Chapter Text
In a convent, somewhere in the mountains of Andalusia:
Just as Beatrice finishes putting on her veil, her alarm goes off. She usually finishes a few minutes before her alarm goes off. Nerves, she figures. Mother Superion, after all, entrusted her to give a tour of the convent to the new arrivals. The young nun would expect this task to fall in the hands of the older nuns, who are more familiar with the premises.
As she tidies the blueprints of the convent on her small desk in her bedroom — one of the few pieces of furniture her modest room has — she mentally goes over all the less familiar places of the place; the rec-room to the north where the older nuns often congregate and the hallway near Mother Superion's office where the administrative nuns do their job, concerning donations and the sorts.
This is the first meaningful task she has been assigned since arriving at the convent, and she is terrified of disappointing the older nun. It has only been a few months since she stepped foot in Cat's cradle. And as always she needed to be useful, for them to think of her as competent, lest they start asking questions on why a teenage girl would devote her life to god and leave everything behind. Not that it was her choice, but they do not need to know that.
Her stomach growls, and she is reminded that one needs food in order to function well, especially on a day like today. She quickly leaves for the cafeteria, not wanting her friends to grill her about being late.
When she arrives, they are just starting their morning prayer. She quickly sits down at her usual table, next to Lilith, and closes her eyes and folds her hands in prayer. The other girl slightly opened her eyes to look next to her. Their friend has never been late for the 6 months she's known her.
After Mother Superion's "Amen" has released them from prayer, she decides to ask Beatrice about it.
"You're never late, what happened?", she says while mixing her blueberries through her porridge. Lilith might act cold and uncaring, but deep down she truly cares about those who she considers her friends. Beatrice deeply appreciates this. She has never been very affectionate or touchy, so it's nice to have a friend who also shares this sentiment. It made it easy to get close to her. That, and their similar upbringing. Beatrice recognized her own childhood in the few words of Lilith that she spoke about it. She wondered if they might have met outside the convent, since their parents apparently worked in the same industry. She hoped they did, for the other version of her, the one who did not get to escape. Yes, she might not have chosen to become a nun, it did save her in a way. It got her away from her parents.
"I've been nervous about today for quite a while, I don't wish to disappoint Mother Superion" Beatrice responded.
"You were supposed to give the newly arrived orphans a tour of Cat's cradle right? I'm sure you will do a great job. I mean, what can go wrong?" Shannon says to Beatrice with a small smile on her face.
"She could bore them to death" Lilith replies, huffing slightly.
"Be nice, Lilith!" Shannon says while giving Lilith's arm a slight nudge.
"What, it's not like our Beatrice has a knack for entertaining small children." She says.
Lilith was right, Beatrice is not the best at dealing with small children. Her over-politeness was not a big hit with crowds under the age of 12. She thinks about the time she was asked to watch over their Sunday-school class while sister Francesca went to get more art supplies. Long story short, those who like cleaning had a field day in the classroom later that day.
This was one of the factors contributing to her nervousness about the tour she is supposed to give.
Beatrice decides to ignore Lilith's comment and to only respond to Shannon: "Yes, they will arrive at ten O'clock, and during the tour, the nuns of the orphanage set up the East-wing for them. I assume so the children will not be a bother to them while they are busy."
"The East-wing, huh? I'm glad it's finally getting used. It's been sitting empty for at least as long as I've been here"
"Well, the convent needed the money, and it would be unchristian to put orphans on the streets." Lilith remarks.
"They better fix the heating in this place with that money, I turn into an ice cube every winter" Shannon says hopefully, shivering a little bit.
Beatrice thinks back to the past winter, just 2 months after she arrived. Shannon truly did not handle the cold well. Her friends tried to help her, but even wearing layered jumpers combined with those reusable heat packs did not warm the poor girl up. When Mary was in charge of organizing the donations, and found an old space heater, she made sure the thing found its way to Shannon's room. It might be a bit loud, and sometimes need some shaking to start working again, but it kept Shannon warm and her friends sane, not having to worry about their dear friend suddenly succumbing to hypothermia.
