To Repay Them
Jordan
I was just having some fun!
Rhoda
It isn't fun when you're the only one having it, Jordan.
Moriah
Rest assured, I derive no entertainment from this encounter.
Moriah
But the human came here and damaged our home.
Moriah
I won't let her leave until she's found a way to repay our debt.
Moriah
I'm not as forgiving a spirit as you are, Rhoda.
Rhoda looks around, taking in the fallen bell and the splintered floorboards.
Rhoda
Yikes, that does look pretty bad.
Rhoda
Francesca might need some help to fix it.
She steps in front of me, taking a protective stance.
Rhoda
But you still shouldn't mess with her like that.
Rhoda
I'm sure she didn't mean it.
Jordan
You really missed your calling. What a spectacular pet you would have made.
Jordan
Desperate for a human to pat your head and call you a "good girl", aren't you?
Rhoda
I think you're projecting, Jordan.
Moriah
Be quite, both of you.
The spirits suddenly fall silent after her cold command.
Moriah
Human- I'll make this simple.
Moriah
Find a way to repay your debt...
Moriah
...Or be prepared to be cursed till the end of your days.
Jordan
That's a very long time, in case you need the clarification.
A breeze ripples through the tree tops, making the leaves rustle above.
I stare around at the three women, scarcely able to think over the noise of my pounding heart.
As much as I want to hang around my disbelief, after everything I've seen, I can not deny it any longer.
Ruth
(Still, I have to ask...)
Ruth
(Give this day one last chance to return to normal...)
Ruth
Are you really...𝒌𝒂𝒎𝒊?
Moriah doesn't even look at me.
Moriah
Are all mortals this slow?
Rhoda
*Smiles warmly towards Ruth*
Rhoda
But we haven't had a visitor in forever.
Ruth
(That explains why everything looked so deserted.)
Ruth
(Why the door to the main altar was closed.)
Ruth
(Why I've been on edge since I got here, like...)
Ruth
(like someone was 𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒆.)
Rhoda
...And Jordan and I are the guardians of this altar.
My eyes dart over the statues I passed earlier.
Ruth
(A 𝒌𝒂𝒎𝒊...a 𝒌𝒊𝒕𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒆...and a 𝒌𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒖 𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒓𝒊𝒕...)
All of a sudden, the reality of my situation hits me.
I drop to my knees and press my forehead on the ground.
I can hear Jordan's grin.
Jordan
Well, isn't this a lovely sight?
Moriah's shadow falls over me and I look up.
Her eyes are a hard glint in the sunlight.
Moriah
Well? I've already told you your apologies are worth nothing.
Moriah
What do you offer as recompense?
I stare at the ground, mind racing.
Ruth
(I don't have any money!)
Ruth
(And I haven't got anything else, to offer either!)
Ruth
(What am I going to do?)
Jordan
If she doesn't want to repay her debt over money, she can work it off.
Moriah doesn't take her eyes off me.
Jordan
With her service, ofcourse!
Jordan
Her devoted service...to her three new mistresses.
Comments
Le Diable
*not able
2023-01-02
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