Part 4: One Step

I was planning to continue this series this last weekend, but unfortunately I had some internet troubles that distracted me, THEN I forgot about it for a couple of days.  Back on track now though!

Fourth part in the series of short stories written by LFNPark!   Enjoy! 

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Part 4: One Step

Maki lazily pedaled along the road, smiling as she enjoyed the early morning chill. She peeked behind her and slowed down when she saw the towering caramel woman formerly known as Titan lagging behind, her long legs pumping underneath the sweatpants and gray hoodie she wore. Maki was in a simple shirt and jeans, a wool jacket and beanie keeping her warm.

The giant girl’s progress was solid. Margaret had cleared her for light work now that her ribs and stab wound had healed, though it would be some time yet before she could fully remove the bandages from her eye socket. Currently the woman wore a hard, clear plastic half mask on the right side of her face over the white bandages. 

Maki had been watching her; she very rarely left her room except to retrieve food or use the gym. She basically ignored anyone who tried to talk to her which was starting to give her a reputation among the others. It didn’t help she towered over literally everyone on the island; she’d started hearing whispers of people calling her “The Wanton Giant” in hushed tones.

Maki would deal with that later. Today there was another goal.

She looked at the small shack set right next a small man made pond, smoke pouring from a chimney on its roof. The entire front was open and she could see the various machines and anvils strewn about...Maki recognized some of them; a belt sander here, a couple grinders, and the newer power hammer she’d been convinced to purchase. She saw the coal forge was going today, accounting for the smoke from the chimney, and could hear the harsh ringing of metal striking metal within. A few yards around the shack had been cleared of grass, replaced with gravel and stones.

Maki stopped near the shack, dismounting her bike and leaning it down to the ground. She turned to the taller woman, some sweat on her brow as she stopped next to the olive skinned woman.

“What’s this?” She rumbled, taking deep breaths.

“This was a run down shack until I indulged Bryce.” Maki smiled, watching her breaths puff into clouds in the gray morning.

“Who?”

“She’s one of the last natives of the Cove besides myself. Her family ran a smithy in town for several generations, but they died when she was younger. She’s been in my employ since the town has become...less than lively. I warn you; her family came from Edinburgh so the accent has...persisted.” Maki smirked, strolling towards the shack.

“Brrie! Darling!” Maki called out over the ringing metal.  

“Maki, mo muirnin!” The tall woman tilted her head as another woman walked out. She was slightly taller than Maki, but definitely fuller around the waist and legs. She wore a leather apron over thick overalls, her arms hard and muscled. Her skin was tanned, yet the caramel giant could see freckles on the woman’s sweaty cheeks, her scarlet umber hair tied back in a ponytail.

Maki embraced the woman, giving her a kiss on the cheek. The woman responds in kind.

“Darling, I believe you’ve seen this one around lately?” Maki points to the giant.

“Ay, when she steps out of her cave. Can ye nae talk or ye simply opt nae?” Brie steps up to the larger woman, staring upward with vivid brown eyes. The one eyed woman tilts her head downward, absorbing the thick accent coming from the apron-clad woman.

Brie raises an eyebrow, turning back to Maki.

“She’s not as talkative as others. We’re working on that.“ Maki shrugs. Brie rolls her eyes and turns back.

“Ye got a name?”

“It was Titan at one point…” Maki sighed.

“I’m not Titan.” The giant growled, glaring at Maki. 

“Wooo! This one’s all sunshine and rainbows, Maki!” Brie laughed heartily, giving the larger woman a friendly punch to the arm.

“Don’t touch me.” She snarled, glaring down at Brie.

“Cranky too. This is the gel we talked about, ye?”

“Indeed. I think she could benefit from learning a bit of your craft.” Maki smiled, pulling a cigarette carton from her pocket.

“What?” The larger woman narrowed her eye down at Maki.

“She got nae problem with working with a couple others? The boys been coming along quite well. Going to get them to Journeyman in nae time at this rate. Got me Masters work coming up too.”  Brie pulled a bottle from her apron, taking a swig of its contents.

“I doubt it will interfere with any of that.” Maki pulled a lighter from her other pocket. “Your last blade sold, by the way.”

“Bloody tidy! That mean ye going the get the bigger forge I want?” Brie’s eyes light up, a massive smile splitting her face.

“Mmmm, let’s sell a few more first before we go that far.” Maki lights the cigarette between her lips, taking a few puffs on it.

