Edward wasn’t sure what he was expecting as he sat at the dinner table. It was a larger one. One that could fit about 6 people. The table though had been set for 2. Both settings are in the middle with nice silverware and plateware. 

Edward had asked for the meal to just be a nice and simple steak dinner. Something that could be easily prepared and that he doubted that no one would have much of an argument about. Though he wouldn't mind accommodating his guest if need be.

Before he could let his mind wander too far off he could hear her running from the other side of the dinning room door before the entryway slammed open and there was his guest brandishing a pair of scissors in a black dress and completely bare foot.

“Ma’am please I told you I can cut your hair for you,” there was a very frantic maid behind them. She looked out of breath.

It was then that he noticed that a significant amount of the hair had been chopped off on the left side. It gave her a more wild look and Edward watched as she pointed the scissors out in front of her towards the maid.

“‘M done with ya touchin me,” she said, “Talkin about how nice my hair was but I just want this stupid mop of hair off my head.”

“But ma’am I told you I could--,”

“YOU WERE JUST TRIMMING IT.”

Edward didn’t even understand what was going on… Much but it was quite clear that having their hair cut short was an important part of this other wise… why would they make such a big deal.

It seemed like now was when he was noticed. The two of them met gazes. That was when Edward could see it all. The color are her eye was black and he could see the clear orange.

“Edward Jameson,” she said clearly.

He felt himself sit up at attention.

“Yess?”

“Tell your servant to leave me be, right now,” he voice was firm. It was clear this was something they wanted to do themselves and they were not enjoying being chased like a mad man.

The maid looked from him to the girl frantically and Edward simply put his hand up and smiled awkwardly. This poor girl was already going through it. Best to just let her go.

“It’s fine you’ve done enough.” he said.

She was hesitant to leave but she eventually left, closing the doors of the dining room behind her. 

And now it was just the two of them. He could hear her breathing for a bit and slowly it calmed. He watched her shoulders relax and all that anxious energy from earlier seemed to have left her body.

She still held the scissors. Blade in the palm of her hand her eyes still trained on the door for another moment before looking back at him. One eye on him.

“Thank you,” she said.

“You’re welcome….”

He paused. He wasn’t sure what to call them but he had this feeling calling him by the name of someone else would not work out. Especially not for him.

He watched as they sat down across from him at the table. Despite how she looked there was still almost an elegance with the way she carried her self. Even with her half cut hair it looked almost deliberate.

She placed the pair of scissors on the table without so much as a word and for a moment Edward caught a flash orange. A light swirl decorated with flowers climb up her arm before seeming to disappear down her back. She looked up at him after that.

“Would you like to talk first or eat first?”

Edward for at a loss for words for a moment. It was just earlier this woman had seemingly refused to speak to him but now it looked like she was talking to him freely. Her voice as soothing as the sea on a calm day. The gentle crashing waves made him relax a bit.

“Whichever you prefer. It seems as though I have caused you some problems.” he said politely.

She placed her hands gently under her chin as she looked at him curiously before making a choice. Her voice was much calmer than it was before.

“I guess I’d prefer to speak to you about our current predicament now.”

Another moment of silence which seemed to be the theme for the day. 

“Then I should start with the most obvious question,” Edward said he crossed his arms over his chest.

Was there even appoint of being careful any more. The two of them were already face to face. She was done playing mute. In fact she was much calmer than he had expected though as he thought it over he could tell she seemed uncomfortable.

Just slightly. Her eyes were darting around slightly and her finger twitched as if she wanted to claw at her arm but she was clearly keeping herself from doing exactly that.

“Who are you,” Edward asked.

She tilted her head like a curious bird.

“I’m Bay,” she said. It was flat, a lot different from how her voice was just moments ago. Like she didn’t even believe it herself… Like she was simply lying.

“No.”

She looked surprised. The shift to calm had faltered slightly when Edward had said that. He could see her tense for a moment before relaxing.

“No, huh,” Despite her moment of tenseness her voice was still calm. Still flat.

She rolled her head around before letting out a sigh. She seemed to be considering her options for a moment. 

She picked up the previously discarded pair of scissors before hacking away the rest of her long hair. Snipping off the bangs so the rest of her face was visible.

That previous flash of orange and flowers present on the now clear view of her face. She dusted her shoulders letting the hair fall to the ground before looking at him. Both eyes clear.

Edward himself almost let out a sigh. He would have found it annoying if he wasn’t more intrigued watching the tattoo of orange swirl and shape on her face. Bloom flowers before slowly moving down her neck. Down her arm across her dark skin.

It was as if it was alive. No it was alive and she was clearly unbothered by it. It was just something that was just like breathing. 

She tapped her finger on the table thinking it over. Or maybe she was just stalling for time. Why he wouldn’t be able to guess but it seemed like she was in no hurry to explain herself. Or maybe he was just reading it wrong.

Maybe she was just doing what he did and was just thinking it over. Figuring out how best to approach this situation they were both in.

It was clearly an odd one he still wasn't sure he was understanding. Or maybe he was just failing to use his imagination to come up with a creative solution.

“What a strange situation you have put us both in,” she said finally leaning back in her chair.

Still Edward said nothing, allowing for this woman who claimed to be Bay speak to him. This woman who wore her skin. Who had her eyes? Those same eyes that were filled with wonder and curiosity. This woman use her thin fingers trace the back of her neck.

She seemed to be getting frustrated. Like this entire situation was an inconvenience to her. What about him? He was the one basically looking at a clone of someone dear to him yet she seemed to be losing her calm facade because of….

What?

“I don’t understand.” Edward said as he furrowed his brows.

“Of curse you don’t,” she answered as soon as the words left his mouth.

She leaned forward.

“I don’t expect you to understand after all this is something that is quite odd,” she placed her hands under her chin.

Again she sighed.

“Edward Jameson, haven’t you mourned her enough, why can’t you just let her go,” she said.

Edward was silent.

“I’m sorry I don’t--”

“She died a year ago yet here I find myself almost 13 days ago in this world,” she continued waving her hand in the air almost dismissively.

“No that isn’t it. If it was just mourning I wouldn’t be here at all. It’s not fair for me to tell you to get over her when there are many people in this world who are capable of mourning without wishing so passionately.”

Edward again opened his mouth. He was visibly confused. He wasn’t sure what she was getting at but he couldn’t find the words to properly express his confusion of what was going on. 

He watches her get up from her chair and approach him. Leaning over placing her hand on the back of the chair.

“Please do tell me. What’s so special about this girl that makes you want her to be around you once again, Jameson.”