I know it may be strange to add an author’s note at the beginning, but alas, it is my post, and I make the rules.
I want to start with thanking for creating the lovely world and cafe in which I am able to write this little scene. I was also inspired by ’s post about drugs in fantasy. If you have not, you should check out BOTH of their works.
If you have not, you must read Jack and The Beanstalk Cafe (Yes, I even put a link to both to make it easier for you).
If you enjoy dark fairy tales with a dash of daring, I think you will enjoy this.
Otherwise, happy reading.
Wendy rushed through the door of the quaint cafe like a ship would cash upon rocky shores. The Jolly Rogers contained far less chaos than what had become of her life. The pouch hidden within her skirts chimed as if she were carrying small bells.
She was not, but it was of the utmost importance that no one else found out.
“Can I help you?” The lithe girl was striking with sleek black hair and had a musical sounding voice.
“Tea perhaps?” Wendy opened her mouth to ask if there was anything stronger but decided against it as she gave the girl her best smile. It was an expensive smile, a smile that had cost her mother a small fortune. But Mary Darling had been more than happy to spend it to send her daughter off to lessons of grace and elegance. Anything to make Wendy less…unladylike.
“Tea would be magnificent, thank you.” A glance behind her told her that she had successfully escaped and she prayed he would not find her. A tinkle of bells rang again, and Wendy brought her hand down to her side, shaking the pouch and causing the demon creature inside to quiet.
“Right. Any preference” Narrowed eyes met hers and she shook her head. “Follow me.” The small chair was ornate with tassels on the cushion and carved flowers on the back. If Wendy had to guess, it was circa the eighteenth century.
The Beanstalk Cafe was a well-known historical establishment amongst the underworld of strange, though they were strict on the clientele they served. It was best they did not know the mess that Wendy had tangled herself up in. She could already hear her mother’s disappointed voice, Wendy, not again. I have raised you better. I am just so… disappointed.
How many times had she heard those very words? Ten? A thousand? It didn’t matter; it hurt all the same.
A cup of steaming water hinted with the smell of lemon and honey was placed in front of her, and she watched the waitress hesitate before she walked away.
“Are you…alright?” Did she not look alright? Her hands immediately went to her hair, making sure it had not left the victory curls she preferred. ‘
“Of course I am!” Did she sound too enthusiastic? Of course she did, this was a cafe, not a club. “Truly, this tea looks incredible.” It looked like tea, which was water with a muddy color. But as Ms. Hartford always said, it was best to be polite and present compliments whenever possible. Besides, the pastries smelled amazing, and the space just felt like a home. Wendy hadn’t had a home in a very long time.
“Right.” The girl didn’t believe her but thankfully stepped away and left Wendy to her own devices. Said device was currently under her skirt, no doubt sick and as angry as a hornet. In fact, Wendy would prefer a thousand hornets over the creature under her skirts. She was at a loss of what to do, where to go, and who to turn to. It had been over one hundred years since she had a single friend, and despite his claims he was not her friend.
Above the door a bell rang, and her head turned with the speed of a vampire. She scrunched her nose in disgust, imagining drinking blood. But what she saw made her own blood run cold.
At a glance, the teenage boy looked unassuming and elvish with a sweet grin that would make nanas swoon with delight. Unbeknownst to said Grandmothers, he was also the most dangerous man in London. And as always, his eyes were trained on her. They promised torturous pain masked inside a friendly sparkle.
Each step towards her made her spine straighten, but there was nowhere to run. As promised, he would find her anywhere.
“Wendy, how delightfully… surprising to find you here.” In the years since their first encounter his vocabulary had expanded beyond even the finest gentlemen she knew. Though that nasal filled voice hid the elegant accent he had taken on.
“Peter. I wish I could say the same.” His two toned fitted green suit was graced with a golden chain dangling around his neck. The charm she knew was filled with only the purest Dust this side of the Thames. Brown brows furrowed in what she knew was false concern as he took the seat opposite. Her shaking hands clasped the mug, hoping her bravery would last.
“You wound me deeply my dear.” She hid a snort, an entirely unladylike thing to do.
“I highly doubt that.” He sat back into the seat and crossed his legs, the false white of his teeth shining like the second star to the right.
“Nonetheless dear Wendy, I believe you have taken something from me,” He drummed his fingers on the table, the sound making her flinch. “I want it back.”
Despite her hate for the creature, it was quite awful of him to call his longtime coconspirator an ‘it.’ Up close she could see the faint bags under his eyes, hidden by poorly applied concealer, and his face looked a little too pale, a little too gaunt. Withdrawal was a bitch.
