Misunderstanding

Misunderstanding – Marlene x Floch

KibaRoark on dA

Marlene tugged on her yellow turtleneck shirt and sighed. She was meant to meet Floch at a nearby tavern for a meal and a drink. This wasn’t the first time that he had made a move to get to know her more intimately. Marlene wasn’t normally one to fall for charm or off handed plans, preferring to try and find someone who would be serious and stay by her side in the long run. However, she felt like Floch was different. They had certainly had their fights and disagreements before, but had always extended an olive branch. Before she had realised, Marlene was considering taking Floch’s small advances seriously.
Shaking her head to clear her mind, Marlene reached for her matching skirt. Stepping into the bright fabric, she turned to face her mirror. A look of insecurity flashed across her strong features.
“I always wear this out.” She scowled. “I don’t have any new clothes.”
Sighing, Marlene glided across her floor and out the door. The calm day that surrounded her was very different to the thoughts swirling around in Marlene’s head. Could she let down her guard and take Floch seriously? Or should she continue to play hard to get to protect herself from any disappointment? Marlene couldn’t decide.
She absentmindedly went to cross the road to their meeting point, when a horse and cart rushed by. Jerked from her thoughts, Marlene let out a yelp and jumped back onto the sidewalk but couldn’t avoid the mud kicked up by the horse. She looked down at her now ruined skirt.
“Just my luck.” She groaned.
Marlene glanced around to see if there was a tailor or a water source nearby. She found a small shop that sold second hand garments. Thinking that something was better than nothing, Marlene crossed the road carefully and entered the store. The girl behind the counter smiled at Marlene and welcomed her inside.
The slightly annoyed Marlene grabbed at the first skirt she could find, a black skirt that sat just above the knee. She showed the girl the garment and paid, asking if she could change at the back. When the girl saw her dirty skirt, she agreed.
“You can leave through the back door if you’d like, it exits at an alleyway that leads to the Ranch Tavern.” The girl smiled, pointing towards the back room.
Marlene thanked the girl and quickly changed her skirt. Taking up the sweet girl’s offer to use the back door, Marlene exited hastily and cursed her luck. She’d have to apologise to Floch for being late. Rounding the corner to exit the alley, Marlene saw two figures in a close embrace. As she drew closer, she realised that the taller figure was Floch cradling a woman in his arms.
The woman was petite and had fine features; she was smiling at him. Floch pushed her away from him gently and smiled a sheepish smile. He said something to her that Marlene couldn’t hear, but the woman nodded and ran away. In his hands, Floch held a bouquet of flowers.
“Floch?” Marlene called.
He turned to see her and waved. She stopped a few feet away from him and stood there awkwardly.
“You not coming?” Floch asked, confused.
“I’m allergic to flowers. Could you put them down or something?” Marlene replied.
Floch stepped out of the alley and Marlene saw him give the flowers to a random passer-by. He turned back to face her and held out his hands, showing that the flowers were gone. Marlene wasn’t sure how to feel. A lot had just happened. She sees Floch embracing a strange woman who had given him flowers, but when she appeared he was quick to get rid of gift. What was all that about?
‘Is Floch seeing another girl, is this a game to him?’ Marlene thought. ‘I shouldn’t have gotten my hopes up.’
“Shall we go?” Floch outstretched an arm to her, which Marlene didn’t take.
“Sorry, I’m not one for physical contact.” Marlene forced a smile.
‘It would be weird to back out now.’ She told herself. ‘Just fake it through this meal then you can go home and get ready for work.’

Floch led Marlene through the tavern and chose a seat next to a window. She reluctantly took her seat across from him, opting to stare out the window in an attempt to calm herself. Once again, Marlene found herself unable to think clearly. Why was this a big deal? It wasn’t the first time something like this had happened.
Floch was absentmindedly trying to make small talk with her, asking her about family or work. Marlene couldn’t find it in herself to form proper sentences – instead she responded monotonously with simple a ‘yes’ or ‘good’. A waitress soon appeared and asked for their drinks order. Marlene looked up at her with an anxious stare.
“Whatever is good.” Marlene smiled painfully.
“Yeah, me too.” Floch replied, giving Marlene a wink.
Marlene hummed in response.
“Are you okay?” Floch asked her, expecting her to be a little more upbeat.
“Fine.” She replied.
The man fell silent, unsure of how to react. He twiddled his thumbs and slouched in his seat. Marlene felt some guilt rise up in her chest. She felt bad that she was treating him poorly, but had he not met with another girl before her?
“So, what are others doing?” Marlene said.
Floch perked up slightly and eagerly engaged. Marlene plastered on a smile and pretended to listen. She had only asked to keep Floch talking so that she didn’t have to. They’d only sit in awkward silence otherwise.
When the drinks arrived, Marlene tentatively took sips – trying to time them to lulls in the conversation. Floch caught on to her quietness, he was sure that something was up. Was she sick? Maybe she didn’t like him?
“You’re very quiet today, Marlene. Are you sure you’re okay?” He asked.
“I told you I’m fine.” Marlene bit back.
“Obviously not.” Floch sneered. “What did I do?”
“You were with another girl.” Marlene let slip; she covered her mouth in surprise. “Nothing.”
But Floch had heard it. A smirk crossed his face, wanting to poke fun at her supposed jealousy.
“You were jealous.” He prodded.
She wasn't jealous, she was hurt. Marlene stood from the table. “Never.”
“But you were.” Floch leaned in.
“Go to hell!” Marlene answered loudly, disturbing the people around her.
Tears started to fall from her eyes and Floch realised what he had done. He had pushed her too far.
“Go to hell.” Marlene whimpered and ran out of the tavern.
Floch felt powerless to follow her. He had done this. Resting his head in his arms, Floch pushed his own drink away from him in disgust.
“Good job, Floch.” He sighed.
The people around him went back to their own business, quietly whispering about a lover’s quarrel or a bad break up.
“Yeah, something like that.” Floch responded to them in a whisper.
He rose from his own seat and trudged out of the tavern. Floch felt like an asshole.
“You’ll have to apologise.” He said to himself. “Find her something nice and apologise.”

