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Chapter 155: You Break her, you buy Her
🕑 Added 2019-05-17 20:15:28 +0000 UTCShouts of alarm made Garth jump in place almost before he knew what was going on.
Put pressure on it! He heard Alicia shout.
I really hope thats our cover story and not an actual emergency. Trope-wise, this is where something actually bad happens.
Caitlyns shriek of pain was all he needed to hear.
Not a bad scream.
Garth turned and ran to the laser cutter, just behind Tad, who seemed even more on the ball than the guy who was expecting the commotion.
When they arrived, Caitlyn was clutching her right hand, a bloody cloth wound around it. The laser cutter was locked into Band-saw mode, and just outside its range was the fake half a hand hed made earlier that night, silently smoking.
Caitlyn was leaning against the cutters heavy base, moaning in pain as she shook, really selling it.
What happened? Tad demanded as he came near to Alicia and Caitlyn.
She slipped and the cutter went through her hand! Alicia said, before glancing at Garth. Can you put the fingers back on, with your magic?
Let me see! Garth said, stepping forward and inspecting the quarter of a fake hand. Shit, its cauterized, I cant put this back on! Get out of the way, let me stop the bleeding! Hopefully the two other kids dont realize that it should have been cauterized on both sides, and that stopping the bleeding shouldnt have been that hard.
Garth knelt down and pushed Alicia out of the way, and wrapped his hands around Caitlyns wound, channeling Heal into her hand to stop the bleeding of the cut along her stump.
The secret to their charade was a laser-etched polymorph enchantment that hed thrown together the night before. All it did was truncate her right fingers and a quarter of her palm, making it seem like she had lost them in a tragic table-saw accident.
As soon as she took it off, her hand returned to normal.
You break it, you buy it. Garth thought, trying to suppress a smile as he unwrapped Caitlyns hand. I wonder how many more teenagers I could con out of Garth ended that unhealthy train of thought and refocused on his performance.
In order to get blood, Caitlyn had cut her side of her stub-hand, pretty deeply. It served as an unofficial last test of Caitlyns willingness to go the distance. Garth might have had reservations about taking her under his wing if she didnt have the guts for a little self-harm.
The wound was gone, and all that was left was a stumpy, malformed hand with only a thumb and a truncated index finger remaining.
Caitlyns eyes widened at the sight, and she began to shudder, silently sobbing, face wrinkling up into an ugly cry.
Damn. Shes a much better actress than I thought.
I want to go home. She whimpered.
The trip back home was a lot more glum than Garth had expected. Alicia acted like she didnt care, but Garth could tell by the way she fidgeted in the corner of the wagon that she had been affected. Tad was trying to make Caitlyn feel better, telling her about all the uncles and aunts with missing body parts whod gone on to achieve success.
Garth had felt that gagging them at this point would have been cruel, but it would have saved them from Tads anecdotes about Aunt Stumpy.
All three teens were wearing their hoods, so Tad could only tell that Caitlyn wasnt responding to him, so after a while, he stopped talking, leaving the rattling wagon silent.
Caitlyn, for her part, seemed pretty relaxed, propping her head up on his leg and snoring softly.
How can she go from puking up over a simple suicide/self-dissection, to being perfectly relaxed faking an injury? Maybe Caitlyn had talent as an actor.
Tad probably thought the one snoring was the callous Alicia, Alicia probably thought it was Garth. With their hoods on, they were in the dark, figuratively and literally.
Garth had briefly considered leaving Caitlyns hood off, but with everything she already knew about him, knowing exactly where his phylactery was was too much.
A Garths gotta have some secrets.
Once they got into town, Garth took off their hoods and let them go their separate ways, keeping Caitlyn company as she went back to her family. Garth wasnt really expecting any major surprises, but it was best to keep his eye on the teenage girl until he could get her safely locked away in his basement. Make sure she didnt try to escape.
Hmm my thoughts are sounding pretty dubious.
He and Caitlyn got to the Mcdonnell mansion in the early evening, when the sun was just starting to redden the buildings around them.
The Mcmansion was a new money sort of thing, with elegant art, nice lawn and well-manicured bushes in the shape of mythical creatures which may no longer be mythical but none of it was particularly old.
Garth strode up to the front door with Caitlyn beside him and rang the doorbell. Which in this case was an actual bell on a rope. An elegant bell on an elegant rope, but still.
Caity, youre back! The door burst open and a small child tackled Caitlyn across the midriff. The teen took that sudden headbutt with grace and poise, patting the child on the head. The little girl seemed to share her coloration, sporting a mane of flaming red hair.
Anne, could you get Father for me, Ive got to talk to him, Its important.
On it! The tyke shouted at full volume before stomping away.
I see they fixed the porch. Garth said.
Im sure price was no object.
Garth chuckled.
Caitlyn guided Garth to the sitting room, and a minute later, Caitlyns father showed up, scanning her with his gaze, lingering on the hand she kapt tucked in her pocket.
So, Curt said, sitting on the flowery upholstery across from them. How was your trip?
