Their reactions were slow but clear. Sonata's jaw dropped to the ground, Adagio stood there with wide eyes and Aria grew a very suspicious frown. Aria stepped in front of Faithful and said: “I hope you are serious right now. We are not in the mood for any bad jokes right now.”
He just chuckled. “This is not a joke. I want you girls to come and live with me. My house is big enough to fit the three of you, I have enough money to support you and heart enough to not want to leave you out here.”
“Will we get new clothes?” Sonata asked with hope building up in her chest.
“Certainly! I can't allow you to go and walk around in these rags. I will make sure that you will have everything you need to make it through.”
Another moment of silence. Sonata let out a loud squee and threw herself at Faithful. She hugged him and repeatedly exclaimed her thanks. Faithful seemed slightly uncomfortable with this sudden closeness, something which Aria took notice of and helped to pry Sonata away from him. Aria then whispered into Sonata's ear: “Calm yourself. You don’t want to scare him away, do you?”
Sonata looked as if she had just realized something horrible. She straightened up and apologized to Faithful for intruding on his personal sphere.
“It's fine, Sonata. Really. I was just a bit surprised and taken back but everything is well and dandy. So what do you say girls? Will you come along?”
“Hah, you bet that we are co-” Aria was interrupted by Adagio.
“May I speak to my girls for a moment first?”
Aria glared daggers at her sister, Sonata looked shocked but none of their expressions could compare to Faithful's look. His look of shock and confusion was worth spending money to see. “Um… Sure? I mean, yes, of course. I'll just, uh… Wait for your answer over here.” he said and walked to the entrance of the alley, giving them some space to talk to each-other in privacy.
Adagio pulled her sister further in to the alley to distance themselves as far away from him as possible. Aria eventually tore herself away from Adagio's grip. “Adagio, what the hell!” She exclaimed. “We have a chance again to get away from here and you are just going to squander it again?”
Adagio stared fiercely at her, but Aria didn't budge. “Watch your tone with me. Listen girls, I'm just not too sure with this guy. Do you really think that it is smart to just accept help from some random stranger that we know next to nothing about?”
“But he is so nice! Almost sickeningly nice. I'm sure with just the right words and actions we could still make him do anything we want.” Said Sonata in an attempt to win Adagio over.
“Unless that nice attitude is just a facade. What if he just wants to bring us to his home only to imprisson us and do god knows what to us?”
“Come on now, Dagi, no one named Faithful Servant would ever do something like that.”
“We can't judge his entire character on his name alone, Sonata. There are some weird and sick people in this world, and we can't be sure that he is not one of them simply based on a name.”
“While I agree that we shouldn't be too quick to judge based on his name” Aria began. “I still don't think that this is an opportunity that we can miss. If we say no now then it is possible that he will cease to be so kind with us. I say it's worth the risk. We need to get out of here, we won't last much longer.”
“We are not going anywhere unless I say so.”
“Tough shit, lady, cause guess what? I'm going, whether you like to or not. I am done begging for peoples spare change, I am done living on the streets, I am done sleeping on the ground with an empty stomach, I AM DONE BEING YOUR SLAVE!” Aria screamed and kicked a nearby trash bin. “I don't care if you don't come along. I don't care if we split up for the first time in a thousand years. I am getting out of here and not you or anyone else can stop me.”
Meanwhile, while they were arguing, Faithful stood patiently around the corner and waited for them to end their discussion. Or maybe not discussion as much as it had turned to outright arguing filled with loud voices and kicks and punches to inanimate objects. Faithful sighed. This was not what he had had in mind when he gave them the offer. At the time he felt like he was doing the right thing in offering them a place to live, but now, honestly, he was starting to regret that he ever said it. His offer seemed to tear them apart and that was the last thing that he desired. Sonata could now also be heard in her protests and every harsh word they said to each other pained him. Aria and Sonata seemed adamant to come along but Adagio didn't seem to trust him or, if he heard that right, think that he was deserving of housing them to begin with.
Maybe I should just leave, before things get worse. he thought. He was just about to walk away when he came to think of something else. But if I leave, then Sonata and Aria might get angry at Adagio and blame her for me leaving. He just wanted to bash his skull open against the wall next to him for tearing up a family like this.
He had to think of something, anything that could fix this situation. Sonata and Aria wanted to come with him apparently, but Adagio would rather stay on the streets than come along. So what could he possibly do to change her mind?
Then he got an idea. It was a sort of horrible idea. Not in the sense that it was a bad idea, more in the sense that it would be awful to do something like that to a person. It would be sort of like manipulating her but something told him that horrible as it may be, it had to be done. For the remainder of their argument, he was all the while standing there and trying to come to terms with himself that it was for the better.
