Chapter Text
I’m just cleaning up the bakery, it’s been a productive day. Well, as productive as I could make of it. Of course, having the worst pies in London it’s hard to make a living. We started to run out of good meat a while ago. Though I guess the neighborhood stray cats have been sufficing for the time being.
I hear the door chime and see a familiar figure step inside. I look up from what I’m doing and find that it’s Azrael, she was an old friend of mine. I haven’t seen her in years and it is a pleasant sight to see her again. I light up with a smile and approach her. She has her hand behind her back as if she is hiding something “Ms. Vos, how pleasant it is to see you again.” I say trying for constraint on of my feelings.
“Oh Ms. Lovett, no need for formalities. We are friends after all.” She says in that kind yet tight Italian accent she has.
“Well, I suppose we are Azrael.” I say with a strong willed smile. “Though I have to ask, what is it you are hiding behind your back?”
She presents a small bouquet, it’s a small thing though it is very pretty. I’m not sure where she would have gotten it from, though I prefer not to answer. Ambrosia, Azalea, and Belladonna. It’s simple yet strong. Especially in the message given. It takes me off guard slightly when I realize it.
Ambrosia meaning shared feelings, Azalea meaning restrained emotions, and Belladonna meaning dangerous beauty. It’s clear the message she is trying to convey to me. I hold the bouquet close. “Th-thank you Azrael. How kind of you.” I say, fishing for words of some kind. Though maybe she is just being nice. I swallow thickly, as if I have molasses in my throat.
“Well, how has the pie shop been? Still getting fresh meat despite the lack of it?” She asks me, she’s reading me isn’t she? Though I’m not sure how I feel about it. I think I’m supposed to mind it. Though right now I don’t think I quite am.
“I’m managing just fine dear Azrael.” I manage. She steps towards me and her plum colored lips arching into a smile. I don’t know how she has the money for cosmetics though I don’t question it. She looks fantastic that’s what I know. From her deep brown hair always pinned up in a bun to the clothes she wears and the plum colored lipstick she wears.
“Well that’s wonderful, how does some ale and a good chat sound dear Nellie?” She asks gesturing towards a table and two chairs near the window. “It has been quite some time since we’ve talked hasn’t it?”
Talking with Azrael is easy, not in a bad way though in a way that you can really not go wrong with talking to her. She’s comforting and understanding. I don’t exactly understand why people could be so afraid of her. She’s like how me and Benjamin used to be. Someone so kind though intimidates others. I wonder what happened to him.
I heard that he might have died though you can never be too sure when people disappear like he did. Oh well, I should stop thinking about that when I already mourned for his death.
“So, I heard about the whole Benjamin Barker situation. So tragic that I couldn’t see him before his unfortunate disappearance.” Azrael says with a dismissive sigh, swirling the ale in the flask absentmindedly. “I remember talking to him years ago, he was a kind soul. Though something was always sort of… off putting about him.”
Even when talking about loss and grief she’s still managing to be so composed. She has a way with words and a way of carrying herself that’s admirable.