-姑方&拔舍巴&「巴托羅夫婦」,樂土平原邊陲,儀式前準備/來自巴托羅的信
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時間會修正一切、時間會打散一切,而時間也同時存在於此。103Please respect copyright.PENANA6iDL01pDZH
踏足樂土時短暫「時光」之中,先是慈祥的老婦人、後是溫柔的母親……看著她們,姑方又無力地看向懷中人咽喉處的罌粟花印記。103Please respect copyright.PENANAXYHAxc2GX0
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兩條已經織好的毯子曬在外頭,取而代之的便是「儀式」的通知訊息。
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那個獨立又很能幹的老蓓塔去哪兒了?姑方吃驚地在巴托羅家上下走動,即使他十句不離九句嫌棄,姑方也還是個重情義的人,不枉他特地讓這家子到處亂跑的小羔羊跟死亡邊緣的農作物重新醒來,那個大恩人現在卻連半根毛的影都見不著。雖然是半裸地頂著一頭粉亮長髮闖進人家屋裡,姑方不需要在乎周遭的目光。103Please respect copyright.PENANAOKlYKHaGXB
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「巴托羅?羅西娜?蓓塔?噢,該死……為什麼不在……」畢竟他也不是非法入侵民宅,還有給人家幫工呢,怕什麼。103Please respect copyright.PENANA1X9zMIqOxM
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看拔舍巴黑得發亮的長髮從那個粉色身影的手臂上傾落103Please respect copyright.PENANAmN2Sg0LK1P
即使抱著他的粉花腳步踏得倉促,姑方也盡量避免了頭髮與其他東西扯在一塊兒的悲劇發生。現在,復活的姑方帶著拔舍巴回來了──像極了兩隻落單在羊圈外的羊。103Please respect copyright.PENANAJqxhvKzEs8
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一隻一身破衣(拔舍巴),一隻則一身煙灰(姑方),懷裡還揣著一對手骨,泛藍的肌膚上頭還有幾許脂粉氣息,他現在要找個水來擦拭他們的身體才行,這身不再完整的衣服也很礙事,老干擾他的靈力;如果能找到新衣服或者給他材料新做衣服更好──憶起與老婦人並肩而坐,織著蕾絲手帕的拔舍巴,姑方忍不住咋舌。103Please respect copyright.PENANAkemkSbZioh
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就算他看起來很萬能但他可不會紡織……認識的人(植物)倒是很常被拿去當布織就是了,本來那套梅花袍子也是自己隨意拼湊出來的……唉。103Please respect copyright.PENANA1dN3VicydP
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「對了,可以拿外面的毯子包著……」103Please respect copyright.PENANAqOBTx0gx68
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感覺上一秒還在房裡忙碌的老婦人不見了,下一刻,用裸足踏步的姑方將外頭的毯子帶到那張骯髒的床舖上頭。在入夜前趕回屋子所耗的體力不少,還想著就算對對方很踰矩也要把蓓塔喊出來的姑方轉頭,拔舍巴的睡顏就讓他閉上了嘴。103Please respect copyright.PENANAIg5rZQFyrA
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在莊園邊界住著的巴托羅一家就算不是貴族,生活也因巴托羅先生的理髮師事業有成而還算富有,他們可以在家旁邊有一畝自給自足的田、一圈足夠養上牛、羊、雞的小牧場,三者奇蹟似地沒怎麼打過架。103Please respect copyright.PENANARzxYQZ7xSW
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第一天來就在用自己的分身觀察環境,紀錄時間。103Please respect copyright.PENANAdl4GLsRrY6
第二天醒來則見到了拔舍巴一夜未眠的神情。103Please respect copyright.PENANA3dcWPzUKNk
即使這樣也依舊與蓓塔‧巴托羅促膝長談,看上去很是開心;去周遭一邊務農,又在這房子周圍繞了一圈,姑方沒有看見任何墓碑──他還以為若這家人有個孩子死了,他們就會把他或者她葬在後院。103Please respect copyright.PENANAUPpgKMeIwu
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可無論他有什麼誤解,在橘子園事件後天的夜晚,蓓塔都沒有回來。103Please respect copyright.PENANAhMPVZAmRDz
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入夜了,點了蠟燭當作照明,被那個「老孩子」蓓塔照顧的家裡雖然骯髒,待久了竟也有幾分如家的溫暖;借著燭火垂頭褪下外衣、整理髮絲,暖橘燭光與微黃的肌膚都奪不去那亮粉色的顯眼。103Please respect copyright.PENANAchPrpiZ2eZ
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雖然他親自以「梅花」的身分悉心打理過宿主的軀殼了,短時間還是能摸到些皮糙肉薄,彷彿碰一下就會碎的部分。103Please respect copyright.PENANA9oq3jWSAlk
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考慮到這裡的屋主還沒回來就沒給正門鎖上,來到寢室的姑方猶豫了半晌便沒有伸手褪下拔舍巴身上破得慘烈的衣裳。103Please respect copyright.PENANAO2ftlvpzOg
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「你先睡吧,拔舍巴。我知道你好幾天都沒睡了,不用擔心你醒得醒不過來,也不用顧慮其他事情。」103Please respect copyright.PENANAAa2wGT2gea
