Chapter Text
So who am I paired with?” Millie Thrush rocked on her heels. Her first assignment to a mentor was something she had been looking forward to all week. She had barely slept the night before due to the excitement bubbling within her. She had been staying with the council for 3 months to learn the logistics and inner workings of it, and the Thrush was sorely ready for the change of the muted monotone air that was the council building.
Miss Wren chewed on her lip, staring at Millie for a moment. She slipped out a small file on her desk, then opened the cover, reading back and forth between the placement document from her beloved sister Miss Avocet. “There is no way Esmerelda is truly going to go through with this….” Miss Wren though as she leaned back in her chair. Millie watched as the leader of the council placed the document down, recovering it.
“Dear, I fear Miss Avocet may have made a mistake in placement. Your partner, well um, I just-” the Wren stumbled over her word, “I just-you don't really seem to fit-”
“Balenciaga!” a sharp voice pierced the small office. Millie whipped around, glancing at the open door. A young woman with dark brown hair that was tied back in a braid to a low bun was squeezing a crinkled document between her bony hands. “What in the world is this! I'm NOT taking on an apprentice!” she let the paper un-crunch between her fingers.
Millie glanced back at Miss wren, putting two and two together as the woman walked in to the room, eying Millie. “Pardon my intrusion, I saw the door open and assumed she was not entertaining a guest” the lady bowed her head in an apology. Millie held her hands up, shaking her head
“I-its alright! It seems we have never meet before, I am-
“She is Millicent Thrush, brand new to the ymbryne world and your new Partner and mentee, and that is final.” Miss Wren stood up. “Miss Thrush, this is your partner and mentor, Miss Eleanor-Grace Nightjar.”
“Oh….” Miss Thrush stared, her blue eyes widening. The woman before her seemed…..well rather young. Millie knew better than to judge based off of something such as appearances, especially with Ymrbynes who devote their lives to loop living and don't age, but this Miss Nightjar seemed very young, nearly too young to even be considered to take on a partner.
“I promise, this is what Esmerelda herself requested.” Miss Wren held her hands up between the two “she has the final say in these matters. Now, Ellie, I know, you're a bit……young, but you could, could take this as a compliment- "Miss Wren let her words die as Miss Nightjar whipped around, her kitten heels clacking on the hardwood floor as she stormed towards the door.
“Tell her we leave on the next train in 15 minutes.” Her voice called back, husky and laced with barely hidden anger. Miss Wren collapsed back into her seat, massaging her temples.
“So she really is my new mentor ...lovely” Miss Thrush grabbed her suitcase as she shifted from side to side. This wasn't anything like she had imagined when she first began her studies, heck even a few months ago when she graduated. Last night’s excitement had melted away into more anxiety than anything. She held the suitcase tight to her chest, giving one last look at Miss Wren.
“Miss Thrush…..if things go haywire, please do send me a letter I fear Esmerelda is going about this the wrong way, and I don't……please don't give her a hard time, okay?” Miss Wren asked gently as she reclosed the file. Millie shook her head
“I'll do my best. I promise.” Miss Thrush said as she turned, re-pinning her hat to her head before she started to walk out, but then turned around “do you know her favorite kind of cake or dessert by chance?”
Miss Wren took a moment to answer, seemingly scanning ideas in her head. “I don't know. I've actually never seen her eat while she is at the yearly meetings. She is quite finicky from what I remember Esmeralda telling me.”
Miss Thrush nodded “I'll figure it out. Ciao!” She waved, forcing a smile onto her face as she turned, walking out. “Well… this will be interesting.” Millie saw Miss Nightjar waiting by the front doors on a bench. A small, worn carpet bag in her hands as she scrutinized her watch. “Oh Lord be merciful on my soul” she said the silent prayer before walking up to the woman.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
Miss Eleanor-grace Nightjar sat nestled in the corner, her silver eyes scanning the train car. Most of the occupants looked harmless, but that didn't stop her from scrutinizing every single one of there movements and features, a learned habit she picked up from her loop.
“So!”
