Merida thought she was living in a dream. Higgs had come to save her, he had even used Scottish terms to tell off that sodding piece of shit Patrick, then she saw him burn him to a crisp? No, that didn't sound right... Or was it? Merida opened her eyes and moaned, feeling like she was held down by a bag of potatoes.
"Merida?" she heard a familiar voice say.
"Mr. Higgs?" she whispered.
A small laugh filled her ears as she felt a smooth hand touch her face.
"It's me... I finally found you."
"Aye, ye did lad...Edgar did what he was told then..."
"He's a good kid."
"I promised he could stay with us. I hope ye willnae mind..." she drawled.
Higgs chuckled. "He seems handy and I'm sure you'll find something for him to do... I'm sorry I didn't come sooner. I'm sorry that I... I thought for a moment that you left me."
"I was afeart ye would."
"But it was in the back of my mind... it wasn't until the month was over that it kind of... well..."
"I dinnae blame ye, lad. I dinnae blame ye..." She yawned. "I'm tired."
"You deserve your sleep."
"Then why am I blethering along with ye?"
She felt Higgs lay next to her and put his head on her shoulder. She put hers on his.
"I missed you, Merida."
"Aye, laddie, I missed ye too."
She felt him move and she looked up at him, frowning.
"What the devil's on yer head?"
Higgs looked up as his ears twitched. "Oh. Ears."
"What are ye now?"
"A kitsune... it's a creature from the Orient."
Merida frowned. "Ye curse run out of ideas?"
"Actually, I think so. There's only so much around here... and as for my ears, I can't get them to go back in because I'm so happy that I can't contain them."
As if on cue, his ears wiggled and Merida smirked.
"Well, at least I can tell what yer thinking now."
He put his hands over his ears, blushing.
"Don't..."
Merida turned away and sighed. "Leave me be, boy. I want to sleep."
"Right... um... before I go though, there's something I'd like to give you. It's something no one's ever gotten from me, not even my mom or my sister."
"What is it?"
Higgs leaned over her and put his head down, kissing her softly. Merida smiled a little.
"Ye got soft lips, Mr. Higgs."
"I'm your familiar for the month now. I've never let myself be someone's familiar..."
"What's that mean for me?"
"Whatever you want me to do, all you have to do is say it and I'll do it."
"Hmm... sounds nice. An ye up for volunteering ye time, clean the house then." She said tiredly.
Higgs felt the pull of the demand and nodded.
"Of course."

Lucus knocked on the door and waited for Higgs to answer the door. To his surprise, Edgar answered it.
"Who are you?" he asked.
"I'm Dr. Graves... Higgs sent for me?"
"I'll go get him. You wanna come in?"
"I think that would be most appropriate."
The boy shrugged and Lucus tried to figure out where in the world he came from as he walked in. He closed the door behind him as Higgs walked out and Lucus made a face at him.
"What the devil are you wearing?"
"The Orientals call them kimonos or some rot like that. I find it easier to wear when I'm in this form. Tails and all..." he said, throwing his chin to said attachments. "Are you here to see Merida?"
"Yes... What are you doing?"
"What do you mean?"
"What's with the duster?"
"Oh, Merida told me to clean the house, so I am."
Lucus blinked a little. "Al...right... Which room is she in? Her own?"
"Yeah, up the stairs and four doors down on the right."
"Why do you have those rooms if you never use them?"
"I did use them when I was alone; with Merida here, there's really no need for them."
"I see..."
"I have to get back to work. Do what you need to with her."
Lucas was very confused as he made it to Merida's room. She was sleeping soundly, her curly hair looking like it was going to be in knots when she woke up. She was snoring a little but Lucas gave her the benefit of the doubt in regards to no sleep and being tortured for a month. He walked over to her and pulled the sheet from her arms to try and get a look at the one that was in a sling. He had to fight with her for a moment until she actually opened her eyes.
"Oh, Lucas... I didnae realize I was playing tug-o-war with a real person..."
"I figured as much. How are you in regards to pain? The level?"
"Five. Bloody lashings hurt more than this damned arm."
"Is it out of place?"
"Majorly."
"Will you be alright if I just put it back in? I mean, do you need a something to numb you?"
"No, just do it."
Lucas nodded as Merida turned over. He took off the sling and felt her shoulder for a second to find what direction it was dislocated in. He finally found it and put his hand on the back of her shoulder and his other hand on the front.
"You ready?"
"Aye."
"One, two, three!"