I learned more than I ever imagined I could! Caitlyn said, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. Edward taught me about the concept behind something called a rail-gun, I made a lot of improvements to my pistol, and I made a cannon that can shoot through four feet of solid steel!
Almost. It took two shots, remember, Garth corrected, content to let her take the lead as he sipped the tea.
I see. Anything else? Curt asked. Garth wasnt expecting Caitlyn to spill the real beans, but he got his forget-me-stick ready just in case.
Caitlyn, talented actress that she was, fidgeted in her seat, looking highly uncomfortable. Or maybe she was, lying to her dad. Either way it lended itself nicely to the performance.
I kind of hurt myself.
That why your hand is still in your pocket? Curt asked, raising a bushy red brow. Show me.
Now, dad, promise not to panic, Caitlyn said, giving him a cautious look.
I dont panic. Im the Mcdonnell familys rock. He said, sipping his tea.
I know how you are. Promise.
Fine, I promise, Curt finally said, rolling his eyes.
Not to panic.
I promise not to panic. The Patriarch had a hint of anger in his tone, now.
Caitlyn pulled her stumpy right hand into her fathers line of sight.
Curt dropped the teacup in his hand, splattering the liquid everywhere before scrambling over the short coffee table between them, knocking the teapot aside to get a closer look at her hand. The delicate porcelain teapot shattered on the floor. Picture of calm, this guy.
By all the gods! he shouted into the stub-hand, holding it directly in front of himself like a microphone.
Youve ruined her! Youve ruined her whole life! He turned towards Garth and shoved the truncated hand under Garths nose, dragging Caitlyn along for the ride.
Its not his fault! I got careless working on Eds cutter on Band-saw mode. It was just an accident! Caitlyn protested as Garth stared into Mr. McDonnells bulging eyes.
No, Garth said, deciding now was the time to step in and ingratiate himself a bit. It was my responsibility! She was in my home, using my equipment, its my fault!
And there weve opened the door. The other party has to admit that its my fault for the purchase to be valid.
Damn right it is you little bastard. You see if the Mcdonnel family ever gives you the time of day again. Youve ruined one of our best enchanters! Aahh, Caitlyn, Ill find a way to fix you! Ill get started on a prosthesis tonight!
Look, Im willing to take pay for this, let me take responsibility for fixing her up. Along with legal ownership. I just want to make up for the damage Ive caused.
As if Id let you anywhere near my gumdrop, butcher! Curt shouted, dragging Caitlyn up and away from the couch, hyperventilating. Gumdrop?
Caitlyns expression was frozen in horror, and her face was bright red as her father drew her into a protective swaddle. It looked like her fathers over-protectiveness had exceeded her acting ability, but the man was already too far gone to notice.
Id hate to see what he looks like when he hasnt been warned.
Katie! Samantha! Garneeeet!
Caitlyns aunts bustled into the room, gasping and passing Caitlyns hand between the three of them while shooting Garth the odd glare. Every single one of them was a lovely woman with bright red hair.
As an odd aside, I guess that means that Garthspawn are excellent for preserving rare genetic traits like red hair.
How could you do this-
Do you know what you-
Shes going to wind up-
The accusations went from one angry voice to four in a matter of seconds, the wave of vitriol forcing Garth back on his heels. Maybe I wont do this more than once. Its not worth it. Actually, the Dentons might take this a lot better than the Mcdonnells, but I think Alicia wants to run the family to badly to agree to the sham.
This plot to buy a teenage girl from her family didnt work without the girls assistance.
Please! Stop bickering over me! Caitlyn said, pushing away from the adults fawning over her. I can still work, with the tool Ga Edward made for me.
Case in point.
What do you mean you can still work? you cant even hold a drafting tool, let alone an engraver.
Time to pick up Caitlyns lead.
I think the thing that caused this problem can also fix it. Ive got something that should let Caitlyn explore her curiosity just as well as she could before her injury. Wont you come take a look?
A couple minutes later they were standing outside, staring at the laser cutter sitting in the grass, speechless
See, dad? Caitlyn said, holding up a heart shape cut out of wood in a matter of seconds. I dare you to cut faster than me.
How, umm Curt said, trying to process what he just saw. How do we know that thats not the only thing it can do?
Well, Garth said, pointing at Caitlyn, Give her a request.
A NAND logic gate. Curt barked. Caitlyn turned back to the cutter and started programming the shape. It was clunky and required a lot of math, but the girl had a good head on her shoulders, and her increased intelligence made it easier than it should have been.
It took a few minutes to program.
I could have carved one by now, Curt said, arms crossed, scowling. I fail to see how-
How many would you like? Caitlyn asked, flipping the switch. With a flare of light, the laser cut the logic gate in into the heart shape in a couple seconds. She stopped the laser, readjusted the starting point, then turned it on again, making another gate. Caitlyn didnt stop until shed made a pretty design entirely out of NAND gates.
Oh. I see. Curt said, staring out into space as labor costs dropped drastically in his mind. Caitlyns aunts stepped aside and began whispering to each other, glancing at the laser cutter hungrily.
