06-20. Remember Me?

On a certain evening, Emad showed up at the local dive bar. Not many people were there, but he made sure his presence was known. 

He kept the bartenders busy rambling on about nothing in particular. He placed drink orders one after another.

And when the juice began to take effect, Emad put on quite a performance. He was loud and boisterous, even did some raving. He stayed in the bar until the ladies kicked him out at closing time, 4:00 am.

Emad stopped by the Woeful Warehouse for a brief check in. The news he received was not to his liking.

Emad: You left early? Without making sure? You bumbling lame-brained ... !

Antwon: Wait! Your wife showed up! I hid around the corner and came back later. The job's done.

Emad: It better be or it's your head next time!

_____

At dawn, Emad arrived home. Luck was still with him. Bo had decided to check on the horse before work. So it was the son who discovered the body. But by then, no amount of CPR could help the old man.

During the next few days, Emad stayed out of Bebhinn's way. She was all business. He hadn't seen her shed a single tear. Bebhinn was dealing with her father's will and estate legalities. Of course, Emad would examine all those forms and documents later when it came time for signatures. 

But for now, he kept a low profile. The family doctor was calling the death an "unfortunate accident." Mr Walsh had tripped and fallen into the icy pond around midnight during an unusually heavy Spring frost.

_____

Larry Walsh knew his death had been no accident. But that was about all he remembered. He just knew though. Someone he trusted had betrayed him.

And Larry wasn't leaving Rinn Fada until he got his revenge.

He wandered through his old home that first morning, barely conscious. No one else seemed to notice him either. Not yet anyway.

Then Larry made contact. Sparky the horse saw him and knew who he was!

But Larry couldn't continue his haunting. His spirit faded and was drawn back to the grave. Larry slept.

_____

The next night, Larry caught sight of a familiar man. Who was he now? Larry remembered some angry words. Threats. But then ... there was something about Bebhinn. What about Bebhinn? 

Oh, yes! His daughter and this man, they were together now. In his home! Like they owned it instead of Larry. That could not be right! He had to speak to Bebhinn and tell her. This home belonged to HIM!

Larry: Bebhinn. Bebhinn. ... Listen.

Bebhinn: Father! My god!

Larry: I see them. Shouldn't be there. 

Bebhinn: Hush, Father! You must leave!

Larry: Not dead. No. No. No.

Bebhinn: What, what are you saying?

Larry: In the fog. They killed me.

Bebhinn: Father, it was an accident. No one was there. No one.

Larry: They were THERE! ... Grabbed me. Forced me under.

Bebhinn: No. Go away, Father! This can't be happening.

Larry: One came. One left. Still alive. But no help for me. No help ... for ... me.

Bebhinn: No! Father, I won't listen anymore!

Bebhinn rushed from the house and drove away. Larry floated alone through the rooms. He felt his energy failing again, but he had to remember. There was someone else. A young man.

Warned me. Who was he? ... Yes, the knight's medallion! ... Find the medallion. Find the knight.

06-19. Minions of Woeful Countenance

While Emad was romancing Bebhinn, he was also furthering his Evil Mastermind Plot. He needed minions and power puppets. While Bebhinn was at work one night, Emad spent some time at the village inn making plans.

What he'd seen of the locals hadn't impressed him that much. He needed an organization already in place--not an obvious criminal group, but something that would make for a better cover.

The Brethren of the Woeful Countenance would be the perfect society to corrupt. It was a small, seemingly insignificant group, but they enjoyed a great deal of influence in the community.

The lodge's standing was due mainly to the two founding Brethren, Larry Walsh and Eddy Ryan, a couple of town elders. Locals respected the men even though they secretly snickered at their outdated beliefs.

Emad tracked down the Brethren, one by one. He introduced himself as Knight Bunter's long-lost kin. His little brother apparently had done some mercenary work for the lodge.

Ironically, one mission had been to vanquish the Kraken terrorizing Rinn Fada. The Kraken had turned out to be Emad himself. But no need for the Brethren to discover that small detail.

One of the Woeful group was a certain Antwon May, a former Wimsel research subject. Emad knew that Majid had once had his own problems with this guy. (See how Bunter Takes Out the Trash in an earlier chapter.)

