Chapter Text
Chapter 6
“Finally!” Leslie squeezed Miss Finch a little tighter as the winds whipped past them and down the London streets, rustling the thick oak leaves that surrounded the archives building. Yvette Finch was already feverish, her muscles spasming underneath her thin nightgown that was soaked in cold grime and sweat.
“What do you think she has?” Gabe asked as he glanced around, ushering the children up towards the large walnut trees that lead inside the loop.
“The worst timing ever.” Leslie bittersweetly murmured, pulling her a bit closer. “Poor las’ is gonna have to fight off whatever sickness she has, and them freaks, ‘scuse my language, miss” the man apologized to his unconscious ymbryne.“Once we get inside, I think I'm going to reward myself for carrying her with a standing nap, right next to the door with my pocket knife” he chuckled, wiping some sweat off of Eve’s forehead for her. She didn't react at all, which worried Leslie to his core.
“Whatever you want Les.” Gabriel peaked down the street, once, twice, “We can enter” the teenager took the lead, walking through to the bitter winter of 1904. “Oh Evie is gonna love this weather” he hissed as Ari’s hands quickly moved inside her coat. Lea, who had been entirely silent for the whole train ride finally made a noise as all of her snakes quickly slid down into the neckline of her scarf, trying to seek what little warmth it provided.
“I hope you don't need a compass anymore. I don't operate in such utterly atrocious weather” Ari declared as she rocked on her heels. “Why did they pick such a horrid day to loop this loop in!?” she whined, grabbing lea’s arm. “And the buildings an ice block!! I ain't even gonna be warm inside!” she stomped her foot.
“That's okay dear, we are here, and safe ” Leslie guided her up the slippery steps. “And I think it's to deter people from trying to break in, at least that's how Miss Auntie Finch explained it.” The older man hefted Miss Finch up as Ari seemingly accepted the answer, moving one of her tawny braids back behind her shoulder and pulled her thin sweater tighter. If they had time Leslie would have grabbed her a better coat, but with what little time they had to evacuate, they were lucky the flannel pajamas they had were still in somewhat decent condition, only a few tears and burn holes.
Gabriel and Henry took the lead until they made it to the top, where he set Henry behind himself with Ari as he grabbed his small gun out of his coat pocket. Leslie stood back, but his one hand haphazardly gripped his own pocket knife, ready for what could await them inside the dark walls.
“Ready?” Gabriel whispered,
“Yes sir!” Lea and Ari both chorused, Ari slamming her hand up like a soldier ready for war in a salute. If Gabriel had time or his brownie box camera, he would have absolutely forced the girl to stay for a photo. Miss Finch would have loved that one for the scrapbook.
“I meant Leslie-you know what good, be prepared actually” Gabriel instructed, then slowly pushed open the mahogany door, wincing at the creek that resounded down the lifeless gloomy entrance hall.
“It seems rather…..empty-” Gabe pulled out a flashlight from his other pocket. “Hello!?” He stepped in, shining his light down the hall, but froze as a pair of eyes glimmered like a cat at the end of the hall. As quickly as Gabe turned around, the pitter patter of footsteps was quickly gaining.
“Back down the steps, back down the STEPS! GO!!” Gabriel screamed, but it was cut short as a dainty hand grabbed the collar of his shirt and shirked him back up the step into the building and smashed the teenager into a wall, crushing the breath out of his lungs like a sledge hammer, the sharp grey eyes that struck fear into his bones returned, along with the cold sensation of something metal and pointy being fixed against his neck
“You have 4 seconds to explain who you are, why you're here, and you better start praying I believe you.” The gentle and demure feminine voice caught Gabriel off guard as her fist shoved him back with each word she spoke, as if to make sure no air remained in his lungs.
“We are-”
“Ellie!” Another voice crowed from down the hall. A sudden bright light from above flickered, illuminating the hall with warm incandescent lights, revealing a tall woman with long thick black hair and a musket at the end of the hall, holding the gun in her trembling hands. Thankfully, it was pointed at the ground rather than anyone's head.