"Where is Mary actually?, I cannot say I've seen her the last few days." Beatrice asks Shannon. Normally, Mary and Shannon are always together. The two of them almost acted as the parental figures of their group. They always made sure to ask Beatrice and Lilith about their day, and were always available to listen to your worries and give advice when needed. Beatrice was truly grateful for this, even if she never truly opened up to them about was going on. She couldn't even open up to herself about what was bothering her. Growing up with being taught to never talk about your feelings, that time is better spend on your studies, will do that to you.
She straightens her habit one more time, wipes off any non-existing dust particles from her shoulders, and starts walking towards the East-wing, mentally going over the blueprints of the convent.
The children can be heard before they are seen, a cacophony of high-pitched voices filling her ears. The nuns accompanying them trying to get them to be silent and to stop running around, but failing miserably. There is a group of some older kids to the side, by the looks of them they seem to be around 10 to 12 years old. They seem to be chatting with each other, the volume of them not nearly reaching the level of their younger companions.
She walks up to one of the nun she doesn't recognize, and introduces herself:
"Good morning, I am Sister Beatrice, I assume you are with the Saint Maria orphanage?"
The nun looks up from trying to get what looks like a 6-year-old to stop ripping the old beaten up radiator from the convent walls.
"Good morning, I'm sister Elizabeth, and yes, I'm with the orphanage. You are supposed to give us the tour? Aren't you a little young to be in a convent?"
The comment makes Beatrice twitch a bit inside, she is not a stranger to fellow nuns being surprised with her age, but it still bothers her.
"I might be the youngest nun here, but my devotion is not any less" she replies, her mouth forming a small, polite, smile.
"Right. So we leave the kids with you now? Will you be able to handle them alone, or would you require one of us to stay with you during the tour?" Sister Elizabeth responds, clearly not being satisfied with Beatrice's reply.
"I am pretty sure I am able to handle them, I have previous experience working with kids. But thank you for the offer nonetheless" Beatrice says.
Yes, said previous experience with small kids was not a positive one, but the other nun did not need to know that. Admitting to needing help being equal to failing to her.
"Alright kids we will be leaving now, be good to sister Beatrice here, okay? We are lucky that we are allowed to stay here, so be nice! Otherwise, sister Frances will hear about it." One of the other nuns accompanying the orphans announced.
That statement seemed to work, as the kids that before were running around and screaming, all gathered around Beatrice and were silent, clearly waiting for the nun to say something.
Suddenly the idea of one of the nuns from the orphanage staying with her did not seem all too bad, but alas, they had left, leaving her all alone with them.
"Alright, follow me" Beatrice started. "Make sure to not lose sight of me, the convent is quite big, and I would rather not explain that I lost one of you during your first day here."
She started off going to the cafeteria, since they will be sharing the space from now on. This was something she was not looking forward too, since she appreciated the silence that the nuns in Cat's cradle keep to during their meals.
She saw the kids looking around amazed, mirroring her own face when she first entered this very space. This brought a small smile on her face.
The cafeteria is located in the main hall, in what used to be a church for the local village, the finely decorated pillars and ceiling being the only evidence of a time long gone. The pews being replaced by square picnic tables, and the priest's altar now being the place where announcements are made, or performances are giving during special occasions.
She guided the kids to the corner in the cafeteria that was assigned for use by the orphanage, before continuing on their tour. A banner with the orphanage's name and logo was hung on the wall, to help the kids remember where they had to go. Under it was a cabinet full of children plates and cutlery, meant for the younger kids under them.
Beatrice actually was the one who filled the cabinet a few days ago, everything coming from donations people had made to the church. Ever since the convent had announced an orphanage will be joining them in Cat's cradle, there had been an influx of children's toys and clothes. Beatrice was grateful for the generosity of their neighbours from the village. It meant they could give the children actual toys and other necessities, which they couldn't have before.
She started moving to the next location, but only after checking if all kids were still there and following her.
The tour continued, showing the kids every room that she so carefully memorised over the last few days, before navigating to the courtyard, which Beatrice was expecting the young kids being the most excited for.
