Diaries of an Ooze Witch (Entry 3.10 Part 1) (Patreon)

3.10

The party has come and gone, providing a wealth of things for me to speak on. Even now, I am still digesting everything that has happened, unsure if I exist in a dream, a nightmare, or worst of all, reality. All the players are known to me but that only begets more questions for me to seek answers to. What is clear is that my life has become more interesting the further I wade into this swamp of deceit and obfuscation.

At the start of the night, I made my preparations for the evening soiree, even finding a tailor on short notice to clothe me in appropriate attire for such an occasion. Jeru approached me to voice his misgivings about the party. Rare was it for him to be so apprehensive over my safety, but he felt it prudent to inform me of the potential trap that was awaiting me. Intrigued by his reasoning and harboring my own doubts, I decided to hear him out. Jeru impressed upon me that this Heidi I had met at church was not all that she seemed to be. From what information he had obtained from trolling the pubs, she had been in control of a foundry to the northeast of Placedo, responsible for melting down ores and refining them into useful metals. While she may have had some tangential relations with the Boheme Trade Company, Jeru found it odd that she was invited to a formal gathering in spite of her admittedly middle class origins. I could not dispute that it did come across as strange for someone of her demeanor to be involved with those merchants, but I could also see a blacksmith having contacts with a merchant company being relatively normal.

Jeru’s other problem seemed to stem from how easily I had garnered her attentions, striking a blow to my own ego. I am loathe to admit my social graces are lacking in some regard, but to slander me with talk of my aversion to the fairer sex? It was deserving of my annoyance in the matter. While it was true that women of her I;l rarely ever gave me a second glance, I had always presumed it was due to a difference in class, not something that spurred revulsion in women. Already with but a few scant words, Jeru had shattered my confidence in my good fortune, getting me to second guess that which I had assumed was steady. But if I were to accept that Heidi’s interest in me had been due to other reasons, what could her motives be to target a small merchant in Placedo?

Before I could formulate more questions in my head, I heard the approach of a carriage as hooves clattered along the cobblestone roads. I had decided to table these doubts for now and attend the party. Jeru wished me luck in my endeavors and continued to warn me of potential malfeasance. Bidding him farewell, I made my way to the street, ready to board the carriage and meet this event head on. But the moment I step outside, I was greeted with a radiant vision. Standing before me, Heidi waited with arms crossed as she dressed in exquisite emerald elegance. Her attire was a gorgeous green gown that clasped around the back of her neck, allowing ample access to her finely toned arms. The skirt came down just below the knees and wrapped behind her until it covered up to the small of her back, leaving the rest of her body scandalously bare. Her hair was done up in thick blonde curls that were piled atop her head. Heidi wore little make up, instead focusing on accentuating her already prominent features like he sharp nose and foreboding eyes.

I found myself at a loss for words as I stammered at her daring appearance. She seemed to pick up on this and glowered at me, almost daring me to comment on her outfit so that she could mock me incessantly. I said that she looked nice, a response that annoyed her but ultimately not one for her to take to heart.

The ride to the party was uneventful. I spent much of the time trying to find a way to make small talk with Heidi. She appeared less than thrilled at the prospect, instead sighing and looking out of the window as the city passed us by. Slowly, Jeru’s warnings crept their way back into my head as I sat in silence with this woman who seemed less my escort and more my caretaker. I could feel my indignation rising, wanting nothing more than to protest my treatment. But no, that would risk my progress to this point, and I could not let that happen. So instead, I kept it to myself suffering without a voice.

Stopping in front of the gathering, the attendants opened the carriage door for us as we stepped onto the street. I instantly marveled at the opulent mansion that stood in the distance, stricken by its beauty so much I could not help but reveal my immaturity in such matters. It took padding from Heidi to break me of my reverie and resume my trek to the manor.