Collecting himself had been easy enough. The want to just keep watch of things was a measure of control. To feel like it was within his grasp to manage and maintain something by his rules. And to continue avoiding the parts of thoughts were too newly restless to be anything functional.
After the means of her being taken control of, the means of being too far away from the hut was entirely out of the question. Keeping near and assuring there was a little enough fire that it would keep the inside warm without lighting the house place up. It was hardly anything that would have been enough to cook something over. Just large enough to offer light and a bit of heat.
He’d only slacken somewhat when he was sure she had nestled in. Glancing through the doorway upon a round to pause and make a mental note that it would not be of bad form to obtain a travel bag for herself. Something she could slide into to keep warm and cozy. Easy enough to pack along but not designed for permanent placement either.
It would be considerably some time before he would re-enter to stoop and lightly put a hand to that of shoulder. “Araminta,” lightly calling at her with a ginger tone, “It’s time to wake… the water is…” he wasn’t sure what to say properly to demonstrate the light that was emitting from its waters besides, “It is glowing.”
As usual she was a bit disgruntled and difficult to wake, but the sounds of glowing piqued her interest in such a way that Araminta did her best to shake it off quickly.
“Glowing?” she asked curiously, quickly thinking that maybe it was because of the slimes and their own strange luminescent glow within the cave. As she sat up, Araminta did give him a curious glance over to make sure nothing else was amiss. That he hadn’t had some battle or another and ran into trouble without her there to help.
Araminta wasn’t sure what help she would offer in means of a battle, but felt it was important not to leave the entire burden of their safety on his shoulders. He seemed to be fine, at least, even if he seemed confused at the idea of glowing waters. How exciting!
Making sure the small fire was put out, so they didn’t accidentally set fire to this entire blighted village (after all it was only the contents of the cave that she wanted to burn), Araminta also made sure to have a quick drink before quickly gathering up her things.
“Ca you see the fish down inside?” she continued, being unable to to wait and just see for herself. Too curious to know about this strange new phenomena!
All he could do was nod to her repeating of whether it was glowing or not. It certainly was. Enough so that in his efforts to patrol around them –in the means of keeping anything unsavoury away while she rested- it had been enough to cause him to be distracted. Staring for a long while till realization clicked in and it seemed now was the time for them to migrate back to its edge to see what new mystery the fetid pool had to offer.
Stepping back as to allow her space to gather up, he waited till she asked the question. “I did not go too close. It was bright enough to be seen from afar. I did not wish to go without you.” Such a honest reply certainly could have meant a myriad of things. Some likely to be spot on the truth too.
He’d make a quick effort to take that of her staff in offering before completing that side step backwards so he could lead her along the safest path back to the illuminated waters. Even from the first step out of the hovel, it emitted enough light to be highly questionable. Not so much bright like the sun but gleaming in low aurora like glints that it would naturally cause anyone nearby two reactions. One to stay away and the other to investigate the phenomena. “The undead also seem to have moved further away from the waters.” Theon carefully pointed out in case this was useful information.
With soft ebbing greenish yellow light, he followed at her side till he seemed to be studying their surroundings once more. “Please watch your step, it is uneven ground.” He offered an arm then to her, “If you need me.”
Araminta was certainly one of those that did not get the memo that this glowing phenomena might be something potentially dangerous, assuming that the undead naturally would want to flee away from anything bright and shiny, as they were dead and probably would’ve preferred to be buried in the dark than trapped out in the light of day.
Had he not told her to mind her step and offer his arm, the princess also would have dashed off towards the lake without even a second thought to watch her feet or where she might be walking! After their trying day, she was more than delighted to see something actually neat in this poor blighted village. All it took, though, was one misstep in the dark to some unseen gopher hole and Araminta was grabbing his arm and letting Theon dictate the path and the pace.
The glow in the distance was a bit brighter but when she glanced around at the village waters, there was still a faint glow here and there where ever the sticky slime had gathered. Almost as pretty as the faerie wood with all of the fungus on the trees. …although likely unpleasant if she fell into it!
After her initial slip to take a grasp upon that of offered arm, he certainly assured they weren’t taking a stray path so she could go and seen the glowing pool. Seemingly excited over something that could be very potentially dangerous. Of course, at this point if he hadn’t noticed her intrigue with the unknown, he likely wouldn’t have been able to be present for most of their encounters.
No less they came to the water’s edge once more to where the bottom appeared to be just as murky as previous but now one could certainly see shadows darting back far more. Lightly patting her arm to express it seemed safe, the water’s certainly didn’t leave much to be hidden now. Though he was grateful there was no immediate giant slime in the waters either.
“We did not bring your staff for you to fish.” Theon pointed out then and there, “Would you like me to grab it for you?”
This was fantastic. As soon as they were at the water’s edge, Araminta was bending over with hands braced on knees to peer into the depths of the lake, pondering that this might be the only good thing about a bunch of slimes gooping up the lake. The gentle glow was such a marvelous view and what luck that now the shadows of fish could clearly be seen darting around under the surface. For Araminta it proved that life always found a way to keep swimming, so to speak. Even when everything else around it seemed to be destroyed.
Then she straightened at his statement, realizing with a flush she’d been so excited to see the flowing lake that she’d left the one thing she needed behind!
“It does make the means of fishing difficult without it,” she nodded with some embarrassment. “I’ll find us the best spot the fish while you fetch?”
In a rare moment he found her intrigue at the water, worthwhile to note. Not so much for any educational purpose. Merely interest that was shortened when the obvious absence of her staff made fishing rod was obviously not with them. Making the means of fishing out the foul fish a little more difficult. And he was not about to suggest that she try using her hands to catch the fish like some bear. Unsure at this point if the water might mutate her as well.
A third arm would not be very good for her to manifest.
“Fetch.” He repeated the word with maybe too much familiarity but ultimately agreed to the means of turning about to go and retrieve the item for her to continue upon this trial. Holding a quick look over to assure she was safe once more even if he felt a strong discomfort brew in his belly seeing as this was how she had been harmed earlier. The throb in the bandaged wraps was enough to echo that statement but there was no use in trying to be overprotective. It wouldn’t solve much of anything, actually… it wouldn’t solve a single thing!
The means of turning about face to go back the way they had come was generally without notes to be had, it was only the means of grabbing her bag and staff with the cloak in tandem that he found pause.
Drawing a bit inwards to the corner of the house to peer at the view of someone that was moving in the darkness. Too quick to be one of the undead and too tall to be a oozing glop of slime. It would seem that their luck was either about to be fortuitous or disastrous. All the more reason to put some haste into his steps to avoid Araminta being alone once more.
Araminta was blissfully unaware of any potential dangers herself, presently laser focused on her trial at hand with that same thoughtful pondering she always had when tackling the tasks. While she’d be quite content to stare at the pretty glowing waters for hours, there was a fish to catch!
First, she prowled around the entire lake’s edge examining where all the shallows were. The bigger fish didn’t care for the more shallow areas so it wouldn’t do to fish there. Then, she made mental note how the collected debris areas she could find, where logs had fallen and plants had grown to what she figured created nice little hiding spaces under the surface. Those might be good places to toss her worm for tempting dangling.
Finally, the princess gathered up a handful of pebbles and made it her business to chuck them at grouping schools of fish to watch them shoot in all directions. Sometimes even splashing up near enough to the surface or quickly into the shallows where she could actually see their shapes.
“There you are! I see you,” she exclaimed under her breath. They were ugly little things when she could catch a glimpse of them, but they did exist here in the small lake. Which meant all she needed was the time and patience, and eventually she’d get her catch. She’d found herself the perfect spot to do her fishing by the time Theon returned.
“They’re in there for sure,” she declared proudly. “I saw a few! They’re absolutely hideous too!”