Of course she was right, the moment she opened the door to outside all kids ran out to explore the new place. The place she surmised the kids will spend a lot of time while they are here in the convent.
She decides to let them run around for a bit, after all, they had been behaving so well during their tour. The entire time they had followed her, not made excessive sounds, or try to break anything. They even had asked some questions to her, questions that she gladly answered.
She was glad this was not a repeat of the Sunday-school incident.
After about 15 minutes she called the children to her, deciding this had been enough time for them to get some energy out. She announced that they would be returning now, and that the children would be in charge of the direction they will be taking. She hopes this will get them to memorise the route easier, preventing children from ending up in places they were not supposed to be. Beatrice was walking at the very back of the group, so no kid would be left behind.
She noticed one boy slowing down to start walking next to her.
"How old are you" he asked, big eyes looking up at her.
Normally Beatrice hates it when people ask her age, making her feel like a little kid. But this time it does not feel so bad, the boy seeming genuinely interested, with no malice behind his eyes.
"I'm 16 years old" she replies, smiling at the boy.
"I am 9 years old!" he replies with a big smile on his face
"Wait, that is the same age as big sis Ava, you should be friends!" He followed up.
Beatrice looked in front of her, to the group of older kids. None of them seemed to be close to 16 years old. The boy must have figured she was looking for this supposed 16 year old girl.
"She is not here, she doesn't leave her bed" he says somberly, his demeanour suddenly drastically changing from a few seconds ago.
"But don't worry, I will tell her all about your amazing tour!" his face returning to its previous state.
That statement puts a small smile on her face.
She wonders about the girl who can't leave her bed for a second, before she feels something trying to take her hand.
When she looks down she sees the boy wanting to hold her hand, and she lets him.
He looks up at her with a big smile and says: "I'm Diego! your name is Beatrice right?"
She nods
"Nice to meet you Diego"
They finally arrived at the East-wing again, ending her short-lived job as tour guide.
One of the nuns from earlier is awaiting them by the door, with a clipboard in hand.
She tells each of the kids to which room they supposed to go to, and who their roommates will be.
Beatrice watches the spectacle for a bit, the kids happy that they were bunked with their friends, gathering their bag from the big pile of duffel bags — which was not here when they left for the tour — and dragging it to their new rooms.
Beatrice decides she wants the see how the East-wing has been transformed by the nuns. wondering how they decided to use the rooms. She realizes she hasn't even been there before, never having had a need to.
After stepping through the door she sees a hallway, with doors to rooms all throughout both walls, and one big room at the end of the hallway.
Looking into each of the rooms she sees bunk beds filling up the walls of the room. 3 bunk beds in each room. All of the rooms are filled with children unpacking their bags and making their room and bed their own. When she arrives at the last room she notices this one only had 2 beds, a girl laying down in one of them.
Just as she wondered why this room only had 2 beds, she heard a familiar voice behind her.
"I see you've found Ava!" Diego said, walking past her and putting his duffel down on the other bed
Beatrice guesses the girl, Ava was her name, had not noticed her standing to the door opening, because she only turns around after hearing Diego talk to someone who was clearly not herself
"Oh hello! sorry, I didn't notice you before" Ava answered, her eyes looking just as big as Diego had before in the hallway.
Beatrice tried to answer, but was silenced for a good few seconds. The girl in front her was mesmerising.
"It's alright, I was not trying to be noticed" Beatrice could finally respond, hoping to not have weirded out the other girl too much.
"So what is your name, girl-who-wasn't-trying-to-be-noticed?" Ava says, a big grin showing on her face.
"Oh right, yes my name, where are my manners." Beatrice stumbles over her words "my name is Beatrice, nice to meet you" she says, walking towards the bed with her hand in front of her.
Ava pushes herself up slightly and extends her hand as well
When Ava shakes her hand Beatrice is taken aback by the softness of it.
It must have shown on her face, the girl in the bed saying "yeah, that's the benefit of not being able to leave the bed much" gesturing to her legs with her head.
"That's the reason you weren't at my tour." Beatrice noted, Diego's sadness suddenly making sense.