“ACK! Elizabeth!” The person holding Gabriel at knifepoint dropped her knife at her feet, both of her hands covering her eyes immediately "Don't you dare move!” she snapped and pointed at Gabe, who only cast a weary glance over at Leslie and the other few children who remained frozen on the porch out of view of the doorway,
“I'm sorry! I'm sorry, Ellie I forgot! But I saw them coming in from my office! they aren't threats! It's Leslie Tiegens and Miss Finch’s children! I just completed their updated profiles in the archive records a day or two ago!” The lean woman dashed down the hall to the pair, awkwardly shuffling the gun as she ran. For being in the brutal winter, she looked severely underdressed, only clothed in a light violet flutter skirt with a 3/4th sleeve cream white top, her long black hair slicked into a low ponytail that bounced as she ran up the the other woman, putting a hand on her back.
“Do you not understand what nocturnal means Eliza? My eyes can't handle this! I can't protect you if I can't see!” The woman leaned on the wall, her burgundy dress brushing the slush on the floor around as she moved, rubbing her eyes. “Severe migraines, Eliza!” Gabriel almost felt pitiful towards his assailant as she took a few deeper breaths, a hushed whimper leaving her shaking body as she tried to drive her eyes open to adjust.
“I know, I know I'm so sorry dear!” Elizabeth Crow hugged her, stepping on the handle of the silver dagger that now lay abandoned on the ground as if Gabriel was going to attempt to use it against them.
“You've forgotten three times now, and every time I get stuck with a migraine!” Ellie grumbled, sliding down the wall and putting her head on her knees in a very improper fashion, but if the kids weren't threats, Ellie couldn't see a reason to remain standing and further worsen her headache.
“I'll get you some fresh water tonight so-so you can maybe take a hot bath? That may help….. I'm so sorry Ellie!” Miss Crow gently patted the other woman’s shoulder who simply took to unpinning her hair, grumbling under her breath. Miss Crow nodded, then adjusted her focus back to the very silent Gabriel who was simply waiting to be addressed, rocking on his heels.
“Sorry sweets, Miss Nightjar has been a bit worried ever since arriving, she's been a bit…..stressed about an attack.” Miss Crow laughed tensely, running a hand down her long ponytail. “Which is to be expected of course in-in times such as these, ……but please, please come in!” She clapped her hands. “And Leslie, wonderful to see you again!” She hugged the older man, seemingly uncaring that he was covered in soot and snow.
“ Liza!? I didn't know you transferred back to the archives this soon!” Leslie returned the hug, careful to not disturb Miss Finch in between them. “I've missed ya las’!” then ushered the children into the warmth, closing the door. “I thought you were going to be stuck in Tokyo for a bit longer with Miss Yuhina!”
“No, I just transferred back last week, or about a week and a half ago now. Just in time….. unfortunately." She murmured, her smile fading. “Well-well what's going on? I assume something dire has- Yvette?! Oh dear what- why-” Miss Crow suddenly lost her ability to articulate her words, simply motioning down to the Ymbryne in question with a horrified expression taped to her brow.
“Our loop was raided, and the elder Finch was kidnapped by the wrights…..and so many of us are ….” ” Gabriel stepped forward, finally regaining his bearings after his attack. Miss Crow nodded to confirm the grim notion he laid in front of her, thankfully not making him say it in front of the younger children. . “Miss Eve, she's quite sick, she was sick before we even got invaded, i-i don't know what she has, but-”
“Let me take her. She needs to be stripped, cleaned and laid in a warm bed and given a proper meal.";Miss Nightjar held out her arms, her grey eyes still squinted. “She doesn't look all that old…” Gabriel thought, examining Miss Nightjar as Leslie handed over the feverish woman, while Miss Crow started to distribute towels to the younger children. Miss Nightjar nodded in thanks, then turned to leave, but turned back, her burgundy plaid dress swinging in a circle with the hoopskirt like merry go round. “I'm sorry, I thought you were a Wright. I truly hope I didn't scare you too badly.” She held Eve close. “i’ve been on guard all night” she explained to Gabriel. “Forgive me, I was improper, and I would love to try to curtsy, but I may fall over if I do, and I won't be of much help to anyone in that state.” She bent her head down.
