61 - A Jewell Needs An Occasional Polish (3k words)

YaYa's POVI told Muir to deal with his business, which he reluctantly did. Vick wanted to show me the canal's progress, so we went outside. That man wouldn't stay in bed for the sake of his health. He had a brain but refused to use it.Vick reached for my hand and entwined his fingers with mine. I took off my scarf and wrapped it around our hands. He seemed to like it. His face lit up, and a wide grin appeared.I frowned, feeling a lump of anxiety in the pit of my stomach. He still looked strong due to the clear crystals he consumed every day, but it was like living on an energy drink without the ability to rest. The quick pulse and the dark circles under his eyes said it all."Just in case you don't have enough sense to stay alive, at least make your death worth it," I said, staring straight ahead.He gave me a side glance, his grin widening, "Are you asking me to marry you?""Being sick doesn't give you the excuse to act crazy.""So, no wedding?" He asked, swinging our arms back and forth like an excited child."Why promise till death do us apart, when we can have all the eternity to drive each other crazy in the afterlife?" I asked, grinning at the idea, "maybe we'll even have a chance to reincarnate."He was silent, and when I looked up, he was giving me a strange look."You know what?" he said, "I think I'll take that as a yes." Then, he paused, "What about our boys?""I'll have to drag their souls along with me. If I leave them behind, they'll haunt me forever, and won't stop blaming me for eternity."He nodded, "You'd be doomed.""Totally," I nodded, "They are that messed up."· · ─────── · ⊱❈⊰· ─────── · ·We reached the canal and watched the mermen work. Their bodies bulked up, and their skins hardened from the last time I saw them.Gold approached us and nodded in my direction, "Yang Yali."I nodded, "Gold."Gold's gaze stopped at our joined hands for a second before proceeding with the update, "The canal is going according to schedule, but there's a shortage of rocks, so we've been substituting them with sandbags.""Any casualties?" I asked."Nothing serious," Gold answered, "Except for one. He had his tail ripped off, and died.""How did that happen?""A rock crushed his tail, and another rock fell on it, and tore it off," he explained."I see," I said.Gold created a bubble, motioning for us to get inside, and I complied, dragging Vick with me.Once the bubble closed, Gold led us through the busy canal. The mermen tweaked the canal to suit their needs and built resting places along the sides. There were small, shallow caves on each side of the canal and bigger ones, where mermen could take breaks or hide from danger without interrupting the high traffic.· · ─────── · ⊱❈⊰· ─────── · ·Rosa and Bart stayed inside a deep cave behind a bubble screen, under the nearest frozen lake. Gold would lead us there, and with each visit, we would bring essential supplies.Rosa's hair was messy, her lips chapped, and her skin was paler than usual. Bart looked tired and kept glancing at his companion."You!" Rosa pointed at me, "You are finally here! Tell them to let us go, hurry!"I stepped inside the cave, "Why should I do that?""I'm dirty, I'm thirsty, and I'm hungry! I'm tired and sleepy. I'm cold, and wet, and itchy!" she complained."Why should I care?" I asked, sitting in the driest area of the cave. "You dragged me into your trouble, and now you want me to solve it for you?"Rosa glared at me; her eyes were bloodshot, and the look in her eyes was crazed. Bart held her, lowering his head, "What about our cubs? Are they alright?""Don't worry, they are in good hands. Skaris is taking care of them. He will do his best so your cubs won't end up like you two. In a hole, hiding from the enemy and on the brink of death. I'll have them visit you once it warms up and the snowing stops.""They are my cubs," Rosa screamed, "You have no right to keep them away from me! I'm their mother!""Do you expect me to help you for free? Shelter you for free? Feed you for free? Protect you for free?" I asked, and her face changed into a shocked expression. "You owe me, and I intend to collect," I said as Vick brought them a change of clothes. "Your cubs seem like a fair price for your life unless you can provide a better offer...like an emerald."She gaped at me, unable to answer. Bart's eyes darted between us, and his hand trembled.Vick handed Bart a small piece of fur. "The beastmen are using Rosa's scent to spread the word that she is a danger to everyone. I'm afraid no nearby villages will take you in."Bart grabbed the piece of fur. His face paled, and his shoulders slumped. The rest of Rosa's males, her parents, and her suitors were dead. He would have to protect her alone if Rosa didn't find new mates soon."What are you talking about?" Rosa screamed, her face turning a shade of purple. "I'm the most beautiful female in Beast City. Everyone loves me! There's a long line of males, who would die to be with me!""They would, I don't doubt that," I nodded, crossing my legs, "You didn't answer me yet. Your cubs or an emerald? Choose one, or I'm not letting you leave.""I don't have an emerald! And if I had, I wouldn't give it to you! You can't keep me here! Let me out!" She started hitting the bubble wall, screaming, crying, and trying to claw her way out.I watched her for a minute before turning to Bart, "What about you? What do you choose?"Rosa's answer wasn't surprising. Why would she choose their cubs over an emerald?"Rosa's life," Bart answered, looking