“Okay, so maybe I have not been contributing enough to our group. I apologize for that. But this is not the solution to our problem. There must be some other-” Adagio said.
“Forgive my language but fuck your apology. This has always been the solution to our problem, you have just been too stubborn to realize it.” Sonata said angrily. Adagio and Aria still couldn't get over the fact that Sonata held an equal volume as them and even more so that she was actually using swear words. They were seeing a whole new side of Sonata today and Adagio did not approve. She just wanted this damned argument to be over and done with.
“I'm with Sonata. Yes, we most likely deserve better than what he can offer us, but whatever it is that he can give has to be better than this crap. So what is it gonna be, Adagio? Are you in or out?”
Adagio groaned and rubbed her eyes with her thumb and index finger. “You know what? … Fine! Let's just go talk to the guy, and get this over with, shall we?” Adagio said with a huff and stamped forward. The two sister followed her, Aria looking rather pleased and Sonata was so giddy with excitement that she could barely contain it. They rounded the corner and found Faithful leaning against the wall, a confident smile on his face. “So, girls, have you come to any decision?”
Adagio looked behind her to take one final good look at her sisters. This might be the last time she sees them in a long while. “I think so, yes.” Adagio said.
Faithful looked concerned but something about it felt fake to Adagio. As if it was just a ruse. She could be wrong but she now felt even less secure about this man than she already did. “What is it, Adagio? You look distraught.”
“Well… You see, we have come to the agreement that we should part ways. They will go with you, but I will stay.” As she said this, Aria and Sonata moved past Adagio and took place behind Faithful. For a moment he smiled but then he went back to his worried looks as a turned his attention back to Adagio. “Wait, you are staying? But why?”
“I just don't feel comfortable following someone I barely even know to his home, even if you have proven to be very kind and generous.”
Faithful sighed in feign defeat but Adagio didn't seem to pick that up. “Very well, I understand. I wish you luck in your endeavors, Adagio.” He said and extended a hand for her to shake. She grabbed his hand in her and she gave him a light shake. “But before you leave, I just want you to know, my offer always stands. So if you someday were to change your mind, know that you will always have a spot reserved in my home.”
Adagio felt the urge to smile but she refrained from doing so. “Noted. Take care of my girls now.” she said and started to walk away. She rounded the corner and took a good look at the alley that was her home. She took in details she had not taken in before, smells she had not noticed before. It was now that she realized that she was alone here and that no one would be coming. It seemed far more spacious than it did before, and she hated it, even more so than she already did, that is.
She went forward to take a seat on her couch before she felt something touching her shoulder. She quickly jerked around, only to see Faithful there. For a moment, she got angry. He was supposed to go and leave her alone! Why is he coming back? “What is it?” She asked bitterly.
“It just came to my attention that you do not know where I live.”
“So?”
“So, I thought that you should. I have accepted that you will not live with me, and that is okay. Well, no it's not really, but I'll just have to accept that fact. But I thought that in the least, should you ever regret your decision, it might just be a good idea to know where to go. You don't have to come in or anything, just see where it is.”
Adagio was about to retort but the more she thought about it, the more it made sense. If things really came down to the worst and she has nowhere to go, then even she would be able to put her pride aside for her own survival. But right now he seemed to be the only one in town willing to help, so the least she could do was to see where he resided. That and it would feel good to know exactly where the girls had gone in case she ever felt like visiting them. If they wanted to or if he permitted it that is.
“Very well, I will come along. But only to see where, I'm not going in.” She said.
“Excellent. Just follow me.”
They walked out from the alley and rejoined with Aria and Sonata. “Då drar vi, tjejer. Allons-y!”
Aria turned to Sonata. “What the hell did he just say?”
“Allons-y? It's French for Let's go”
“Where did you learn that?”
“From some nerd back in school.”
Faithful had taken the lead and was showing them the way through the streets that would lead them to his home. All the while he wore a very proud and pleased smirk on his face. Everything was going according to his plan. All that was left to see was if Adagio would bite the lure.
After about ten minutes of walking, they finally arrived at their destination. And it was more than any of them could have hoped for. It was far from an apartment. It wasn't even really a house. If I may quote the words of Aria: It's a fucking mansion! And indeed it was. A two floored, green colored, building with a massive front yard with small mowing machines rolling around and constantly cutting the healthy green grass to an appropriate length. But with a house that was so big that it could house several families, it begged a very obvious question: “Do you live here alone?” Sonata asked.
“I do.”
“But this place is huge! You could fit half the school in here.”
“Well, this was intended as a family home, but there was some complications and now I live here by myself. Well, me and my pets.”