Excellent. It made sense to Garth that if the thing was enough to make a premier scion of an enchanting household grovel, it would carry a similar impact for the rest of them. Hence the leather cap on the back of the laser cutter, covering the exposed enchanting.
He didnt want them to just reverse engineer it by memory.
Curt was still staring out into the garden wall when Caitlyns aunts reached a consensus, returning to Garth.
Weve reconsidered your offer to take responsibility for Caitlyns injury.
Hook, line and sinker.
What? Curt asked, starting out of his stupor. What!
Since it seems that Edward here is the only one that could provide Caitlyn the tools to carry on her passion, it would be cruel of us to keep her here. Katie, the leader of the three Aunts said.
However, we cant simply send her give her over to you without following the right procedure. Theres a seldom used law that might come into play here.
She paused dramatically.
Tell me, do you still want to take responsibility for her injury?
More than anything. I feel terrible about it. Garth lied, bowing his head in shame.
Wait, you cant be considering mmmph! one of the other Aunts clapped a hand over Curts mouth while Katie strategically tried to pressure Garth into giving them the plans for the laser cutter, in exchange for Caitlyn. You know, to make sure it was safe for her to use and all.
I love it when they think its their idea.
I can just make another for you in a couple hours, if youve got the materials, Garth said. Theres only two pieces to it, after all. Such a nice young man.
Katies eyes lit up and she trotted back into the mansion, holding her dress up as she ran in a display of unladylike speed.
This is ridiculous! Curt said, breaking away from Garnets restraints. Its a sham! A ruse designed to steal my daughter! The boy is just trying to take my gumdrop from me! I can see it in his womanizing blue eyes! he pointed at Garth with a shaking finger.
Is he super perceptive or just hysterical? Garth wasnt entirely sure, but the guy was spot-on.
Please, Dad, hes just trying to help. Hes been nothing but kind to me, before, during, and after the injury. Caitlyn said. Her voice lowered to a near whisper. I want to stay with him.
Curt met her eyes and finally broke down, clutching his daughter and sobbing, rocking back and forth. After a few minutes he calmed down and wiped his eyes clear, sniffling.
Okay, if thats what you want. He took a deep, shuddering breath. Do you think you could fetch my hanky, dear?
Okay dad, Caitlyn said, trotting up the mansion stairs.
Curt followed her progress until she disappeared into the large wooden entryway. Once the girl was completely gone, he turned on Garth and lifted him off his feet by his shirt.
If I hear a single word that youre mistreating my daughter, Ill strap you down to that cutter youre so proud of and drill some sense into your skull!
Curt! Garnet and Samantha shouted and peeled the Patriarch away from Garth.
Shes a friend. I would never harm a friend. As a matter of fact, Ill do everything I can to fix what Ive done, Garth said. As soon as we get back, Ill start working on a way to regrow her fingers.
There we go, an excuse for her to go back to normal, since she wont want to spend the rest of her life wearing the stub-hand enchantment. If we say we fixed it then I still have Caitlyn, while the angst from her father is greatly reduced.
See that you do. Curt said, straightening his jacket that had been crumpled when his sisters dragged him away.
Now that thats taken care of . I will need more supplies to make the attempt though. Id be happy to pay for them.
Oh, youll pay all right. Curts eyes narrowed.
I really hope Curt mellows out after I fix her hand.
And where would I find glass vials with airtight lids? Garth asked. I also need to work with adamantium.
The Ravenleaf Family has those things, Samantha said. The slender woman of maybe forty-five slipped a gold signet ring from her hand into Garths palm. Tell them we sent you. Take Caitlyn. She lowered her voice to a whisper. Well talk to Curt while youre gone.
Comments
Gavriel
Garth should regain his soul memories soon?
tehlu
Garth really just wanted to indulge in deviousness, cause there’s no reason he couldn’t have just told the father that he’s going to take the girl as his apprentice. With the level of tech he put on display for them, they would have sold her to him regardless for the chance to get as much knowledge out of him.
Macronomicon
Hmmmm
Thundermike00
I think that chapter is for after the fact that he gain massive power enough to defend himself after he spilled the beans. Because you have to think if he tells people and they tell people and one of these people they tell is a spy for the clan that owns the planet then Garth is screwed.
Kemizle
I think there should be a chapter were Garth tells the people in the know about him how the earth is basically a slave state and how the clan owns them all...would be interesting to see how they react to how big the world is
Deinos
Haha love the father, wonder though why he would let her participate in a school excursion then. It should be known it's for weeding out.
Macronomicon
who knows, might still happen.
Prana
I seriously thought they would force him to marry her
Macronomicon
because he's a young man? Idunno. maybe cuz he's gonna need to hold onto her for a few years...goddamnit, you're probably right, but I already have this fun scene lined up where he frames the 'Deed to Caitlyn' on his wall.
Gavriel
Lol, why can't Garth simply ask them to let him make her his apprentice? Long ago a mentor had priority over parents
Macronomicon
2.7k today, getting the brain muscles stretched out again.