It was almost infectious how her spirit seemed to bloom back into a delighted twinkle. Proud of what she had discovered thus far upon his return. With a point out that whatever she seen had been rather ugly. Just if he was about to unanimatedly enthuse her for such a thing, it was dampened. Holding out the staff as the other items were set to the ground. Freeing a hand to point to the direction he had seen another.
“We are not alone.” The cryptic tone expressed holding finger aloft in its remained gesture, “Not of the undead or slime quality. They were scurrying along the way, it may be the one who is maintaining that of the altar.” A look at the glowing pool with the fish within caused him to debate the actions of what was to be next. “It could be dangerous to fish or we may stay and ignore the potential person. This is your trial, I will follow your lead.”
That revelation brought Araminta out of her pleased little bubble and back to reality, where things weren’t so whimsical with glowing lakes and hideous fishes. Holding her staff close for a moment as she squinted out towards the direction he pointed to see if she herself could spot any looming shadows darting around the abandoned village. The wheels turning in that head of hers, turning over options and possibilities like they were pages in a book.
“We don’t know who or what yet,” she pondered out loud. “If it’s harmless we’d be wasting time in giving chase. If it’s something dangerous and not looking for us, we’d be inviting trouble.”
Glancing around at the space she’d chosen, Araminta decided the best route was by priority. Regardless of anything and her new goals, acquiring her trial item was the first goal. If things went down the worst of the worst and they had to run away, she wanted to be sure she had her fish. The cursed alter and the blight on the village was something she wanted to resolve, but it was also something she could come back to.
“…and if it is our cultist or another danger, we might be at advantage to pretend we haven’t noticed. Let them come to us? Can’t catch us by surprise if we know they’re coming.”
It seemed their plan was to be alert but not confrontational. To give no chase to that in which had been present at all. Rather allowing the being to play the part of fiend in the night. Approach them with the false belief that they may be caught unaware.
Such a thought was approved swiftly. Inviting him to step around to canvas the lake once more. As if debating once more if he were to aid her in the efforts of fishing while keeping that of an ear out to that in which might want to join them as an uninvited guest. Eventually looking back at her then, “Where would you like to fish?”
Araminta watched him canvas the area with those focused silver eyes of his, inwardly trying to decide if she should be worried over the state of Theon or not. He was reserved again in words and action – not so much that she was concerned, but enough to know he had things on his mind. While she was napping, he’d had plenty of time to think and organize his thoughts… but for a man who didn’t understand the full scope of emotions and feelings, the princess suspected he was well rattled and didn’t know what to do with himself.
She was also starting to realize that being a caretaker was very much part of his personality, and not just something he did out of blind orders. Without things to do, he seemed to be at a loss. Araminta had been so worried about ordering him around too much and taking advantage, that she hadn’t thought before that he also needed to feel like he was contributing something and not just… what had he said before? Not just a bump on a log? Theon needed to feel useful.
Luckily, as partners they had complimentary skill sets.
“I’ve scouted this place here,” she pointed to her chosen place on the bank, near enough to a log that was half sticking up out of the waters, where fish were hiding in the watery plants and debris. “I’ll have to focus on my line. Could you keep watch for us? And tell me when to hide, if I need to?”
Subtly eyes widened at the way she pointed at her selected spot. Growing to focus on it as if it needed to be checked out and given the A-okay. Although he didn’t have that much experience fishing for foul beasts that had no right to call themselves fish anyways. Sliding a step to shuffle over, the darting shadows seemed to be almost annoyed that the light around them was not offering the same sort of cover the day had.
It likely made sleeping difficult.
Still he was asked to give that of a watch to assure nothing else decided to pop up in the means of unwelcomed hello, causing him to nod with due acceptance. Before seemingly lingering on the mention of her asking to be told when to hide. “Would you hide?” he seemed doubtful of that, knowing her personality thus far. He’d believe her a little more readily if she said she wanted to make friends with anything that came out at them. “Perhaps you can fish another one of those… flat fish.” He wasn’t going to call it a flat bastard as she had but he seemed to be trying his hand at poking a little jest. Though it was hardly glorious.
His reward was Araminta’s immediate wide smile, both amused that he’d assumed she wouldn’t listen to his instructions and that he’d remarked about her flat fish at all.
“Do you think our intruding guest would accept the offer of a flat fish?” she asked at first meaing it as a joke, but the second it was out of her mouth it somehow sounded like a fine enough idea. Should be an animal of some sort, it might actually like the offering of a free fish over the chomping of a person.
Of course, if it were a person they might just find the fish completely insulting.
A soft giggle did slip out at the entire thought of it, before Araminta got busy with fetching her worms and preparing her hook. Then pausing to glance around and see if there was a convenient spot to hold any extra fish, just in case there were guests.
“I’ll hide if you tell me to, Theon, I promise. …but I’ll also come to help you if there’s trouble. I’m not about to let you get eaten up by zombies or shadowy creepers.”
There was something about the way she grinned that caused a lot of swirling sensations to flutter through his head and it seemed to require a lot more studying because of it. Likely contributing it to the fact that smiling in his direction was rarely done with much mirth. Rather any sort of casted grins were laced with a darkness and twisted to be hardly anything face value. Her own were… much like this pool of glowing water. Mysterious but bright.
“I don’t think the fish would like that.” He commented back dryly at the idea of offering the poor pancake flat animal to anyone. Nor would he recommend it, as they weren’t sure if the fish were even good for consumption. Liable to turn someone into a slime themselves!
Adjusting to pace a bit to the left and back around towards the right as she began the means of wrangling her worm upon the hook, he was promptly drawn to a pause when she suggested she would do as he said if hiding was required. Though it was with addition. That she would want to help him if he were in trouble, suggesting she wouldn’t let him get eaten by things of the undead or other worldly category. “I would prefer if you survived.” He uttered easily enough, “Rather than being gallant.”
Araminta agreed that the fish probably didn’t at all appreciate being offered up to strangers, much less being caught at all, causing her giggling at the comment to resume even further. Glad that Theon seemed to be back to making statements that were hilariously silly, intended or not.
For the moment, they both had their own task to do, and the princess was quite eager to get to it. Stepping over to the bank to toss out her line, deciding to stand rather than to sit now that she could actually see the shadows of the fish beneath the water. Attempting to apply some new luring techniques with her dangle worm. A little jiggle here, a little dance… seeing even she could actually spot what the fish got attracted to via movements in the water.
“I’d also prefer if you survived?” she responded with a glance over her shoulder. “If you don’t want me being gallant, then try to be careful with yourself?”
It might have been one of those rare occurrences that a itty bitty appearance that temporarily showed there was an ability to have some emotion there on the stony visage. Minutely arching a brow when she ever so casually was glimpsing at him from across her shoulder. Suggesting that she too would prefer his survival with that reminder if he wanted her to avoid being any part of the gallant trope, he had to be careful with himself.
Inciting a quick internal surveillance that promptly came outwards, “I am careful with myself.” From what he knew, he had yet to do something that hadn’t been doing in the efforts of keeping them safe. The things that happened were during those unfortunate circumstances in which just resulting in things going somewhat south.
Maybe it was why he found a spark of something more to say, “Such things of your joy and concern should be saved for those in which bring you delight. Rather than myself, Araminta. You may waste your efforts on one who is faulty by design instead of one worth your means of care and I believe affection.” He seemed to register his differences loud enough to be deemed otherwise and not worth the effort of her gentle concern. Turning then to address their location with a renewed pacing, eyeing in the greater distance that of nothing. Waiting for something or someone to miraculous pop out like a fresh daisy amongst the winter frost.
Theon was being ridiculous again, and now that she knew he was going to resist compliments as if they were a brood of wasps trying to sting him, she couldn’t very well explain that there was plenty fantastic about him. He seemed in good enough spirits to give her that subtle means of sass, so Araminta was happy to dabble with it. Casting him another quick look over her shoulder even as she hid a smile.
