Lyra seethed as she approached the marketplace on her walk home. She had been utterly humiliated and treated more terribly than she had in her entire life, for simply being poor. It wasn’t hers or Henry’s faults that these employers paid next to nothing. AND Henry worked for Claudia's family, if anything, it was her fault they were so poor. Lyra huffed, working herself up into an emotional rage.

She passed by the window of the shop she’d gotten the white ribbon from earlier. Her reflection showed in the store window. Did she truly look that destitute? Lyra bit her lip and tried to smooth out her yellow linen skirt.

“Hello again Miss! Care to look around? We have some fine clothing for sale on our exclusive top floor,” The same shop owner came outside to greet her. It was obvious he was just trying to extort more money from her, but at this point, maybe it would do her good to have a few new dresses to wear. What was so wrong about wanting to wear fine clothes? They worked hard everyday and were owed this much. Lyra followed the man into the store. Truly believing she was simply reclaiming her due. She was worth this and so much more.

“I want this dress,” Lyra said.

“Beautiful choice for only 2,100 copper shards,” The merchant complimented.

(4 gold coins, 7,100 copper shards)

“Add this dress as well,” Lyra said.

“Of course, a great style for this season and at a steal for 1,800 copper shards,” The merchant said, with a smile.

(4 gold coins, 5,300 copper shards)

“Package the brown and black ones,” Lyra said.

“You have an eye for fashion, Ma’dam! These brown and black leather shoes will go with any style! All for the low price of 1,200 copper shards each!” The merchant explained delightedly.

(4 gold coins, 2,900 copper shards)

“I want this necklace and these earrings,” Lyra said.

“Oh, yes! This pear necklace and earrings will truly bring out your eyes. At the bundled price of 2,900 copper shards, this is a complete steal!” The merchant said with glee.

(4 gold coins)

Lyra stopped and looked at the display case in the dead center of the second floor. A jewel-encrusted ribbon. Little red rubies shining in the light like fiery stars.

“Ah, you truly have an eye for the finest things, my lady. This ruby-encrusted ribbon comes straight from the empire's collection at the affordable price of 20,000 copper shards,” The greedy merchant’s words were like music to Lyra’s ears.

(2 gold coins)

Lyra stood there with bags cascading around her feet, but the most precious thing was the ribbon in her hands. She caressed the jewels with her fingertips. Silent tears running down her face. She’d finally gotten it, her worth. Albeit, with that insufferable woman’s wealth, but she didn’t care. This was what Lyra deserved to be wearing, for all of the torment she’d endured in her life. This is what she god damned deserved.

“Are you alright?” The merchant asked, concerned.

“I will be,” Lyra answered simply.

---------------

Lyra felt a sense of satisfaction as she made her way home, arms full of boxes and bags. She was working hard not to let the events from earlier put a damper on her rejuvenated mood. The only thing she wanted to think about was a nice meal–

Lyra stopped dead in her tracks, the sudden feeling of dread over taking her. Her purchases fell to the ground with a thud. She had completely forgotten to get ingredients for dinner. How could she have been so stupid? It was way too late to turn around and go back to the market. The sun was already starting to set. She cursed herself, she'd only wanted to do something nice for Henry tonight and now it looked like she’d just gone out and spent a bunch of money on herself. What the hell was she going to do?

Lyra bent down to gather her bags from the ground. Frantically trying to think of something to make for dinner–, that's when she saw him. Jack. She stood up, unable to take her eyes off that stupid bird rubbing its body in the dirt. That was it. That was her solution.

She slowly walked toward Jack, his innocent eyes gazing up at her. This was perfect.

---------------

Lyra had already washed and changed clothes, she was putting the finishing touches on the dinner table by lighting a few extra romantic candles. She looked over at the door with a smile as Henry emerged.

“Welcome home,” She said, hurrying over and giving him a kiss. Henry embraced her as he usually did, but he felt a bit stiff. She made a mental note to give him a massage later. 