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姑方明白一直以來,拔舍巴都在不斷支撐自己。103Please respect copyright.PENANAjuCLx85c4u
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長時間靠意志力展現生命力的樣子有多麼糟糕,摸一摸就知道了,不只腿間夾著一根鐵棒,光是從觸診就能知道拔舍巴方被造時無辜蒙受的痛苦,如果義務真能讓人無條件承受死亡之痛,是要加諸多大的使命感才能讓人忍受到這種地步?讓人暈眩的接吻與纏綿──通常都被他統稱為繁衍──的行為之中,那抹「多出來的液體」恰好掩飾了姑方感覺到的違和。103Please respect copyright.PENANAZqxPzEpRGf
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「你還想撐著的話我就不勉強你睡,但你要告訴我有沒有哪裡不舒服。」103Please respect copyright.PENANANCnpjPeFjo
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而在液體消失的時間點,落於拔舍巴咽喉處那漆黑的花形印記也出現了。103Please respect copyright.PENANAVQmNiS5iYP
為對方明顯有原因的失眠責備什麼都沒有意義,倒是要煩惱他察覺到的異樣……在神像森做愛時的異樣。103Please respect copyright.PENANAUR11cNFr2s
開始專心注意時間差的姑方扁了扁嘴──時間往往是精密法術必須在乎之物,先前的他還能用自己的樹杈當作自己判斷時間流逝的依據,附於人身的影響卻讓他如個讀聖經的東方人一樣難受,拔舍巴脖子上這鬼印記又是什麼花朵?他開始蒐集眼前得以看見的每個問題。103Please respect copyright.PENANA4IgLkJLnnz
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或許順著那怪液體的軌跡就能曉得;而如此疑問成立時,拔舍巴身上不斷變化的異香便引去了他的注意。103Please respect copyright.PENANAEEh2klDYA9
山林中自帶毒性者,那芳香總有一股掩不了的波動,考慮到這樂園的主要空間可能生根於西方大陸,這毒花就不會是他認知中的那幾種……103Please respect copyright.PENANAKlpd5wVbEg
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嘖。動著來不及跟上自己反應的大腦,旋即襲來的頭疼使他蹙眉,被迫切斷思考。103Please respect copyright.PENANAlUvmFQ5DCl
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襯著燭光,姑方坐在床旁,拔舍巴恍惚地看他。103Please respect copyright.PENANAOJElnH8Qeg
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「……不舒服……?」當拔舍巴恍惚地回應了他,馬上湊過來的姑方反應顯得有些誇張。103Please respect copyright.PENANARhnLmoUTbq
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但他還是靠上來了,靠得很近……近得都要嗅見那肩窩裡的花香。103Please respect copyright.PENANAFp9nL4sKzZ
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「嗯,『不舒服』。或者我摸幾個地方,你別忍著,想要什麼就說出來。」103Please respect copyright.PENANAFRBrtXAqFZ
「……我先說,你要乖,再不睡的話你那使命也難做……世上難有離我這麼近的生靈能掩飾自己的,我知道的……」103Please respect copyright.PENANAQVYj0t7OUG
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裸著身軀,髮絲披散,當姑方專注地撫上他的面龐,那語中平鋪直敘的聒噪也在句尾處柔和下來,順勢貼近的距離之前,拔舍巴也得以直視這雙粉柔而敏銳的眼。不舒服?他沒有不舒服……單純地只是想醒著,但是,他記得自己沒跟「梅花」說過這些。103Please respect copyright.PENANAn3yV9C76qM
一開始,感覺自己搖搖晃晃地被那雙手抱起,下一刻便到了床上,到了梅花的懷裡……這是蓓塔的家嗎?蓓塔又去了哪裡?落於喉頭的燒灼感讓拼湊字節這種再普通不過的事都變得困難,不想入睡的念頭反之被乾渴掩蓋。103Please respect copyright.PENANAMvIQGJjo55
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想要水。103Please respect copyright.PENANANPa5SZYQ3z
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「……水……」103Please respect copyright.PENANA5X6ofle62I
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那掌心不只在撫摸他的臉頰,還不斷將他的瀏海往後撥去,帶著酸甜香味的鼻息讓他輕哼。103Please respect copyright.PENANAzkMtN2v8Gy
拔舍巴想要水。在如此簡單的要求前愣神,意識到自己已經在用自己的全部擔心起「同伴」──姑方沉痛地調整呼吸,收回從背後湧出的光芒,那光芒是梅花枝葉的形狀,是他情緒「真正」激動的表徵。103Please respect copyright.PENANAliOfBM5wU7
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「……哈啊,嘖。」好,他去弄水來。103Please respect copyright.PENANABRz59Wf5jz
