As soon as Abner and Helene entered the Folklore Herbal Shop in the alley across from the Red Theater, they saw a native girl sitting in the courtyard with a thick book open in her arms. A plump owl perched on her shoulder.
The girl was Boudi, whom Abner had persuaded to come to Darkwill for treatment. In the original story, Klein had buried her beneath an epitaph that read, "She was a person."
Boudi was still thin, but the sores that had covered her face and body were gone. Only faint scars remained.
Abner swept his Spirit Vision over her and found that she had largely recovered her health. Apart from malnutrition, nothing seemed wrong with her.
Darkwill may look unreliable, but he's a competent Apothecary, Abner thought with admiration. He withdrew his gaze and headed into the shop.
Helene, following behind him, took a few extra looks at the owl. She had recognized the book in the girl's arms as a complete copy of Night's Revelation, and she doubted a native girl who plainly had never received a general education could understand it...
Either the girl was putting on an act, or she was merely a bookstand and an automatic page-turner. The owl was the one actually reading.
While Helene was speculating, Abner rapped hard on the counter, jolting the dozing Darkwill awake.
It was only two in the afternoon, so Darkwill's shop was nearly empty.
The men who came to buy medicines made with Mummy Powder rarely arrived before dusk, and often came even later.
"Great Detective, it's you... You gave me a fright." Darkwill sat up. Once he saw who it was, he stretched.
"You look tired." Abner examined his aura. Darkwill appeared healthy, though its colors were a little dull—a normal sign of fatigue.
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