“Now that I have your permission to stick with what delights me, I will for certain spend all of my time with you. You’ll be quite sick of me.”
He sure wasn’t going to escape her care and affection, Araminta thought. But if she was going to quip further on that thought, she’d lost her chance. Giving a happy squeak when something finally latched onto her hook and enthusiastically – maybe a little too enthusiastically – jerked it up out of the water and nearly sent that poor fish flying down the bank. The princess scrambled after it with a few mild curses, claiming her quarry with a small examination.
Not the fish she wanted, and not a flat bastard. But proud of her catch all the same!
Brows puckered. Repeating what she had to retort to him with and found it as cumbersome as a overgrown pumpkin that was meant to be carried by arms. Awkward, unyielding and very perplexing. Sure he had just expressed that she was wasting her time with anything remotely good when it came to him and yet she came back to suggest it was exactly what she was going to do.
He was sure she was going to become enamoured with something else or rather someone else in the future to properly orientate her attention upon. Perhaps likely in the port town seeing as it had that of the ocean, singing people in inns and such. Likely a source of better interest that would pull her eye rather than wasting it on himself.
Almost certain she would grow bored with him anyways.
Yet her features tilted and shortly she was squeaking and tugging her line out of the water with a fish that was trying to make a desperate escape from her once more. Unlikely to happen when it lacked the water to do so, yet she managed to pull some other unfortunate creature out of the waters. Even if he was suddenly making a pivot around to stride across the short distance to peer beyond her frame. Certain he had seen something glinting beyond. A soft shuffling was enough to determine that there was another encounter liable to happen though he was unsure if it was some animal wanting to steal the fish or that former person he seen.
“Araminta.” Voice spoke and he motioned with an arm for her to stay alert. Only for the thing itself to come crawling out of the bushes with eyes that took up so much of its face. A polished blue spiral shell upon its back as it glimmered in the pale glowing light of the lake. And he… had no idea what it was.
Araminta froze with that flopping fish in hand, ready to spring into action and dive in whatever convenient hiding spot she could find the second he gave the order. Only to find there was no monster or person in their immediate presence, nor other danger, just a glance downwards towards a very peculiar creature.
At first she blinked confused at the shape, as it certainly looked nothing like anything she had ever seen before! Even the fae rarely took on such shapes outside of mish-mashed familiar animals. She sucked in a breath and then let out a soft Oh!, which certainly heralded that Araminta thought this fascinating new beast was something friend-shaped and had every intention of greeting it.
Worse, she was already plotting to pet it.
“Look at you, aren’t you a beautiful soft cerulean snail,” she didn’t even giggle at her alliteration this time. Bending at the knees to seem less scary to this approaching animal. Very slowly taking her fish off the hook with all intent to offer it as a treat, if that’s what it came looking for.
“What big eyes it has, Theon! To see better by the lake’s glowing light, do you think? I wonder if that means the lake has always glowed!”
By no means did he have a collective set of knowledge that herald every type of beast there was within the Imperial lands, nor beyond that. Yet, the oddity of this creature may have suggested it likely was not native. Or it was a mutant of some sort. Looking as if it was a meshed together thing that was both snail and fuzzy little critter. Just the light was glinting off its large peepers to the point that he wasn’t sure if it was attracted to the light or not.
Yet to hear Araminta gasping at it then settling down to coo at it, he almost worried that this could be a very niche and elaborate trap. He didn’t think much of the creature but it was apparent that the princess may have thought it to be that of the cute variety.
And it, didn’t seem to mind. Making its fluffy feelers twitch as it inch wormed at a quickened pace with the fish being offered up. Having no bother to decline. “I do not think so.” He expressed softly watching this shell carrying thing scuttle up to pat its legs of too many on the ground. Seemingly thrilled overall. It wasn’t afraid either as he would suspect a wild animal to be. Did that mean this was a pet of some sort?
The fluffiest part of its rear seemed to wiggle in time with that of feelers upon its brow and outstretched from its nose, wink wonking in uneven blinks. Shifting to bend somewhat that it could clearly show a scribble of a line that was likely a mouth. Offering a low chirruping sound before legs pitter pattered on the ground once more. “I do not believe it is a natural creature… I would advise caution.” Suggesting it even as the darn thing seemed to croon at the fallen royal.
“One… two… there’s six little paws. Why do you need a shell, little buddy? Is it protect your little body or is it your house?” she asked the thing softly, trying to use what education she did have to figure the thing out. Especially if Theon seemed to think it wasn’t quite natural. This shape didn’t feel useful for the blighted village, maybe he was right at the creature was magical in nature?
Somewhere in the back of her head she had to know that it wasn’t wise to be too friendly with any new any creature, but Araminta was also the sort to offer sandwiches to hags, play music for golems, and yell at magical snakes. When it came to living monsters and creatures, the princess was recklessly fearless and this one appeared to be just as interested in meeting her and she was in meeting it.
“I’m being cautious,” she assured him. Though her idea of being cautious was simply making sure she didn’t spook the thing. Beckoning with her fingers for it to come a little closer and holding the fish down flat to the ground so it could have a chomp if it so choose.
He did not believe her when she expressed she was exercising caution. Not the way this weird little critter seemed more than content to mosey on up and she was looking like she was one scoop away from huddling the strange beast in her arms! Surely the beckoning for it to come closer wasn’t doing him any justice of belief either.
Though it seemed to be far more interested in Araminta with her wiggling fingers. Scrunching to waddle up closer and closer till it could overlook the fish to help its front little paws up onto her hand. Looking every bit of certain that it was about to start climbing up on her.
Making those same noises now while he gave her a look that seemed to prove he found her caution every bit of a lie. If it were possible, its eyes might have gotten larger to hone its chance to look impeccably adorable. “One can only hope we are never beset upon by a heard of fluffy hellhounds.” Theon dryly commented at her, stooping to take the fish that she had laid down. “May I put this back while you are charming a new companion?”
“If they do not wish for pets, then they ought not be so fluffy,” quipped back Araminta without even an ounce of remorse. Knowing full well had she met any fluffy hellhounds her first instinct likely would’ve been to toss them a treat and try to win them over. This wasn’t helping any of her credibility at all, but she was quickly smitten with this new creature and it’s beautiful deep midnight eyes and it’s adorably sweet little chitters.
She was absolutely going to let it crawl all over her, and had completely forgotten about her trial at hand.
“Oh, hm.. I suppose if it’s not interested in eating it, that is best then,” she finally said, using her other hand to very carefully see if the creature would like a tiny little scritch on the top of it’s head. “You don’t like foul fish? Do you like berries? I hope you don’t like slime, that’d be ghastly…”
If it were possible for him to be so stone-faced and absolutely fed-up with her in the same breath, he was completing it right now. Giving the woman a solid stare that loudly proclaimed he did not think she was capable of self preservation. Almost as if someone would know how easy she was to fool if it came to the soft and fluffy sorts. Though never mind the twinge of annoyance that seemed to spawn quietly within the confinements of skull that she was even entertaining this thing anyways. Not about to start trying to label this new feeling anyways.
Daring a watchful look as it seemingly was very pleased it was not being swatted away. Rather allowed to climb aboard to make all the noisiest sounds possible.
Leaving him to be the one that seemed to remind her that she was doing something. In the means of the trial which obviously was forgotten about. Rather the thing bunted its head into the hand as if to tell her to hurry up and pet it rather than toying with it. Mentally leaving him to sigh at her, stooping to unhook the fish from the bent piece of sharp metal.
Hopefully it wasn’t already dead though would it matter, as he let it slip back into the waters. “I will retrieve the bow and arrow then if you wish to continue the trial.” Theon stated quietly as if to start ignoring the odd beast.
One might notice that the mention of slime seemed strong enough to cause it to tilt its head. Unfortunately for Araminta, she might have already been on to something.
