Linnaeus the Living Statue Part Four (special preview)

“Old habit?” I ask.

“Hmm?”Annemieke looks up at me then gasps when she looks at the cup. “Oh, I guess so.” She sets the cup aside. “Well, I can at least offer Robin something.” She looks at her hands. “I guess I won’t be needing it anymore.”

“You can still enjoy it, I mean, I used to drink those sodas back when we first met. It’s just not a necessity for you anymore.”

Annemieke sighs heavily. “I’ll have to get used to it. But at least you won’t fuss at me anymore for the microwaved burritos.”

I kiss her forehead as I slip an arm around her waist. “Ah yes, we’ve found our silver lining,” I tease. “Are you ok?” I then ask softly. “I mean, I know it must be a shock to you. All of it.”

Annemieke looks over her hands then touches her fingertips to her cheeks. “It’s all very strange,” she murmurs. “Old sensations are different while some remain the same. It’s like...hearing feels different now. I can’t explain it, but the way sound comes in is new. Even my voice-” Her hand slips around her throat. “It comes out different too. It’s my voice, but it feels different.” She huffs in frustration. “I am not doing it justice to how it all really is.”

“I understand.” I kiss her cheek. “It’s all new things you’re going to get used to, and it’s nothing to have to force either. Just take your time, no one is going to make you feel as if you have to.”

Annemieke sighs and places her head on my shoulder. “As long as you’re the same, everything will be fine.”

“Not to worry. I will never change, you can be sure of that!” I chuckle. 

There comes a knock at the door so I go to answer it. When I open the door, there stands a man who is tall and pale with long black hair and bright, crystal eyes. He grins widely as he sees me and he reaches out for my hand. 

“You must be Linnaeus!” His voice is a booming bravado. “Robin has told me so much about you. I am so excited to get to know you and your wife, Annemieke.”

“You must be Mr. Faire,” I gasp in alarm. I had not been expecting this for the Authaire Faire that Robin had told us about. This man was like an excitable puppy. 

“That I am!” He laughs. He then sweeps his arm back to a couple standing behind him. There is a man and a woman; the man is very tall and gaunt, the woman is petite, tiny and extremely adorable. 

“This is Bram and Coraline, the founders of Scarebrooke,” Mr. Faire replies. “They wanted to meet you and your wife since you’ll be joining them.”

Bram steps forward and extends his gloved hand. “I wasn’t sure until I saw you, but I think we have the perfect spot for you back home.”

I shake his hand and it feels bony. “Oh, that’s good.” I chuckle.

Coraline steps forward. “Don’t worry about a thing, we take care of each other at the carnival. It will be nice to have some new faces around Scarebrooke as well. It’s been far too long.” She then breaks into a smile as Annemieke comes up behind me. 

“Hello,” Annemieke says shyly. 

“You’re the artist!” Bram exclaimes excitedly. He instantly comes forward and takes her hands. “We bought one of your paintings from Robin ages ago! We absolutely love it.”

“Really?” Annemieke’s nervous smile becomes genuine. “Which one did you get?”

“We call her Esmeralda,” Coraline replies. “But she is the painting you did of the woman with snakes all around her. You put the individual gold flakes onto the scales of the snakes.”

“The Blessing of Athena! Yes,” Annemieke laughs. “I was always curious where they one went. Please, come in.”