The Broken Ones

Chapter 15:2 -The Ball

Soi and Nebelius Silver’s talk about Soi’s risk taking plan ended early in the morning. Outside Nibbles flat the sun had begun to rise discreetly over the colourful rooftops of Beroal and some birds were serenading the morning. Soi could barely stand on his feet and his dark eyes flickered tiredly. He followed in Nibbles footstep and hoped they would lead him to a bed.
-Here we are, Nibbles opened a door which led to a large bedroom.
Its walls were dark green, it’s curtain were green and it against the wall stood dark brown cupboards and closets. In the middle stood a wide bed in dark wood and with a green spread.
-Feel right at home, Nibbles said tiredly.
-Thank you, Soi answered and walked into the bedroom.
He sat down at the edge of the bed and slowly lowered his body and sunk into the soft bed. For minutes he simply breathed in and out. He was about to fall asleep when the bed bobbed. Soi immediately sat up and looked around confused. It was Nibbles. He had sat down on the other side of the bed and begun to undress.
-What are you doing? Soi asked upset.
-Undressing, he as an answer accompanied by a raised eyebrow and a tired smile.
-Why?
-Why not? I’m going to sleep, aren’t I?
-Here.
It wasn’t really a question but rather a confirmation.
-Yes, here, in my bedroom.
-Your bedroom? I thought it was the guestroom.
-I’m sorry Soi, that my flat ain’t as big as Ana’s mansion.
-You mean there aren’t any other bedrooms? Where am I going to sleep then?! Soi said desperately.
-Well, it is a very large bed, Nibbles pointed out.
-But… Soi looked through the doorway out to the living room and the velvet couch.
-Don’t think about the couch, it’s was not made for sleep!
Nibbles had changed into a night shirt and slipped into bed. Soi stayed nervously on the edge and looked longingly at the couch.
-I’m sure I can sleep well on a couch, after all I’ve slept several nights outdoors, he said.
-I’m sure you can, but what I meant was that you’re not allowed to sleep on my couch not because it’s uncomfortable but because you would ruin it.
-Ruin?! It’s a couch!
-It’s a special made couch on which I have spent a good deal of money! It’s your choice, the bed or the floor.
Unwillingly Soi undressed and crawled into the bed.

Soi woke up alone. From the other side of the bedroom door he could hear sounds of a lively conversation. Carefully Soi cracked up the door and peaked out. On a small stool Nibbles was standing with his arms stretched out to the sides like a statue and swirling beneath him was a short plump woman with curly grey hair and a stern face. In her hands she held a measure tape and as she circled she measured Nibbles legs and arms and body.
-I can’t believe you’ve destroyed yet another great outfit! She scolded at him.
-It was a tough trip this year, Nibbles apologised and gave the short lady a sorrowful look.
The woman snorted and pinched him with a needle.
-Either you stop going on these “trips” or you’ll find yourself another seamstress.
-Oh, the trip will change to next year, Nibbles said with an honest voice and looked beggingly at the lady with his one eye. –No one can do garments like you, they’re like art works.
-Why should I create art after art if you’re going to toss in the mud with monsters and sleep outdoors? What a waste, the woman said and scowled at him
-Please. Do my clothes to ball, hm, Nibbles pleaded.
-I don’t know…
-I can’t go there looking like a rag. Hmm…
The lady’s fierce expression softened.
-Yes, yes I’ll do it. Everybody already knows I’m sewing your clothes anyhow, I would be destroying my own reputation if I let you go to the ball the way you look now.
Nibbles sighed in relief and smiled gently to the grey haired woman.
-Thank you so much, he said and took her wrinkled hand and kissed it gently.
-Yes, yes, the lady brushed him off. –Tell me, have you grown?
-Matured, you mean, Nibbles teased and stretched his back.
-As if that could happen, the woman snorted.
-Why shouldn’t that be possible? Nibbles pouted. –Oh, and talking about impossible, could you make an outfit for my friend as well…
-Your friend? The lady lowered her arms and stared at Nibbles. –It’s not a lady friend, is it? Cause I don’t have time to do another fancy dress, especially not if it’s going to match yours.
-No, it’s just Soi, he don’t need anything special, just new clothes.
-So I could take something from last year’s fashion? The woman looked hopeful.
-Definetely, he wouldn’t notice the difference. Soi, come on out, there’s breakfast here for you.
Of course Nibbles would know Soi had listened to their conversation, there was no way to escape him. Slowly Soi opened the door and walked into the living room. The short lady tilted her head and watched him carefully.
-He definitely needs new clothes. I suppose I should be grateful your clothes aren’t in the same state as his.
-This is my seamstress, Ms Grey, Nibbles introduced her to Soi and Soi dutifully nodded his head.
Ms Grey snorted and turned back to Nebelius to fasten more needles on his body and Soi sat down in front of a set table. It wasn’t as much breakfast as it was a table full of different treats and sweets. Apple pie and blueberry pie, bowls with caramels and fudge and chocolates and baskets with buns and cakes and white bread. And then there were marmalades and jams in jars and in the middle of the table stood a large kettle. Soi lifted its lid and hoped it was tea and was greatly disappointed to find something brownish.
-What’s this? Soi asked displeased.
-Chocolate, for drinking.
-Don’t you have tea?
-Tea? What’s wrong with chocolate?
-It’s too sweet, Soi said sourly.
-What did you expect? I own a sweet shop, Nibbles said and shrugged his shoulders.
Soi sighed and buttered some white bread with a layer of jam and took a bite.
-How did you get a sweet shop?
-I told you before about my life before I became Nebelius. When I became a broken I decided to have fun to make up for all those years of sadness. The opposite of sadness is...-Happiness, Soi filled in.-And what can make you happier than something sweet.
Soi didn’t agree but he nodded obediently.
-When I first came to Beroal I knew this was the city for me and where I wanted to start my new life. I opened a sweet shop with the money I'd earned from sea and these days I'm a wealthy shop owner.-All done, ms Grey said. -Step down, Silver. Try to take it off without moving the needles.
Nibbles stepped down and disappeared into the bedroom. The living room grew quiet, except for Soi’s chewing. Suddenly the plump grey haired woman turned around and gave Soi a piercing look. Soi stopped chewing and watched the lady nervously, anticipating an attack.
-So, what are you waiting for? Get up! Ms Grey said sternly and Soi stood up quickly.
When Nibbles came out from the bedroom again Soi was put on the small stool while short woman twirled around him and measured his body and put in needles here and there. Soi’s eyebrows were furrowed tightly together.
-Explain to me why I’m doing this? Soi said grimly.
-If we’re going to go through with your plan, at least we could do it my way, Nibbles smiled happily. -After all, we are going to a ball.

To be continued...
By J.L.Frick