#aaaaaaw

"I'm so delighted you two could join me for tea! It's rare that I'm even allowed a day off, and with your busy schedules as well, I was afraid that we wouldn't be able to get together!"

The experiments that Adeline is expected to go through have been increasing in number and the results are showing on her body in more ways than one. Her vibrant green eyes are gone now, completely covered by the sack on her head, bulging and writhing, having grown sparing only her mouth, and, despite it all, her unceasing smile. Her frame has grown thinner as well. Adeline was always lithe but now no muscle remains, her body now practically skeletal, and it's shocking how she can even stand upright considering how top-heavy she must be.

"Ah, you know I wouldn't miss hanging out with you for the world Addy." Brador says as he helps guide the blind Blood Saint back to the table, "Also you're giving me free food so that means I would doubly not miss it!"

Adeline giggles alongside Brador's loud guffaws setting the tray of tea snacks down gently.

Maria tries not to look at Adeline's bandages and bruised arms, more side effects of the experiments. She's so much more fragile now, with skin that splits and blisters at the slightest contact. If the experiments continue it will only be a matter of time before Adeline's body and spirit can not longer take it-

Maria shakes those thoughts away. She's here having tea with Adeline and Brador, enjoying the little time that they can spend together without the influence of the Church.

Maria is here to spend the afternoon being happy with her love and best friend.

"So Adeline," Maria starts as Adeline pours her a cup of Earl Grey with 4 creams and no sugar, "You've been reading Poe as of late, am I wrong?"

Maria can feel the joy radiating off of Adeline when she asks about her latest hyperfixation, "Oh yes! His work was always so fascinating but now that I've gone through a semi-eldritch metamorphosis his stories have taken on a whole new meaning for me! Braddy could you be a dear and grab Poes anthology for me?"

"Sure thing," Brador says as he grabs the big dark book with the golden calligraphy Poe on the spine from the shelf, "Quick question though, how can you read if you don't have eyes?"

"I dunno!" Adeline shrugs. And that's as good of an answer any of them will get.

Adeline opens the anthology to the page where The Tell Tale Heart begins and Adeline gushes over the short story. "It's just such a wonderfully dark story and one of Poes best in my opinion! My absolute favorite was the vivid description of the narrators descent into madness, oh how wonderfully morbid~" Adeline swoons.

"So the dude went mad because he couldn't handle the guilt of committing murder huh? Ha! Can't relate. That could never be me!" Brador guffaws and he downs his tea like it were a shot. "Man this needs some whiskey in it."

Maria rolls her eyes, "Brador it's the middle of the afternoon."

"So? You ever heard of an Irish coffee? Those fuckers have got breakfast down to a science!"

"This is tea, not coffee."

Brador sticks out his tongue at Maria and Maria sticks out her tongue back at him.

"Ehehe, you two are such great friends!" Adeline smiles.

Time passes by slowly and peacefully, the three of them chat without a care in the world while devouring the delicious tea snacks Adeline had prepared. The apples were gone in no time at all and Maria had already began to brew another pot of tea as Brador and Adeline talk.

"Oh! You should see the new phonograph Lady Maria brought me the other day!" Adeline says bolting to her feet to fetched a vinyl, "It plays the most beautiful music~"

"Dang those things are expensive," Brador says as Adeline sets up the music player, "You sure you didn't steal it Maria?"

Maria rolls her eyes sitting back down at the table and pouring herself a new cup of tea. "You might've stolen it but I did not. Unlike you I'm an upstanding citizen."

"Boooo you're so boring!" Brador jeers, “Commit arson or something you prude!”

Adeline giggles at their banter and starts the phonograph. It squeaks a bit, the sound a bit grating before it falls into a proper rhythm, and soon a song starts to play filling the room with music.

Come along, get ready, wear your grand brand-new gown,

For there's going to be a meeting in this good good old town~

When you know everybody and they all know you,

And you get a rabbit's foot to keep away them hoodoos~

"Oh hey I know this song!" Brador exclaims, "When the nuns locked me in the closet then forgot about me, they'd listen to this song while they drank the alcohol they insisted they didn't have!"

Maria grimaces, "Jesus Brad..."

Brador chuckles, "I can assure you that Jesus was nowhere near that place despite what the nuns beat us to believe."

"Should I turn it off?" Adeline asks considerately.

"Naw I actually like the song. Made the closet a little less depressing." He laughs.

When you hear the preachin' has begin,

Bend down low for to drive away your sin,

When you get religion you'll wanna shout and sing,

There'll be a hot time in old town tonight~!

As the tempo of the song increases Brador starts to sing along, his deep baritone voice pairs nicely with the soprano choir singing, and soon Adeline joins in as well. Her voice cracks, not used to singing so high pitched, but she's clearly having fun as she pulls Brador up from his seat, urging him to dance, and he goes along gleefully.

The trumpets start to blare wildly as Adeline and Brador hook arms and spin around, dancing and singing to the upbeat tune.

Maria sets down her teacup and folds her hands into her lap, a content smile on her face as she watches Adeline and Brador dance around, amused.

My baby, when you hear them bells go dingaling,

All turn around and sweetly you must sing~

When the birds dance too, and the poets will all join in,

There'll be a hot time in old town tonight~!

The cheery tune continues, Brador and Adeline are laughing and singing like maniacs, and Maria can't help but wish deep down inside her heart that this happiness could go on forever.

Adelines legs buckle, her full weight coming down and Brador reacts quickly, grabbing her and guiding her to the ground gently.

"Whoa-! Okay we're going down, I've got you Addy, I've got you."

"Adeline!"

Maria rushes from her chair to Adeline side, she's laying on her back heavily panting and giggling, the most she's laughed in a long long while.

"Oh, oh I'm so sorry," she giggles, "I'm having too much fun it seems! My legs feel like jelly hehehe!"

Brador chuckles, "Having fun's fine and all Addy, so long as you're not having another seizure."

Adeline giggles even more, "Oh no no, nothing like that! It's just..." She sniffles, "I'm just so happy you two are here with me today is all!"

Maria and Brador look at each other, a sad smile on both of their faces, but they are relieved that Adeline is okay.

"We're happy to be here with you Adeline." Maria smiles.

"Good!" Adeline beams, "Let's do this again some other time, it would make me so happy if we did..."

Maria and Brador both make a mental note to clear their calendars for Adeline no matter what, as she deserves this happiness more than anyone.

Oh, I don't know what to say. What have I done to deserve this?

First of: ‘H h i you wanna read my thing’

Secondly I’ve got a link to my AO3 on my writing alt @cyber-searcherao3