“Then let us talk about something more serious,” I said as we followed the pathway by the pond. We approached a bench, and I dusted off the powder on the seat, sitting down and patting the spot next to me.
“What do you want to talk about?”
“Tell me about yourself.” I took the bottle from her and drank from it. “Tell me about the nun situation... I assume you are not one anymore.”
“I’m not a nun.” She sat down and rubbed her arm nervously. “I was in service as a sister, but I did not think it was right for me to continue.”
“Were you turned at your convent?”
“I didn’t have a convent. I was at my church. It was the night before I was supposed to leave for service.” She sighed. “I remember walking across the courtyard, on a night not unlike this. I remember the moon, a sign of hope.” Her eyes lowered in reminiscence. “Then the next thing I knew, I woke up under the dirt. It took three days to dig myself out.”
I watched her shift in discomfort, and it wasn’t from the algid air around us. I took another drink and slid closer, wrapping an arm around her shoulder.
“If it makes you feel better, I was thrown into the bottom of a lake once. I had to break my ankle to get it out of the ball and chain.”
“I appreciate the anecdote.”
“Why do you still cover your head?”
“I am not comfortable enough to show my hair at all times, but I am working on it,” she mumbled. “Besides, I have an unsightly scar.” She looked up at me and immediately widened her eyes. “N-not that all scars are offensive! Just mine! I didn’t mean you?—”
“I understood; relax.” I laughed. “You should be bold; you do not need to cater to others. Say what you mean.”
“Right.”
“Now.” I leaned closer. “Are you going to tell me what is really bothering you?”
She focused on picking the pilling on her coat fabric distractingly.
“It is complicated.”
“Try me.”
“Alina is not happy with me,” she murmured. “It feels like no matter how hard I try I always end up misstepping.”
“Ah, that has nothing to do with you.” I squeezed her shoulder. “Alina has a stick up her cunt. Silas’s, to be specific.”
Edith jumped when I cussed, as if Alina would hear from miles away.
“You need not be afraid of her; she would never dream of hurting a woman, no matter how foolish a mistake she made,” I assured her. “Besides, you should assert yourself more. Don’t let her bully you. She’s harmless.”
“Harmless is not how I would describe her.” She buried her face in her hands.
“I guess it would be a paradox of sorts.” I patted her back awkwardly. “Don’t let other people get in the way of the greatness you want to achieve. You have your skills and morals; Alina has her own.” I held out the bottle, swishing the remaining liquid at the bottom. “Do you want any more before I finish it?”
She lifted her face and grabbed the bottle, throwing her head back and taking several gulps before she emptied it.
“There we go, Catholic! See? What is more fun than public intoxication with a friend?”
“I could name many other things, though not when liquor is on my mind.”
“Shall I escort you home then?” I teased, holding my hand out.
“Of course, how could I say no to such a charming bastard!”
“It seems the monk has discovered jokes.”
“Sister. Not a monk.”