Sonata squee'd. “You have pets too?”
He chuckled and rubbed the back of his head. “Well, yes, but I am not sure if they will be to your liking. It's usually the case with most girls."
They all walked up to the front door, all except for Adagio who just stood still and admired the house. It was not quite the castle she deserved but it was close enough to it.
“My guess is that you will want to have a bath or a shower first. I will show you where they are and then I will present you with a new set of clothes.” He inserted the key into the lock, and twisted it. Aria and Sonata was quick to enter and admire the inside of the building. Faithful turned around and walked down the steps until he stood in front of Adagio, blocking her view of the building and thus snapping her out of her little trance. “I suppose this is where we part ways?” he asked.
“Huh, what?”
“You know where to find me now, you have seen my house, that's all you wanted to do, right?”
“Yeah, I suppose...” Adagio said as she rubbed her arm and looked down at the ground.
“Unless...”
Adagio looked back up at him. “Unless what?”
“Unless you would allow me to tempt you for a bit, once again.” he said smiling smugly. “Maybe just take a shower while I wash your clothes and prepare us some lunch? Then after a full stomach and a relaxing wash you can leave if you so want to.”
Adagio was about to protest and deny his offer until he moved out of the way, baring the humongous house to her adoring eyes again. Again she found herself stuck in place. This was the sort of place most people dream of owning, and she would be lying if she said that she did not feel at least to some extent the want to live here. Her gaze trailed down the building until her gaze reconnected with Faithful who was standing by the door.
No, she was not going to fall for this. She would turn around and just walk away from here. She is better than accepting help from some stranger. She raised her leg and took a step.
.
.
.
The only problem was it it was in the wrong direction. She took another step, and another, each of them leading her towards the door. Eventually, she stood on the welcome mat just in front of the entrance. She took a deep breath and turned her head to look at the grinning face of Faithful. “Very well, I'll take you up on your offer, but after that, I'm leaving.” She said and stepped inside.
“Whatever you say, Adagio.” he said and followed her inside.
He gave the three girls a little tour around the house. He showed them the kitchen, the living room, the bedrooms, all of which was huge. “And if you look outside the window you will see my backyard.”
Sonata was quick to rush to the window. The three other girls looked out and became quite pleased. It was a big yard, lush green grass, just like the front yard, two big trees and some bushes and a large pond. After the short tour, Faith led the girls to the different bathrooms so that they could wash up.
There were a total of four bathrooms in the house. Everyone took their own and prepared for a shower. Adagio took a moment to question why the flying fuck she was even here to begin with. There had just been something about Faithful that had lured her in. He seemed so sincere in his concerns and yet there was something about him that seemed so manipulative. Every time she had decided to go away he had done or said something that kept her put and made her follow his lead. She was being manipulated, she knew it and despised it. She turned and took a quick look around.
It was a rather spacious bathroom. One bathtub and to the side was a place where she could shower. On some hooks on the wall was a few bathrobes hanging, dry, comfy and ready to be used. She started to undress. It felt kind of relieving to get rid of those dirty, torn rags which she had been wearing non-stop for the last couple of months. Once all her clothes were off she took another look at herself in the mirror. She looked malnourished. Her ribs were clearly visibly, her stomach was sunken in and her once plump and full breasts looked almost deflated. It had been so long she had seen herself in a mirror and now that she had she regretted it. There was some obvious lines and marks of dirt on her body. “How the mighty have fallen” she whispered solemnly. She was just about to step into the shower when there was a knock at the door.
“Adagio?” Faithful called out.
Adagio groaned. Can't I get one minute of privacy and peace? She thought. “What is it?”
“Could you throw your clothes out here?”
“Why in the world would I do that?”
“So that I can wash them, of course.”
Adagio reluctantly tossed her clothes outside, carefully making sure that the door covered her now naked body. “Thanks! I'll make sure that a new set of clothes will be outside the door by the time you are done.” he said and walked away.
Adagio stepped into the shower and started to twist and experiment with the wheels to find the perfect temperature. “Too cold… Too hot.” Eventually, she found just the right temperature, stepped in and allowed herself to be completely engulfed by this amazing feeling. She had almost forgotten what it feels like to be in the water. Every droplet on her body felt like heaven as it cleansed away all the dirt and shame and indignity from her. She let her hands wander across her body, working to get every single speck of dust away from her form. She drew her finger through her hair, feeling the formerly silky soft strands now being bristly and rough. She looked to the side and saw a selection of shampoo and conditioners. She picked a few brands she remembered using and started to wash her hair with it. It would take a while before her hair was returned to its former glory but she already felt some results from the care she was giving it.
