At Home

This is written in omnipotent 3rd person, it just seemed most fitting. I'll go with the assumption that both Tinsae and Marcus harbor some feelings towards Hati. The conversation takes place after Tinsae finds out the truth about Hati.

“Marcus,” Tinsae starts as her gaze lingers on the steam lazily climbing up from her cup. The light conversation takes a quick turn.

Marcus shifts nervously. The tone in her voice holds more weight to it, it makes him straighten his back, it’s as if he’s waiting for reprimands from a senior officer.

“Yes?” he asks with some hesitation. He quickly takes a sip from his cup and grimaces at the liquid. Bitterness spreads in his mouth.

Tinsae raises her gaze to meet his. She’s prepared for battle. It’s a war she does not want to wage but she’s ready.

“You’ve toyed with Hati’s life.”

“No. Well–” The denial leaves him easily but hesitation makes him stumble over his words.

She raises her hand in annoyance. Marcus falls silent as he retreats to himself.

“If you truly valued them, you wouldn’t treat their life with such levity.”

If there was something he wanted to say in his defense, he doesn’t utter it out loud. Conflicted emotions run through him. And to think that someone would point them out to him so plainly, almost ruthlessly, is unexpectant. But he should’ve expected it.

Tinsae continues, her voice still tense, still seeping with disappointment: “They told me what happened. You should’ve told me.”

“I–” He knows it’s true. He should’ve. But he didn’t.

“We need to get Hati out of this place.”

“It’s not that easy. They will be hunted–”

“Excuses. Rome’s reach does not extend over its borders.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He looks at his cup.

“You can’t just keep them here for your entertainment.”

“No, ma’am.”

Tinsae sighs, it deflates some of her ire. “I asked if they wanted to leave.”

A worried frown spreads across Marcus’s features. Would they leave so soon? How would he feel about it?

“What did they say?”

“They’ll think about it. They still need to find the little ones.”

Marcus lets out a relieved sigh he barely takes note of. “Any progress?”

“Yes. The slaver who sold them travels to meet me soon. I will take Hati to meet her.”

The frown on his face deepens. “Don’t let that maniac do anything reckless. They’re prone to bad decisions.”

A tense smile lingers on Tinsae’s lips. “I will try.”

Marcus drinks the rest of the coffee in one go with a disgusted grimace. “Thank you for the poison.” He stands up.

Tinsae’s laughter rings across her shop. “Please don’t insult my beverage, young man.”

“I’m a year older than you!”

“You don’t act like it.”

“You act like a grandmother.”

“That's not an insult.” A smile dances on her lips as she sips her cup. “Before you go, don’t you want to hear what I have to say about your poem? The one you wanted my opinion on?”

“I–”

“It was lovely.” Another relaxed sip. “It had alluring Northern influences to it. I wonder who inspired you?”

Faint blush creeps into Marcus’s features. “You’re teasing me.”

“I am.”

“You’re a mean woman. Meaner than you look.”

“Only when I need to. Now, I believe you were leaving?”

Marcus gives her a pout before stomping away. But there’s no anger in his step, at least none that is aimed at her. He will still come to visit her later.

Something about her makes him feel at home.