Antoinette: Hard Day’s Work
Fog rolled over the land where strange noises reigned in the early morning. Tired footsteps pressed against the dirt and tiny rocks beneath their feet as they moved down the path toward the village ahead. They were waiting for her, for sure, but they were hiding behind closed windows and locked doors, fearful that the woman they had hired may have failed, or worse yet, had been manipulated by the creatures they feared. And yet, here she was, walking back to the village, holding a moist bag, which she was ready to simply start dragging because she was too tired.
The small woman, Antoinette, looked at what looked like the outline of the village through that fog and she took a deep breath. Ever since she parted ways with her partner in hopes of finding better jobs and monetary outcomes, she felt as if she had been getting the worse jobs out of the two. In the past two days alone, she had to fight wild animals and the occasional Horde warrior who managed to see her. The warriors she could handle, but the animals were sick, covered in fungi and diseases. That was her line. The worst part was that those animals were not naturally sick, but rather inflicted by someone and their cruel view of magic. Antoinette had dealt with witches before, but these people she found were beyond the magic users she was used to. She fought not only their magic, but the manipulations they cast on others and her as well. But she did was she was paid to do, and at the end of the job, she travelled to a small village where she had rented a room.
Locking the door, the small woman removed her helmet and released her long pink hair. She shuffled her tired feet to the bed and climbed up on it. Cursing her height, she finally settled in bed and placed her head on the pillow, closing her eyes as the flashbacks rushed back to her. “Damn it,” she muttered, and she opened her eyes once more. She opened her small hand and took the earpiece she was holding on to into her ear. Pushing the button, she called out, “Panther?”
There was silence for a moment. Antoinette sighed and she covered her eyes with her hand for a moment. Then she heard a man’s voice on the other side, “Monkey?” She smiled widely. She hated that name at the beginning but when he pointed out to her how often she climbed up on him to see over tall spaces, she began to accept it. At least from him alone.
“Hi, baby,” she said softly.
“How did it go? You sound tired.”
“Next time, you’re taking the hard jobs.”
He laughed softly. “Hopefully we’ll be working together again soon. Was it that bad?”
“Bad doesn’t even begin to explain everything I saw the past two days. I may go find you after this, France. I do have one more job lined up, but this place is horrid.”
“You can always come home, baby girl.”
“I know. The money’s not too bad, but I’m exhausted. How’s your cousin?”
“Moping as usual. We found a village that needed spiritual guidance, or whatever the hell they want to call it, so he ’s helping for donations. I completed two jobs today, so we’ll be fine when you come back.”
Antoinette chuckled. “Alright. I need to sleep. Sing me a song.”
A chuckle was heard on the other side of the communicator. “You’re safe, you know.”
“Just one song.”
The male voice began to sing a soft lullaby in darnassian. It was enough for Antoinette to close her eyes without fear, and then slowly fall asleep.
“Toni?” He asked gently. There was no response. “Goodnight, my little one. I love you.”