As Marlene stormed away from the tavern she let the tears fall. She cried whenever she was angry – it was her defence mechanism. Floch had really gotten under her skin this time, but did she overreact?
“Ugh, damn you Floch.” Marlene groaned, making her way back to her room.
She dove onto her bed, rolling onto her back to kick off her shoes and wiggle out of her clothes. Feeling utterly miserable, Marlene checked the time. She still had a few hours until her shift at the bar. Marlene rolled onto her back and stared up at the ceiling, a few stray tears pricked at her eyes but they didn’t fall.
As the minutes passed, Marlene grew more and more emotional. Her head was swimming with thoughts and feelings. She was worried that Floch hated her, but why would she care? He had another girl to run too. She believed she had every right to react that way, but was it too much? Groaning, Marlene turned onto her stomach burying her face into the pillow. She had had enough of her brain.
“I should take a nap.” She said to herself quietly. “I think that’ll be for the best.”
Marlene got off her bed and drew the curtains. She then placed herself in the most comfortable position possible and tried to fall asleep.

Meanwhile, Floch was trying his best to find a gift for Marlene. He knew he had to make amends, but his mind was giving him grief, too. Do I need to go this far to apologise? She got way more upset than she should have? Was it my fault? I think it was my fault?
Floch struck out, punching a nearby wall. Pain shot through his knuckles as they pulsed from the sudden impact. Recoiling from the wall and cradling his hand, Floch straightened out. He continued walking the streets for a present, but what did Marlene like? She didn’t normally wear anything too flashy but if she did it was subtle. As he continued to fumble around, Floch settled on a jewellery store. He made his way inside and browsed the goods available for sale. Floch felt lost, he didn’t really know what women liked. The store clerk walked over to him and offered his assistance.
“She doesn’t normally wear jewellery, but if she does it’s quite understated but classy.” Floch explained.
“Perhaps something the lady can wear on wrist?” The clerk replied, showing the young man to the bracelets.

Two hours later Marlene woke from her nap, feeling a little better but not completely refreshed. She changed quickly and rubbed the sleep from her eyes in an attempt to look semi-decent for her shift. Marlene left her room without checking herself in the mirror; the thought of looking good for others was currently unappealing. As she made her way to the bar, Marlene reconciled her feelings. She would apologise to Floch when she saw him next.
Marlene’s shift was going routinely, rowdy drunk men having an arm wrestling competition and beautiful ladies finding partners to dance. She felt safe here, the people were nice and everything felt normal. Taking her spot behind the bar, ready to serve the next customer – the door opened. The little bell sounded prompting Marlene to look over at the entrance.
In walked Floch. He was carrying a bag and looked a little uncomfortable. Marlene’s safe space immediately shattered. She turned away from the bar and poured herself a shameless shot of alcohol. Floch took a seat at the bar, placing the bag on the floor between his feet. He looked up at Marlene expectantly. Looking over her shoulder, Marlene caught Floch staring at her. She turned slowly to face him.
“What can I get you?” Marlene asked awkwardly.
“Just some water, please.” Floch swallowed hard.
Marlene slowly picked up a glass and filled it was water. She placed it in front of him and stood back anxiously. The divide between the pair felt endless. Floch picked up the glass and took a sip. After he placed it down, he looked back up at Marlene. Feeling distant, he tried to close the gap.
“Um.” He started.
“I’m sorry.” Marlene blurted out. “Floch, I’m sorry.”
Floch waited patiently for Marlene to continue, surprised that she initiated the conversation.
“I overreacted to something trivial. I’m sure there was a reason that you were with that girl; I was just taken by surprise. I don’t normally go on ‘dates’ and stuff.” She concluded.
Floch smiled and rubbed the back of his neck.
“I had helped her father fix his cart the other day; their family business is wool. They wouldn’t have been able to sell at market tomorrow without it. She came to thank me with flowers she had grown.” Floch explained. “But I’m also sorry, I shouldn’t have poked you about feeling jealous.”
The pair fell silent. Floch took another sip of water and stood from his stool.
“After your shift, want to hang out? Properly this time?” He offered.
Marlene smiled softly.
“I get off in twenty.” She replied.

Twenty minutes later Floch met Marlene outside the bar. He held the bag up to her, gesturing for her to take it. Marlene grasped it.
“You didn’t have to get me anything.” She laughed.
“I wanted too, open it.” Floch urged.
Marlene looked inside, pulling out a flower. She almost dropped it but Floch spoke up.
“It’s paper. A paper flower for a woman who can’t smell real ones.” He rubbed his neck sheepishly, he felt really corny.
Marlene giggled, slipping it into her hair. She then pulled out a small box and gently opened it. The box revealed a silver band with a beautiful pattern engraved. Marlene was stunned.
“Floch it’s beautiful.” Marlene placed the bracelet on her wrist and held it up to the moonlight.
The band sparkled.“
So, about that date?” Floch held out his arm for her to take.
Marlene looped her arm with his, letting Floch lead the way. For the first time in a long while Marlene felt content with another person. She felt wanted and felt safe. Maybe Floch was the one she could spend her life with after all.