"Yup, I'm sorry I wasn't there, but Diego here already promised me to give me a rundown of your "amazing tour" as he called it" Ava states, her face still showing a big smile.
Beatrice looked the girl over for a few seconds, pondering to herself before asking:
"Sorry if this is not any of my business, but wouldn't you be able to get around using a wheelchair?" She says, seeing the way the girl clearly had usage of her arms and could sit up.
"No its all alright" Ava replies "when I came to the orphanage I couldn't do any of that, so in their papers i am ineligible for a wheelchair. Stupid bureaucracy. Besides, they don't have the money for a wheelchair anyway. Why do you think we moved to your convent?"
Beatrice suddenly had an idea. But she was not gonna tell Ava in case it would not work out.
"Sorry, I suddenly remembered I have to be somewhere in 5 minutes" Beatrice said, aware of how lousy the excuse was, but not caring at the moment, surprising herself.
"Right you should, will I see you around?" Ava asks hopefully, Diego joining in:"Yes I also wanna see you again!"
She smiled at the sight in front of her. Two people who she only met today who want to see more of her.
"of course you will, I promise." she responds before turning around, closing the door behind her, and walking out of the East-wing.
As soon as the nun leaves her sight, Ava lies back down in her bed.
"I think that was the prettiest nun I ever did see" Ava mumbles to herself as she looks out of the window.
Ava did not have the best experience with nuns growing up. She never actually saw a nun in real life before she arrived in the orphanage. Sure, they were nice to the cute — and most importantly, able-bodied — young kids, they could not care less about Ava. They thought she was a burden (she knew this because they told her, to her face), having to constantly take care of her, like taking her to the bathroom, or getting dressed.
So it was refreshing to see a nun that she could talk to without feeling like a burden. Yes, she might have only known the young girl (How old was she even? she couldn't be much older then Ava) for less then 5 minutes, she already has started to take a liking to this Beatrice.
"Hey Diego, could you help me unpack my stuff after you're done with yours? I don't trust those nuns with my stuff" Ava says while looking around, at the two dressers placed against the wall.
"Of course Ava" he says, with his signature smile plastered on his face.
Diego never makes her feel like a burden if she asks him for help. He is too sweet and kind to have such thoughts about anyone really. She does feel bad about asking him for help so much, but he says he doesn't mind, and it makes the nuns be a little less annoyed at her.
She wonders if the nun from just now will keep her promise and come back to visit her. A nun in a place like this must have more important business to attend to then pretending to care about some poor paralysed girl, she figures. But still, she hopes they could become friends, because while she does love Diego dearly, she would love some friends closer to her own age. She never really had that much friends to begin with, with her being stuck to a bed and not being able to move and all. Diego was her friend now, but that was a first for Ava, forever grateful to have met him.
Ava gets pulled out of her thoughts by the sound of Diego opening her duffel bag next to her bed.
She hears him digging trough her bag, the first thing he pulls out being a small leather roll-up pencil case she uses for her tinkering tools.
"Where do you want these?" He asks her, holding it up for her to see.
"In the top drawer please" Ava replies
Tinkering with broken toys and trying to fix them was something she picked up a few years ago. Diego had been sad because his favourite toy wasn't working after retrieving it from the communal toy box earlier that day, and Ava was trying to comfort him.
When she asked him to hold to toy in front of her to see — she didn't have as much movement in her arms back then as she does currently — she noticed something. On the bottom of the toy one of the batteries was placed the wrong way around, with the negative side where the positive side was supposed to be. After asking Diego to flip it around, the toy was working like it had before.
The young boy brought more toys over to her after that, in the hope she knew how to fix them, which she did in most cases. There was only one small problem, she had to tell Diego how to fix it, him following her instructions, because she simply didn't have the function in her arms.
Because of her never ending desire to not be a burden, and the want to be independent, she decided to try and regain some movement, even if just a little bit. She wanted to be able to fix Diego's toys on her own.