Holding his hand, she guided him to the table to show him her beautiful spread of dishes. Henry hadn’t said anything yet, so she was a bit disappointed, but didn’t think too much about it. She was determined to make this night a good one for the both of them. She hurried off to grab the main dish as he rigidly took his seat.

“I hope you’re hungry,” Lyra said with a smile as she placed the covered tray on the table. Henry didn’t respond, he just sat there with an unreadable expression on his face. She couldn’t understand what was going on with him, he’d been acting strange for days and now he’s acting as if he doesn’t like roasted chicken? 

Henry, who had now been silent since returning home, was slowly infiltrated by a flood of emotions and questions. Why had the outside of their house been overwhelmed by such a strong metallic scent? Why was Jack not in his usual spot to greet him when he’d arrived? Henry started to feel overcome with shock and disbelief. Surely, this couldn’t be? Lyra would never–

Annoyed at Henry, Lyra uncovered the beautiful roast with a pout. She didn’t know why he was acting like this– 

Henry quickly cupped a hand over his mouth with a gasp and shot up. His chair flew back wildly. His eyes wide with shock. He started to feel nauseous and dizzy, like he might faint. His body began to tremble and each breath he drew grew more heavy. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could resist the urge to purge himself. Henry’s mind simply couldn’t process what was going on. Why would Lyra do something like this? He couldn’t shake the feeling of betrayal grasping at his throat and tightening. He couldn’t fucking breathe. 

“..Henry, what's wrong?” Lyra asked, touching his shoulder. Henry shot away from her and bolted out the front door, slamming it shut behind him.

Lyra stood there staring after him, tray lid in hand. She was hurt and confused. Why would he run from her and why did he recoil from her touch? She didn’t understand. She’d done everything for him. All of this. After a minute of standing in silence Lyra could hear Henry’s pained distant sobs.

Lyra paused for a second trying to figure out what to do, lost in thought, staring at the door after him, before she realized she didn’t need to do anything at all. Her eyes went dark and without a word she pulled her kitchen chair out, the wood scraping against the floor.

She slowly sat down and grabbed her fork, stabbing the perfectly cooked bird. Then she took a knife and with expert precision, cut a tender piece of meat off the bone, and brought it to her mouth.

~DAY SIX~

Acceptance

3PL POV

“COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO”

Henry’s morning began in silence.

Jack’s habitual call was conspicuously absent. Henry had gotten up early, so early it felt like the world hadn’t woken up. Yet, here he stood fully dressed, moving by the light of a single candle in what felt like the darkest hour of the morning.

He was outside, crouching down, with a tiny candle to illuminate the area where Jack the rooster once lived. Henry pressed his lips into a thin line as he focused on the brownish-red stain in the mud. The undeniable evidence of his loss. He closed his eyes and turned away.

Henry’s heart plummeted as he heard the wooden door to his home creak open. 

“Henry?” Lyra’s voice cut the silence. 

The sound of her voice had once been the gentle current caressing a smooth stone, but now, all it carried was a tenebrous fog, dragging the stench of last night’s meal with it.

He stood up as Lyra emerged from the house, walking straight up to him. Before she could say anything, Henry simply handed her his burning candle and started walking toward the Alistair estate. His already shadowy form grew more distant as he moved deeper into the pre-dawn darkness.

---------------

By the time Henry reached the estate, the sun still had not peeked its golden eyes out across the horizon. Only a few servants could be seen about, getting a head start on the day's tasks. He slowly made his way to the now familiar kitchen of the east wing. The Murphys had yet to arrive, it was so deathly quiet here. Henry sat at the table and laid his heavy head in his hands. He felt almost as if he would suddenly begin weeping uncontrollably, as he did yesterday at the loss of one of his closest friends.

One might find it silly that he considered a bird a friend, but Jack was closer to that of family.

DISSOLVE TO:

A Young Henry Dorran on his way to visit his family’s farm. Not a care in the world, just a fishing pole at his back. 3PL POV.