The Nightjar tensed up, her heart pounding as she clenched Millie’s hand in her own
“Don't do that!” Miss NJ removed her hand, turning to face her “I have a name you know!” She snapped briskly.
“Oh! Sorry, I'm quite used to simply tapping people on the shoulder. I'll uhm, I'll make note if that” the Thrush ran a hand through her golden curls, “oh!” She got up and disappeared down the train car. Miss Nightjar recrossed her arms on her lap, looking down
“She wasn't trying to hurt you” miss Nightjar argued in her head. “She is nice.” Ellie tried to force an apology to leave her mouth, but it wouldn't come out. Her lips were glued shut like wallpaper paste had been slathered thick on them. “Be nice to her!” She demanded as the weight on the rickety bench shifted, Miss Thrush sitting back down from wherever she had ran off too.
“Here! It's midnight cake! Made with fresh coffee and warm cocoa beans” Millie held out a gold rimmed plate with the decadent chocolate dessert towards Miss Nightjar. “p-please accept my apology…..I know this isn't what you want Eleanor, and I'm sorry that they are sending me to you, but I really would love to learn from you.” Millie set the cake. on Miss Nightjar’s lap then leaned back in her own seT “You always seemed really knowledgeable at the council meetings for the past two years I've been attending” she gave a lukewarm smile.
Miss Nightjar felt tears well up in her eyes. She quickly grabbed her handkerchief, squeezing it in her hands. She had been awake for nearly 73 hours straight which certainly was doing her much of any favors in the matter. “You don't need. To. Apologize.” She struggled to get the words past the lump in her throat. “If you would. Excuse. Me” she tried to get up, but a warm hand on her forearm gently held onto her.
“Oh don't cry! I'm sorry I didn't mean to make you, here eat the cake, it's a good cake!” Miss Thrush picked up the cake and thrust the plate into her new partner's hands. “OH I’M SORRY! I'm touching you again!” Miss Thrush quickly snapped her hand back, letting Miss NJ’s arm fall back down. Multiple people on the train had turned, finding the pair to be more intriguing than whatever else they were doing.
“Go ahead And eat, I got you the last piece! I've had it before, it's lovely! One of my favorite desserts on this train!” Millie grinned like a young child who had just given her sister the newest toy first. Miss NJ felt her heart burn with regret for being so cold towards the woman. She was truly trying to be friendly, even if Miss NJ was trying at all costs to avoid conversation with her.
“Your drawing too much attention” Eleanor whispered to millie. She could feel everyone's eyes drilling into them. Whispers started to flurry about as the train chugged into a heavily forested area.
“Oh, oh okay! I'll be quiet. Go on, go ahead and eat!” Millie sat beside her and faced ahead, letting her hands rest on her own lap. Her bright blue eyes drifted over to see if her new partner was eating the cake that had been sitting on her lap.
Miss Nightjar stared down at the sugar dessert in her lap. It looked over sweet, a hearty slice covered in a layer of dark Chocolate creme coating the top in a thick glaze. Miss Thrush was right, it did look quite appetizing for a normal person, but for miss Nightjar, it looked just the opposite.
“If you don't want it, or don't like it, please don't feel pressured to eat it!” The Thrush tagged on half heartedly. Miss Nightjar felt her heart sink. She didn't want to hurt the woman more than she already had.
“No, no i-its lovely! I'm thankful you thought of me!” She forced her best manners up on display. Most of the people were still watching them from behind their benches and fans. “Don't they have something better to do?” Miss NJ thought as she put on a thin smile as she painstakingly took a large spoonful And put it in her mouth. Like every other cake, it tasted divine, Millie wasn't lying when she said it was one of the best cakes on the train, but Miss Nightjar knew the consequence of what this action would lead to in about twenty minutes.
“It's very nice, thank you for thinking of me and getting me a slice.” She said quietly after finishing it. Through Millie’s side glances to check her progress, Eleanor could see her smile growing as she finished it. This woman really did get excited over the little things in life. “I'm going to go get some water.” Miss Nightjar stood up. The effects of the chocolate and coffee in the cake were already starting to build as she felt the migraine starting to form.