When she just had her accident that let her to lose both her mother and her feeling in in her legs, the nuns had taken her to a doctor to assess her injury. It was a long time ago, but she remembered the doctor telling the nuns that due to her injury being incomplete, she could potentially regain some mobility in her arms with enough physical therapy.
The nuns never gave her the possibility to of course, since they would need to take her there, and it would cost the orphanage money they didn't have.
But since she knew it wasn't an impossible task, she decided to just try. Worst case scenario, it doesn't work, right?
She started by just trying to flex her fingers as far as she could, doing it whenever she could throughout the day. Eventually she moved bigger movements, until she could finally lift her right arm a bit. After a while she finally felt confident enough to try and hold one of the toys to look at it.
At this point all the other kids in the orphanage also started asking her for help with their toys.
Currently she could repair some toys and other simple devices on her own, with her simple tool set she got from the nuns so she could have something to do (and she wouldn't bother them as much).
She also had a book she got as a gift one Christmas, called: "A beginner's guide for the amateur repairman (or woman)" She read this book front to back multiple times, wanting to know how to fix anything that can break.
Very small and finicky things were still to hard for her though, not being able to move her hands precisely enough.
Just as Diego was putting the last of her clothes in the dresser, she hears a knock on the door.
Diego opened the door for her, both him and Ava looking at her, their surprise about who knocked on their door visible.
"Hello again" Beatrice said while stepping into the room
"I felt bad about you missing the tour, and not being able to go out in general, I think"
She suddenly started doubting herself, and her surprise she brought with her. What if Ava hated it? she'd hate to make the other girl feel bad.
"I hope it's okay, but I brought something that I thought you would appreciate" Beatrice said, turning her head away, feeling flustered.
When she looked back at Ava, she saw her looking at her with big eyes, clearly wanting to know what Beatrice had prepared for her.
She could feel the back of her neck heating up a bit.
she walked out of the room again to grab her surprise before walking back in.
"I went to-"
"YOU GOT ME A GODDAMN WHEELCHAIR?!?!?!?!?!"
Ava shot up in her bed and just looked at it, speechless after her initial exclamation.
"Language! we are in a house of God" Beatrice told the excited girl with a faux-stern look on her face.
But she could not bring herself to not smile of the excitement of Ava, changing her expression to a small smile.
"But yes, I got you a wheelchair. It's only a loaner from the infirmary however. But it should work to give you a tour of the place." Beatrice explained.
"Wait you are going to give me a tour too? the day keeps getting better!" Ava says before turning to Diego
"When I'm back I'll tell you if your version of the tour is accurate" She says to Diego while grinning.
Ava suddenly seemed to realize something, her face falling.
"Slight problem, I don't think i have the arm strength to push myself, you would have to push me…" she said while fidgeting with her blanket, her face looking worried.
"Of course, that is no problem, I already was going planning to push you, what kind of tour guide would I be otherwise?" Beatrice replied
Ava smiled at her
The thought already had crossed her mind, not being able to think of a reason why she would not, besides if it made Ava uncomfortable obviously.
She rolled the chair further the room in, towards Ava's bed, before realizing she did not know the best way to get Ava actually IN the chair.
"What would be the best way for you to transfer into the chair?" Beatrice asked Ava.
Ava always despised it when the nuns would lift her, hating to be dependant on others, but she recognizes that there isn't really another option at this time.
"Just put your arms under my knees and shoulders, and lift me up" Ava says while grimacing slightly.
"Alright" Beatrice replies while walking up to Ava's bed.
The nun moves her arms towards Ava, while the other girl pushes her torso up a bit, making it a bit easier for Beatrice to lift her up.
When Beatrice lifts her up she is surprised at how effortlessly she does it, she must work out.
'Time to investigate' she thinks to herself before giving Beatrice's right bicep a little squeeze.
"Ooh, such strong muscles, do you work out a lot? I bet you could lift me over your head."
This comment makes her newfound friend's head turn bright red, her not being able to look at Ava.
"Oh. W-well yes I like to stay fit" Beatrice barely manages to get the words out of her mouth, ignoring the last comment.