“I am not sure what you are implying, but I am not a thief.” The responding laugh was full of disdain.
“I do not imply Darling. It is merely a fact. Where is it? Tell me and I won’t hurt you.” She tried to remember what it had been like for the first couple years of their friendship, tried to recount how she had wanted to help him fit into a new and exciting life. How she had loved him like a brother. All that was left was hurt and ire.
“I-”
“Refill?” The waitress appeared out of nowhere, a false smile plastered on her face.
“Um…” She looked down at her cup, still full. “Yes, thank you.” Peter glared at the woman and grasped the charm around his neck. One hit and he could fly, one hit and he would have the strength of ten men, one hit and his life could be extended. But she imagined in the months that she had been running, that he was very nearly out.
Dust was once a magical whimsical thing, but Peter and Bell had turned it into something sick and ugly. And Wendy had just had enough. She couldn’t do it anymore, couldn’t watch another ogre overdose and burst into particles of blood. She couldn’t watch another strung out banshee wail as she was denied, scratching herself bloody. And she was done watching Peter get rich off of the pain of others.
Wendy had been a coward for a very long time. Perhaps her time would end, she would wither away and die like so many before her that had been cut off. But she had long since accepted her demise. She wasn't meant to live hundreds of years just to force others to suffer. And the very key to her plan was hidden in her dress, one jingle away from ruining everything.
She didn’t curse, it wasn’t proper, but she was absolutely, unequivocally, fucked.
“And for you?” Peter looked the waitress up and down; a leering look on his face. Wendy grimaced in disgust and the waitress ignored it, singly glancing at her trembling hands.
“Toast perhaps, with cherries and whipped cream.”
“Sure thing kid.” His face twisted into hate before covering it up.
“I am older than I look.” She smiled at him, and Wendy gasped at the fangs.
“So am I.” She spun on her heel back to the kitchen, her stride purposeful. Wendy had always wanted to walk with that kind of purpose and confidence. Instead, she was taught to walk with grace, float across the room.
“Where is it, Wendy?” With his attention back on her, she noticed that his drumming became faster, his own fingers shaking. He stank of desperation and expensive cologne.
“I don’t know.” She stood suddenly. “I have to go.”
“Oh no you don’t, you aren’t going anywhere Darling.” He grasped at her hand, and she yanked it out of his grasp.
“Where do you think you will go? I have my Boys outside just waiting for you to flee. It is going to be far easier for you if you just hand the little fly over and we can part ways like adults.” Did he even hear the irony?
“I need to go freshen up Peter.” He released her and relaxed.
“Of course, my dear. Remember, there is nowhere you can run that I will not find you. And next time I will be far less forgiving.” Memories of thorns and poison plagued her. Tootles had not survived, but before he went his screams would stay with her forever. He hadn’t even begged for his life; no he had begged for just a little more Dust. That is what it did, it ruined your life.
She fled towards the designated bathroom, almost running into the waitress in the process.
“Hey now.” Her fingers were like iron as she grabbed Wendy’s wrist and pulled her down a hallway.
“Is that who I think it is?” Vampires were known to be violent, she had even seen one rip out the throat of a poor gnome. But this woman's voice was full of concern.
“It depends.”
“Are you in trouble?” Laughter sounded, and she realized it was her. Dark eyes rolled as Wendy was pulled into a kitchen.
“Listen. I can help you.”
“I highly doubt it, but I appreciate the kind offer.” Of course the demon in her pouch chose to start screaming, the sound like Christmas bells. She immediately grabbed the pouch over her skirts, and started to shake, this time violently.
“Shut up you evil little cur.” The vampire laughed again.
“Well, it is decided, my help is nonnegotiable. Is that really a fairy?” Wendy nodded.
“Come with me.” And for some reason Wendy followed her. As she walked out she heard a sound from the stairs.
“Hey Gill?” The waitress crinkled her nose and spoke with a mixture of annoyance and affection.
“I told him my name is Gillian.” And with that Wendy was led out the back... She rushed down the back ally, adrenaline inspiring hope within her chest. With every step, despite the sun shining, she swore she could feel that accursed second star twinkling with menace.
With that, she spoke her promise, her words laced with sadness.
“Someday, I will kill you, Peter Pan.” Only an angry jingle responded.
THIS IS SO COOL!!!!
I love everything about it!! Obviously I am literally dying here over the crossover with my world!!! But even without that, it is such an amazing story!!