Araminta turned to grin at him, but on sight of that stony face she very quickly wiped the expression off her own, and even actually seemed chided into realizing she was shirking her own self appointed duties in favor of something cute and fuzzy. Although she was having a hard time of feeling bad about it, when it was so very cute and seemed to like her. Quite pleased in fact to have something willing to give a little cuddly affection.
“I’m still fishing,” she at least deemed to declare. Giving the little critter a good pet since it seemed to want it so, tilting her own head at it’s reactions to her words. “Berries? Sliiiiime?”
Interesting! There was certainly more than an abundance of slime for the eating. Inching on the balls of her feet, she beckoned the little thing to join her over at the lakeside where it could slurp up as much slime as it pleased.
And fishing, of course. She would resume her fishing. Araminta made sure to reach for her staff again to resume so!
Somewhere he was doubting her in the suggestion that she was still fishing. Having just put back the fish she caught, had he been more of a vocal person he might have been rather liberal about point out her distraction. But rather he simply accepted she was going to be charmed by this weird shelled beast that crooked its head further and further each time she said or stressed slime.
Turning about to make a wander a bit back to reclaim said arrow strung up still with the bow, his interest in this topic waned quickly. Finding annoyance resonating alongside that something else that had no place being inside his skull at all!
Taking roost on the opposite side of the lake bed for a different vantage point, as the princess seemed to get herself into place. With the buggy critter happily slipping down to cling to the side of the bank with the interest in the goopy orange ooze that had no business being eaten by anything. So this thing was a scum sucker. Well it likely had an abundance of food here though it wasn’t doing a very good job at cleaning if this was the case.
With a vibrating ring of bowstring being let go, the shadowy figure in the water let out a plume of vitals before swimming away, being grazed by the arrow head but not yet caught. Save that his fingers plucked a new arrow to turn and launch it suddenly into the woods, hearing the yelp and a curse accompanying shortly. “Reveal yourself.” Or be used as a pincushion.
“Is that anyway way to treat an old woman!” A haggard looking half bent crone rallied from the brush, sporting her own little collection of the snail creatures along her back and shoulders. “Do you realize you almost killed me.”
Fingers reached for another arrow. Drawing it back with a clear definition that his intent was not to play games.
“He doesn’t know how to make friends,” she told the little thing as soon as Theon was out of earshot. Aware that he likely thought she was being foolish, but the world was filled with so many more good and friendly things than it was with angry monsters. And Araminta had found that at least creatures were far more predictable than people. They also didn’t tend to lie, you just had to pay attention!
She was well on her way to tossing her line again and settling to a seat with her new fuzzy friend. Vaguely paying attention to the fishing, and admitted far more interested in watching this fuzzy snail peer it’s little head down at the water. Wisely keeping an occasional eye on Theon when he abandoned her to another side of the lake, finding this was the first time he’d been exasperated with her, and his way of showing it wasn’t subtle, even if the expression on his face barely changed.
When he went shooting into the woods and earned a yelp for the effort, Araminta straightened and was ready to act as necessary. …only to be quite confused by the voice and the appearance of the old woman.
Covered in the little adorable creatures too! There was MORE of them! A tiny little colony of cerulean snails!
“Theon!” she shouted from her side of the small lake, scrabbling to jump back to her feet. “Ask questions before you shoot her!”
There was a noticeable limp to the older woman’s form as she made her wobbly way from the brush. Backpacking a clutch of the weird little fuzzy snails on her being while she sought to try and chide him at all. Although he was not the one wandering through a blight riddled abandoned village in the dead of the night carrying a bunch of strange beasts! It made little to no sense as to why she was here at all. Old and frail perhaps she might be but stalking around in such an environment was hardly enough justification for him to just go docile.
Keeping the arrow taunt against its bow, watching as the elder pushed back her cowl to let the bun of errant hair be exposed to the moon. A salt and vaguely peppery mess, she appeared to be old enough to know better than to wander around in such a night.
And it struck him all the more as troublesome. Yet, he heard his name. Keeping arms drawn and ready to unleash the arrow regardless while gaze flit to peripheral at how Araminta was telling him not to shoot before asking questions. Not that he felt it necessary to do so. Wondering if she had in fact had her brains scrambled earlier after she had been possessed. He had already expressed earlier that he had seen someone moving around and now suddenly…
Frustration. It was ripe, irritated and flushing heatedly in his chest at the idea that now he was being chided for being cautious.
Jaw flexed idly before he lowered the bow. Letting the arrow go slack to be stuffed back into the quiver without an actual show that he was feeling the effects of his own aggravation. Lightly putting it back into place. “What a heathen.” He heard mumbled before the elder woman seemed to take notice of the one that had called out at all. “Ah, so that’s where that one got off too.” Her dark eyes seemed to glint against the glowing waters, “What’s a pair of children doing in this gods damned place? Especially at night… this is no place for a picnic, I hope you know.”
Emboldened by a woman covered in the things, Araminta set aside her staff to scoop up the peculiar snail creature into her arms and promptly scurry her way around the lake bank to find her place next to… and a little behind Theon. Certain that if she tried to stand in front of him to greet this stranger, that he would get (invisibly) angry with her for being so reckless with herself. After all, even with the furry distraction, she hadn’t forgotten they were presently waiting for the return of the demon cultist that maintained this blighted curse.
Of course, that didn’t mean she was going to be rude to any stranger that came upon them, either. One needed to be sure of someone’s intentions before you started shooting them full of arrows!
“We’re only fishing,” explained Araminta, gesturing back at her little staked out spot of things. “For an interesting catch or two. Maybe even a little curse breaking sprinkled in if we can get away with it.”
Announcing their intention in such a way wasn’t at all subtle, but this was a tactic on Araminta’s part to see what the woman was up to herself out in such a village. With a body covered in sweet fuzzy treasures no less. …by the gods she hoped the woman wasn’t sacrificing them to the demon lord! Araminta would steal every single one of them on the spot and throw the old woman in the lake!
“Fishing!” The woman barked out a disbelieving laugh turning particularly airy at the end. Easing out as if she was trying to vent herself into making sense of the idea of fishing. “You won’t find anything of edible sorts in that water, girl. Unless you want to see if it could mutant an eye in the middle of your forehead.” She narrowed a look at him, “Or manners for your companion.”
She didn’t care for him and he could say the feeling was surprisingly mutual.
Yet her head shook making the errant bit of hair sticking up in every direction sway playfully, “Curse breaking you say. Clearly you know enough about this place to talk of such things but if you think you two are the first to try, then you’ve clearly never seen a blighted village before. You might as well have better luck cleaning an ogre’s arm pit.” Her hands seemed to open up with intention that Araminta was supposed to give over the shelled fuzzy she held. “The only thing that seems to help this place is these little critters.”
Theon folded his arms behind his back seemingly leaving this effort of questioning to that of the princess. They’d already been well acquainted with the fact he didn’t do socializing and was incredibly bad at it. She’d already pointed out to the scrubby snail that he was bad at making friends.
“You must be doing that accursed bitch of a queen’s trial’s then.” A thin finger pressed to the side of her nose with a keen tapping, “Who do you think manages this place and its nasty presence. It certainly wasn’t any of them townsfolk, so either you are about as dumb as a stick or the trial is the reason you are here. Well… which is it?”
Well, this woman seemed perfectly pleasant to Araminta, if perhaps a bit cheeky and wild. Certainly a better means of conversation than those wily brutes back at that derelict rest town, with all of their dead taxidermized animals and townsfolk with leery stares. Theon still appeared to be wary, but that she understand completely, as they’d had a very shocking sort of day.
“Dumb as a stick and doing the trials would be the most accurate,” supplied Araminta with her usual cheeriness. Blinking at the woman’s waiting hands and then at the creature in her arms. Ooh, she didn’t want to give it up as it was truly the most sweet little thing… but her trials were going to be long and difficult, so a pet would be a very bad idea. It also wasn’t hers to keep.