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一條灰藍色的乾淨毯子是拔舍巴後腦底下的枕頭,另一條玫紅色的毯子則是代替床單接著拔舍巴的床單,幸好毯子夠大,還能裹住拔舍巴的身體;看著被裹在毯子裡的人虛弱的樣子,挑燈與蓓塔促膝長談,自己都顧不著了還擔憂他人模樣的姿態無非是「聖處子」的最佳典範。103Please respect copyright.PENANAHNcG0j3JCv
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正因為自己也是深愛人類之靈,才知道若是自己受使命使役,所謂「梅花」也是個不再聒噪、傲而不驕、不畏霜雪的「梅花」;祂會愛人,就像拔舍巴這樣深愛一切……103Please respect copyright.PENANAKY7XVFy0KR
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可那並不是真正的「祂」。103Please respect copyright.PENANAQyxnt8Aj7P
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「……來,渴的時候不能喝血,還是給你找來了水。」103Please respect copyright.PENANASuScZx3Wr5
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所謂「愛」是讓人痛徹而失望之物,卻無法放下半分──只因愛意早已存在。103Please respect copyright.PENANAhir8AJeXuv
每時每刻,愛意總是用祂摸不透的方式侵蝕著祂,如奪去幼子一直珍惜的玩具、套上名為羞恥的衣裳,抬頭見到了智慧,卻再也見不到明日和煦的晨光。103Please respect copyright.PENANAI7uhcqDLS6
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可說著說著,心靈還是會不自禁地表露愛意。103Please respect copyright.PENANAMK9TakeuNL
「嘴張開,我餵你。」能讓一瓣孤花誤以為自己得到了整個世界,覺得自己所向披靡。103Please respect copyright.PENANAq1CDG7wLup
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回過神,那柔軟的唇瓣就覆了上來。103Please respect copyright.PENANAgcV7o2s9or
是「同伴」的唇、也是帶著「梅花」魔力的清水。103Please respect copyright.PENANAf8xKmyNQSx
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「……唔、咕嚕……」103Please respect copyright.PENANA7Hzb36WAKj
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雖然送來清水的唇瓣讓拔舍巴的身體反射地一愣,身上人溫柔的擁抱也很快讓他的顫抖平復下來;吃力地抬起手回應從床側湊過來的擁抱,一次又一次,「梅花」送水過來的親吻讓拔舍巴恍惚地瞇起雙眼。103Please respect copyright.PENANAyF6vDxFaqw
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記得梅花說過祂是一種東方的花朵,而這就是梅花的氣味?103Please respect copyright.PENANAk7JBjKAwiB
就像他知道「聖處子」的意義,「梅花」給出的名字沉甸甸地湧現了足以與那「畫面」牽起的意義。103Please respect copyright.PENANA4Sefw5c5iD
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「乖,拔舍巴,乖……」103Please respect copyright.PENANArcZbsRfxUd
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可究竟「梅花」會是個怎樣的人,在這段未來扮演著怎樣的角色?自己之所以與他進入樂園,是代表他們的選擇攸關「咒文」線索的關鍵?103Please respect copyright.PENANAQvSuHAY9pL
拔舍巴不這麼認為。103Please respect copyright.PENANAn07kDQCunu
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「梅……」103Please respect copyright.PENANAWPyBE1o0VA
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憶起道出夢境時「梅花」悲傷的神色,視線模糊之中,總感覺頰上多了幾分水氣。103Please respect copyright.PENANAc29c8GA5Lc
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心思不自覺從那「使命」上轉移到自己;梅花究竟會成為他的誰?微弱的慾望在深處顯現,他想知道梅花會成為自己的誰,也想知道他為什麼會如此的……「絕望」。103Please respect copyright.PENANAlbZJXywJ26
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好像他已經用整個靈魂盛裝了所有遺憾。103Please respect copyright.PENANAnZ8rLcDXK5
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「梅,不哭、不怕……」103Please respect copyright.PENANAgDcBnOUAzo
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舉止間盡是後悔。103Please respect copyright.PENANA1TBcbw30mb
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頰上的水氣順勢成了哽咽的氣息,回應擁抱的雙臂無力地勾著梅花好摸的細髮;梅花的手有力多了,有力地抱著他,像是因為擔心他而泣出蜜水的花朵。103Please respect copyright.PENANAAa4MtXauyF