What could he say to her that would even be appropriate for a woman of her status? “I understand! No harm done!” Gabriel held his hands up to his chest, waving them around theatrically. “All good!” he tried to reassure her.
“What she means is, hasn't slept in like weeks, she's been up watchin.” Miss Crow countered as she picked Lea up. “You're gonna need many bandages for your legs dear girl” she told Lea who shrugged, laying her head down immediately to get some rest on her shoulder, her snakes finally starting to re-emerge from her scarf. “Go to bed Ellie. I can watch over the building and get them situated!” Miss Crow tacked on, leading the kids deeper into the building's twisted halls.
“I'll deal with Eve first.” Miss Nightjar countered back “Then we can switch who watches and stands guard.” She stifled a yawn. “I'll be okay, I don't get to sleep often for long periods anyways” the brown haired woman mumbled while wandering back down the hall and turning to the right while everyone else went left.
“Fiesty as ever” Leslie looked around the dusty halls, taking note of the windows and doors. For being such an “important and supposedly secure” building, it sure did have a ridiculous amount of windows all letting fresh moonlight filter in through the stained glass.
“Come along children. I'm not sure what we have in our pantry, but I'm sure Miss Glassbill has oats, some pickled apples, and some carrots and potatoes in the pantry, I'm sure I can whip something up. "Miss Crow opened the kitchen door "In, in you all go!” She forced a smile. For now, the kids didn't need to see how stressed her and Miss Nightjar were. They need a steadfast and confident Ymbryne .
And a steadfast, confident Ymbryne is something Miss Elizabeth Crow could easily pretend to be.
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“Eya, Finch” a rough, deep voice bellowed from above the sleeping passerine. “Here” something was shoved into her hands, hard and small, but wet.
Cora Finch opened her eyes a sliver, but quickly jolted upright, her eyes scanning the room frantically
“Yvette!?”
“You dropped yer half of apple.” the woman sitting beside her picked it up. “It’s dusty, but I'll see if I can shave off the bad parts-”
“I don't care! Is Yvette here!?” Miss Finch’s eyes finally and used to the dark room. The stetson was the first clue, but the strange, almost foreign French Canadian accent hit the nail on the head for who miss Finch was talking to. “Ava-miss loon?”
“Yeah, yeah, it's me.” She grumbled “and nah, your niece is still at large, hopefully much safer than us sorry folks.” She yawned, reclining back. Her once shiny slick black hair was now dusted thoroughly with dirt and her stetson was pulled back to be used as a sort of cushion but her dark red eyes still had that same determination and grit Cora was so fond of in their younger years in the States, regardless of how dim the room was.
“how ... .Ava why are you here?” Cora used what little strength she had left to push herself upright to face her sister. The loon sniffled, her eye brows knitting together as she cast a direct glare at the corner of the room where Miss Treecreeper was huddled.
“Someone thought it wise to invite me and Lydia to come be forced to sit in on a meeting we didn't even want to or need to attend in the first place.” Ava grabbed her flask out of her pocket and took a swig. “Because you know, perfect time to invite people who didn't have any business on this side of the pond is absolutely right when someone’s tadpole of a brother had to go on a narcissistic power charge” she grumbled.
Miss Treecreeper rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. “Your required to report for council meetings, especially ones of importance like, oh I don't know, someone is kidnapping Ymbrynes, causing loops to collapse, children are literally being murdered by hollowgasts, I'm sorry that you ended up getting kidnapped, but what do you want us to do about it, huh Ava!?” Miss Treecreeper snapped. Her tiny body trembled as she tightened her fists “I'm so sorry if we happened to inconvenience you with a meeting about a life or death situation!”