The nun dares to look at Ava again, but she was already looking at her, this being the first time she got a good look at the freckles adorning Beatrice's face. They were everywhere, like the stars in the night sky.
Unfortunately her room wasn't very big, so they had already arrived at the wheelchair. She barely even noticed she was sitting in it now, with how careful Beatrice put her down. If every time she would need to be carried it was like this, she shouldn't mind so much.
"So where off to first, my dear tour guide?" Ava says while looking up at Beatrice's face
The first place they visited was the cafeteria. Beatrice showed her the corner designated for the orphanage, and of course Ava was amazed by the beauty of the place.
" Can't believe you guys eat breakfast in a place like this everyday, so cool! Definitely better then a boring old white room." Ava says while still looking up at the ceiling.
"Yes, I must agree its pretty impressive. I've only been here less then a year so I'm also still amazed by the beauty of this place" Beatrice admits. She starts pushing Ava out of the cafeteria, to their next destination.
"How old are you anyway? you are the youngest looking nun I've seen around here so far."
"I'm 16 years old, I turn 17 in a few months." The nun answers, not minding answering this time as much as usual. Something about Ava calmed her down.
"Oh that's great, we are the same age! There aren't a lot of kids my age in the orphanage, most of them get adopted before they come teenagers. It would be nice to have some friends my age! That is if you wanna be my friend of course, I understand if you don't." Ava’s voice drops a bit at that last sentence.
"Ava I would genuinely love to be your friend" Beatrice replies, hoping to ease her worries.
"Hell yeah! Wait shit, sorry, lord’s house and all. But if you don't mind me asking, why are you in a convent at 16? Shouldn't you be in school?" Ava asks her, sounding genuinely confused.
That question stops Beatrice in her tracks, literally. That was a question that she was not ready to answer yet.
"Oh, my father thought it would be good for me. And i already finished my high school education last year. Fast track."
Ava seemed to sense that it was a sensitive subject for her, and did not push further. Beatrice was glad she didn't, not that she would never tell her, she thinks it is important to be truthful with those you care about. But she wasn't ready yet.
Not that she would admit to herself that she started caring about the bright young girl — who was currently staring at a centuries old painting hung on the wall next to them — after only one day, that was something that would take her almost two months. She was merely doing her job as a nun helping those in need, that was all. There was nothing more to it.
No, Beatrice would explain it to her at a different time, it wasn't exactly something you casually tell someone you just met that same day. She wasn't even ready to tell her closest friends. And what if Ava would despise her after telling the truth, they only just met, she has no idea how Ava felt about… those feelings.
A memory popped up in her head. It was her father. She remembers it being the day before she would be shipped off to the Cat's cradle, him telling her how she must keep this part of her to herself, that no one would want to be around her if they knew. For some reason the feeling of Ava potentially reacting awfully makes her choke up way more then the thought of her friends rejecting her ever did.
They continue to tour the place, Beatrice telling her about the uses of rooms they come across, occasionally adding stories about her and her friends, and Ava listening to every word the nun had to say.
Even about the less exciting places.
"Ava, this is the laundry room, there is not much more to tell you about this place then besides what I already told you."
"But I like listening to your voice, even if it's about something boring" Ava tells her while pouting.
She only met Ava today, but the girl had learned quickly how to make Beatrice feel flustered. Luckily Beatrice could hide her face from Ava easily, since she was pushing the wheelchair from behind, her face safely hidden behind Ava's.
Eventually they reach the courtyard
As they got closer Beatrice realized the door to the courtyard had a steep threshold. One most likely too high to manoeuvre the wheelchair over. She wanted to show Ava the courtyard so bad, since she figured the other girl did not go outside much.
"Small problem, I do not think the wheelchair will be able cross the threshold into the courtyard, I'm sorry."
"It's fine, you already showed me so much I wouldn't be able to see without you!" Ava responded, Beatrice not being able to spot any form of disappointment on her face.
"I can in the very least open the door for you though." Beatrice told her, as she opened the door and stepped aside to hold it open so the other girl could look outside.
When she looked back at Ava's face, she could feel her heart break a little bit.