那蜜水到他口中時,他就不渴、不怕了,還能說出一句「別擔心我」──就算他確切有擔心自己醒不過來的隱憂,這股香氣也確切成了安慰。103Please respect copyright.PENANA0TWDlvgX2R
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但梅花沒有讓他開口。103Please respect copyright.PENANAvx9VKmR2yX
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「……哈?……傻小子,給你喝水呢,你是要我怕什麼……」103Please respect copyright.PENANAcxyXv5nAip
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只是給了他一個用以掩飾孤花脆弱的深吻,悄然掩去聲息。103Please respect copyright.PENANAuVcQEJzNOB
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蓓塔·巴托羅,一個頭髮提早斑白,但意外長壽的女人。103Please respect copyright.PENANADWcpvlOT2K
那頭金髮在她三十多歲時就全白了,隨之,時光流逝。103Please respect copyright.PENANAQ3W3Z72B9j
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「嗯、痛……唉呀呀,真是的。」103Please respect copyright.PENANArXVtV1UWOA
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她還沒到老到直不起腰,還能做不少事情,畢生一切皆獻給紡織工藝、丈夫的事業,與她淳樸的婦女精神……唉呦喂呀糟了個糕的,她其實很常有那種不小心對大人物失去禮數的毛病;不過記憶中,她那博學多聞的丈夫並不介意她這樣失言。103Please respect copyright.PENANAEiPqR99xoc
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「我怎麼又刺到手啦……」103Please respect copyright.PENANATbss7CwcVB
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不介意她在卑躬屈膝的態度中不小心對人搖起尾巴,不介意她尷尬地笑起時,酒窩微凹的面龐;女人家們都這麼說,她確實嫁給了一個「好老公」──被縫衣針刺到手的蓓塔心不在焉,難耐而迷濛地看著外頭的月。103Please respect copyright.PENANAimgh4xgarP
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月亮未滿,就像丈夫用於縫紉人皮的彎鉤那樣;然而對她來說,聽話已是習慣、不過問太多的沉默則是美德,孤寂則是沉在葡萄酒桶底部的雜質,如今已不再是果實的她哪兒都去不了,只能等著誰人無意中往裡頭拋入石子,掀起波濤。103Please respect copyright.PENANABZdrFduhPg
103Please respect copyright.PENANAgqWZHPtRZM
處理好的羊毛絲在她手中成線,細密交疊的纖維交叉出灰藍色的布面,人家都說藍色是高貴的顏色,是神聖、慈愛的顏色……憶起那面目如此慈愛的「拔舍巴」,她免不了在心裡感嘆:「與我們的鮮花女神是如此相像啊。」103Please respect copyright.PENANAKSpnfxVhpD
103Please respect copyright.PENANAhE425Huh8A
結果時至黎明。103Please respect copyright.PENANAT1E1DZlEUF
103Please respect copyright.PENANAHdOD5DGPa9
「怎麼還沒回來……」103Please respect copyright.PENANAB5dYwB09sS
「唔,是發生什麼事了嗎……唉呀糟糕,我要去收衣服……」103Please respect copyright.PENANAnQu02jXoBu
103Please respect copyright.PENANAz4a6b2OygJ
轉眼間都黃昏了,巴托羅家多出了冷去的肉湯與豆餅,一個好女人是不可能吃掉她本來要招待客人的料理的,何況她準備的都是兩位來客愛吃的東西,等啊等、等啊等,等到她都踰矩地想著先吃掉一些,敲門聲就讓她從食慾裡驚醒。103Please respect copyright.PENANATXnl7dZGvc
103Please respect copyright.PENANAPfhrUqCE9x
還以為是那位「Gu Fang」(姑方)跟「Bathsheba」(拔舍巴)回來了,開門的卻是莊園送信的信差。103Please respect copyright.PENANAgEjqYlItBR
103Please respect copyright.PENANACeBZ16iHRv
「巴托羅女士,這裡是巴托羅先生給您的信。」103Please respect copyright.PENANAGZSTP29Rib
103Please respect copyright.PENANA8rvQfJdgy5
「唉呀!?太好了,希望這次是要回來的信,我還要介紹客人給他認識……可是,可是快日落了,信差先生,可不可以幫我念念這封信?我可以給您拿一點外快,兩枚、兩枚夠不夠?」103Please respect copyright.PENANA2i0bLsdRma
103Please respect copyright.PENANAxLZYtSykhU
有時她先生的信會往莊園裡的辦事處去,有時則會像這樣直接寄回家裡,通常寄回家裡的都比較急迫,要自己去拿的信多半都是些告知內容。每次都希望丈夫快點回家,也每次都期待落空,她從兜裡掏出了自己一直節省的金幣。103Please respect copyright.PENANAkAgrblisUa
103Please respect copyright.PENANAGlE1oRki2a