down.I nodded, "I'm not going to force your female to cooperate. If she betrays me, I'll take my revenge by hurting you, who failed to keep her in check. Whether you become rootless or not as a result is none of my concerns. If she can't pay, you will.""I will," Bart answered, not a shred of hesitation in his voice, "You can't kill Rosa, and you can't order anyone else to kill or harm her either.""I promise," I said curtly, "That doesn't mean I'll help you again...unless you plan to pay me with your cubs again."He nodded, not raising his head, and his hands turned into fists."What? How dare you!" Rosa was shaking with fury, her eyes wide and her teeth bare, "How dare you threaten my male! You have no idea who I am and what I'm capable of!"Bart, surprised, jumped to restrain her, "I apologize for her behavior. I believe she is just a bit stressed. She can be very emotional sometimes. She will appreciate your help when she calms down. I'll make her. Please," he continued, "don't judge her actions too quickly.""Clearly, you should understand her better than I do, so I won't interfere," I said, and his body relaxed.He gave me a thankful nod and then looked at Rosa, who was seething. "Come, my love," he tried to soothe her, "let's clean up and eat.""I'm not taking a nap in this smelly cave," Rosa jerked away from his touch, her face scrunching up in disgust, "Don't you dare touch me! How can you let her blackmail us, huh? Did you forget your place, Bart?"Bart lowered his head, not saying anything."You will regret this, all of you!" Rosa said, turning towards us, "Don't you dare threaten me, or my male!" she screeched, "An ugly bitch like you will never understand what it's like to be beautiful like me. You can't threaten me! Nobody can threaten me! You can't treat me like this. You can't!"Bart, startled, grabbed Rosa, "Calm down, my love, please. You'll hurt yourself. Please, calm down," he begged."I want to go home!" Rosa shook her head and started wailing and crying. Bart, unable to do anything, patted her back, "I hate this place! Let me go home!""Soon," Bart said, his voice soothing, "I promise. Soon, we'll be home, and everything will return to normal.""It will never go back to normal. Nothing will be the same ever again," Rosa cried, "My parents, my males, and my cubs. They are all gone," she continued, sobbing and shaking her head, "Nothing will be the same.""Shh, I know, but we will have more cubs, and we will have a happy life together, I promise," Bart tried to reassure her."Let's go, Precious," Vick said, tugging on my hand, "You don't have to waste your time here.""Precious?" Rosa sneered, her eyes bloodshot, "You call her that because she's so ugly, right?" she said, her tone dripping with scorn as if belittling others could lift her spirits. "You probably have to say something nice since that cloth can't cover up all her ugliness─"The scene became a blur, and the next thing I knew, Vick was holding Rosa's face in his palm as he raised her up. He kicked Bart against the cave wall, making him groan in pain.Rosa screamed."Say that again," Vick said, his voice so cold that his words could freeze a river.Rosa's lips quivered, and her body froze."Say that again," Vick repeated, squeezing her face tighter."She can't speak if you keep squishing her mouth like that," I said. Rosa had a hard time accepting that anyone could have a richer and better life than her, which explained why she always got into verbal fights with Bai and Nivi. She never got into fights with me, though, probably because she thought I was beneath her. But given her new situation, that's not exactly the case anymore."Then I'll make sure that she can't talk again," Vick said, squeezing her jaw harder, making her cry out in pain. He smiled, his canines glistening, "Now you are begging for your life, like a fly," his grin widened, "A fly, too stupid to even buzz.""Stop," Bart tried to crawl towards us, his leg twisted at an unnatural angle. "You promised.""You promised too," Vick gave him a glance and kicked him away, "Stay back, unless you want her to suffer more."Bart's body went limp as he crashed against the wall, his eyes filled with dread. The friendly man from before was no more. Instead, a monster stood in his place. He quickly looked at me for help, "Please, stop him."Vick sent him flying again, "Don't talk to her. Don't even think about talking to her. Were you deaf when she told you she wouldn't help you a second time?" he turned towards Rosa, his grip on her jaw tightened, and his eyes burned with the promise of death, "Tell her she's ugly again," he snarled, "Go ahead. Say it. Do it. Go ahead, and say it!"Rosa was too afraid to speak, her eyes filling with tears."Say it, you fly. I want to hear your last words before I tear off your jaw and use it as a chew toy for your cubs," Vick sneered maliciously, "I'm sure Bart will have fun burying you. He'll enjoy the company."Rosa's eyes bulged out, her body convulsed, her face turned white, and she started hyperventilating.Vick's smile widened, "Do you hear that, Bart? She is so excited to be with you in the afterlife that her heart is ready to burst. Isn't that sweet?""Please," Bart tried to stand, but his leg wouldn't support his weight, and he fell, "I beg you."Vick's eyes were glued to Rosa, "Beg harder.""I'll beg," Bart said, his tears falling, "I'll do anything. Just don't kill her."Vick ignored him and turned to Rosa, his grin widening as he dropped her on the ground, "I'm waiting."Rosa fell on the floor, her