//------------------------------// // Chapter 4: Red And Doubt // Story: The Legend Of Dazzling Hollow // by FourShadow //------------------------------// It was a very short walk over to Red Threadmaster's home. Not too far from the school house, the little jail, or even from the farmer's market. Her house was rather quaint and lovely, fresh paint all over on the outside. The house sat next to a small river, with a bridge to cross over to the other side. The interior of the house was very lovely as well. A fireplace to keep the house warm during the cold winter, plenty of furniture to sit on when talking with guests, as well as a couch to lie down on. And plenty of beds to sleep in for a night's rest. All four of the girls (Red included), sat at the dinner table, with food all around. Chicken, corn, vegetables, and other cooked meals all around. Red and Adagio were cutting into their food and eating like proper mature adults, while Sonata and Aria just started gnawing like hungry animals. They hadn't eaten anything in a while and they didn't care if anyone told them to stop chewing and gnawing, they were going to do as they please. Red didn't bother to question their animal-like eating, she could tell they were very hungry. "So, tell me Adagio. When you said you were in a war, did you mean... as in a revolution?" Adagio nodded. "Very much so, Red. My sisters and I fought alongside heroic men, fighting together to claim our freedom, our rights, and our independence." Red gave a resounding nod, acknowledging her statement. "We did not dare stand down, and we would only keep fighting for what we believed in!" Adagio cheered, jumping out of her chair and raising her chicken leg high into the air like a sword. Red giggled at her excitement, making Adagio blush a little from embarrassment, sitting back down. "Right... Well, what made you choose to come to this town?" "All we wanted was a nice change of scenery. We wanted a place where it was calm and peaceful, a place with no eminient dangers or threats." Red smiled. "Well, I believe you've come to the right place. This is a very lovely town, very peaceful, and thankfully barely anything bad happens around here. Well, most of the time. If anything does, you'll hear it very soon. Any local news or juicy tidbits spread around like honeysuckle in Chincoteague." "I see. Well, have there been any local or current tidbits that we should know of?" Adagio asked. "Well, the only one up in the air is with Miss Van Tassel." "Who's she?" "She's the richest girl in this town. And all of the men seem to think she's absolute fairest in all the land, the lot of them. If you meet her, I would recommend to stay on her good side. She's a nice woman, but sometimes I swear, some people can be a little too rich for their own good," Red said, taking another bite into her chicken. "Though if anything... stay away from Mr Crane, or the Roll couple." "Why?" Red rolled her eyes. "They're not bad people, but sometimes they can get a little carried away in believing ghosts or myths of folklore like elves or banshees." The siren shrugged her shoulders. "Well, I think its nice to believe in something, even if it hasn't been proven. Sometimes its interesting or even a little exciting to think about something that's supernatural." The woman shook her head, trying to comprehend what she had said, but she wasn't going to argue. "Suit yourself. Just don't listen to any talk of the Horseman... Oh, do you girls need some beds to sleep in or a place to stay until you can get your home built?" "No, its alright. I'm sure we'll get our home finished by tomorrow." "Then how about you girls sleep over for the night." Adagio wiped the crumbs from her lips, cleaning her face. "No, please, its okay. You've done a big service for us already, just for making us dinner." "Adagio, I insist. Helping people is what we should do, and I like to make a good first impression." Adagio couldn't help but give a seductive grin. "My dear Threadmaster... I believe you already have." Adagio parked the car, and the three sisters got out. Trixie too. "So wait, she told you about the people in town, and vaguely mentioned something about a horseman... but you didn't react or do anything?" Adagio admitted, "We were all very tired from endless walks and fighting. We just wanted to take a really long rest, and well... yes, we didn't take much notice of that little detail. Which now that I think of it, we really should have caught that." "I still wasn't happy when you hogged all the whiskey," Aria nagged. "Aria, this was over 190 years ago!" "I don't care!" Aria ranted. "Word of advice Trixie, something to keep in mind for if you take her out at some places, she doesn't like to share." "Hey, that's not true! I shared some of my meal when we went on our first date!" Adagio said. "Really, did you share any other time?" Adagio stopped to think, drawing a blank. "Um..." "You see? She doesn't share, and she's a total narcissist," Aria grumbled, pushing the button for