.
Abigail hearing his voice would blink a few times before speaking to herself. She would turn around and continue to clean up as he told her.
.
.
.
Several minutes later, Abigail finished cleaning, rinsing out the rags she used and tossing them into the cleaning bucket. She felt exhausted now, from the trip and from cleaning.
She hadn't cleaned like that since her father was alive, and now she was doing it all over again. Only this time, she was working for some stuck up grandfather.
Abby looked around for a moment, seeing the man's home as it reminded her of her own home. Small and cozy, but a bit bigger than her's.
Fireplace, along with two bedrooms, and a small space for the bathroom. He also had the kitchen, and another room that was in the back.
She didn't know what that was, but he seemed to be back there, or it looked that way. Then there was an upper floor —- which she had never had before.
She didn't know if she was allowed up there, but she didn't know what else to do. She technically was supposed to be looking for him.
Her eyes wandered towards his pictures and photos of his wife and children. Which seemed to be his grandchildren.
So it seems he wasn't some cranky man with no one around. He had — had family once, but she must've assumed that they all passed away or maybe moved?
However, the photo that caught her the most was a single photo with a young woman. Black long hair, and green eyes with symbols on her skin where her shoulders were.
Abigail continued to look at it until she heard Mr. Lingo's voice caused her to jump immediately and turn around.
" She was only ten when she died. " He explained to her as he slowly made his way into his living room by the fireplace.
Abigail not knowing what to say, as she felt bad that she had passed away at such a young age. Slowly she placed it back where it belonged and walked over to where he was.
" …. I — I'm sorry… "
" Do not be." He remarked.
" She was going to die, sooner or later due to the curse. " He said coldly.
Abigail, confused wanted to press on.
" … I'm sorry…. The curse? "
Mr. Lingo hearing Abigail didn't say anything back as he sat down on his chair, and stared deeply into the firepit.
" …. Tell me. What is a young woman such as yourself doing— so far from home…. ? " He requested to know.
Abigail felt her throat becoming dry again, as she stood there stiffly.
" You obviously are not from around here…. You seem lost… confused… and angry…. I can tell by your cleaning you feel conflicted. "
Abigail not knowing what to say towards him, as of right now he was reading her like an open book.
" Come child…. I am blind in my eyes far away… you must come closer so I can see you better… " He remarked.
Abigail not knowing, as the man didn't inform her nor Zack that Mr. Lingo was blind in his eyes.
" I — I'm sorry I — no one — " She tried to say.
" That I was blind? … yes, those boys, they are forgetful at times… " He explained.
" My sight is going by the day…. The only thing I am good at now is enhanced hearing. Allowing me the ability to hear very well— but as for my sight, it is hard to read out what is what. "
Abigail couldn't help but feel pity for this man, not in a disrespecting way, but rather in a genuine way. He was all alone here, and he had to take care of himself.
Is this why it was so easy for her to come into his home? Was it because he needed someone to take care of him and assist him?
She didn't wish to complain about her duties, but she was also extremely curious to know why he decided to assist her: she was nothing and no one to him.
The man would sit in the chair for awhile, as he was awaiting for Abigail to say something. She didn't really know what to tell him, or if she say anything at all.
" ….. I — I just had a … terrible time.. for the past couple of years… " She would tell him.
" Yes. I can tell by how you appear. " He would remark. His white orbs looking into the flames, as if he saw something.
The man would eventually sigh as he would speak aloud once more.
" Are you going to continue to stand there— or are you planning on having a seat? Do not tell me you are afraid of an old man… " He told her.
Abigail, hearing his words, didn't know if he was being serious or sarcastic. Though, she had no intent to find out, as she would gradually find a chair and sit down.
Only a few feet away from the man, as the city had calmed down for the night. The only thing outside now was the royal guards roaming the empty streets.
Possibly finding people that were long after curfew. Which indicates that if the man told Abigail right, they'd be in serious trouble.
She didn't know why the city had a curfew, but she didn't really mind it— as it wasn't like she herself had something to do.
The silence between the old man and Abigail grew, as she would shift her orbs towards him. Eventually, she would break the silence between them.
" Why… Do you live alone? "
The man continued to stare into the fire, before he would look over from where he heard her voice.
" What do you mean girly? "
She would sigh a bit.
" I mean… you are.. blind clearly, and yet you live alone? You need assistance…. " She was saying before he would cut her off again.
" You think because I am blind, I need assistance do you? " He would say back.
Abigail didn't know if that was a trick question, or was he really asking her. She felt compelled to speak once more.
" Well— why then did you let me stay with you? Or even make me help? You don't even know me? "
" Hmm.. " The man would reply first, before looking back at the flames and speaking more.
" …. I am not making you do anything girly, it is you, who wishes to do it. "
Abigail arched a brow, not knowing what he was talking about. She was about to speak, but he would speak first.
" Do not become coy with me. You clearly needed a home, a place far beyond those who are trying to hunt you down. You have made enemies in towns…. You have taken the lives of some. "
Abigail, listening towards the man, slowly rose up from the chair, hearing his words felt like daggers. She was also a bit frightened now, as she didn't know how the heck this man knew this.
" ... And how the hell do you know this? " She said a bit more sternly.
" …. Like I said— do not be coy with me… I know people from all around. I am sure the boys told you about my history…. About how I used to work in the castle for the Minamoto royal family… " He explained.
" I have seen more than you could know, I have experienced quite a lot— and I have even sheltered those who were lost. You dear child, are lost… torn between trusting and betraying.. "
Abby was frozen in place, fighting back her words and tears that wanted to lash out. She could feel it within her bones, that chill of despair.
It was painful to watch as this man knew her life more than anyone else. It was as if he was some witch or something.
" So if you plan to betray me… know that it will not make the pain which you feel any less painful. In fact, you will attempt to run far away— yet you will not be able to outrun your past. "
Abigail looked away for a second, as Mr. Lingo finished speaking.
" Or— you can stay here, earn your keep— and come to the festival with me tomorrow, as I had plans to attend. "
Hearing the other option, her orbs shimmered a bit in an astonishment. She didn't realize the festival was tomorrow — nor had she ever gone herself.
She always heard the gravity of the festival, how much fun it was, and how extraordinary it would be. Though, she never was able to experience it first hand.
" …. You— " She would start to say before the man slowly rose towards his feet.
Holding onto the cane that balanced him, as he would feel around to get his bearings a bit. Gradually walking past the woman, as she listened to him.
" … Get some rest. I have an attire you can wear to the festival, as wearing what you have on now, would be a disgrace. And I advise learning to be more silent— as you will be in the presence of His Majesty…. "
Abigail, watching as the old man walked off towards his room, thought about what he stated. She was really going to be able to go to the festival.
It felt like a dream, and a dream she felt she had long forgotten. Though, it all seems to be coming around— and his majesty, she had never seen.
She could only imagine what he was like. After some cleaning up, the young lady would walk towards her own room and go to sleep.