hands trembling, her body shaking. Vick put his leg on her back and made her bow, "Apologize to her."Rosa couldn't move or speak."Beg her for forgiveness. Bow and ask her for forgiveness."Rosa was so afraid that her body stopped responding. She was shaking so hard that her whole body was trembling."I said," Vick pressed his foot down on her spine, making her cry out, "Beg her for forgiveness, or I'll break your spine and make you a cripple.""Please," Rosa managed to choke out, "Please forgive me.""Louder," Vick pressed his foot down harder, "I can't hear you.""Please forgive me!" Rosa's voice was hoarse, her eyes red and puffy, and her body still shaking."For what?" Vick's grin turned predatory."For insulting you," Rosa said, her voice breaking, her hands and knees shaking, "I'm sorry.""For what?" Vick pushed, his foot digging deeper into her back."I'm sorry for calling you ugly. Please, forgive me.""And?""I'm sorry for disrespecting you," Rosa choked out, "Please accept my apology.""Good," Vick placed his foot on Rosa's head, smashing her face against the ground, "Remember to keep apologizing to her until the day you die."As Rosa screamed for help, Bart bowed, "Please, I beg you. Take my life and spare hers."Vick laughed, "I don't want your pathetic life. You have nothing to use as your bargaining chip anymore. What can you offer besides insults and trouble now?"I supported my chin with my right palm, "My honor is not so fragile that I need you to defend it.""I'm not defending you," Vick said, his voice cold, his eyes narrowed at Rosa, "She begged me to crush her, and who am I to deny her request? Insults are one thing, but annoyances are another. Annoyances must be dealt with. You also do it when I'm annoying you, are you not?"I shrugged, standing up, "Sure, they might learn to sugarcoat their words from this 'lesson' of yours, but will it sweeten them up inside? I prefer dealing with the ones who are consistently nasty—over wolves in sheep's clothing."Vick gave Rosa one last glare before stepping back. The murderous aura disappeared, replaced by his usual relaxed demeanor, "Are you saying Bart will take revenge against us?""Just look at yourself. You can't even take an insult," I said, crouching before Rosa, "Someone is disciplining your female in such a way... Would it sit well with you? No. You would murder them in cold blood the moment you get strong enough to get back at them, and the last thing you would care about are the crimes we did."Most beastmen loved their females, even if they were terrible and deserved punishment. Taking it out on them instead of their females was, in a way, a sign of respect. They believed females were fragile, weak, and should be sheltered from danger and harm. They were a precious treasure to protect, but they forgot that a jewel needed to be occasionally polished. Vick stared at Bart, his eyes cold and calculating, "She is not going to stop, and he is not going to make her change. I have seen too many females like her. She won't learn until she gets crushed," he said, turning towards me, ready to defend his actions, "I'll let her go, and the first thing she will do is cause trouble for you, or someone else. I will not have that. Not when I can do something about it.""I'm not stopping you, am I? You were the one who became friends with them. But since you've made it clear that you're not looking out for them anymore, I see no reason to either," I said, turning Rosa onto her back, "I would like to try and remove Bart's spousal mark from Rosa and see if their relationship will become more genuine without the mark's interference. You've already turned them into your enemies, so I guess you have a plan to deal with them?""..." Vick was speechless, his eyes wide and his lips twitching. He blinked, shook his head, and blinked again.I tilted my head, "What?""Did you just tell me to kill them?""You offered," I pointed out while handing a clean towel to the crawling Bart, so he could clean Rosa's bloody nose. Both were completely sapped out of energy and were too scared to struggle. Rosa's face already started swelling and turning blue. Vick held back, otherwise, she would have already had her jaw broken, if not her entire skull. "Why are you surprised? After all, they've tried to hurt Nivi and Bai more than once.""Because... never mind...I mean...for me?" Vick said, his face still blank and his mouth opening and closing like a fish. "Let's go. We will try to remove the spousal imprint later," he said, dragging me out of the cave, "We need to talk in private first.""Alright," I said, walking beside him, "I'll listen."He shook his head, his brows creased and his expression serious, "No, no, no. You're the one who will do the talking, Precious."Gold, who watched the entrance to the cave, escorted us outside silently. He was here the whole time, watching on emotionlessly. He didn't say anything and didn't ask anything, but I felt his eyes scanning me, scrutinizing every movement I made.╔═══ Author's note ════╗Seems like Skaris's going to have his hands occupied with wolf cubs. 🤭Rosa has been living in a bubble of privilege her whole life, so she sees help and acts of kindness as just part of the routine, not special favors. So, when Yaya or Vick lent her a hand, she didn't really see it as something to be thankful for ─ more like something everyone should do. It's everyone's duty to help and care for her and whoever doesn't, deserves to suffer. 😤YY and her experiments with the beastmen bond again. Poor Bart. 🙈╚════════════════╝