N. M. Jackson

"Er, well," Tesoro smiled taut, wringing her hands. "He is quite overzealous but-"

"Find me another suitor. The best one. Why has that been so difficult? Is that not the service you advertise?"

"Yes, however-"

Mr. Portia rolled her eyes and clicked her tongue in disgust as she rose from her seat.

"This is ridiculous. Fawna!"

"Yes, my lady."

"Oh, wait. Please-"

"Fetch the carriage. And, you." Ms. Portia rounded on Tesoro. "I'd like a full refund before I leave."

"Please, just give me another moment-"

"Hurry up! I haven't another moment." Ms. Portia spoke in a mocking tone, causing Tesoro to close her eyes for a moment.

Tesoro pressed her lips together and opening her eyes to send a look over to Ezra, eyes pleading. Ezra remained unmoved. Tesoro went back to Ms. Portia to continue her vain efforts at placating the heiress.

"Why haven't you gone? I want my money!"

"I will get it, but, please-"

"Sit down, Ms. Portia."

Both women froze mid- sentence. Tesoro shivered hard from the warmth radiating into her back paired with the direct contrast of the cool clipped words spoken over her shoulder.

Swallowing hard, Tesoro followed Ms. Portia's suit in quickly seating herself in the opposite love seat.

The room went quiet for a moment. Tesoro chanced a peek to where Ezra stood only for her face to resemble a flash fire in response to Ezra's quizzical brow. "Ah, right!" Tesoro cleared her throat whilst tucking her springy curls behind her ears. "Ms. Portia, the wizard has asked me to send his apologies for his...explosive energy." Tesoro reached in her apron pocket to hand over a thick rosy colored envelope. "He also left this for you."

Ms. Portia rolled her eyes and sighed as she opened the letter. Tesoro's eyes rounded as Ms. Portia pulled out wads of cash. The heiress stuffed the envelope into her bosom with a bored expression.

"Alright. I accept."

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"You used me," it came out quiet, barely above a whisper.

"You don't understand..." Ezra slowly moved behind the counter.

"You used me." It came out stronger then. Tesoro's body beginning to tremble, her fists closing, a heat creeping throughout her body.

"N-no! I- That's not it." Ezra lightly shook her head, body beginning to press against the wall.

Tesoro took measured steps until she was on the opposite side of the counter. "Ezra, you used me."

"I- I didn't steal," Ezra's voice wheezed as she spoke.

"It's not about the money, Ezra. Although, yes, that is another thing, but lying to me? Making me think that we were a team. Ezra, you made me feel things." Tesoro clutched a handful of flesh and fabric just above her left breast.

"I- I didn't-"

"Yes!" Tesoro slapped a hand on the counter top. Ezra yelped and pressed harder into the wall. "Yes, you did, Ezra. You knew exactly what you were doing." Tesoro made a move toward one side of the counter and Ezra bolted out the kitchen door.

Tesoro banged a fist back into the counter, but did not follow. Instead, Tesoro laid a cool gaze on the little bandit scurrying about the compound gathering her things. The taller woman calmly walked toward the front gate after a few moments, Ezra barely squeezing through before Tesoro grabbed the door.

"I- Tessy. I-"

Tesoro slammed the door hard enough for the heavy golden hoops to clang against the pine.

Ezra refused to let her tears fall.

But, she did flinch.

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It was a question neither were expecting judging by the look on Ezra's face.

"Er, well, I mean..."

Tesoro merely continued to place the fruits into the light wicker basket. It seemed she waited a touch too long to respond since Ezra stormed off into the storage shed.

Knowing the little bandit's nasty habit of running off and hiding out somewhere for a few days, Tesoro meandered over with the large, heavy basket blocking the entrance of the storge shed.

Tesoro ignored the water and red rims of averting dark almond eyes. "Hey, can you carry this?"

Ezra wordlessly retrieved the basket. They stood there staring at each other. Ezra's gaze went from questioning, to suspicious, to exasperated.

"Are you gonna tell me where to put this or...?"

Tesoro smiled and outstretched her arms. "No, it's alright. I'll take it. I only wanted to prove a point."

Ezra echoed, speaking to Tesoro's back. "What point?"

"You asked me if they would be proud. I answered your question."

Ezra scoffed and blustered out the storage shed, "I don't have time for this."

Tesoro shrugged before settling down and beginning to sort through the day's pickings.

Ezra returned by nightfall.

"Okay, I give. What was the point?"

Tesoro smiled and motioned for the bandit to sit at the table.

"Supper, first."

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"I don't really think it goes that way."

Perhaps it was the heat.

Perhaps it was the way Ezra said it.

It could've been many things, anything and everything, but it wasn't nothing.

Tesoro threw the pieces of wood from her hands screeching in an unholy way.

"I've had it! You've always got something to say, but do you ever come and help? Huh? Why don't you come and put it together then?"

" 'Cause Mimi's not my pet."

"Then why do you feel the need to put in your own two cents now?"

Tesoro furiously scrubbed at the salty water leaking from her eyes. It was getting harder to tell whether or not Ezra's smile was more smug than apologetic. "Sorry, I was tryna help-"

"Bulswick," Tesoro's voice failed mid-way through.

"Careful now. You might actually get your voice stolen if you do end up cursing."

Any other time, it might've been funny. However, it wasn't right now. Tesoro couldn't even handle the thought of being laughed at, not with everyone already laughing.

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"Okay! Who's with me?"

The crowd booed and jeered.

"Okay... That wasn't what I expected..."

She shrunk back an inch on her already small platform. "I have no allies then?"

"And why should we volunteer? That dragon is as vast as the Capital itself. why try to go after it when it makes more sense to move?"

The crowd hummed in agreement, the whispers of a growing unrest causing a cool sweat to chill her spine. But, she couldn't back down.

Wouldn't.

"Fine," Her voice was high and taut. "You want to run. Fine. Hurry up. But!"

She managed to regain the attention of the crowd whose minds were already home, packing up and leaving.

"If you leave, you can only take a third of your wealth with you."

The crowd rounded on her then. Coming closer, in a tighter circle, her throat now bone dry.

"Don't you get it? What I'm saying only guarantees your safety."

"How?" Barked a woman holding her child near her breast.

"What do dragons love more than eating?"

The crowd swayed, agreeing while sucking at their teeth.

"If you stay and fight, you may stand to triple your wealth yet. Or, die as heroes, at the very least."

The circle loosened some, and since standing on her soap box, her shoulders dropped away from her ears.

"So, I ask once more. Who's with me?"

Several hands raised and grand cheer came next from the mercurial crowd.

"Now, that's more like it!"

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