Thus regretfully, Araminta handed it back to the woman and then resumed her place just a step behind Theon. Giving him a flicker of a glance to see if he might’ve suddenly decided to visible scowl.
“We really only need the fish, but it seems wrong to leave the place in such a state. A blight shouldn’t be left like this to fester and spread.”
The elder woman gave Araminta a rather lengthy look then when the girl expressed it was a bit of both. Dumb and trials. Seemingly to go very much hand in hand. “Clearly.” It seemed a fitting response till her hands were plenty full of the chirruping snail that had been returned to her grasp. Brushed softly with hands that seemed to be far more fitted to gnarled spindly tree knobs than anything gentle, the critter seemed happy enough to be back. Wasting little time to attach itself to her arm so it could go scooting back to the other various ones. Noticing that some were larger than others but all sported the same blue coloured shell with eyes so large that they looked almost innocent.
For the crone to adjust her posture with her added weight, “If Heirra doesn’t give a shit about this place, why should any other. Our every so graceful matriarch assures this place works well to test whatever dark things she wishes. Of course no one would say such things to her face.” The woman scoffed, “If you come to play hero, girl, you should choose one or the other. Trials or hero. You’ll likely to die either way less you give up the ghost for them.”
Theon frowned somewhat but it was to the overarching statement, “Then you know of the demonic idol here.”
Eyes glinted again before she nodded. “Aye. It’s been here for a very long time. Immovable and unbreakable as far as I can tell. I’ve only been able to stave off the spread of this damnable blight from these little scud suckers.” A point to reference her scud suckers. “Matilida by the way.” She seemed to offer a name, “You won’t get yourself a fish from that pool or anyone that you want without the right bait, by the by girl. You wouldn’t happen to have a particularly rancid maggots on hang, I surmise?” She scowled then, “Or one of Heirra’s fingers, things just as rancid too.”
Calling the Imperial Queen all of these delightfully funny insults didn’t bother Araminta in the slightest, but the use of the woman’s first name did scandalize her just a bit! Something about the bold and blatant disrespect was mortifying to her as a royal, but oh so gratifying when she herself had developed such a distaste for the evil queen.
Still, this was Theon’s mother the woman was going on about, she could maybe stick with Queen Heirra.
At least it gave a great deal of hope to know that such adorable little creatures could be used to help combat the mess of slime and the blight itself. Now if they could just remove the source of the problem itself, then it’d be no time at all for the town to begin blossoming back to life.
Rancid maggots, though! The immediate scrunching of her nose said it for, but she shook her head to affirm it.
“I’ve been doing alright with worms, but if they need a better bait… I suppose we will have to gather up rancid maggots.” Araminta was almost terrified to ask on how exactly that was to be acquired! Maggots were generally only found on dead things, let alone rancid ones!
“Have you not seen anyone else around maintaining the alter?” she deemed to ask. “A spell has to be maintained somehow. And he won’t let me go crashing things about and setting fires willy-nilly in the cave.”
Incredulous was the look that Araminta earned for stating she was doing alright with mere worms. The woman… Matilda seemed to know enough about the trial here that she offered up the information of what just might work better. After having said her own private peace outloud about what she thought. Seemingly having no trouble doing so either. “Unless you enjoy staying in such a dump of a place, I would give the offer of advice a lot of consideration, girl. This is not a place to camp.”
He did have to agree to that but he would also work diligently to assure that Araminta was as comfortable as she needed to be even if it took a while to fish up her foul marine life.
“Hmm? Well unless you want to get cursed, then your lump of a bodyguard would be smart to stop you from crashing around like some drunken bear. Surely you can figure out that there have been people that have attempted to stop the altar before. Just from my knowledge those that tried, were happily fed to the waters. Probably became a slime’s treat.” Idly she shuffled one of the critters from getting under her neck, putting it back with the rest. “But I don’t make it a habit to come around this place unless it’s night. Whomever is maintaining the spell clearly wants to be left alone and I would surmise that they have the blessing of that old windbag of a ruler anyways. If not protection.” Her shoulders shrugged before turning somewhat. Starting to pick off the creatures to set down and shoo them to the water’s edge.
As if being finally fed up with them squirming around.
“All I know is, you best stay away from the ritual unless you know how to defeat it. Unless you want to be one of those wandering undead.” Matilda huffed putting her hands to her hips. “My hut is just a bit past the east here. Not that I am inclined to welcome a lunkhead such as this one but you seem at least genuine girl. If you want a hot meal and such, then you can wander by later. But that’s all the information I’ve got.”
“The offer of hospitality is very much appreciated, if we’re stuck here for long we might take you up on that offer.” she accepted easily, not the bit insulted by the way the woman spoke to her. Some people were just that sort of blunt, especially the older they got. It’s as if the older you got the less you cared about societal niceties and wasting precious time on them. The Matilda was also being helpful in her own sort of way.
“We’ll need the better bait if we want that fish. It is the priority,” she affirmed. Araminta turned to Theon then, that thoughtful look on her face as she considered things. That clever little spinning of the wheels in her head, that she seemed to get when she was attempting to hatch up an idea that was truly off-kilter. The very look she’d had on her face before she’d shown up at the cliff’s edge with a sack of angry geese and a stubborness about her.
“If it’s a ritual, then disruption is exactly what I’ll do. I just need a burlap sack and a few hornets nests…”
She seemed to be already hatching some plans.
Matilda gave them each a whiff of her hand in that sort of whatever effort that determined the conversation was already over before the last comment. Pulling the cloak’s hood back over her head to manage that of her little furry scud suckers. And he found there was a particular look on Araminta’s face that did not instill a sense of confidence even remotely.
Actually if he was about to be honest with himself, whatever was going on inside her head, he sense it was likely insanity.
Only to be proven in moments next when she announced she needed a burlap sack and… “Hornets nests?” he asked a bit weakly. Maybe he would have a better chance of normality for one of his particular freakish existence if he went off to be a hermit in the woods before he was murdered by his mother.
“And some rope, pitch if we can find it… I bet there are all sorts of things left behind in this village that might be useful.” she prattled off her list, even counting her fingers along with it. “I may not have magic or brawn, but I can set a trap no cultist would ever expect!”
Theon ought to have seen such a thing coming at some point. Araminta had not approached any of the trials in a manner anyone would thought of. Without decades of training in magica arts, combat, or even the very monsters she’d encounter. She approached the world through a lens all her own with solutions most unconventional. So why wouldn’t she also remove a band of demon cultists in the same way.
Before she got too far in her planning she grimaced again.
“…I better get my staff and shake down one of those undead to see if any maggots fall out,” she muttered darkly, already moving away to do as much. “Why can’t this awful fish just eat worms like a normal fish!”
Any previous frustration that had been pooling in his belly like a viper was suddenly and very unexpectedly flushed down the figurative drain. To find a replacement that was a cold reedy sense of impending danger and it was all coming from the scheming plot that was Araminta was already constructing in her unusual way. Starting to wonder in some aspect if she had been a princess that took delight in odd torture practices in her previous royal life to manage to come up with such an array of items.
Pitch and hornets. Rope and burlap sacks.
While she might not have the same malicious intent that the Imperial Queen did, he was seeing similar patterns in how they both appeared to be very much conquest focused. Doing whatever they could to ensure a sense of personal justice in the most potentially aggressive ways. It made a strong unease burble to life.
And grew into a monumental threat when she went from one plan to a grimacing mentioning going to rattle one of the shambling beings for the maggots. “Ara—” He began only to promptly swallow down his own suggestion at her name being a pause button. Weakening swiftly before just sort of nodding. He wasn’t too sure what this plan was but he also knew he was not to interfere when she was on the trials. If she wanted to take on one of the undead then well, he was going to have to watch.
Resigning swiftly and indicating more over that he would wait for her to do what she needed.