見錢眼開的年輕信差馬上收回了要趕著回家的步伐,恭敬地接過金幣,摘下那頂被頭油、落葉與汗漬侵蝕到發黃的貝雷帽。103Please respect copyright.PENANAVicHPCYZ0l
103Please respect copyright.PENANAKiJsbyCIFL
「噢,可以,您正好是我今天最後一趟。」103Please respect copyright.PENANA1AH1ETGXA9
103Please respect copyright.PENANAZTkkUQokkX
來這一帶送過信的人都知道,蓓塔‧巴托羅是個極好欺騙,思考簡單的婦人。103Please respect copyright.PENANAkln2TCuQdX
103Please respect copyright.PENANAPIPdURPcGD
103Please respect copyright.PENANAcPgsbQWYoA
103Please respect copyright.PENANAmLv6CRRCZi
致 蓓塔:103Please respect copyright.PENANAemdF2Z3sso
103Please respect copyright.PENANA2Af1Wm048z
多日未歸,妳有沒有按照我的囑咐顧家?103Please respect copyright.PENANAutztmqw1Uq
103Please respect copyright.PENANAMCnWmiPg1A
相信我選擇的妳能辦好每件事情,盡妳所能,別再犯錯了,我沒辦法處處都袒護妳──特別是面對與領主大人相關事務的時候。記得妳那次牽著羊隻,灰頭土臉地在公共場合獻出供品的時候嗎?妳沒有認出大人,還失誤讓羊隻橫衝直撞,我與好心的傭人一起殺了那隻羊。103Please respect copyright.PENANAvlIUEIyJMK
103Please respect copyright.PENANA5Gu162e0NM
事務忙碌,我又隨信寄了點錢回去,妳書讀得不多,但記著那些我們結婚前的事卻記得很快,重複一件事對妳的健忘症很有幫助,莫忘,所以就用妳最清楚的方式叫上妳。103Please respect copyright.PENANAJuYPEjJqmY
103Please respect copyright.PENANAQElFkLCWtN
我需要妳去二樓,把所有裝在藍色容器裡的用具都拿到城堡來,我正在替與領主同樣重要的患者治療。103Please respect copyright.PENANAMD7wWgeK5f
103Please respect copyright.PENANAdPW9VTkSVG
基本的事情妳總是能做得很好,別讓我失望。103Please respect copyright.PENANAi03LC9kVT8
103Please respect copyright.PENANAjfqtlt6kfB
隨信附上一袋金幣,共五十枚,記得清點。103Please respect copyright.PENANAtTeI3WXHWD
103Please respect copyright.PENANA53OR8Lleb6
斯拉夫陶德·巴托羅103Please respect copyright.PENANAwHGYTIB5o2
103Please respect copyright.PENANAh0mu8Lkey6
103Please respect copyright.PENANAHAjBvfIQxi
103Please respect copyright.PENANAUG2CA1wioy
做信差的人都說:給巴托羅女士念信,她會給你兩枚金幣當作小費。覺得這樣就夠多了嗎?再等一會兒,每到一個特定時間段,若你搶到來莊園邊界送信的工作,你口袋裡的小費就會翻好幾倍。103Please respect copyright.PENANAxNwTj2hzuL
103Please respect copyright.PENANAEA0lhYdwBo
蓓塔一邊聽著信的內容,一邊點頭如搗蒜般,喜怒哀樂都從她臉上閃過。103Please respect copyright.PENANAVYUE6E6fcE
103Please respect copyright.PENANAqtEg6DBvEx
只記得每天要織多少衣服、照顧哪些動物、收穫與購買哪些食材……對蓓塔來說,她只能模糊地知道二樓有個藍色行囊,卻不知那五十枚金幣袋子已經進到了信差的口袋裡。她擠眉弄眼地聽著信差念信,就像她對拔舍巴與姑方那樣,感恩的目光愚蠢地朝信差臉上投去。103Please respect copyright.PENANAkBPBgMcio4
103Please respect copyright.PENANAwRAPZgQcq5
她不知道信差眼裡看自己是多麼有趣,也不知道在他「啊,抱歉,我忘了給您丈夫寄放的金幣袋子」這般感嘆之後,蓓塔·巴托羅有多感謝他。103Please respect copyright.PENANAXDvKqL5pro
103Please respect copyright.PENANAFcOy6gUEsG
如傳聞所述,慈眉善目的蓓塔真的感激地用雙手握著信封掉淚,再用雙手端起金幣袋子,畢恭畢敬地將它的綁帶拉開,從裡頭拿出了自己今日買菜用掉的三枚金幣當作補填,又拿了一枚出來,用於最低限度地填飽肚子──加總下來,信差手裡共進帳了四十八枚金幣。103Please respect copyright.PENANABNNQxl6PpT
103Please respect copyright.PENANAsuYOQX5Km5
「感謝你,感謝你!來,這些都給你當作小費,還有念信的報酬,我還得做家事……」103Please respect copyright.PENANAJJXlFL7o5o
103Please respect copyright.PENANARcyojDb05a
那是直接能讓當信差的年輕男孩提早退休,出去尋歡作樂的財富。103Please respect copyright.PENANAc1SFZDQx4b
103Please respect copyright.PENANA09tkDwU4fi
「我也感激不盡,巴托羅女士!」103Please respect copyright.PENANAYy9Res7vzM
103Please respect copyright.PENANALSHs8BsmnW
信差高興地都要把貝雷帽拋到房頂去了。103Please respect copyright.PENANAuUhoWgdb3b
103Please respect copyright.PENANAqtiClCmo0A