He used all his force to thrust the bone back in and Merida screamed bloody murder, her other hand swinging into Lucas' side for a good punch to the ribs. Lucas lost his breath and fell forward in shock. Seconds later, Higgs showed up in a flurry of tails and flames and narrowed his eyes at the two.
"What's going on?"
"He put my shoulder back in place and I punched him in the ribs." Merida said with red eyes from the pain.
"But you're alright, right?"
"Aye, laddie, I'm fine." She looked at him with a look. "What are ye wearing?"
"I'm not going to answer that every time... I'm going to finish cleaning the kitchen. Do you know what gets out burnt food from the catcher at the bottom?"
"An ye find the tooth-powder and mix it with a bit of water, it makes a nice paste that will scrub it off nice."
"Tooth-powder? Is that why we keep having to have that around?"
"Aye. One tube is for ye teeth and the other is to clean with."
"I see. I'll try that."
"Mr. Higgs?"
"Hmm?" he asked, his ears twitching a little.
"Why are ye worrying about all that nonsense?"
"You told me to clean the house..."
"Ye dinnae have to do it like spring cleaning an ye dinnae want to..."
Higgs smiled. "It's alright. I don't mind."
He left the room and Merida made a face as Lucas moved her arm about.
"He's gone daft."
"I think it has to do with his new form. Did anything happen recently to make him want to be so gung-ho for cleaning?"
Merida thought for a moment when she remembered his lips touching hers in a soft kiss. She blushed and turned away, hoping Lucas didn't see her.
"Nothing too out of the ordinary..." she said softly.
Lucas looked over at her and noticed her freckled cheeks were red and smiled, keeping his thoughts to himself. He'd have to ask Higgs later about what he did.
"Can you turn onto your stomach so that I can take a look at those lashes?"
Merida struggled but go onto her stomach and Lucas lifted her shirt. He removed the bandages there and looked over her mangled back. He tsked in anger but set to work in making sure the wounds didn't fester or get infected. Merida smelled whiskey and held her hand out behind her.
"Oi, can I have a spot of that before ye put it on my skin? Keep my nerves intact."
Lucas smiled and reached for the water glass on the table. He poured a good portion of whiskey into the cup and handed it to her. She took a small swig of it before she felt a rag dowsed in whiskey touch her exposed back. She held onto the glass tightly, trying not to scream in pain. It hurt like the devil himself were raking his fingers across her soft skin. The treatment was more painful than the actual act.
"You'll need to have this done at least twice a day for the next few weeks. Do you think Higgs would do that for you?"
"An he's willing to clean the house like I'm expecting guests then I ken he might not mind throwing good whiskey onto my back. Damn shame..."
"I'll make sure he goes and gets cheaper whiskey." Lucus said with a laugh. "How does it feel now though?"
"Now that it's cooled off, a lot better. This may seem like a bit of a step backwards but what about rubbing salt into the wounds?"
Lucus' eyebrow arched up. "You... want to actually throw salt onto these wounds?"
"Aye. It hurts like hell but it dries out the wounds and keeps them from getting infected. That's what saved my brother from dying in the Highlands. He was mangled by a bear in the forests and my other brother used herbs and the salt they had to keep him going until they could reach the village. The doctor said if he hadnae done that, he'd have been in the midst of a horrible infection."
"Not to say I don't believe you, but how did your brother even survive a bear attack?"
"He scrunched into a ball and let the bear dig at his back. My other brother shot it with arrow and drove it off."
"I see. Well, if that's what you want to be done, I'll let Higgs know. Or would you like the young eavesdropper to do it for you?"
A small gasp was heard as Lucus opened the door and pulled Edgar in. Merida sat up a little to look over her shoulder.
"I- I wasn't dropping any eaves, ma'am, honest! I just came to ask you a question and- and..."
"Oi, lad, yer haivering. Nothing was discussed that ye cannae overhear. What is it?"
"I was wondering if you wanted some tea or something... I'm... not sure what I should do now."
"Go ask Mr. Higgs. He's the one ye need to answer to."
"He's... I'm scared of him."
"Nonsense, he's harmless. Just tell him I sent ye to get something done. I'm sure he'll think of something for ye, lad."
Edgar bowed a little and Lucus watched him run off. He chuckled a little.
"Where'd you find that one?"
"Patrick was using him so I took him from him. That reminds me, does my memory serve me right or did Higgs do something to Patrick?"
Lucus cleared his throat a little. "That is um... up for debate."
"What do ye mean?"
"Well, Patrick claims that a large fox came and stole the Scotswoman away. He then attacked him and threw a green flame at his face that didn't burn him but did all the same. Then the fox grew eight more tails and the stars came down from heaven to blind him... at least that's what he was telling the judge when I was there."