the elevator doors. Adagio scowled. "I am not!" "I listened to you talk to your mirror all morning and tell yourself how gorgeous you are!" Trixie raised a brow, making Adagio blush a bit. She rubbed the back of her head, chuckling a little. "I do that to raise my confidence," Adagio blushed. "Sure you do..." Sonata teased. "Oh hush," Adagio said, wanting to change the subject as quickly as possible. Trixie giggled when she stepped in. "Adagio, its okay, I don't mind. No one's perfect." Adagio sighed and shrugged her head. "I suppose so. Unless you're me," she winked. "Oh, that reminds me, Trixie, have you got your costume picked for the big nightmare night?" "Yeah, actually. But um..." Trixie blushed. "What? Is it a character, something obscure?" Adagio asked. "Well, its kinda hard to explain. I'm not even sure how much of a costume it really is," Trixie rubbed her arm. "But I can show you later, if that's okay." "That's perfectly alright with me." The elevator dinged, and the four girls arrived to the penthouse, finally home. "I can set up a mattress for you Trixie," Sonata said, about to walk to one of the closets upstairs. "No, no, its perfectly alright. She can bunk with me. After all, it's much nicer to sleep knowing that the girl of your life is by your side," Adagio purred, kissing Trixie's cheek and nuzzling her. Trixie only blushed harder. "Adagio..." "Okay, now you're just pushing it, can you stop? Please?" Aria complained. "Geez, someone's in a sour mood," Sonata replied, opening up one of the cabinets in the kitchen. "Well, the whole lovey-dovey thing gets old after awhile. It reaches a certain point when it starts to just become grating," Aria grit her teeth. "Nag, nag, nag..." Adagio retorted. As Adagio reached up into the cupboards for some cups for some much needed drinks, Trixie started to pull some school supplies out of her backpack. They would need to get some homework done, and then some much needed detoxing time... As night fell, everyone was heading off to bed. Trixie had finished brushing her teeth and was walking into Adagio's bedroom where she'd be sleeping for the night. Ever since the couple have started getting dating, they had been getting closer and closer. And one of things that they were now starting to do as a couple was just cuddle each other as they rested. When approaching the bed, she could see Adagio had already gotten the covers open, patting the side of it for Trixie to climb in. Trixie's cheeks went red and she slowly moved in, getting under the covers next to her more than beautiful girlfriend. Adagio kissed her forehead, smiling at her with such affection. "Every night that I get to cuddle you always makes me happy," Adagio cooed, nuzzling her cheek. Trixie nuzzled back, holding her close. She hugged her tightly, not wanting to let go. It just made Adagio pull her even closer. "So, um, Adagio. Any chance I can hang out with you again tomorrow?" Adagio sighed. "I suppose if you want to but... I'm taking all of the volunteers over to the mansion to set up the Halloween party." Trixie's loving face turned sullen. "Oh... that. Right, I... I forgot." But Adagio still smiled, positively. "Hey, how about this. Why don't you come and join us? We could use some help, plus you won't be alone, there's plenty of students coming to help." Trixie frowned, and looked away. "I don't know..." Adagio's hand brushed her cheek. "Sweetie, please. Sometimes the best way to get over your fear is to confront it. I just want you to be able to get over your fear. I promise I won't abandon you. Just come and help us. Please?" Trixie hated every square inch of that mansion. Every little centimeter, ceiling, glass frame, down to the last floorboard. She remembered how scared she was back there, how scared she was to be alone... and separated. But things were different now. Times had changed, and she wasn't alone anymore. She had new friends, she had classmates accompanying her, not to mention... she had a partner now. She had someone by her side who would be there all the way. Trixie looked back into Adagio's beautiful sparkling eyes, nodding at her. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt if I was with all of you guys." Adagio squeaked. "Yay." She kissed her cheek and nuzzled her again. "This is going to be so fun, I promise!" Trixie sighed, knowing in full what would be happening for tomorrow. "Yeah... fun." Adagio kissed her cheek, and booped her nose. And as she pulled the covers over, she pulled herself closer to Trixie, wrapping her arms around her body. Trixie felt her slender smooth hands wrap around her sides, but she couldn't help but smile, knowing that her girlfriend was there to keep her safe. "I promise, Trixie. This is going to be a lot of fun," Adagio whispered, kissing her cheek. "Goodnight sweetie." Trixie yawned and curled up for a peaceful night's rest. "Goodnight Dagi." And so, Trixie dreamed on for the rest of the night of just being closer with Adagio, and delicious Halloween candy.