Henry, twenty years old, felt the familiar spring in his step as he walked toward the Dorran family farm. He’d taken the day off to take his little brother, James, fishing. A broad grin stretched across his face as he marched along, a fishing pole dangling over his shoulder. He was only a half-mile out when the sweet smell of hay was abruptly cut by something else: an almost unbearable bitterness in the air. It was strange, but he tried not to think too deeply into it.

“Henry? Dad, it’s Henry!” A voice called out.

Henry turned to look, it was one of his childhood friends, Joanne. She stood on her porch, biting her nails. He raised his hand and gave her a wave. His face fell slightly when she didn’t return it. He shrugged it off and continued on his way.

“Henry, lad, come here,” Henry turned back to see Joanne’s father rushing over to him with a serious expression.

WIPE TO:

An older Henry Dorran sitting alone in the east wing kitchen of the Alistair countryside estate. Thinking of memories, not so fond. 3PL POV.

This was the day Henry’s life completely changed. Everything had happened so fast, almost as if a blur by comparison. That day, young Henry found himself running faster than he had ever run in his life. That day Henry witnessed the aftermath of a deadly fire that took the lives of his parents and younger brother.

That day, he’d run straight toward the fading heavy black smoke of his family’s hay fields, instantly overwhelming his senses. That day, he closed in on the distant aroma of ash and fading embers. The sickening stench of burning hair, flesh, and manure clung to the air. That day, Henry couldn’t breathe, each inhale was a complete assault on the senses, his lungs filling with pungent and unfamiliar odors.

It turned out that the fire that took his family from him had happened the day prior, and not one person bothered to make sure he was informed that he was utterly alone in the world,... or so he thought.

That day, young Henry came across a small chick struggling to free itself from fallen debris. Like a phoenix that rose from his family’s ashes, there he was, a majestic little thing called Jack.   

Henry sat at the kitchen table, praying for the memories to leave him in peace, but after everything that had happened he knew there was no such peace to be had. An hour of complete hell elapsed before the Murphy’s came clamoring through the door.

“Shit boy, you scared the life out of me!” Mr. Murphy shouted, as soon as his eyes adjusted to Henry in the dark room.

“Goodness, Henry. What's got you in here in the dark?” Mrs. Murphy asked, hurrying to light the room.

"Couldn't sleep." He replied. 

Mr. and Mrs. Murphy looked at one another, Henry's brief reply was all they needed to know that something wasn't right. They might not have been adept in the art of words, but they both knew what good the comforts of food could provide and quickly set to work. 

After a short while the Murphy’s placed a steaming cup of coffee and a braided piece of sweet smelling bread before him. Henry clenched his fists, the weight of his emotions and Murphy's kindness were quite heavy to bear in that moment. He took a deep breath, looking up at them, feeling more pathetic right now than he had ever felt in his life. He gulped and attempted to speak. 

“T-thank you,” His voice cracked. He'd choked and now he found himself staring at the ceiling, willing tears away with everything he had. 

“Eat up, dear,” Mrs. Murphy said, placing a motherly kiss on the top of his head, before setting off on her daily tasks.

Mr. Murphy had stalked over to stare at Henry, hands clenched in his apron pockets. They stared at each other, Henry eyes red and dry, his face an open book, while Mr. Murphy's eyes were focused and his face unreadable. Just as Henry began to grow uncomfortable, the man spoke.

“You big baby,” Mr. Murphy said, slamming his hand on the table and walking off towards his work.

Henry looked down, a single piece of candy lay before him. Wrapped in light blue paper.

The Murphy's did not bother Henry again, they simply set off to work as usual, loudly bustling about. Henry liked that, he liked being able to process his emotions around other people without having to be bombarded with questions. He was thankful for their kindness and respect for this unspoken change in him.

Henry reached down and took a sip of the hot coffee, then a bite of the warm chocolate-filled bread. He liked it, it was sweet and inviting. Just like the Murphy’s, he thought, placing the small piece of candy in his pocket.

---------------