“Just have to get home.” she mumbled to herself as she walked alongside the rows towards the back where a small water bucket was for the passengers. Ellie drank 2 full glasses,hoping it would mitigate the migraine that was building.
“Just gotta get home, introduce her to the children, get her room set up, get supper made, and-” she took a few deeper breaths and pinched the bridge of her nose. “goodness It's going to be such a long night”
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
“This is the house!? It's gorgeous!” Millie exclaimed as the wind of April 1rst, 1901 nearly stole her hat. The home was large and very well maintained outside. Large flower beds nestled along the border of the wrap around porch, providing a wonderful array of colors. Huge weeping willow trees were nestled all along the sides of the house building a border of sorts around the perimeter, along with a few tall pines behind them bordering the dark woods. The moon had seemingly just broken the horizon, dusk oversetting the home and surrounding hilly lands.
“Thank you” Miss Nightjar breathed out. It had been nearly 2 hours since Miss Thrush and Miss Nightjar got off the train, and the Nightjar hadn't spoken much at all in that time. Miss Thrush reasoned she was probably tired from the ride, but the woman had grown to be more “off” with her steps and balance the last hour of them walking. “Been my pride and joy for a bit now…”
“So, how old are you?” Miss Thrush asked after a few beats of silence. “You don't look too much older than me now, but I'm absolutely horrid at judging ages.” she laughed chipperly as she grabbed her creamy yellow skirt up to climb the wooden porch stairs. The woman beside her took a moment to answer, her grey eyes floating around the sky.
“26 looped, unlooped 35.” Miss Nightjar mumbled as she fussed over the collar of her dress. It felt much too tight around her neck as she fished for the key she kept on a chain around her neck. “I'll get you a key soon.” She murmured too low for Millie to hear.
“Oh I'm 24 looped, and 32 unlooped! that's lovely, we are close in age!” Miss Thrush bounced on her toes. “I always was hoping I would get ... .partnered with someone close to my age, but having you as a mentor is even better!” Millie sang as the door suddenly swung open before miss Nightjar could insert the key.
Good evening" Miss Catherine Glassbill stood over both of them, holding a small tea light candle in her hands. Her braids had been undone and now we're flowing loosely down as she fussed with the buttons on the sleeve of her day dress. Millie dropped her suitcase and hugged her older sister while Eleanor slipped past her with a brief welcome, taking Millie’s suitcase with her.
“Millie! What a pleasant surprise! Cathy hugged her little sister tight. Why was Miss Thrush here with a suitcase? Wasn't she supposed to be going to her new mentorship position?
“Miss Nightjar is my mentor!” Millie informed her as if she had read her mind. “She is going to teach me everything!” The Thrush said as she smoothed down her skirt. Where are all the kids?” she glanced around. A small gated fireplace illuminated the parlour to her left, revealing a large couch and two armchairs beside the fire, all with heavy blankets on top. A large light blue hook rug was placed in-between the couch and chairs, a few stuffed animals sprawled out on it. Two large windows saw right out to the dark forest behind the home, both windows secured with heavier looking locks than normal.
“Kids? Oh, I put them to bed already. There were a few children less inclined to follow directions though.” Catherine informed as she picked up her own carpet bag. “I must be on my way though to catch the last train of the night. Be good my dear.” She patted Millie's cheek. “Tell Ellie I give her my best, wherever she scampered off too.” She chuckled and stepped out the door.
“I will! Safe travels!” Millie grinned and waved her away. As soon as Cathy was out of sight, she turned around, glancing around the area. Two French style doors sat to the right of the parlour, frosted rainbow glass concealed a light inside, painting the floor a pretty marble of pastel colors.
“Eleanor?” Millie peaked in. It felt odd to call Miss Nightjar by her first name, even though they were rather close in age. It felt like an intrusion on the woman who was to be her mentor. “Do other mentee’s call their mentor’s by their first name? That is common amongst the council at least…” Millie peaked into the kitchen, leaving the front entrance.