"So off to Bedlam he was?"
"I think the words of his father were, "We shall have him sent to the spring home in York for some proper care and management. He has been unwell these past few months and a bit of new scenery should do the trick. We will hire someone to care for him in a proper manner.""
Merida laughed and turned over a little to drink her whiskey.
"Delightful... Makes my heart want to burst with happiness."
"I'll go and talk to Higgs about the treatment plan... I'm glad you're back, Ms. Dunbrough. You don't know how lost he was without you."
"I can believe it. I'll not do it again."
"Good."

Edgar watched Higgs on the ground as he scrubbed the floor at lightning speed. To save Merida, Edgar would have done anything for her but now that he was faced with the man of the house who could change into different creatures, Edgar was scared out of his wits. He clenched his hands and tried to be brave. Be brave... Be brave like Doughall and Fearghas... he thought, trying to remember the heroic deeds of Merida's brothers. Just as he was about to say something to Higgs, he opened his eyes and found he wasn't there. He looked around for a moment.
"Why are you staring at me?"
Edgar gasped and looked behind him as Higgs crossed his arms at him, an ear flicking in agitation.
"I... I just... Ms. Dunbrough said I should ask you what to do."
"Then why are you standing around staring at me like I'm some sort of freak?"
Edgar didn't want to answer that. Higgs realized that this was the usual reaction to his forms and that Merida was the exception to the rule. She didn't care but most people did. He cleared his throat a little and softened his demeanor.
"I get it. I'm not exactly normal and some of my forms are quite fascinating and sometimes scary but I won't hurt you. At least not in this form. There are only two forms you need to worry about, alright?"
"What are they?"
"My vampire form and my werewolf form. They are the oldest forms and seem to have lost their humanity and are more on the side of their myth. You'll know when I'm either of those forms. As for right now, I'm trying to understand this kitsune thing myself. You must have seen when I attacked Patrick."
"I did..."
"That explains a lot. That is the first time I've actually done that. That man... that man ruined me."
"I heard about that... Can you really turn into a snake-man?"
"Yes."
"And a centaur?"
"Yes."
"What about a selkie?"
"That I can't turn into. I think because it require more of an outside element for it happen. Selkies take off their skins and all but that's not what happens to me. There are a lot of things I can't turn into but if this curse isn't broken, my lineage could end up turning into..."
"How do you break the curse?"
"I'm not discussing that with you, kid. You said you needed something to do?"
"Yes."
"Go and find some apples in the forest behind the mansion. I want to make something for Merida."
Edgar nodded and ran off as Lucus came down the stairs.
"How is she?"
"She's not in too much pain but she needs lots of rest. Also, you'll need to do some things for her back."
"Alright then."
Lucus watched Higgs go back to scrubbing the floor again and walked over to him, standing quite close. Higgs made a face and looked up.
"Do you mind?"
"Why are you doing this?"
"I told you why."
"Because she told you to?"
"Yes."
"That's not a good enough answer. You're acting weird. What's going on?"
Higgs stood up and glared at his friend.
"I'm her familiar now. Whatever she asks of me I will do."
"Her familiar... you... you kissed her?!"
"That's how familiars are made."
"But doesn't that-"
"No. It has to be the other way with stipulations. This was me merely making myself available to her for every whim."
"Why would you do that? You've never let yourself be a familiar..."
Higgs looked around for a moment, his ear twitching.
"Because I owe that much to her. She asked me to do a simple task last month and I made a fool of myself. I almost lost her just because I didn't want to do something. I can't make up being kidnapped and beaten but I can damn well do what she bloody asks of me no matter what for a month."
"But why would you ever let yourself be under her like that?"
"Because I trust Merida. I know she would never make me do something unethical. Now, please move so that I may finish the house."
Lucus moved and sighed, grabbing his coat and hat.
"I'll be back in couple of hours. I'm getting you a sack of salt and some bottles of cheap whiskey."
"Salt? Whiskey?" Higgs said, sitting up. "Whatever for?"
"You'll need to put alcohol on her wounds and there's no need to waste good alcohol. As for the salt, Merida said she would like for you to literally rub salt in her wounds. It will pull out the impurities and keep the wound from getting infected."
"How daft is this woman?"
"Even though it seems like torture, it is an effective cure in the wilderness. She lived in the Highlands in the midst of war when decent medical supplies were scarce. You do what you can to survive. It probably works better anyhow."
He left and Higgs went back to cleaning.