Araminta did pause at the start of her name, turning to him and waiting curiously to see what his advice would be for their current endeavor. Only for him to nod and sort of deflate, drawing the princess to examine him carefully with a twist of her mouth. Impossible to read his mind, but she could take a few educated guesses. With the Imperial Queen’s nasty little stunt, he was now all shaken up inside and likely worried about her getting into trouble. Unfortunately, just by the very nature of the trials, danger was around every corner! No matter how clever her plans, the unexpected could happen.
She just wished he’d had a little more courage to actually say what was on his mind. This was not something she could force out of him and Araminta was just going to have to remain patient.
“I’m going to be very careful,” she tried to reassure him anyway. “Stay safe Madam Matilda and cerulean snails!”
On that cheery note (and maybe one last uncertain glance at Theon) Araminta temporarily removed her fishing line from her staff to start her very unorthodox hunt for one of the shambling bodies in the village. Thankfully there weren’t a lot of them, or the village itself truly would’ve been a difficult place to be in… but she managed to find that one shuffling warrior some how making his way across the wooden dock paths without falling himself into the slimy river waters below.
The closer Araminta crept, the less and less she liked this idea. It seemed like a good one in theory, as a rancid body should have rancid maggots, but… the more she tip-toed and crept up on it, the more uneasy she got. The poor man was practically a skeleton with skin at this point, with no telling how long he’d been out there roaming the blighted village. Araminta reached out her staff and oh-so-gently gave him a poke in the back– and immediately found this was not something she had the back bone to do!
Leaving the princess stumbling backwards a few steps to rethink where she could find her bait. Surely there was a dead animal somewhere laying around in the village, but the thought of scooping up maggots out of some poor dead critter make her stomach feel like it was going to turn inside out.
Woodenly he nodded to the means of being told she was going to be very careful. Not particularly certain the confirmation would do much of anything. One couldn’t surmise every potential danger after all, as they learnt much earlier. However, and this was the largest thing in his mind, he also couldn’t keep interfering either.
If she wanted to create some elaborate plan to –what it sounded like tar and feather the cultist- then that was just how it was to be. And if she wanted to go shake and rattle an undead for potentially something wriggling and nasty, then that was also for her to decide. He’d seen her wrangle the geese into a bag. Shared a sandwich with a hag, and lullaby an entire grove of fae with a strum of fingers.
His worries –wishing they would just fall into the water themselves- weren’t helpful. More of a hindrance truly.
“Girl is a few cards short of a full deck.” Matilda seemed to dryly comment at the whole stay safe bit. Urging him to glance back at the woman for a long quiet moment. Lightly directing view downwards to the happily feasting cerulean snails. Adjusting his stance to somewhat distant himself from the madam as not to impede on the snails midnight snack. Idly squeezing that of the bow with a momentary thought about whether or not he ought to try catching the fish at all. Deciding not to.
Settling instead to arrange items of that of his own armory to proper arrangement in waiting. Feeling the stare of Matilda every so often but otherwise the silence was thankfully familiar.
When Araminta found she didn’t have the heart to disturb the wandering dead, with a great deal of reluctance she set her search instead across the village for something that was properly deceased and not wandering around like a soulless shell. This came to be quite a more difficult task when most animals didn’t even dare to wander past the blighted barrier to come foraging in this cursed place for meals.
Then led by the most of awful of smells she did come across a bloated old racoon, strewn under the supports of one of the buildings. Properly dead, certainly teaming with carrion bugs chomping away on what was left of the flesh. Araminta swallowed the lump in her throat and managed to get two steps near it before bursting full on into uncontrollable tears. Having to remove herself to a safe distance and plop to the ground where she could cry it out without that smell of death hanging over her.
So that was it then. She found her limit at the fourth trial. Failing not even because of her own death, but because she was too soft to shake zombies or scoop up maggots from a dead raccoon! Why on earth did she think she could return home and drive away a hoard of demons, if she couldn’t even look at little dead animals? How could she fight a demon? And now she’d dragged Theon into this, earning the ire of his hateful, evil mother… Araminta wouldn’t be able to fight her either!
She was such a stupid, foolish girl.
After an unbelievably long moment of silent tears, the princess dried her face with her sleeves and took a fresh glance around at the old village huts around her. The people here made their whole life and survival around fishing in the streams and lake. Fishing with just poles and bait couldn’t possibly be the only way they caught their food. Picking herself up off the ground with a heavy sniffle, Araminta set to searching the huts themselves gathering up and scavenging for every bit and bobble of fishing tools she could find. Nets on poles and nets for throwing that had a few snapped holes but could be tied up and repaired quick enough. Rusty old lures that looked like fishes and bugs and worms. A broken spear, but she could tie the line to it for tossing. An old lobster trap made of thin wire and even a rickety basket for storing fish in.
By the time Araminta stumbled her way to the lake she’d had a ridiculous arm full of these things, and it was quite clear she’d been crying but with the stubborn look on her face it meant she’d worked her way though it. …or at least was in the process of working through it, as she didn’t say a word when she dropped her collected bounty on the bankside and took to removing her cloak and her boots. Apparently intending to get in the water itself if she had to!
At some point Matilda had gravitated further up the line of the river feeding into the polluted lake. Her little scud suckers proving to be rather content as the moon seemingly tugged further across the sky. Urging a sense of growing unease to be placed within his chest when it was apparent that Araminta was well… absent for a good long while. Finding it rather difficult surprisingly to be situated with nothing to do besides twiddling thumbs.
No longer an assassin with the instructions to kill.
Nor a observer to keep an eye on how the trials went through.
Just that bump on a log with a mind far too abundant with worrying thoughts that he worried his head was about to flop right off his neck with the weight.
Restricted…
Suppose he would have to wait till morning to see if Araminta either perished because she went poking a undead that might have been more willing to hack and slash for meat, or if she simply ran off to go collect her various items to catch a cultist. Or merely abandoned everything.
The rattling of sounds eventually seemed to pull attention as he knelt silently there by the bag of her own belongings. Turning the gaze of argent to shortly find that her arms were full of various items that he couldn’t even contemplate what half of them were! Let alone where it all came from. Urging him to be noiselessly probing. Watchful as the sort of antics and plans she came up with tended to draw a visual audience like that of a traveling troupe.
Though her features expressed she had been fussed against the eyes, he knew that determination look no sooner. If there was anything he ought to say or could have, such things remained swallowed. Seemed it was the mood to be hushed up when she was focused on whatever this was she was planning. Apparently about to crawl into the waters which at this point, he wasn’t even sure anyone could stop her! Not when she had a plan to boot. Likely about as successful to stop it as getting a rampaging bull to stop charging at anything that moved.
One could only hope that if she did mutate or something, maybe in the search for a paladin, they might be able to heal away any tentacles or extra toes, or eyes.
With cloak and boots removed, Araminta set to rolling up the legs on her pants to her knees and even the sleeves of her shirt to the elbows. Then it was a matter of untangled her mess of items to arrange them out in a way that was actually useful.
First she tied her fishing line and hook back to her staff, and adding a little creepy bauble that looked as close to a maggot as she could figure. This she set up with a rock and another stick to prop up by bank. Letting the lure dangle and seeing if it attracted anything.
Next, she took the wire fishing trap and examined it. She wasn’t quite sure exactly how it worked… maybe that the fish could swim in but not figure out how to swim back out? Hoping that was the gist, Araminta using some of her fishing line to tie little bait baubles inside, then followed with tying a long thing rope to it. Once she had it ready, she stepped over to the bank and with all the strength she could muster, she flung it out towards the deepest part of the lake. Watching as it sank until her rope stopped moving.
Next she came upon her nets and gave all the tied knots a good inspection. Where she found a break she worked on weaving it back together so there wouldn’t be any way for fishy forms to escape. At least not ones the correct size. Occasionally she’d glance up at the staff to be sure nothing was nibbling on it yet.
