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Mercy sat in her craft room, a paper lay in front of her as she fiddled with the pen in her hand. She had been thinking about this for months since the newcomer came. She felt like they were trustworthy to help with the sacred tradition, yet she knew that the other witches might be hesitant or outright angry. She could understand why some of them still have a hard time trusting, as Mercy at first didn't trust the newcomer.
Even more so after Abigail had come to her and spoken about the first meeting between herself, the newcomer, and Margarete, so when Abigail had come back, Mercy just shook her head before talking Martha's ear off about how she knew this newcomer was no good, and how she wished Abigail had listened to her and not wasted her time.
Yet now, she was here, writing a letter to present to the others in hopes of changing their minds and letting the newcomer help and be a part of the tradition. Mercy hoped that the others had seen how much the newcomer had helped them and would trust her judgment. She looked at the paper, a sigh escaping her as her hand was starting to hurt from how long she had sat at the desk writing. She got up from her chair, as sitting for hours upon hours without getting up was likely not a good idea.
Yet as her pen dropped onto the table, she thought she had heard a knock on her door, confused about who would be visiting her this late. When she looked out of her window by the front door, there was no one. 'If there was one sign you had stayed up way too late, it would be this.' She had thought to herself. She went back into the craft room as she hid the piece of paper and tidied the rest of the room.
As she entered her bedroom, she threw herself onto the bed. Not even bothering to put the blanket over herself as her eyes felt heavy, she drifted off to sleep.
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It was early morning, and Martha was outside walking around the veiled hamlet. Taking advantage of the early morning breeze before the others awoke, alone with her and her thoughts. As she continued her stroll, thinking about everything that had been going on as of late, with the newcomer, she had noticed that Abigail had been visiting the castle more, even when the newcomer wasn't around.
She wondered if something was going on with her and the duke's daughter. By the time she stopped thinking about what was up with Abigail and Margarete, she had ended up at Mercy's door. This reminded her that she hadn't seen her girlfriend for the past day or two, so she shook her head. Mercy had likely been couped up again with some project or something, yet she still knocked.
It was still early in the morning, so she knew there was a high chance of Mercy being asleep. That's when the door opened, and there stood Mercy, seeming to have just woken up a couple of minutes ago.
''Love.''
''Martha...?''
''Good morning.''
Mercy leaned against the door frame as she rubbed her eyes.
''Good morning to you as well, Mothy.''
''Just woke up?''
''10-ish minutes ago.''
''Come walk with me.''
''But it's-, Never mind, give me 5 minutes.''
Martha nodded as she waited for Mercy.
''Ready.''
Well, that was fast... Martha thought, as she could have sworn that not even two minutes had passed. As she heard the door being locked, she took Mercy's hands in hers as they made their way around the Hamlet.
''So, Mothy.''
''hmmm?''
''What's got you up this early?''
Mercy had asked as they walked, trying to distract from the paper.
''Wanted to take advantage of the fact that nobody would be awake.''
Mercy nodded, and the rest of the walk remained in comfortable silence.
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They both sat on the stone bench in the middle of the village.
''I can barely feel my legs.''
Mercy let out a small laugh as she felt the ache in her own legs.
''You look so cute.''
''Sweating and panting?''
''Yes, you look like a wet mahr.''
''A..wet mahr?''
''Yes.''
Martha let out a huff as she crossed her arms, turning away from Mercy.
''Aww, Mothyy.''
''Shush!''
Mercy let out a laugh.
''You're such an ass.''
Martha grumbled.
''Then do something about it~.''
Martha's brain errored.
''Mothy..?''
Mercy shook Martha's shoulder. Martha blinked a couple of times before her face turned a very light shade of pink.
''Did you have to say out in public?!''
''Aww, is someone getting flustered? Also, no one is out yet.''
''Well, who knows, maybe they're hiding!''
As Martha was about to continue, her stomach growled.
''Should we head back to your home?''
Martha then asked, as the growl was a clear sign that they needed to eat.
''Well...how about your house? as mine is too far away.''
Martha nodded, yet she didn't miss how Mercy seemed to tense slightly, her mood shifting a bit.
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Martha had locked the door behind them as she went to make them something. Mercy sat on the small couch as she remembered the paper; she knew she needed to tell someone, anyone. It felt dumb. Why was she this worried? What was the worst that could happen?
The others will think you betrayed them.
She tried to reason with herself; they seemed a bit hesitant when Abigail told them, but never hateful.
But it's different, you want to share something sacred.
She tried to ignore the thought, trying to stick with the logical choice.
What if they looked at you with hatred?
Or...what if they find out what you did to get Martha's cape?
Mercy shook her head, trying to change her thoughts.
The thought of them, all standing there looking at her with a mix of pity and hurt, she was being too trusting, the newcomer was still an outsider.
''Mercy...this isnt a good idea.''
''Disappointing.''
''what?!''
''Traitor!''
Mercy wiped the tears that started to form and fall; she frantically wiped at them.
Look at you, reducing yourself to tears over your own thoughts.
Crybaby.
Pathetic.
Crybaby.
Mercy's thoughts spiraled as she ran to the bathroom.
Go fix yourself.
crying over a piece of paper.
coward, coward.
Don't let her find you crying.
Mercy splashed water on her face, looking at the mirror as the water dripped from her face into the sink. nothing seemed to give away the fact that she was upset or crying.
''Hi...hello..''
Sounded Normal enough. Mercy took a deep breath in and out as she held onto the bathroom sink.
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By the time Martha returned, everything seemed fine.
''You're back.''
''Mhm, made soup.''
''Yum.''
As they ate, Martha kept glancing over at Mercy as she noticed how Mercy hadn't really touched her bowl.
''How are you enjoying it?''
''It's good.''
When they both finished, Martha put the bowls on a side table as she turned to face Mercy.
''Love.''
''Mothy.''
''Are you okay?''
Mercy went quiet at that. She was kinda okay, but not at the same time, yet she knew any attempt at lying would get them nowhere, and Martha would see right through it.
''Is yes and no an answer?''
''What's wrong, love?''
''It is just that...''
She said as she turned to look away.
''It's stupid.''
''So? I don't care if it's stupid or not, if it is making you this upset, I want to know.''
''I want to welcome the newcomer into the sacred tradition...''
Mercy spilled out as she looked at the ground, waiting for Martha's reaction.
''Oh.''
Mercy felt her heart drop at that.
Was she mad?
It wasn't a good idea.
''Mercy, are you worried about what the others might think?''
That took her out of it. Martha didn't sound mad...or upset. Mercy nodded, still not facing her.
''Look at me, please, Love.''
When Mercy looked up at her, and she saw how her eyes glistened with unshed tears, her heart broke.
''Oh my love, come here..''
Martha said, opening her Arms.
Mercy nearly took both of them out as she crashed into Martha's arms, her body trembling with silent sobs. Martha pulled her closer as she let her cry.
When Mercy had calmed down, Martha carried her to the bedroom. Mercy didn't protest as she snuggled into Martha's chest. Martha had placed Mercy on the bed, and she was about to lie beside her when Mercy pulled her down.
''Mercy!''
Mercy stuck out her tongue.
Martha shook her head as she lay on her side and pulled Mercy towards her. Mercy let out a happy noise as she snuggled into Martha's chest, and Martha wrapped an arm around her. Martha planted a kiss on Mercy's hair as both women lay on the bed together, the outside world not existing for them at this moment.