Antwon: I don't need another lousy out-of-towner telling me what to do! Keep your ideas to yourself!

Emad: Hold your tongue, you loud-mouth buffoon! I'm not my brother. A couple of punches and banishment aren't my style. You push me, I'll make you disappear for good!

_____
There was another Woeful living with a couple of Majid's former love interests. Emad was already familiar with Ruth, the musician twin he'd met at the Wimsel wedding. Ah, if only he had more time at the moment ...

But recruitment came first. Vincent Fitzpatrick wasn't quite a total waste of humanity. Close, but not quite.

He did exhibit advanced scientific abilities. Emad discussed the possibility of Fitz rising in the lodge's ranks based on these nerdy contributions.

_____
The only other Woeful member that mattered to Emad was Elder Ryan. He was a much milder man than Walsh. More of a toady really.

Emad: With my backing, you can begin to exercise a lot more authority in the Brethren than you dared before.
Eddy: Well, I don't know. Larry, that is, High Elder Walsh might not agree to these changes.
Emad: You just leave the High Elder to me. I guarantee he'll see it my way.

Eddy: I do believe a celebration is in order, my dear! You can buy that new dress you've been wanting.

_____
Emad:  Call the Brethren together. I need them to meet me at our new facilities.
Antwon: Not the room above the grocery store?
Emad: No, the secret warehouse by the science lab.

Antwon: Everyone knows where that warehouse is. No secret there, Faraz.
Emad: Just do it! And keep your feedback to yourself!

Of course, Antwon was right. A random townie also showed up for the secret meeting. Emad ignored him. Maybe he'd recruit the fellow later. Swear him to silence.

Emad: There's something I need you to do, May.
Antwon: Oh man! Why me? Can't Bloom do it?
Emad: Bloom! Are you kidding? That goofball can barely zip his own pants!

Emad: It has to look like an accident, you hear me? An accident.
Antwon: And what am I going to get out of this?

Emad: You? Why, I don't know. Maybe you'll get to keep both your ears.

06-18. To Each His Own...or...What Is Wrong With You Two!

While writing the last of my Rinn Fada chapters, Emad and later his wife Bebhinn were part of my active household. I helped them earn lifetime rewards and build skills before I sent them off to Townie Land.

Sometimes though, I left them to their own devices, free will engaged. It didn't take long for me to realize Emad and Bebhinn both needed Death Flowers in their inventories. They were going to need them.

You see, I'm not used to Evil couples. All my other couples are basically decent to one another. Well, maybe not Roy. But even he never thought about killing a romantic interest.

No, my usual couples care for each other. They garden together.

They coo and cuddle and make babies together.

But Emad and Bebhinn have their own ideas about romance.

Emad: Dear Bebhinn, I want to go skinny dipping with you ... alone. I'll show you a Kraken good time!

Little hearts and kissing doodles. Not quite the response he'd been hoping for.

Gossiping about your girlfriend with the guy she'd been having an affair with? That's just cold, man.

And what's the first thing you do when your lovely bride gets home? Why, you sneak over and ...

 ... scare the living daylights out of her! Because frightening an attractive woman is a real turn on.

And Bebhinn is no better. She may not be a Gold Digger, but I wasn't surprised when I saw she got her own ghost wish about Emad. Now both of them want to see each other dead.

Nothing says "I Love You" like a duel to the death!

Emad: Hey, Bebby, you want to go sit out in the snow and watch the stars? Afterwards, I can teach you how to juggle fire. I promise that'll get your hormones heaving!

Bebhinn: Oh Emad! You're SO sweet! And can you teach me how to throw knives too? I'm very good at archery.
Emad: Knife throwing was my next suggestion, gorgeous. I'll even let you sharpen the blades.

Emad: Stand closer, Bebby. If you want to feel real genie heat, the fire has to caress your soft, tender skin.

Bebhinn: Tomorrow, it's my turn to isssue a challenge. We'll go riding up by the lighthouse. Ever try jumping off cliffs while on a horse? Even for a Daredevil like you, Emad, it'll be truly death-defying!

Emad: I'm in, Bebby! Winner take all.