“Eleanor?” She called again, stepping into the kitchen. The single candle with a hurricane placed over it on the kitchen table illuminated the room and the figure hunched up and leaning on the counter.
“Ellie? Are you alright?” Millie went to reach for her shoulder but then recoiled, having learned not to touch the woman. She had no idea why the woman didn't like being touched, but she surely didn't want to aggravate her more than she already had.
“Yes, yes I'm fine” Miss Nightjar turned around “I was writing something” she whispered. “I'll introduce you to the children in the morning, you may take my bed for the night, I'll get your room set up in the morning. I'm sorry, I was much more unprepared for this than I originally thought” she murmured, taking another sip of water as she stoked the wood stove. “I'll bring you up some tea once it finishes brewing.”
Millie shook her head “I can sleep on the couch, it's no worry! It looks super comfy anyways!" She dismissed the idea of her taking the woman's bed. Although awfully thoughtful, it felt incredibly disrespectful to be as bold as to take her bed.
“It's fine. No one ever sleeps on the couch so it may startle the children. besides I'm nocturnal, it will-”
“Who's that?” A childlike voice called from the darkness behind the kitchen. Both of the women froze up. Millie whipped around, looking for the source of the voice while Eleanor simply turned towards the corner.
“James! I told you sneaking up on others is rude.” Miss Nightjar reprimanded as she bent down, holding her arms out. A small boy seemingly evaporated out of nowhere, hugging her tight.
“I'm sorry miss! I saw you walk up with her an I was just curious!” James said from the crook of her neck.
“We can do proper introductions over breakfast in the morning, but she will be staying with us okay? " Miss Nightjar held the boy on her hip." Did you take your medicine for Miss Glassbill?”She asked. The boy nodded
“All of them! I even remembered my multivitamin when she forgot!” He bounced in her arms. Millie watched as Miss Nightjar praised him, then set him down “I trust you can make it up to bed yourself?” She asked kindly, James nodded, running off
“Good night miss N and pretty lady!”
“Jameson Donnell. His peculiarity is moving in the shadows, or rather being one.” Miss Nightjar said once he left. “He has really bad cardiovascular issues, however.” She mumbled, placing a hand down on the counter to steady herself. The room felt like a board in the ocean being tossed and turned beneath her feet.
“Are you sure you're alright? Your face looks awfully pale.” Miss Thrush asked gently. “You're also swaying a bit.” she noted. It had been a while since Millie actually did anything related to medical care, but her heart felt weary of leaving her new partner alone. Something about her demeanor had changed significantly over the past two hours.
“Just a minor headache, nothing that should concern you. I get minor headaches occasionally. They don't interfere with anything. "Miss Nightjar lied before taking another long sip of water.
Miss Thrush nodded, feeling a bit out of place “I can take your carpet bag up to your room if you would like, I was going to go out my stuff upstairs anyway-
Miss Nightjar suddenly flew out of the room, the glass of water crashing down onto the floor and shattering.
“Ellie!?” She turned, dashing after her new partner. Millie ran until she was out in the vast hills, completely out of breath. “She's a fast ….fast runner!” Millie coughed out over two short breaths, spotting the dark brown hair bobbing in the distance.
“This way sweetheart” Eleanor's voice soothed someone who was seemingly inconsolable. The high pitched cries rang throughout the loop as a young girl was guided back towards the house. “You're not in trouble, Aurora dear. You just cannot come out here in the dark, that's simply too dangerous”
“Im-b-but I wanted to go on-on a walk!” The girl sobbed, hugging Miss NJ’s fluffed out skirt. Miss Nightjar swooped her up, holding her like a toddler “the front door was-was open like when we can go outside! I don't get it!”
Millie felt her blood run cold. She didn't even think to close it behind her when Catherine left.
“It's okay. We have a new friend here, and she may take some time learning how we operate.” Eleanor soothed as she made it to Millie’s side. “Next time, go ahead and ask me, okay?”
“You left the door open miss Thrush” the nightjar informed without any malice. “We do not leave any doors or windows open at night on the first floor, isn't that right Aurora?” Miss Nightjar asked. The girl nodded, wiping her eyes on Miss Nightjar’s top.
