blood-spattered angel

[Beatrix is rare in her habits, at least for a working woman of some respectability. She and Tallulah rise at midmorning, cleans her wounds, if any, dresses and readies herself, and makes her way through the town to do errands. She is a wife in nature if not quite in name yet, happy to take care of the household chores while Walter is at work. These are simple tasks for the most part: restocking on soap, picking out something to cook for dinner that evening, joining the washerwomen to launder their clothes, sweeping out their little flat. These take her through the marketplace and in the shops of the surrounding area, greeting friends, bumping into acquaintances, and sometimes coming face to face with a competitor or enemy.

When she has time between activities, she composes several short missives to the people she knows well:]

( Iris )

( Anna )

( Walter )

[It’s when the day’s fading into dark throughout the city that Beatrix’s day really begins. She seems brighter-eyed with the setting of the sun, her smile fresher on her face; Tallulah all but purrs in anticipation, her lioness’ crepuscular nature showing. This is when Beatrix strips off her dress, pulls on a pair of men’s breeches, and wraps herself in a long dark coat suitable for running through the alleys and around corners to wherever it is they’re fighting this evening.

And when the Blood-spattered Bride returns to the ring to box, it’s no wonder nighttime is her favorite time of day.]

[When Beatrix speaks her voice is hesitant, perhaps a little disturbed, for such a brief and pleasant message. Those who are aware both of her and the current date may be able to guess why.]
To whoever left them outside my door, thanks for the flowers.

[Private to Ben]
My warden informed me about your situation. Check in. [She knows he'll respond better to that than to an "I'm so sorry, are you okay?"]

[Private to Kon]
...Hey.

[Private to Iris]
I need you to let me into the pub.