“That’s shan. Ye know how much I’ve been aching to make that claymore….” Brie pouts.

“What’s going on?!” The tall amazon raises her voice, taking a step forward.

“Give us a moment, dear.” Maki blows a cloud of smoke from the side of her mouth, stepping back towards her bicycle. The caramel amazon glared down at Maki, her hands clenched at her side.

“Darling. I’d like you to begin working with Brie in the mornings here.”

“Why?” 

“Because  you’ve been doing nothing but hiding in your room or working out in the gym.” Maki took another drag of her cigarette, staring up at the woman with angry eyes. “You’ve done nothing else. You certainly haven’t picked a name yet or you’ve dismissed one’s I’ve suggested. You’ve not talked to anyone else besides the doctors or myself. You’ve refused any help I offer in regards to trying to deal with your sight issues. This can’t continue. If you wish to be isolated, then you can learn something useful out here with Brie.” 

“I’ve no desire.” The caramel woman glared down at Maki, defiance in her cyclopean vision.

“That’s blatantly obvious. Here’s the bottom line: if you wish to continue using the gym? You will come here at this time every morning with Brie. You will work at least three hours; whatever you do with your day after that is your choice, though I promise you that you won’t be using the gym right after for a long while.”

The caramel amazon bared her teeth, fists clenched angrily. How dare this tiny woman dictate her world, her life….

All she’d done was save it.

“I’m fine.”

“No you’re fucking not.” Maki laughed mirthlessly in her face. “You’re depressed and frustrated. Your methods of dealing with it are clearly not working, as you keep just retreating deeper inside yourself. There’s no Gregory or Howard here to distract you from it.” 

“Watch your damn mouth.” Maki didn’t blink as the large woman stepped closer, one finger inches from Maki’s nose.

“Get that out of my face.” Maki growled, a sharpness entering her tone. The taller woman snarled, but slowly dropped her hand to her side. “The next time you put that in my face, I will put you on your ass.” Maki blew twin streams of smoke from her nostrils as emphasis.

“I’ve no interest in…...this.” The caramel woman gestures towards the shack and Brie, who smiles and waves back at her.

“Look, darling. There is a reason behind this.”

“Which is?” 

“Part of that is figuring out what it is.” Maki sighed, strolling over to the open shack. She flicked her cigarette into the burning forge, which Brie frowned at.

“I told ye to stop that!” 

“It’s the coal forge, it’ll be fine. I’m going back to the mansion. Brie, show her the ropes.” Maki smiled brightly, sashaying back to her bicycle. The caramel amazon stared daggers at Maki as she rode away, then turned to the umbral-haired woman.

“So, ye got a name?” Brie asked, looking up at her.

“....No….”

“Right, well I’m nae calling ye Titan, so what ye want?” Brie folded her arms together expectantly.

“I don’t care.”

“Right bubbly personality ye got there, sweet cheeks.” 

---

“She’s right shite, boss.”

Maki was sitting at her desk in the study of her estate. Rows of personally selected books lined the shelves while several different cushy chairs were arranged in the middle of the room. Two large windows behind her gave her a view of the back end of her estate, where she could overlook others in the fields and forested areas.

Currently she’d kicked up her bare feet on the desk, her toenails painted a bright red. Maki swirled a glass of amber liquid as she looked at the sweaty and grimy Brie, her umbral hair down around her shoulders. She took a generous swig from a similar glass before setting it back on the table. Maki smirked and slid her the bottle over.

“Most are on the first day, darling.” Maki murmured.

“It’s nae just technique. She may be able te fight, but her stamina is right shan. Ye, that’s normal, but she’s got this whole anger vibe...I dinnae what it is…” Brie sighed, filling her glass once more.

“You know what happened to her.” Maki shrugged, taking a sip from her glass.

“Nae. It’s something else.” Brie shook her head, tapping her fingers on the desk. “Something deeper. Just something me guts are saying. Something’s got its hooks in her deep. Something up here.” She poked the side of her head.

Maki sighed, taking a deeper draught from her glass.

“I know. Hell if I know what it is, though. I have suspicions, but confirmation won’t be easy. Just work with her, Brie. I feel you are one she will grow to like...least of all because you might be stronger than her.” Brie laughed heartily.

“Dinnae about that, but I gave her a name since she hasnae picked one.” The umbral haired woman took another drink.

“Oh? Do tell!”

“Bubbles.” Maki begun to laugh.

“That’s just perfect!”