Christmas riddles...(Narrative; For Beauty)
Walking was...difficult. Trying. But Heaven. He finally had his independence back...or at least some of it. And he needed to walk. It helped nurse the atrophied muscles in his knee and leg from having even broken and in disuse for so long. He had his cane if he needed it, which he had chosen for this very occasion. Otherwise he was restricted to using a crutch, and where was the class in that? There wasn't any. It screamed 'cripple' and Eddie didn't want that image. At least not today.
No no, today was far more important. He had business.
Playing hooky from physical therapy was doing wonders for his ego that morning, despite it being earlier than most were even up. The sun had even yet to fathom touching the horizon, much less rising to make its presence known. That was the way Eddie wanted it, though. The darkness was doing him some good, and the brisk air was doing its job in keeping him focused.
Edward had dressed for the occasion, as minuscule as it might seem. It was important evening the intended didn't even get to see him in action. He didn't care. The point was what mattered.
Slowly Eddie trudged down the sidewalk, cane holding most of the weight of his still stiff limb. He was dressed in his favorite green suit, with the exception of the usual bowler's hat, and green matching shoes. Tucked into the breast pocket of his suit was the handkerchief Beauty had given him. It was folded delicately, the embroidered red roses visible over the top part of the pocket for all to see.
Tucked under a slender arm was an envelope. It was green, as usual, and bore a green, glittery question-mark symbol on the front. A clear message that he knew the smart woman would pick up on. He only hoped that once she opened it she would understand the gravity behind the gesture. Something Edward never did for anyone.
He reached Bookmark Books in the next moment, pausing to peer in through the door at the dark store. Offering the glass his signature smirk, the criminal pressed the envelope against the pane on the front door where it would be visible. Where Beauty would see it. Or perhaps the other that worked here, the male, would find it and get worked up. That was alright with Eddie too, despite the consequences.
With the task done, Edward turned on his heel, slowly, and departed back the way he had come. He left naught but the envelope for Beauty, and hoped...prayed she would understand.
It was a simple offering of peace. She had given him one when she had seen him last and he had failed up until now to return the favor. However the weight of this was far larger than she would have expected.
In the envelope were two things: the first a handwritten note from Edward which explained what the second item was, and why it was there. The second item was the entire point of the trip: a necklace of simple gold chain with a vial attached. Within the vial swam Hulk-serum. Effie had created it, and Edward had some.
The letter went as follows:
My dearest Honour,
I do realize that this is probably not the way you prefer to receive things, however due to my condition and the fact that there are so many things I can accomplish in a day I felt it was only right to deliver this to you in person. So please excuse the initial shock or amount of fear this envelope might have brought to you. Because you know it surfaced.
This vial contains the only effective way to cure what sickness the Hulk manages to bring. How I came across it isn't the point, but it's fool proof. All you have to do is shoot it at the beast and voila! You have a man. The weight of this gift might be too heavy for you, and I can understand that. But it's necessary for your protection.
You see, my son-in-law can be dangerous. Hulk has attempted to kill Effie several times while in that state, and Hulk's recognition of people and faces isn't something to rely on. You never know when you might get caught in a situation that turns sour, and then who will be there to save you? Your precious monster cannot always come to your rescue. And thus I have provided you with the key element to stop him. If you need to use it.
I wouldn't lock this away, nor would I damage it. I would carry it as close to your heart as possible. Life is unpredictable.
Consider this an offering of peace, and things yet to come.