06-17. Little Wimsel

So much was happening at the Wimsel estate! There was Emad's nefarious plot to take over Rinn Fada. And Bunter making an honest man of himself. But Lord and Lady Piers had their own exciting news.

The night Piers and Hera got back from Al Medina, there was a full moon in Rinn Fada. They thought about it. Why not try for a baby that very night? If a full moon kiss was magical, baby-making would be even more so.

On their first attempt, they heard the chimes. The couple couldn't have been happier.

Hera told Caprice the good news.

Hera: Remember when we talked about you being a nanny for us? Would you still like to do that?
Caprice: I'd love to, Hera!

Piers: Bunter will be assisting with the research now, to free Hera's time. But she still wants to continue her writing and painting. We'd love to have you help with the baby. Would it be too much work, along with the gardening?
Caprice: Not at all. Taking care of the baby will be a joy!

Hera: Babies should know both parents, Piers. I want you to play an active role in our baby's life. It's important.
Piers: I'll do my best. But I don't know much about infants. I'll need to study up on the subject.
Hera: We'll study together, just like with all our research. But this time, you'll be assisting me.

Piers: You don't think the baby will be a plantsim, do you ... after that unfortunate lab accident I had?
Hera: You're completely cured now, darling. And even if the baby is unusual somehow, we'll love it anyway.
Piers: True, but I still have that herbal remedy I discovered, just in case we need it.

Hera: You're going to be a wonderful father, Piers.
Piers: Do you really think so? I don't relate well to people, you know. What if the baby doesn't like me?
Hera: The baby will love you, dearest ... just as I do!

Piers: I felt it move!
Hera: I keep wondering if it's a boy or a girl.
Piers: We'll run a test! There's been some recent studies done that suggest ...
Hera: Oh, Piers, I don't want to be a research subject.

Piers: You sure, Hera? We could set up a sound wave machine of sorts and attach it to your abdomen, then ...
Hera: No, darling. I think not. That would be just too, too vulgar.
Piers (sighing): Well, all right then.

Hera: I hope we have a girl. Would you mind, Piers?
Piers: I've also been wishing for a girl, darling.
Hera: Then we'll wish on a star for our little girl!
Piers: Well, if you like, but stars can't give real answers. Now if we used a sound machine ...

Hera: Piers, we are not using a sound machine! ... But if you really want to conduct an experiment, I have a suggestion. I could eat lots of watermelon. My old nurse once told me that melons make baby girls.

Piers: Sweetheart, there is absolutely no scientific proof of such a thing! Any more than bananas making boys.
Hera: Of course not, dear. Apples are what make boys. It's a known fact.

Piers: Hera, should you be engaging in this kind of exercise in your condition?

Hera: Oh Piers, this is lovely! Just what I needed.

Hera: It's time! Piers, it's time!!
Piers: Aaaahhh!!
Bunter: Aaaahhh!!

Hera: Hurry, Piers. We must get to the hospital at once!
Piers: Wait, darling! I have an idea. We should use the jetpacks! Much faster than a car.
Hera: Honestly, Piers!
Bunter: ... aah aah aah ....

They arrived at the hospital without incidence. Piers stumbled down the stairs, trying to clear the way for Hera.

Piers: We're having a baby. My wife ate watermelon. So it's going to be a girl. But maybe a plantsim. You never know. We were exposed to a mummy's curse too. Hope it's not a mummy. Could be a boy. We had apple pie one night. Oh god! All those WonderPetals! No telling ...

Hera: Darling, you're babbling. Leave the poor woman alone and come along now.

Welcome to the Wimsel family, little Kathryn! You were conceived during a full moon and born on Spooky Day.

Kathryn was in good health, just a little tired. Bunter gave both mama and baby a welcome home genie cleanse.

Nanny Caprice was eager to take her turn rocking the baby. Bunter serenaded Kathryn to sleep.

He hovered around the nursery, not sure if a valet's role included babysitting, but he thought maybe it might.

Caprice seemed to have Kathryn's care well in hand though.

But Piers was there first thing when he got home from work.

And first thing in the morning when he woke up.

Although, there were moments when Piers' anxiety would get the better of him.

That's when Hera stepped in. Kathryn was very close to her mama.