“Alright, it's time for bed now Rory” Miss Nightjar brought the girl inside. The girl nodded, pulling up her thick gloves and picking up a stuffed bunny off the ground.
“I'll go to bed now, miss” she turned, wandering off into the dark house. Miss Nightjar watched her go, then pinched the bridge of her nose.
“I'm so sorry! I wasn't even thinking once Catherine left, and-” Millie paused as Eleanor waved her hand, her mouth, unsteadily walking back over to the door that she had just spent 30 seconds locking. Once she got it out she ran outside, heaving into the grass.
“Ellie?” Millie peaked out of the front door. She stepped out haphazardly into the porch, then remembered and closed the front door before going to Miss Nightjar’s side. “What's wrong? Are you unwell?” Millie bent down beside her. It was nearly two minutes before the woman could answer again.
“I can't have coffee …..or chocolate” she informed miss Thrush “I think it's the caffeine in it or the theobromine, whatever it is it gives me horrible migraines and makes me sick to my stomach sometimes. I don't think the running to Aurora helped though” she added sheepishly as she wiped her mouth with her sleeve.
“Why would you eat it then!?” Miss Thrush offered her a handkerchief for her mouth. Miss NJ gratefully accepted it, letting her body rest for a moment in the grassy plains. Her stomach felt much better, but the migraine was still growing in her skull.
“You really liked it, and thought enough to get me some”
“You could have told me! ”Miss Thrush ignored the earlier issues and slipped her arm around Miss NJ “I wouldn't have been offended in the slightest! You should have told me!”
“I was just happy you even thought of me” she mumbled, this time gratefully accepting the help. “If you would, please just get me to the couch. That's all I need”
“No, no you can take the bed! Goodness you must be sick in the head too, to believe I'm going to take your bed away from you in this state!” Millie all but had to carry miss Nightjar inside.
“I can't do the stairs at the moment, not like this. I must be able to get downstairs on a moment's notice without falling if they need me. Plus, I would rather it be me awoken by the children tomorrow morning. They won't take kindly to an “intruder” on the couch without me there to explain” she informed as she collapsed l down on the couch. Millie thought for a moment. It did make complete sense, but the 24 year old felt horrible for leaving Eleanor down there.
“I'll be okay. Thank you for everything, and I'm sorry for everything else.” Miss NJ stifled a yawn, shutting her eyes. Even the candlelight from the kitchen was bothering her greatly. A weight was suddenly placed on top of her, warm and thick. Her grey eyes sprung open as she felt the heavy blanket on top of her.
“I thought you may like it” Millie said softly as she smoothed down the corners like she was tucking in a child.
“This isn't the one from-” eleanor paused, a sigh of relief washing over her as she saw the blanket still on top of the couch. “who's blanket is this? Don't ever use that one, that one is Thomas’s. If it gets even a small speck of dirt on it, I cannot use it when I put him down for his nap.”
“It's my quilt, made it to be really thick and soft.” Miss Thrush informed her. “Do you need any water?”
Miss NJ shook her head “thank you though” she mumbled, shutting her eyes once more. She sat in silence for about ten minutes, praying for exhaustion to overtake her before the nausea started again, until something wet was placed on her forehead. She tensed at the sudden icy, which only caused the rhythmic throbbing to become even worse.
“I used this bowl from the cabinet for some water for you, then I relocked the kitchen door. Not sure if it needs to be relocked at night, but I did just in case.” Millie sat down beside her partner. “Do you need anything? I also took that mint tea off, there's a teacup next to you if you need it.”
Miss Nightjar did the sign language for no, fearing if she even moved her head it would cause the pain to get much worse. She hadn't had a migraine come on this fast since a few years ago when she was accidentally given the wrong type of tea at a council meeting.
“What does” Millie mimicked the sign for the word No “mean?”
“No”
“No? you're not going to tell me? What?” Miss Thrush blinked, redoing the sign to herself. “Oh wait does it mean No?”
Eleanor sighed. She certainly had her work cut out for her.