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Seven or eight days later
Princeton Lynn is not a rash bear, or at least he likes to think so. Having spent years in Fortress Caerhayes as cook, he has seen all kinds of things in his life... even if a lot of it from the perspective of a mountaintop floating up above the countryside. He tends to pause to think, to ponder, to keep quiet until his voice is required in a situation... or at least, that's how he likes to think of himself.
Being a big black bear though, Princeton certainly carries certain kind of reputation. Of power, of violence, of anger. It's a bear thing, and it is not entirely unwarranted. He could tell stories of his family tree if anyone ever asked. To avoid that, he does speak and smile every now and then, to try and avoid scaring anyone he works with or makes food for. Which is to say, most of the workers of the Fortress, in some manner of speaking.
Anyone who actually knows him, knows he would not harm a fly. Even if his boss would like him to actually harm more flies so they don't propagate in the larder again.
He generally avoids getting into trouble, or getting other people into trouble, and that is best done by just saying put and making good food.
Today, though, he is about to do something rash.
Seeing the little mouse girl again as she desperately attempts to clean far too big floors with a far too tiny mop, he comes to a decision one late afternoon.
The bear, for once in his life, is on the move. To do something right.
He starts walking towards the small field mouse in a maid outfit.
Jennet has continued to follow the same routine alongside Olyvia for the past week, searching for some way to help her friend get a word to the right ear has continued to feel somewhat hopeless, and with the size of the castle, and the dust and ash from the constant grind of the engineering to steer the fortress means the floors never really 'get clean'. And as forced labor, they don't really get 'days off'.
She's done her best to work hard despite it all. She's never really done anything else in her life. She spots the bear down the hall and shivers slightly, keeping her head down, unaware that the bear is heading directly towards her.
Princeton walks with a purpose... then pauses. He hesitates, because he certainly knows just how intimidating he looks. So, once he's close enough to talk without raising his voice, he stops.
"Hello, there. How are you today, little one?"
Jennet jumps, glancing around to see if someone else is being addressed before looking up at the bear. Her ears fold downwards, and her tail curls behind her, "M-me , sir? Um, S-sorry. I'll mop faster."
Princeton is taken aback, lifting his paw: "Oh, no. If anything, I... if you can stop for a moment, I have a bit of a suggestion for you, if you'll listen to an old bear for a bit." He glances around the empty dining hall; plenty clean already if one was to ask him... not that anyone ever really does.
Jennet glances around, as if expecting this to be a trap. No lurking wolverine... "Y-yes sir, whatever you need."
The bear sighs and sits down on a bench, tapping it next to him as he smiles. "For right now, just sit down and listen. I've been watching you work." Though the bear is certainly huge, at a closer look he's also quite old, possibly older than this mountain or at least close to that proximity. There's gray in the fur around his snout and eyes, and what little short hair-fur he has, is grayed out as well. There's a kindness in his eyes; however harsh this fortress may be, it has not gotten to this old fellow.
Jennet hesitates, but then nervously climbs up on the bench next to the bear, "Y-yes sir. I just... I don't want to get in trouble, that's all."
Princeton nods sagely. "That is often the case with stowaways put to work. You are not here on purpose." Statement more than a question.
Jennet hesitates again, "N-no, Sir. My friend and I didn't mean to board at all... th-though no one will listen."
Princeton nods again. "It is not a fate that's terribly... fun, but that is the nature of the beast. Officially, the Fortress is obviously impregnable and no stowaways exist." He glances around the empty hall: "...unofficially, third of the crew on this level started as intentional or unintentional stowaways."
Jennet blinks, "R-really?" She pauses, thinking through the implications, "Does... anyone ever get out?"
The bear frowns slightly. "I want to say yes, that I have heard of some cases, but..." He glances at the mouse: "I do not wish to instill false hope. Once you are part of the Fortress, your chances of leaving are fairly slim."
Jennet slumps slightly, "Oh... I... I don't care much for myself. I have nowhere to go... my friend, Olyvia, doesn't belong here though."
Princeton hums. "Well. That is not something I can truly help with, unless she can fly. As you probably have realized by now, we are quite high up here."
Jennet nods sadly, "So I've heard. I don't understand it myself. I was just a farmer, Sir."
Princeton gives a soft laugh: "And I am just a lowly cook. That doesn't mean either of us are worthless."
Jennet tilts her head, "Sir? I still don't know what you want from me."
The bear blinks, then smiles: "Pardon me. Old bear trailing off." He takes a small breath before continuing: "How would you like to help me in the kitchen, instead of hopelessly mopping the floors?"
Jennet looks down at the mop and bucket she's been working with all day, "...err... I don't know... work is work. I don't know if I'm all that useful in the kitchen, but, if you tell me to, I'll help..."
It's hard to tell if the mouse wants the move or not, it's clear she doesn't fully understand what this might mean for her, but there's also a tinge of despair in her voice.
Princeton continues in a lower voice: "It is less... desperate work. With more purpose to it." And less likely to make you want to jump off the Fortress in few more years of it, he adds to himself.
Jennet looks up at the bear and nods, "Then... whatever I can do, sir. As long as it's okay with others..." The image of the angry wolverine flashes through her mind.
Princeton nods with a small smile: "I will, of course, clear that up." He offers his big paw for the mouse: "Princeton Lynn. Cook at these lower levels."
Jennet: "O-oh!" She cautiously extends her hand, shakily placing it into Princeton's. "J-Jennet... Jennet Plumleaf."
Princeton smiles, gently curling his huge fingers around Jennet's tiny ones and giving a firm shake: "Five coin a day, and meals here or in the kitchen, as before." He glances towards the kitchen: "Welcome to the team, Jennet."
Jennet eeps at the shake before the second shock hits her, "F-five coin a day? S-sir? But..."
The bear hums: "It's not much, but it is the least I can do." He stretches his back, letting out a sound somewhere between a groan and a roar: "Mmmrrgh!"
Jennet squeaks loudly at the roar, withdrawing her hand in an instinctual panic before breaking into nervous laughter. "Y-yes, sir..."
She swallows, "B-but... what about my friend? Olyvia?"
Princeton mmr's as he stretches: "Mm, sorry. Old bones aren't what they used to be."
Upon Jennet's question, he sighs: "Unfortunately, I can only add one garbage girl to the payroll. It is up to someone else to find her work."
Jennet sighs, grasping her tail between her hands, "O-oh... I... understand. But, I do promise to do my best, sir."
Princeton gets up and smiles, picking up the almost comically small mop and bucket in one paw: "Come. Let me show you around, Jennet."
Jennet nods, slipping back off of the bench as well. She swallows nervously but gives Princeton an honest smile, "Y-yes, Sir."
The bear smiles: "Please. Just Princeton. I don't need a 'sir' to make this old body feel even older."
Jennet nods, the familial tone making her feel a little better about all of this, "Yes s-ah, yes, Princeton."
Princeton nods: "Better. Now, your job will be less a single thing, and more... things I can not do anymore due to my size... or admittedly, age." He frowns slightly, but keeps further commentary to himself.
Jennet follows along, back into the kitchen, "Garbage girl, you said... I... I'll do my best. I'm a hard worker."
Princeton smiles as he leads the way into the kitchens: "I'm sure you are, Jennet. Let's get started."
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