Ava was looking through the door opening, eyes wide. Her mouth hung open a bit, not seeming aware of the fact. The light of the sun hitting her face in just the right way, making her almost seem angelic.
"You got actual plants! I assumed it would just all be tiles, but you guys have like real green plants! I can even see flowers!"
Beatrice could not bring herself to tell Ava that those flowers were actually weeds that sister Julia was supposed to remove last week.
She could not take it much longer, looking at the girl in front of her being so amazed by a bit of greenery and some weeds, not even being able to get closer.
"If you don't mind, I think I have an idea to get you outside"
Of course she agreed, so there they were again, Ava in Beatrice arms. She was carrying her bridal style, while Ava had her arms around Beatrice's neck. They were walking around the courtyard, making sure Ava could see the entire place well.
The previous time Beatrice was too worried about hurting the other girl or make her uncomfortable to be aware that their faces were so close together. Unfortunately she was less worried this time. She did her best to look in front of them, making sure they don't tumble to the ground, but she found her eyes kept moving back to look at Ava's face.
Her face was pale, likely from being inside all the time, but her skin was clear as day. She clearly did not have the luxury of a skilled hairdresser (she wondered if she was looking at Diego's work), but for some reason her hair still framed her face perfectly. Her eyes big and bright, the sun reflecting in them, making them sparkle like stars. Eyes that suddenly were looking straight into hers, clearly expecting something, did Beatrice miss a question?
"Sorry, did you say something? I'm afraid i didn't hear what you said, I was lost in my thoughts."
"Right, lost in your thoughts, " Ava said with a sly smile
Beatrice could feel her ears heating up, again. She wonders if she will ever get used the way Ava gets to her.
"Anyway, I just asked you if you go out here often?"
"Oh yes, I do. I love to go outside and just sit and read a book in my free time. Or to train with my friends" Beatrice replies, smiling fondly, thinking of how she first befriended Lilith here in the courtyard, asking her if she could join her taekwondo training session. After their training Lilith asker her if she wanted to sit with her friends at breakfast, and that was that. After that day she had found herself a group of friends she actually felt safe around.
When they returned to the door they entered from, she cursed the damned threshold, before stepping over it and putting Ava back in the wheelchair. She decides to ask Mary for help the next time she sees her — Mary is the convent's (unofficial) handyman after all — to fashion a ramp inclining gentle enough to allow Ava's wheelchair to roll over, so she could visit the courtyard more easily.
(Art my lovely Gf (@moth.dragon_ on IG and @Moth.dragon on tiktok) made for my story!)
After a small trip back they returned to the East-wing.
Behind the door she saw one of the nuns of the orphanage walking up to her.
"My apologies for having to deal with her, I'll take her now, you can return to your own quarters."
Beatrice recognizes her, it's the nun from earlier today
"No thank you, she behaved perfectly fine. I will take her back myself, it's the tour guide duty after all"
The nun looked at her with a weird expression before returning to whatever her previous activity might be
"Thank you for that, they take every opportunity they get to complain about me" Ava said while looking up at Beatrice, with small yet genuine smile decorating her face.
"Well, I did have lot of fun giving you a tour of the place. Did it live up to Diego's retelling?"
"Oh this was definitely a million times better!"
They had arrived to her room now. It was empty, Diego probably off playing somewhere.
"Alright, get ready for me to lift you"
Beatrice scoots her hands under and lifts her up into the air, for the third time today.
Just as she turns around to face the bed, she notices Ava looking at her. It was hard not to, their faces being so close.
"Best tour guide ever, would recommend!"
Those eyes are going to give her a heart attack someday.
After tucking Ava in her bed, she starts to walk away, to the door, before realizing she still had one last surprise for Ava up her sleeve.
"I almost forgot to tell you, I pulled some strings, you can keep the wheelchair until someone comes in with a need for it"
"And just when I thought you reached the peak of awesomeness!"
Beatrice chuckles softly
"Thank you Ava, see you soon"
After she closes the door behind, she leans on the wall closest to hear. She did not realise how nervous she had been the entire time around Ava until she closed that door.