She was not certain how long she had remained in there but she knew that it was a long while. She just couldn't get enough of the water. The only thing that stopped her from continuing enjoying it was the fact that the water slowly started to lose its heat until it was to cold to be enjoyable anymore. Besides, she was clean long ago. She stepped out of the shower, took one of the towels that was hanging on the hook and started to dry herself off. She looked in the mirror again and was a bit more pleased with the view. Not much had changed but it was nice to at least look clean and see her hair starting to regain its vivid orange color again.
She opened the door and stuck her head outside, looking for those clothes that she had been promised. And just as promised, just by the door frame was a pile of clumsily folded clothes. She took them back inside and started to get dressed. The clothes consisted of some loose-fitting sweatpants and a hoodie. While it was far from an attractive attire, it was at least better than wearing nothing. She put on the clothes and made her way out of the bathroom. She went down the stairs to find Faithful and the girls again. She found them sitting around the dining table, feasting on some burrito looking thing. Faithful turned around and saw Adagio. Their eyes met for a moment they just stared at each other. He then looked away and towards the frying pan at the end of the kitchen.
“I prepared something quick and easy. Grounded beef, or taco meat as I like to call it in this case, and tortillas can be found on the counter. Just take some and dig in.”
After taking some food and sitting down at the table, the girls, except for Adagio, and faithful returned to talking about various matters.
“Hey, Faith?” Sonata asked to get his attention.
“Yeah?”
“Why do you have these clothes? I mean, it's kind of strange that a lonely man owns girls clothing, isn't it?”
“Yeah… Sonata's got a point there. Mind explaining that to us?” Aria said with a hint of suspicion.
“Well, I wasn't always lonely.” he answered.
“No?”
“Nope. The clothes you are currently wearing belong to my niece. She lives relatively close by, she goes to Canterlot High School for a fact. She has just not bothered to come and get her things yet. She is kind of lazy like that.”
“What's her name?” Sonata asked.
“Atropa Belladonna. Would you possibly know who she is? I mean, she is in the same school you went to. Blue-purple skin and leaf-green hair?”
“Nope.” all three said in unison.
“Oh well, no big deal either way.” he said and nonchalantly waved his hand. “Moving on, I think it is time that you girls picked a room to live in. You know where the rooms are, just go and pick a room. But make sure to check drawers and such first. If they contain something, then that room is taken.”
Excited and with much energy regained, Aria and Sonata took off up the stairs, hurrying to pick their favorite room, leaving Adagio alone with Faithful. “Come with me, Adagio.” he said, stood up and walked away. Hesitantly she followed him through the house until the came to a smaller room, or at least it felt smaller due to all the machines that filled it up, that almost reeked of different brands for cleaning clothes. He opened a machine that was beeping and out from it he pulled out her clothes which he handed to her. She accepted her clothes and for a moment she just enjoyed holding them, feeling the warmth and sensing the fresh smell of them. She then realized how silly she is and straightened her act. “Thank you.” she said.
“I wish you all the luck in the world, Adagio.”
“Huh?”
“You have had a good shower, (seriously, I'll have to pay a good penny for that hot water) you have been fed and I have washed your clothes for you. I suppose this is the point where you leave us.” he said solemnly.
“Yeah… I guess it is.”
He gestured back towards the hallway. They walked back towards the door. She put her shoes back on and was just about to head out the door, when: “Aria! Sonata! Adagio is leaving!”
Oh, you manipulative little shit! She thought. She was convinced now that he knew exactly what he was doing, that he was trying to pull at her strings. She turned around and found both Sonata and Aria standing on the second floor, Sonata looking anxious and Aria looked as stoic as ever. They might just be the one thing that could definitely convince her of staying. She looked down at the floor and said: “Good bye girls. Take care.” she said and opened up the door and took a step outside.
“Remember, Adagio, my door will always be open for you.”
“I will. And thank you.”
“May God be with you, Adagio Dazzle.” he said and closed the door. Adagio turned and stared at the spot where he had been standing. She had felt suspicious about him just about all day, but those words were the ones that she felt was truly genuine and caring. Those words carried so much care and hope for her that she just couldn't help but feel touched. Everything seemed calculated and prepared to her but those? Those sounded like the words of a man that had given up and was sincerely wishing for her best.
She stood there, out in the middle of the walkway and looked back and forth from the house and back to the city, where her alley would be where she would spend her days, continuing to live a miserable excuse for a life and this place, where she had the chance, even if just flickering, to be happy again. But that would also require her to swallow her pride and fully accept the help from someone else than herself. It would mean to place herself in a spot of weakness. She took one final look at both places, closed her eyes, took a deep breath and made her decision as she walked away from the fancy life she had been offered.