Finally she dared a glance at Theon whom seem to have that unsure look on his face and the absolute circus she’d brought back instead of a handful of maggots. Araminta sighed.
“I couldn’t do it,” she mumbled softly to explain. “Seemed rude to bother them.”
There was quite the bit of arrangement of items that he had no idea which way or another what they did. How they worked or why they did what they did. Add on that each item she put into the water next seemed to add to that imaginary question mark for his lack of understanding.
All he knew of fishing was just a stick. String and a hook with some wriggling bait on the end. Anything more than that and it was outside his wheelhouse. Which was much of what Araminta was doing. Though that might not be entirely exclusive to this moment.
Each new item was put into the gnarly water and he momentarily watched them. As if expecting an immediate response to every bit without any success. Leaving him that same effortless quiet that eventually seemed to be lurking just loud enough that she glanced at him. The look seemed enough to make him turn away as if he committed some crime in his own thoughts. As if he were judging when in actuality, it was just that same level of bewildered confusion.
Lightly he hummed though when she stated she couldn’t go to the undead for the search of what Matilda said. Suggesting it would have been rude to bother them. Well, he wasn’t sure if the shambling warrior and others would have thought it rude but he didn’t doubt that they would have been irritated. Enough to whirl and start chomping after her. In turn he also doubted Araminta needed such an insight spoken. She probably already figured it out.
So what did he offer? A slight tip of chin and a hum again as if expressing he understood and that was all that needed to be said.
Araminta was almost expecting to be told she was foolish for even making the attempt, or that she was foolish for caring so much about dead things at all. But she hadn’t even told him about crying over the poor racoon, and really… Theon never said such things to her anyway. She doubted he would even if he were thinking it. Unsure if she was glad about this or not, at least Araminta figured she could relieve his confusion and explain what she was doing.
“Pole with maggoty looking lure,” she pointed where it was waiting, checking again to see if there was any movement. Then she pointed out where she tossed the wire trap. “Deep water trap? I’m not sure how that one works, but it’s bound to do something.”
Then she held up the net she’d been working on repairing. It was big enough to toss over a person, at least one the size of Araminta.
“And this is a fish net. I’m going to toss it out and drag up all the fish. Well, fish that won’t slip through these holes. The medium and big sized fish.”
This didn’t come with as much enthusiasm as she had earlier, but that was likely due to the occasional sniffle that was still trying to sneak out. Araminta hadn’t given up yet, but hard truths still stung.
Interest grew as she began to explain about each piece. Leaving him to be actually intrigued even if he still wasn’t sure on how any of this would succeed. Regardless it was fascinating that this is what she came back with instead of maggots. Actually, it seemed like this heightened her chances of success.
However, he noticed she was lacking that spritely spirit she seemed to possess. Sniffling with something that seemed a little more out of place than he knew what to do with.
Still, he could notice she seemed upset. Although how to fix that well… he moved to stand up. Offering her a temporary look without a word as he indicated he would be simply right back. Meandering away after a few additional moments along the upside of the lakeside to eventually step out of sight. Seemingly taking a bit of time before returning back with well…
Theon stood but moved to offer out the wriggling crooning noisy sludge eater that looked just as happy as it had been before. “Matilda says bring it back later.” He offered her the little moth snail in hopes that it might soothe something. Merely waiting only long enough for her to take the critter to kneel back down and wait once more.
Araminta watched him disappear and then return with such a confusion, and then even more so when he’d offered her the cerulean critter. She oh-o-gingerly took it in her hands, finding very quickly that now she was going to cry for entirely different reasons! Having to take a moment to swallow those welling emotions with a soft hrmph, while she pet and stroked and snuggled the sweet little thing. Before long that grinning smile had returned, even if she was still a little sniffly. Araminta guided the shelled creature up onto her shoulder so it could hang out on her back the same way they seemed to do with the old lady.
Then, before she could remember it was a bad idea, she stooped to hug Theon. Practically fell on him in the process, but it was a quick hugging squeeze and a murmured thank you, before she scrabbled back to her feet to resume her fish hunt.
A little bit sniffly, a little bit elated, Araminta explained what she was doing to her new fuzzy friend and tossed her net out into the lake. As most things, it didn’t exactly go as she wanted in the first try – it flopped without unfurling and she had to drag it back. It seemed throwing the net would take some practice to do so correctly and without getting snagged on things beneath the glowing waters. But with each toss she got a little bit better, to the point that she could actually start aiming for the swimming shadows under the surface.
He could recognize that she was upset. Sadden but not so much the means of how or if he could attend to it even a little. What he could put together was she seemed to like the weird little fluffy snail shelled critters that it had caused her temporarily previously to forget about fishing. It had been a simple thought to wander over to Matilda to ask if he could borrow one of the critters as it seemed to make Araminta happy.
Of course the old woman gave him a look of pure concentrated bafflement with suspicion but she relented rather easily. Just telling him that they had to return the creature later. Which he had relayed back to Araminta.
However, he hadn’t expected her to look so… well he wasn’t sure how to describe it. Just that as she took the fluffy beast, it seemed that she warmed up swiftly. So the animal had the ability to quell whatever it was that sat like a blackened ball on her chest. Shortly turning back into the little more memorable view of elation as her little companion happily scooted itself up onto her back. Roaming at its pleasure.
As he folded himself back down, it was the short movement that drew his eye before growing all sorts of weird feelings when he found Araminta fumbling down into him with a thank you and an action that he knew of. Seen rather, the effort of affection that came from embracing another. Turning his face a brilliant red all the way into ears, as he wasn’t sure why she had even bothered. Nor was he sure how to react to the first ever embrace he had! Grateful then and there that he was the silent type because he was sure speechless now.
Shy was the better word for it.
Replaying the thing over in his head like a music box being wound up till it couldn’t no more. Glancing up under brows to watch as she expressed what she was doing to the scud beast and kept flinging, retracting, flinging again the net in hopes that each time she got better, she might pull up a foul fish to end this trial.
Araminta would’ve been thrilled to see the man flushing red, but luck was with Theon that moment, for she was far too busy chattering away to the furry barnacle on her back. Explaining to the creature every single step of her net tossing, to what she thought she was doing wrong, to what she intended to try next. Once again proving she didn’t need someone to talk back to her at all in order to have an entire conversation. As well that she enjoyed the processes of learning a new skill, along with teaching it too.
Ever so often she’d have to stop and check on her other fishing traps. The pole when it seemed something was after – once even having to make a dash and dive for her staff when something attempted to take off with it. Only for her to complain at the fish for not being the correct one and tossing it back into the lake.
Her new friend turned out to be a handy helper as well whenever she ended up with an uncomfortable about of slime on her hands and wasn’t keen on wiping it on her clothing. It seemed happy enough to slurp up anything she offered!
But the big shocker came when she tossed her net a big giant shadow grouping of fish and tugged… and it tugged back. Araminta yipped a delighted sound, as it had to be a whole bunch of fish to be fighting her pulling it in. Until it yanked it so hard it hand Araminta landing face first in the dirt and being dragged towards the water cause she was too stubborn to let it go!
Once the heat subsided and he was merely listening to the sounds of her excited chattering to the creature, he suspected this would be his point to go back to the hut and wait there. As there was little reason for him to be here any further as it appeared things were plenty safe. Matilda was nearby with her hoard of fuzzies and Araminta was back to having her own grand ol’ time.
Having heard the expression third wheel before, and wondered if this was what it meant. It felt fitting.
Awkward really.
As she busied with the various items and was slipping about from diving after the staff to find the fish was not the one sought after, he at least tidied what he could around himself. Organizing items till he stood and crept somewhat sideways, nothing appeared out of place any further.
