The Ash Inn Special - Brad

[leonic-0922.livejournal.com]

This has been cross posted to wliialove when it was Brad week

Title: The Ash Inn
Author: Me, Jade
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: G
Staring: Brad, Chip, Josie, Mike
Summary: This is another 'history piece'. This time it reveals why Brad became a hawk hybrid, and reveals why Josie and Mike (mainly Josie) objected to Brad coming in the first place.

The Ash Inn – Brad

 

“Mr Sherwood, are you quite sure you want to do this?” asked the scientist for the fifth time. Brad rolled his eyes. How many times did he have to tell them yes? He didn’t mind becoming a hawk hybrid, and he needed the money badly.

 

“I’m fine with it,” answered Brad in a very fed-up tone. “Get on with it.” He was lying on a dentist’s chair, his arms, neck and legs strapped down to stop him from resisting. Sitting beside him on a stood was the scientist.

 

“It will hurt,” warned the scientist. “The mutation of the cells is a very painful process.”

 

“I’ll be ready for it,” Brad assured him. He felt something sharp pricking him gently. A split second later, without warning, agony shot through his entire body. He cried out at the top of his lungs as the mutation took place. Something funny was happening to his left arm, and what felt like hundreds of huge splinters were forcing their way through his back, through layers of tissues, veins and bones.

 

The pain was too much for Brad to cope with. Everything went black, all feeling was lost, and the world went silent.

 

***

 

When Brad awoke, already he was feeling different. He was no longer strapped down, which was a relief. He got up and walked across the room to a long height sized mirror and exclaimed in shock as he saw what he now looked like.

 

He now had a pair of splendid grey hawk wings coming out from his back. His left arm had also changed – where there had once been a hand and half an arm, there now was a beautiful orangey yellow talon. He noticed his eyes had a slight shade of yellow.

 

What have I become?, he thought as he examined himself again and again. I’m no longer human, nor am I a pure hawk. I have become a mix of both. He had never guessed his hybrid transformations would result in this. This means I can fly … and understand what hawks say … and I have the use of a talon. The very idea wasn’t too bad. The door opened and the scientist came in, a clipboard and pen in his hands.

 

“Mr Sherwood,” he said. “The mutation went well. You are now a hawk hybrid. However we will need to do some further research, then you will receive your pay in due course. I would like you to start by gently flapping your wings.” Brad watched in startled amazement as his wings began to flap. He had no idea how he did it; it just happened naturally. Behind him, he could hear the scientist scribbling eagerly on his clipboard.

 

“Very good,” smiled the scientist. “Can you perhaps lift off the ground?” For a moment nothing happened as Brad tried to take off. The scientist was looking slightly downhearted as he watched Brad. Just when all hope seemed lost, Brad felt himself hovering unsteadily in the air. Before he could hold on any longer, Brad returned to solid ground. In the mirror’s reflection, he could see the scientist writing so fast Brad wondered if the words could be later deciphered.

 

For half an hour more tests came. Brad soon developed his skills of flying, and was shocked to discover he could speak the hawk language. His talon was as easy to use as his hand – he could use it to easily break, cut, scratch or prise open things. The more he used his hybrid parts, the more he realised just how advantaged he was. He even discovered – much to his and the scientist’s shock – that he could actually speak hawk so fluently it was like he had grown up speaking nothing but hawk.

 

“Well, Mr Sherwood, you have been a great help to us,” said the scientist when the tests had finished. He took out a pouch from his pocket and handed it to Brad. “Your pay.” Brad took the pouch and opened it eagerly. His face fell when he looked inside. He had expected a high pay, as they had promised him. Instead the scientist had handed him enough money for two months. Then his disappointment turned to anger.

 

“You said I’d get enough to support myself for a long time,” snarled Brad as he faced the scientist.

 

“Your contract said you would agree to become a hawk hybrid. Inside the contract, it clearly stated that becoming a bird hybrid would result in lower pay than other hybrids,” said the scientist calmly.

 

Anger swelled up furiously in Brad. Before the scientist knew what was happening, something heavy flew past him. A split second later the scientist screamed as a talon tore his throat, sending blood everywhere. Brad’s bad landing sent him skidding a short distance on his knees. He stood up, one of his knees throbbing with pain. His chest was rapidly rising and falling, blood dripping off his talon. He looked at the scientist, who was crumpled on the floor, dead in his own pool of blood. The blood had soaked the clipboard, making the paper unreadable.