That night, Higgs knocked on Merida's door and she said for him to come in. He walked in slowly and set the candle down on the dresser.
"Lucus said I had to put alcohol on you and salt."
"That sounds quite enamoring when ye say it like that."
Higgs blushed as Merida smirked.
"I- I meant..."
"I ken what ye meant ye numpty lad. Ye'll be seeing my bum so dinnae ye stare at it too long."
"I think I can figure something else out."
"Wheest, I've yers plenty of times."
"Merida!"
"What? I have. With yer arse turning into different things, getting injured and the like, yer arse is about as imprinted in my brain as anything else. I think my tush is halfway decent though."
"MERIDA!" he yelled, his face turning redder by the second.
She laughed at him and turned onto her stomach.
"Aye, lad, just come and get it done and over with. The first time's always the hardest to get through. I'll try not to fart in yer general direction."
"Now you're just being crass." He said with a face.
Merida smiled as she laid on her stomach to wait for him to start on her lashes. He lifted her bed gown but she felt the sheets over her bottom and cool hands hover over the wounds.
"It's like valleys..."
"That bad, huh?"
"I thought Father had some pretty mean scars... these will not be pretty."
"Well, at least no one looks at backs for looking for mates, eh?"
"I guess so..."
He set to work and started dabbing her back with the alcohol.
"Yer father has lashes to?"
"He's taken a beating or two to make sure no one hurt us or to keep the secret of our family. I remember when I was really little and I first turned into an ogre my father had to take a pretty heavy beating for me. I was a child and I couldn't understand why I changed and what I was supposed to do with myself. I was rampant... Father made sure the person who saw me didn't hurt me and would keep his mouth shut. I don't think I've ever had to do that..."
"One day ye will."
"I feel like when that day comes I'll fail."
"Ye willnae fail. Depends on what is happening on that day as to what ye will be tested with. If yer family is involved then I ken ye'll do whatever ye have to. It's the nature of the situation. Ye willnae ken it until ye're there."
"I guess so..."
They were silent for a moment as Higgs dabbed her back.
"Ye kissed me earlier, Mr. Higgs. Why?"
"I'm your familiar for the month. That means that whatever you ask of me, I will do it. Until the end of the month, I am yours to command."
"Ye put yerself in a dangerous situation with that nonsense."
"I know you wouldn't do anything harmful to me."
"Ye're trusting and I appreciate that but dinnae go telling people about it. If someone gets a hold of yer heart and ye feel ye can trust them... It's a bad idea."
"You're the first one I've never been a familiar too. In all honesty being a familiar to my family would be gross considering I have to kiss whomever I want to be attached to full on on the lips. I don't think that would be appropriate for a mother/son or a brother/sister relationship."
"Indeed... Well then I'm honored to be the first."
"After what I caused, you deserve it."
"Ye believe that me getting kidnapped was yer doing?"
"If I had been there-"
"He would have ran ye through." Merida looked over her shoulder. "I went with him to protect ye, Mr. Higgs."
"What do you mean?"
"Patrick was coming to kill ye. He was ready and armed.  Ye were out picking apples and he came to the door, ready to blow ye to smithereens. He wasnae in his right mind at the time. I convinced him to take his anger out on me instead. I threw ye under the carriage a bit so that he would take the bait but finally he did. Oh, Mr. Higgs, ye dinnae ken what he was planning for ye. I would have rather been beaten to unrecognizable and whipped until he whipped me in half than to see him do what he described to me at times."
Higgs stopped dabbing her wounds and gripped the bed on either side of her, trying not to cry. This woman... why is this woman so kind to me? What have I done to deserve someone like her?
"Are ye crying, Mr. Higgs?"
"No."
"Yer tears are dropping onto my back."
Higgs laughed a little. "I was trying..."
"What's wrong, Mr. Higgs?"
"Why... why do you care about me so much? Why do you stick your neck out for someone like me? A freak... an abomination? Why?"
Merida smiled to herself. "Because I love ye, Mr. Higgs. Not like a man to a woman, but a sister to a brother. Ye are like my extended family. To see ye be harmed is like seeing my own kinsman be harmed and I willnae have any of that. Yer my employer and that means ye belong to me. Anyone that tries to do anything to ye willnae be alive the next day."
Higgs laughed, sniffling at the same time.
"Even when you're being endearing it's so full of threats."
"Only way to make it known I'm not playing around. I mean it though. An anyone tries to hurt ye, they'll have hell to pay."
Higgs sniffled again but went back to work.
"The same goes for you."
"I count on it."