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噠噠、噠噠。103Please respect copyright.PENANAUpiDmUGCnX
老婦人急切的腳步聲往二樓而去。那風格典雅,整潔的一塵不染的房裡,藍色的布包與綁著藍色束帶的抽屜就在那兒等著她。103Please respect copyright.PENANABwZShTxV0Y
103Please respect copyright.PENANAEYy2UncSXc
可當她會別信差,高高興興地準備好所有東西時,「供品」這個關鍵字頓時讓她如觸電般想起自己少做的事情。她怎麼就忘了呢!在領主大人統治的這片土地上,每個月月底,她都要為丈夫說過的「偉大的人」準備「供品」。103Please respect copyright.PENANAxZPWOjcvJU
103Please respect copyright.PENANAYFw23l7ztV
「這次是要準備什麼……」103Please respect copyright.PENANAVnw4iTDtDN
103Please respect copyright.PENANAWlKvrf4Bzk
供品有時是衣服,有時是料理,也有時會像信中所提,帶著牲畜往古堡而去──103Please respect copyright.PENANAw44ugzyovw
在她飄渺的記憶裡,她總是過一天算一天,時常直到丈夫提醒才記得自己要定期抬頭看看時間;她誤以為距離這兒不遠的森林曾有過三座神像,且皆以破損,而她絲毫不會懷疑在古堡內進行的「儀式」與外頭居民口中的儀式有什麼區別。103Please respect copyright.PENANAFf7Scxbn6B
103Please respect copyright.PENANAMkUyHgcQ2C
丈夫要她這麼做她就會去做。103Please respect copyright.PENANAeppZHAdA0R
因為她很感謝他體諒自己,給自己飯食與工作。103Please respect copyright.PENANAAAMSWZ4qON
要她幫什麼忙她都會盡力去幫,這就是婦人之德,貞潔而善良。103Please respect copyright.PENANAIacJWzG14Z
103Please respect copyright.PENANATlhyc8BJ5V
「買一頭羊是基本,接著是花果,不能使用田裡的蔬菜……這些,一枚金幣就足夠。」103Please respect copyright.PENANAx2eC1rYWxa
「再來是上好的衣物、布匹……」103Please respect copyright.PENANAztj3XTFIro
103Please respect copyright.PENANAll3WgszKSB
她既是在為自己按照命令辦事而滿足,也是在為能見到熟識的面孔而開心;不知兩位客人何時回來呢?她並不識字,只能笑著拍手,記住那些她要買的東西,不論是儀式或幫忙,這時候的蓓塔都得忽視宵禁。103Please respect copyright.PENANAS3LZB2puAI
103Please respect copyright.PENANAt3mnHu3itS
對那雙將剪刀放到黑橡木桌上的手來說,遠在天邊的「妻子」是個不錯的傀儡。103Please respect copyright.PENANAwth2ail6ou
對那開心地忽視了宵禁,筆直往外頭而去的身影來說,「丈夫」就是驅使她前進的標的。103Please respect copyright.PENANAj54akQ2tZY
103Please respect copyright.PENANANJbvX4xc4u
但村民們都是這麼說的,蓓塔·巴托羅是個愚蠢的女人。103Please respect copyright.PENANAC0ssMMyNGd
一定是她的愚蠢悲慘地助了她的長壽,讓她健忘不堪,讓她的丈夫因她而可憐無比。103Please respect copyright.PENANAPJyOVzbGiE
103Please respect copyright.PENANAuWhVzVOs5n
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老成這樣了還是這麼愚笨,真是個讓人沒面子的女人。103Please respect copyright.PENANA4P2nsL0Hfj
103Please respect copyright.PENANAnmJXguHpLo
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/103Please respect copyright.PENANAeiPfZ4JKNQ
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坐在熟睡的拔舍巴身旁翹腳坐著,簡單將破布蓋在腿上掩飾重要部位的姑方再次拿出出門前就藏在另一張床底的守則與匕首,拔舍巴的東西放哪兒,也是大概摸一下就找到了。 103Please respect copyright.PENANAqTWwizQ6eh
103Please respect copyright.PENANAggx936lWYt
進「樂園」時的獻祭與隨之提供的武器沒有收回明顯有其意涵在,因為夜晚那居民瘋狂一事,已經意識到不對的姑方暫且拋開了雜念,率先想查看匕首與手冊有什麼不同,這種有力量的東西說不定還會在他們不在時忽然自己長出字來呢?103Please respect copyright.PENANAmPrwB3koGy
103Please respect copyright.PENANAWPwMajfjtm
「樂園守則,〈居民〉、〈儀式〉……」103Please respect copyright.PENANAx6ZDnalpnR
103Please respect copyright.PENANA3nQ8I07wxa
不過他沒有如期看到變動,反而看到了被自己輕率略過的項目,姑方不敢相信這座樂園竟要對此做到這種地步。外頭的世界戰亂四起,他們還想在這用另一種方式剝奪自由嗎?103Please respect copyright.PENANAY5z69qpsei
沒辦法光是從這本《樂園守則》的內容判斷現狀,警惕與忽略守則的痛苦讓姑方為之皺眉,臉色難堪地念出守則上的句子。103Please respect copyright.PENANAXL9T21WH73
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「『神像開始鮮活、夜晚充滿惡魔、不聽話的居民在深夜遊蕩時,切莫與之搭話,許願池一旁的人影出現時,更不要接近他……』」103Please respect copyright.PENANAIyug7b9v4z