 

What have I done? Thought Brad with a sense of horror. Had he really just killed? I can’t stay here! What if I kill more? I’ll have to go somewhere else … But where? Suddenly the answer came to him. There was only one person left who he could turn to.

 

Chip.

 

***

 

Chip whistled brightly as he stacked up the chairs. It was now a quarter to ten, and the Ash Inn was closed. Behind the bar, Josie and Mike were busy arranging the drinks and the glasses. The customers had come in like a heavy flood, and it had been a successful day, one which Chip rarely saw.

 

As Chip shut the windows, he glanced outside in the night sky. It was a clear night; the full moon was shining brightly, but the stars had disappeared among the blackness of the sky. Chip was about to shut the fifth window when he stopped and looked up. Was it just him, or was he seeing a dark figure flying through the air?

 

“It must be my imagination,” murmured Chip as he followed the figure. He watched as the figure descended down, straight at them. A beam of moonlight was thrown at the figure, and Chip recoiled in shock, his hip colliding painfully against the corner of a table.

 

“Chip, are you alright?” asked Josie. Her voice sounded very afar.

 

“I’m fine,” answered Chip as he glanced out of the window again, to make sure his tired brain wasn’t playing any illusions on him. Was that flying figure Brad? As he stared more closely, he suddenly realised Brad was flying straight towards him. He could tell Brad wasn’t going to be able to make the front door …

 

He flew open the windows as wide as possible, ignoring the looks from Mike and Josie. He hastened to take down the chairs to several nearby tables just as Brad went flying straight through. There came a loud crash as Brad’s wings knocked off several chairs. Chip’s Samurai senses kicked into him and he did a backflip in time to avoid Brad colliding into him. He landed on the floor on his front. Overhead, Brad went crashing into the bar. Chip could hear Josie giving a startled scream, and Mike shouting something.

 

“Sorry,” said Brad as he stood up. He was rubbing his head with his human hand. “I really need to practice landing more.” Chip got up and almost fell back down as he saw the damage. Brad had literally caused a crater in the side of the bar.

 

“Brad?” whispered Chip. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing. “Is that really you? What happened? Is that blood on you?”

 

“Can we go somewhere else to talk?” asked Brad. “Please. I want to keep this private.” Chip nodded and took Brad into his turret. The moment Chip closed the trapdoor Brad explained everything. Chip took it all in, and a stab of pity attacked Brad’s story in his mind. Chip had known Brad had been having financial trouble, but he could have never believed that it had grown too out of control.

 

“You could have come to me,” said Chip when Brad had finished. “You know I would have helped you. I could’ve gotten you a job; we’ve been one bartender short for two months now –”

 

“I thought Niall worked here?”

 

“He did, but he was forced to resign from here, one of his other inns was in trouble because one of their newly recruited staff was stealing money,” answered Chip. He sighed. “We can’t undo what’s happened, and I think you’ll be stuck as a hybrid forever. Well, what are you going to do next? Are you going to go to workplaces where hybrids work? Are you going to remain the way you were before you became a hybrid? Or will you accept a job offer from me?”

 

“Are you serious?”

 

“Does this face look like it’s kidding?” Chip smiled. “Brad, we’ve been mates for so long, it’s only proper I offer you the last vacancy. And anyway, you’ll have a roof over your head! And I have a feeling your hybrid form might prove useful.”

 

“How?” asked Brad. He couldn’t think of anything useful … alright, he could fly, that could help him get past the crowd easily … his talon could be used to uncork stubborn corks …

 

“You’ll see,” said Chip. “So, are you going to take it?”

 

“Yes I will,” said Brad. Chip’s smile grew wider. He went over to a nearby drawer and took out a bunch of keys and a half apron. He passed them over to Brad.

 

“The tiny bronze key is the key you will need to unlock or lock your trapdoor,” explained Chip. “The second tower is free. The big gold key is used for the main front doors. The silver key works for the right door – the door which only staff can go through. Opening times are nine to eight thirty. I expect you to be down in the bar no later than eight thirty.” He glanced at the clock hanging opposite him. “I would advise you sleep. It is very likely your bird genes will make you wake up at the crack of dawn.” Brad uttered the smallest possible groan.

