Belladonna - Post Chapter Seven (Patreon)

A/N: After the garden scene in Belladonna's route. Though, this one is nor romance related and I would say has far more plot detail in it than any of the others. 

It was far colder than what should have been appropriate for the time of year. Not that the Night Market had seasons, per se, but it did have subtle shifts based on which district you were in.  The gemstone district, for example, loved the crisp and cold weather.  It created a shine to the crystals that was unlike anywhere else in the market. This was of course a secret but if you were observant enough, you noticed they purposefully kept their district the biting, empty cold of a cave.  With the weather having changed so suddenly, the goblins were positively giddy with the monetary prospects it would bring.

Belladonna stepped out onto the frost laden streets, her shoes clicking against the frozen expanse before her.  Heels cracked the thin layer of ice beneath her feet as she walked down the glittering paths towards one of her more preferred jewelers.  Goblins peeked out from behind shoddy market stalls while others spun down from the rickety rafters they had built into the sides of the alley.

“Gems today, m’lady?” One of them called.  They pulled a sapphire from their gums, wiping the blood upon their tunic. Pity, really. Belladonna thought the blood made it quite a bit more fetching.  She ignored them as she continued to walk, only glancing down at their grey and sullen faces. Enough to show them that she had seen them, but also a clear indication that she just didn’t care.

Stepping around a corner, Belladonna made her way under the arches of liquid gold, the likes of which disappeared beneath the streets and certainly down into the mines. Through the small grove of ruby trees and emerald weaves of grass, and up onto the only stone set of steps around.  When Pim had started their store, they couldn’t afford the pretty glass or the cuts of precious stone like the rest of the shop owners. Instead, they had to make due with what was considered dirty and uncouth.  But Pim kept the slate nice and despite now having more money than they knew what to do with, still kept the stone steps as a reminder of where they had come from.

Upon hearing this story Belladonna may have smashed quite a few of the ‘prettier’ steps around the district, just on principal.  Beauty and functionality did not go hand in hand.  It was perhaps a life lesson deserving of a bit more attention within the gem district.

The door chimed as she stepped inside the shop.  Behind the counter, a hunched form tipped their head upwards, one bronze colored eye magnified by the spy glass they held to their face.

“Belladonna Malady,” the goblin grinned. Their teeth were a fine set of fire opals today.  It gave their skin a less sickly appearance.  “It isn’t often you come down to the slums anymore.”

Belladonna smiled. “Not the slums, Pimello.  I have been to the goblin realm and they are far less appealing than here.  The gem district just is a bit hard on the nose.”  Rotted peaches. It was a scent that went hand in hand with the goblins.  To the unrefined nose, it probably smelled like a peach grove.  To Belladonna, it smelled like death. The kind she most certainly did not enjoy.

Pim laughed loudly. “Most would disagree with you.”

“Most do not know what class is.”  Leaning across the counter, Belladonna ran one crimson nail across the glass display case. “I am looking for something special today. I didn’t wish to send one of my guard to do my bidding.”

“Ah, and what would that special something be today, Miss?”

“I was thinking a necklace of sorts. A choker, really.”

Pim’s hairy brows rose beneath a crinkled forehead.  “How tight would you like this choker to be? Fairly so I’d say given that you are here on your own.”  It was questions like this that made Belladonna truly love Pim.  They always knew just what Belladonna needed.

Nails tapping upon the glass, Belladonna looked at the gems beneath. Such pretty displays, each one unique from the other.  Of course Belladonna wanted to get something special, but she didn’t want to steal from the world a gem far finer than what the receiver deserved.  Eyes skittering across each option, she finally settled on a ruby. Blood-red and gleaming.

“That one,” she told Pim.

“A classic today then.” Opening the case, Pim reached in with hands far cleaner than most goblins and pulled it out. They held it up so it glinted in the light. “Would you like proof?” Belladonna nodded her consent as Pim opened their mouth as wide as possible and bit down on the gem.  Their glass teeth shattered into tiny nubs.

“Lovely,” Belladonna breathed. “If you could set it in a lace choker, that would be darling.”

“Of course. Of course. Shall only take a moment.”  Pim was one of the fastest jewelers in the market, their hands were said to be enchanted. Rumor had it, they had once worked for Lord Taliesin himself before the Baron had an unfortunate run in with the Wild Hunt.  Pim had managed to sneak away from the raging storm that had descended upon the Baron’s estate.  Many others had not.

“Do you finally have someone special in your life, m’lady? I am not used to seeing you take such personal interest in anyone outside a job.”

“How do you know this isn’t a job?”

“You got an air about you. Something a bit darker today.  If you are on a job, I pity the client.”

Belladonna smiled appropriately, browsing Pim’s other wares while she waited.  “You are observant, dear Pim.  But not entirely right. I, in fact, am on a job. Though it is a bit different from my normal. The necklace in question is for an old friend. In hopes of mending some bridges to broker a new business venture.”

“You getting out of being a Lady of the Night Market?” Pim looked surprised.

“I will always be the Lady of the Night Market,” Belladonna admonished. “But after a very unpleasant Lantern Festival where yet another one of my clients thought they could throw their weight around, I do think it may be time to move on to bigger and better things.  Though, I may still keep some of my more favored clients.  I do not wish to get bored.”

“Well,” Pim said, setting the freshly woven choker inside a black velvet box.  “I do wish you the best with that.  This one is a beauty.” The ruby sat in an inlay of woven onyx while the band itself was silk lace. It clasped in the back with a smaller ruby while teardrop crystals dangled from the chain in a singular line.  It was a stunning piece.

“Pimello, as always, you out do yourself each and every time.”

“I’m hoping one day you come down here for a special someone,” they said. “I really am sick of making these death chokers for you.”

Belladonna took the box, shutting it gently. “That day may be soon. I simply have to take care of a few loose ends first.  Bill me as usual, please.  Don’t undercut your prices this time.  Charge what you know you are deserving of.  And a little extra so you can keep those steps in good condition.”

“Will do, Ms. Malady.”

As Belladonna stepped out on the frozen streets, she looked at the box in question. Soon.  She just needed to wait a bit longer and this would finally all be over.