「『……否則樂園會吞噬你。』」103Please respect copyright.PENANAhQG7ag356y
103Please respect copyright.PENANAz1UZuBZrBN
「『要慶幸在神的庇護下,諸位貴客並不存在真正的死亡。』」103Please respect copyright.PENANAzNBRrpJFcw
「『請握好神賜予之物,無論何時、無論何地』……」103Please respect copyright.PENANAWgXSjxJfRr
103Please respect copyright.PENANAu1mT6EzPo1
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是他害拔舍巴陷入危險的。比對過兩本手冊的內容,姑方抬眸望著兩把作工精細,絲毫不像什麼「神器」的匕首。103Please respect copyright.PENANAHHER3V0gvC
粉亮眼眸沉入黑暗,想見那梅花林中的萬紫千紅,裡頭也是存在這般如血的色彩。103Please respect copyright.PENANAQDxBjvgZVL
103Please respect copyright.PENANANnV0JKIg8q
他身上總有這些代表梅花的變化,就像他了解自己,他的靈魂也是如此了解「梅花」,花開不見得代表喜悅,花謝也不見得代表終結──姑方伸手握起自己那支匕首,它和拔舍巴那把看起來都沒什麼差別。103Please respect copyright.PENANAc1dk3xoPoS
103Please respect copyright.PENANArCtSTiGZED
要不了多久,他又把匕首放到了那張破床上頭。103Please respect copyright.PENANAY2hATnm2bK
103Please respect copyright.PENANACIYRTMK5Qr
就算頂著一個營養不良,餓肚子餓出病的肉體,他也沒辦法在橘子園與拔舍巴受傷的衝擊後睡著,接下來要怎麼辦?在「祂」死去的那瞬,被「梅花」擁在懷裡的靈魂與掠過肌膚的流淌都讓他不適。103Please respect copyright.PENANAw3Nut5nSwT
103Please respect copyright.PENANA91ERwvDhbb
就像野兔無處可逃的感覺,但三窟早已不夠分散風險,搞成這樣,何嘗談這裡是「樂園」呢?103Please respect copyright.PENANAgX9AJF25sk
103Please respect copyright.PENANAnoMjHR3Uhc
「拔舍巴……嗯?」103Please respect copyright.PENANAIdDPugCebT
103Please respect copyright.PENANAh4KRrng56o
轉頭看著一個身體比誰都要糟糕的生命,還想著要如何告訴對方樂園守則的事情──咚咚咚、咚咚咚,忽然傳來的敲門聲差點讓他嚇得差點要握緊匕首衝出去了,門口卻沒有傳來人聲,更沒有傳來蓓塔慈祥的招呼聲。 103Please respect copyright.PENANApCUNyr13ew
103Please respect copyright.PENANAu8FN1yduWj
「……」103Please respect copyright.PENANAnoX64kZ5cR
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放不下拔舍巴的姑方看了一眼床上人,很好,還在睡……還有呼吸。103Please respect copyright.PENANA0uI6MFwloG
103Please respect copyright.PENANAJ4UhuP0vj6
把外衣綁在腰間的姑方握緊匕首,放低腳步,緩慢朝門口走去,如果是屋主回來了,那他們根本不需要敲門才是,而且,看起來嚴守宵禁的居民怎麼會自己違反宵禁久久未歸……?實在摸不著頭緒的姑方來到客廳,視線一低。103Please respect copyright.PENANACFfQO0k4Dt
103Please respect copyright.PENANAP9vyVaAOMx
「什麼,紙條?」是一張特別挑在凌晨才滑入門縫的紙條。103Please respect copyright.PENANAsSL80miiWQ
103Please respect copyright.PENANA6SHJuyd5ad
「──?!」103Please respect copyright.PENANAoBxxn6t85S
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看到上頭的內容,急切地回到寢室,拿起手冊,唰啦唰啦地翻到〈儀式〉章節的姑方幾乎感覺到自己背上爬來的寒意。103Please respect copyright.PENANA2MvfsdZr2f
103Please respect copyright.PENANAyDCibJ1MkK
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紙條上是這麼寫的,每月一次的儀式即將在收到此通知的兩天後開始。103Please respect copyright.PENANA5TbjUgfd6p
那意味著今天已接近月底,每個月的二十八日?二十八日要到了嗎?他們來樂園幾天了──不是才三天嗎?!103Please respect copyright.PENANANVP3IR2xCQ
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不,他根本不記得進來前是幾月幾日。103Please respect copyright.PENANAilPHdDWScR
103Please respect copyright.PENANAld4quuRXEW
意識到自己沒有人類的時間感這點成了致命傷,抓皺了紙條的姑方坐到了那張放著守則與匕首的破床上頭,隨意地將那些東西推到一旁,掌心搓揉著自己標緻的臉龐。103Please respect copyright.PENANAiyb5W5bSut
103Please respect copyright.PENANAVSv1FazaiJ
「呵、哈啊……」要不是蓓塔在隔天中午心平氣和地回來,他鐵定會發瘋的。103Please respect copyright.PENANA9CgABpfrPg