 

“And what about the damage I did?” asked Brad.

 

“I’ll think of a way you can pay it back,” replied Chip. He walked across to a ladder and began to climb up.

 

“Chip?”

 

“Yes?”

 

“I was wondering, do you still have all your old Samurai stuff?” Chip almost fell off the ladder at these words. He turned round to face Brad.

 

“Yes,” he answered. “Brad, please don’t talk about my Samurai days. I don’t want Mike and Josie to know how I lived my Samurai life, and it would be better if they didn’t know. My Samurai days are over. I now live my life as Chip Esten, owner of the Ash Inn branch in Rostville.” Without further ado, he went back up the stairs and disappeared from view. Brad could understand why Chip was so uptight about it.

 

I won’t say a word, he thought as he left Chip’s room. It would be poor repayment anyway. A couple of minutes ago, he had rebuilt my entire life, and for that I owe him.

 

***

 

“What do you mean he’s staying?” demanded Josie over breakfast the next morning. It was eight o’clock, and Josie, Mike and Chip were sitting at the bar, eating their breakfast. Brad, who really had got up at the crack of dawn, had been asked to take the rubbish to the rubbish dump.

 

“He’s in no fit state to be anywhere else,” snapped Chip. “Besides, I know he’ll be useful. He has certain abilities none of us have.” Suddenly there was a nasty feeling between all three, and a temporary silence fell.

 

“Chip, your Samurai skills could probably go as far as allowing you to fly,” said Josie coolly. Chip gripped his toast very tightly and his arm was shaking. He knew perfectly well the ability of his skills, and the flying, which was possible to a full extent, was a minor thing to him.

 

“Didn’t I tell you to not mention anything, anything, about my Samurai past?” demanded Chip, his voice shaking. Josie quickly got the message, much to Chip’s relief. “Why do you hate Brad so much anyway?”

 

“That is personal,” spat Josie. “It is none of your concern.”

 

“Oh really? If you and Brad have known each other before, it would be more helpful if you said something,” fired Chip. He had gone too far. Josie slammed her fist onto the table, full anger blazing in her eyes.

 

“NO, CHIP!” she roared. Chip swore several of the chairs had actually moved. “If you’re so interested in knowing what connection I have with Brad, you’ll have to pay a price to find out. What is it about your Samurai past that you want to keep so hidden from us? What is it that you’ve done? Surely all Samurais kill? What is there so disgusting about it?”

 

“ENOUGH!” screamed Chip. He stood up so fast his chair toppled over. “My Samurai past will stay with me! I am not proud of it, and I DO NOT want to talk about it. What honour will there be left if I told you? Now you better stop whinging or I axe your wages in half for the following six months.” Josie looked horrified, and Mike was starting to look scared.

 

“You wouldn’t dare …” said Josie.

 

“I would. I’m now in charge of this inn, and I can do what I want,” said Chip firmly. He kicked his chair behind him. It flew up and landed on all four feet. He sat down and finished eating his breakfast. The silence was horrible; he could feel Josie’s eyes burning on him, watching him closely. It was a huge relief when Brad came back. Almost at the same time Josie stood up, her empty plate in her hand.

 

“Mike and I want to speak to you afterwards,” Josie whispered into Chip’s ear. Then she left for the kitchen. Chip glanced at Mike, who was avoiding all eye contact.

 

***

 

“Guys, I’ve only got fifteen minutes, so you better be quick,” said Chip as he closed the trapdoor to his turret. He wasn’t sure about leaving Brad on his own; after all it was only his first day on the job. It was exactly one o’clock, and Chip, Josie and Brad had just finished their lunch break. Mike had been on duty while they were eating. Before he could even sit down, Josie had insisted she and Mike spoke to Chip. Chip had resigned to her, and so they had gone to his turret.

 

“We will be,” said Josie coolly as Mike’s stomach gave a loud grumble.

 

“You better be,” corrected Mike.

 

“Josie, if this is about Brad, please don’t start again,” complained Chip. “I’ve told you, he’s staying. That’s that … Unless you have a good reason why he shouldn’t stay.”