“It's not an inconvenience of a meeting, it's the incompetence, Alice! You knew this freak was kidnapping Ymbrynes! why would you have more Ymbrynes come to the place WHERE HE IS KIDNAPPING THEM!” the Loon smacked her hands together in emphasis, making her hat fall down behind her. Miss Bobolink, who Miss Finch didn't notice until now was asleep on her partner's legs, opened her eyes at the sudden jerking movement, watching in a daze what was happening above her. “And now Lydia's sick, she doesn't have her hearing aids, and our kids are doing who knows in America, hopefully not dying by the clan’s hand! But it's not like this isn't the first time you Brit's proved you didn't care what happened-
A sudden loud thump drew both of the quarreling Ymbrynes attention over towards the other corner of the cold room. Miss Glassbill picked up her overstuffed journal, her fawn brown eyes staring daggers into each woman’s soul. “Shut both of your mouths before I make you remember why I was put 2nd in command.” She hissed. “I'm not putting up with you two fighting.”
“You know I'm right Catherine!” Alice thrust her hand over towards Ava’s general direction “she's acting like I purposely put her in danger for fun!”
“Yes but I'm not listening to you two fight! You're both right and wrong in certain aspects, if we all aren't murdered and make it out of here unharmed, which is very unlikely with the way you two are fighting and drawing attention might I add, feel free to bring your ridiculous fight to my office the next available business day!” The glassbill gritted her teeth. “Now you both keep your mouths shut, lest I make you, because if he has to come back in here we could very well be given a gun to the head, or a beating, and so help me I will make sure your both punished if one of us ends up hurt because you two can't shut up! Do we have an understanding?” Catherine had taken to tugging on one of her long braids, looking between both of them like a wild animal.
The Treecreeper looked down, tears dripping down her face as she nodded, huddling back into her corner, facing the wall. Miss Finch’s heart twisted as she watched her put one of the musty burlap blankets over her shoulders, trying to sleep what small comfort she could get out of the torn fabric.
Ava on the other hand took another large swig of whiskey from her flask, a nasty habit she took up when she was too stressed, even when her and Cora were still teenagers in the states.
“Nore!” The strangely unique voice of Lydia bobolink echoed out as she did a few signs towards her partner. Her bony hands tried to move the flask, but albeit gentler this time, Ava patted them back down to Lydia's chest, giving a few reassuring signs back. Miss Bobolink huffed but relented, pulling Ava’s cloak closer.
We're both women right? Yes. But should they have been fighting? Not at all. The most torturous part of it all was how quickly they both went for each other's throats, and how none of the other ladies decided to stop them except Miss Glassbill, who in Balenciaga’s absence was obligated to step up and take control. ”We're supposed to be sisters…. through it all till the end of the age, or until we're called home to the Lord…” Cora Finch turned over, facing the grey cobblestone wall that was utterly impossible to break though. Her calloused fingers traced the small cracks in the centuries old stone, her other hand squeezing her locket, her eyes filling with new tears as she tried to fight against them, but it was no use as they started to find their way to the cold, dirt caked stones below.
“Evie…”
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“Ahh, the archives!” Mr. White stared up at the now well lit building. He could see some figures moving inside, curtains being drawn to block some of the bright lights
“Oh dear, I suppose I should give you just a touch of time to get yourself treated for whatever those kids were carrying you for, would save me from having to treat ya myself.” Mr. White reasoned as he lit up a pipe, taking a seat on one of the many frozen wooden benches. A pained noise creaked from the wood as he took a seat, nestling back. It was one of the few times the wright was happy he couldn't feel temperature anymore, as the snow had quickly made all of London rush home to their warm firesides, giving him a good view of the entire frozen structure before him.
“Little snow never stopped a man, now has it?” He took a deep puff of his pipe. Oh what vile things he planned on doing once he had that songbird in his possession. Things that brought a smile to his chapped lips.
“Times drawing near dear” he mumbled, his breath fogging in the frosty air as the two hollows he brought wandered around, leaving huge holes in the white courtyard. “Times’a drawing near.”