103Please respect copyright.PENANAXrRkmpx97q
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不只是看書看到隔天早上的疲憊在身,在蓓塔回來以前,獨自一人的姑方也莫名為那股寂寥所困,可他這次已經沒有力氣聒噪了。103Please respect copyright.PENANAYKEjPUvEp8
103Please respect copyright.PENANAkts4VtoYV8
沉默使蓓蕾自花萼凋落。103Please respect copyright.PENANAFEnFY1DOgB
103Please respect copyright.PENANAnJxfBUoRTa
收到紙條的時間是凌晨,那意味著姑方還有兩天時間可以搞清楚狀況,樂園守則上點名需要帶的祭品即為一開始告知的「喜愛之物」與「另一個額外物品」……另一個什麼東西?搓揉紙張的姑方頓時瞧見了「額外物品」邊上浮出的墨印。103Please respect copyright.PENANAUOD2lcQZTo
103Please respect copyright.PENANAx3Zd9uf7h4
是個手骨造型的提示,就是那個意外跑進他肚子裡的東西。103Please respect copyright.PENANApuMCZvKhQ8
103Please respect copyright.PENANA2JPXqoyuE0
「……早上了……?」103Please respect copyright.PENANA4UeymlzyUn
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被射入室內的陽光引去注意,放下手冊的姑方依舊放髮,上裸著坐在拔舍巴旁邊那張髒臭的破床上頭。103Please respect copyright.PENANAI96BiSRFw9
而陽光反之寵幸了躺在他面前的拔舍巴。103Please respect copyright.PENANAtSSorw6XGr
103Please respect copyright.PENANAsACpRCE82a
看著陽光溫柔地撫上「聖處子」放鬆的足尖,姑方呆愣在原地。103Please respect copyright.PENANANaPpXUw14F
103Please respect copyright.PENANAUkjUs30zXI
沿著足尖、小腿、大腿……越過這件素淡黑袍,如一位慈祥的母親那般點亮他身上每一縷漆黑,輕柔地撫過如蝶的羽睫,對非人之類而言,姑方看見的是一具即使在日漸消耗壽命,胸口也依然拼命起伏的身體。103Please respect copyright.PENANApv7mZKaLAc
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我知道的,你不想睡眠。103Please respect copyright.PENANAPejtfdTCfw
因為一點休憩所代表的「停止」正意味著你的崩解。103Please respect copyright.PENANAXBuPkH9BoA
103Please respect copyright.PENANAec6FzAuv1f
我會叫醒你,別擔心──對「同伴」一詞的惦念愈發加深,究竟是重疊還是共鳴?103Please respect copyright.PENANAw8udvHPq1R
103Please respect copyright.PENANA0qyWhhAafW
「……?」103Please respect copyright.PENANAayRlMAqGWZ
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雖然見到對方的下意識就想著人類的可恨,看著雙手安靜地平放,身上還蓋著毯子的拔舍巴,吐出一口氣的姑方似是看到了什麼,愣著湊到了拔舍巴身旁。103Please respect copyright.PENANAOrJW8hbZoC
他還記得拔舍巴身上血與酒混合而成的腥味,畢竟是他親手治療,暫且抑制了拔舍巴下腹部傷口的惡化。103Please respect copyright.PENANAl8NwlSg2Jh
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他現在還無力評斷傷口狀況,量力而為才是最佳解……裡頭傳出的一陣似人非人的振動卻彷彿觸到了「梅花」的枝枒,調皮地逗弄著姑方當下的感應能力。103Please respect copyright.PENANAIAti9lL2qo
是因為拔舍巴吸了自己刻意分出來的血,他才能用這種方式感覺到異樣?103Please respect copyright.PENANAhOxr5db6Xz
103Please respect copyright.PENANA1eikrZdw3a
「……有我不知道的東西……」103Please respect copyright.PENANA0fx0l8fG6c
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姑方的呢喃未帶半點困惑,倒是因為肯定拔舍巴的肚子裡有東西,他的表情也更加難看。103Please respect copyright.PENANATu1vCQYXjw
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他毫不猶豫地將雙手疊到了拔舍巴的腹部上方觀察反應。103Please respect copyright.PENANAzhuQhQplpG
103Please respect copyright.PENANA6Ac05Zh0ir
看著那依舊拼命、緩慢、吃力地起伏的胸口,似是從未在這死亡般的睡眠裡接受過這般撫摸,拔舍巴輕輕抬起了置於身軀兩側的手。103Please respect copyright.PENANAsOdixmISJf
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「……!」103Please respect copyright.PENANAriOBZTjtnY
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輕輕蓋到了撫著子宮的手背上頭。103Please respect copyright.PENANABGknYdngRW
103Please respect copyright.PENANAKg2b3lIW4b