 

“I do,” said Josie, her voice going colder by every word she spoke. “Brad Sherwood destroyed my family. He’s a rogue, Chip, a rogue. Before Sherwood destroyed my family, my father happened to be a Liege lord to the King. We were the most valued of them all; I remember the day when it was all destroyed because of Sherwood.” There were tears coming into her eyes. She ignored them and continued to talk.

 

“I had a very comfortable childhood. I remember I used to wear nothing but the finest silk dresses. It happened just three years ago. It was midnight, and we were all asleep. I was woken by a dreadful cry of agony, coming from my father’s room. Naturally, I ran to see what the matter was, and I found my father was dead on the floor, a dagger stabbed in his chest. And standing above him was Sherwood.”

 

“How are you sure it was him?” asked Chip, sounding very unnerved.

 

“It was the full moon, so I could see his face clearly. I recognised it the moment he came flying in.” Chip was now looking very shocked. He gripped the back of his chair for support, his face drained of any colour.

 

“I have known Brad for a very, very long time,” said Chip darkly. “I know many things about his past. During the time you saw him, he was under orders from the great Samurai fiend Yakuza. The fiend was killed by me two years ago. It was also my last kill. I retired with honour, knowing I had done the world a great favour.”

 

“So what’re you going to do?” demanded Josie. “Are you going to ask him to leave?”

 

“No,” answered Chip very firmly. “He stays with us.” Josie was looking outraged. “I know Brad’s past in more detail than anyone else. He has a good heart Jose, he had to serve Yakuza because he started his life as a poor man. He has nowhere left to go. His family is dead Josie, I am practically family. He only has me left.”

 

“Chip …” Josie turned to Mike. “Say something!” Mike remained silent. Chip knew Mike didn’t object as much as Josie; however he could tell Mike shared some of Josie’s hatred for Brad. Josie looked incredibly angry. “Fine! So be it!”

 

***

 

Josie refused to work on the same shift as Brad. She managed this during the day without much excuse; only two were needed for the afternoon as there weren’t many customers. However, there were so many customers in the evening all four had no choice but to serve on the bar.

 

“Brad, be careful,” Chip whispered into Brad’s ear when he got the chance. Brad nodded, understanding what he meant; some drunken customers would probably decide to make fun of Brad, and it would be down to Brad to contain his anger; several deaths would forever kill the reputation of an “all arms friendly inn”.

 

For the first half hour of the jam packed inn, nothing happened. Suddenly Josie screamed. All heads instantly turned to her, and everyone could see why she screamed. She was struggling to release herself. A big man had clamped one arm around her waist, and had forced her to sit on his lap.

 

“Let go of me!” she screamed. Anger swelled up in Brad again. He took off from behind the bar – ignoring Chip’s cry of, “Brad, no!” – and flew to rescue Josie from the man. Although the man was bigger than any of them, Brad had an advantage. The man yelped as Brad made a gash across his arm, forcing him to let go of Josie. Josie instantly ran back to the bar just as Chip jumped over it.

 

WHAM! A fist slammed against Brad’s face, knocking him to the floor. He tried to get up but cursed as he saw the man was treading on his talon. Suddenly Chip came hurtling out of the blue and in a well aimed backflip kicked the man twice on the chin. At once the man changed targets from Brad to Chip. Brad cried out loud as the man stood up, his weight crushing down on his talon.

 

“Hang in there!” yelled Chip as he moved backwards. The crowd parted, leaving Chip and the man clear space. Chip jumped up and slammed the man down onto the floor. He howled as the man kicked him straight in the fork of his legs. Cursing loudly, he rolled out of the way, leaving the man free to advance on a defenceless Chip.

 

Suddenly a blur of feathers and a fist met the man’s face. Howling he recoiled as Brad neatly landed, both feet touching the floor. Before he could even react, Brad slammed him against the wall, pure terror in his eyes.

 

“Get out and don’t come back,” he hissed through gritted teeth. The man nodded. Brad let go and the man instantly scarpered out the front door. Several seconds later Josie walked over to Brad.

 

“Thank you Brad,” said Josie. “I don’t know what would’ve happened if you hadn’t been here.”

 

“Nice one Brad,” said Chip as he got off the floor.

 

“Yeah, good one,” added Mike.

 

For the briefest of moments, all hatred towards Brad was forgotten. Josie was glad Brad had been there. Josie could see just what Chip meant about Brad. He really wasn’t a bad person.