It seemed fate itself or the fish in the net itself was about to declare a need for more. It took him a moment to realize even as she flopped forward to be drug rather literally across the ground towards the water that he hesitated. Turned to a means of lunging forward in hopes to at least try to grab a leg of the woman –hopefully not the bad one- to ground her before she went swimming with the fishes. Unless that was her intention.
Araminta was nearly face in the water by the time Theon caught a hold of her. Later she’d find the entire thing hysterical, but in the moment she was so horrified that she almost had a mouth full of slime water! Still stubbornly refusing to let go of the rope attached to her net, Araminta wound it around her wrist and scooted back to keep pulling it in.
These fish were stronger than she was, that was a little alarming!
“Help, help, help!” she gasped out, unsure now if she’d gotten a whole school of fish or just one really BIG one!
The pleas certainly weren’t unnoticed. Wedging knees down as best he could into the muck to try and keep Araminta from suddenly diving down into the waters to become the next actual bog hag! Pretty sure at this point that it was this water that did such a things. As he noticed the little snail creature was still rather content to be perched on the woman’s back.
Wink wonking its huge eyes as feelers trembled with what might as well have been glee.
Managing to get a better grip on the woman besides one leg. Although now he was starting to be a bit concerned about the size of the fish or school of them! At this rate he was going to have to really think about how to lug her and the net in!
Araminta was afraid for a moment that her arm was going to get ripped right off with this fishy tug-o-war, but Theon seemed to have her and that gave her enough weighted leverage to keep pulling.
Somehow – and it felt quite sudden – the severeness of the pull back completely stopped and Araminta was actually able to start pulling her net back in without such a strong struggle. She’d thought maybe her rope had snapped and her fish escaped, but as she pulled and pulled she could see the net full of all kinds of flopping fish trapped inside. Completely thrilled with this turn of luck!
Until a webbed hand slapped onto her arm and a whole face and body nearly as big as Araminta herself bobbed out of the water. As it turned out, something else deep in the lake had spotted Araminta’s net full of fish and had decided it was ripe for the stealing. With rows and rows of sharp teeth and a gurgled hiss that was met with Araminta’s immediate startled shriek!
He was severely contemplating switching forms just for the added muscle to assure Araminta and her haul wasn’t pulled down into the briny lake to be forever part of it! Though he had yet to figure out how to do so without her being sucked away in that moment it took to switch over! Forced to keep a grip upon her till it seemed everything had strangely slackened.
Had it just been snagged on something in the water and it finally pulled apart that it could allow her to wrangle in her remaining catch. Honestly he wasn’t sure and wasn’t about to start making semantic required questions either! Just exhaling a bit deeply with the relief that she was no longer making a dive down.
Shifting his posture as to not act as a heavy anchor, daring to reach over to pluck the creature from her back so it might not be in the way, only for something else to come uninvited in.
Revealing a… what in the greater hells was that!
Actually that didn’t matter. A need to react with unfurling the ball of flame to go casting outwards to strike at the creature, he grabbed at Ara’s waistband. Tugging her back far more forcibly this time, in hopes to get her to be removed from the creatures grasp as the cerulean shell squawked before sucking up into its shell. Well that answered that.
There was the distinct smelled of charred rotten fish filling the air as the fishy beast did in fact release the princess and fell backwards into the lake. In the future Araminta was also going to laugh about being flung back by the very waistband of her pants, but again was too focused on dragging her net full of fish out of the lake and getting out of Theon’s way.
Not without also claiming that poor mothy snail. She wasn’t about to let it be an appetizer!
While she and her flopping fish net scuttled as far away from the lake’s edge as she could get, the single fireball had not been enough to send that terrifying fish creature back into it’s glowing lake home. It speedily swam back up and broke the surface of the waters with a spectacularly high leap into the air with every intention of opening it’s toothy maw wide and swallowing Theon’s head whole!
With her bag safely stashed Araminta scrambled in search of that fishing spear, holding it aloft over her head with a shouted spear!! in case Theon had need for it!
So much had happened in one day. So much more than he was typically used too. Even as a trained murderer by the hands of his mother’s for her wishes, it had never been this problematic. With one thing after another, after another. His former work –while absolute hell- at least was finished generally swiftly.
Blood spilling and him able to go onto the next required piece of work with a lot of in-between time that was kept busy by merely observing the world behind his cowl.
This… this was too much.
He hadn’t taken his sword this time, merely leaving it within the hut for later. Nor did he keep the bow and quiver on his person seeing as he had sorted such gear while Araminta went looking for maggots and found her various variety of goodies. So this damn thing launching itself out of the water with its fish head mouth pulled wide with intention to swallow him down whole, that whole means of frustration was well alert. Hissing a breath with a bare glimpse to Araminta that yes, the yelled about spear would be good!
Forming a renewed fireball to hurl down the open hole of mouth. If it was going to have it wide open, then it deserved something to swallow.
Waiting for the spear to come to him by whatever means she felt necessary with a tuck and roll to evade the hot oversized fishface, the item when accessible was snatched up. Popping back up with a pivot to take it by two hands and drive it down into the fishy exterior with all the weight of his own self thrust behind it. Toppling the fried beast down to be unceremoniously pinned to the blighted ground, before the fishing spear was given a twist with audible crack of bones spinning around itself. Twisted till it made a full three sixty and rudely pulled back out to restab into skull with a driven force.
Holding the end of it with a tightened hissing of panted breath through clenched teeth. “T… too much.” Forcing the words through teeth as if that would remove the overabundance of far too many obstacles in a single day.
He just hoped she had gotten her foul fish. If not, then this thing was going to have to be the foul fish substitute!
Araminta had tossed him the spear the second he gestured it for it… and then in an instant it was all over. With Araminta making a soft mrphing noise and quickly turning her verdant eyes away from the felled beast, and agreeing very heartedly with Theon’s practically growled out statement of too much. This was indeed too much for one day. Though, what could either of them expect for the trials.
It would only get worse from here.
In that moment Araminta made some difficult decisions in quick succession.
But first she inched closer to Theon until she was near enough to reach out a hand to lay on his arm, though her eyes found anywhere to look but the now cooked and skewered monster on the ground.
“Are you okay? No bites or teeth?” she asked, finally daring the chance to take a look at him directly to see for herself.
The sickly slurp of the spear head being pulled from the rancid fish monster was certainly more graphic than he would have cared for. Never mind the overwhelming urge that bristled in his veins to unreasonably haul off and beat the dead thing into pulp. Knowing there was no reason to do so or any specific need too but that level of undeniable irritation and burden and weight that seemed to be so heavy with too many things happening all at once, it almost demanded that he do so.
Staved back when there was a single hand on his arm. Roaming the gray rings to their corners to see how Araminta avoided looking at the slain beast. He knew she didn’t do dead things well. Though he wasn’t about to push this creature back into the waters. That seemed very counterproductive! Who knew if the waters might resurrect the damn creature anyways! Or make it one of the newest undead shambling freaks.
Finding the appearance of pristine green sneaking a look as he shifted and gave her a arm push to move his own frame to add as blockage to the sight. “Foul fish?” Theon asked softly, “Did you catch it?” She looked a frightful mess now more than ever though he suspected they both were well worn and frayed and dirtied. Ignoring her questions cause right now, he didn’t have any bite marks or teeth imprinted into his flesh but he wasn’t sure if he was okay.
Mmm no he was pretty sure he wasn’t okay. But that was his own to deal with, “The net.” Lightly careful to tap at her forearm to gesture at her wrist. “No rope burns? Or injuries for yourself?”
Araminta counted his avoidance to her question as confirmation that she was indeed making the correct decision in altering some of her plans. Frowning as she glanced down at her wrist and turned it over to see in the glowing light. There was certainly some rope burn there, but nothing that was too terrible or going to be a hinderance to her.
“I’m alright,” she assured him, taking just a little bit of extra time in trying to read his face and double check that he was at least not physically harmed. Once she was satisfied with that, Araminta pulled away to check on her net full of fish where it was presently being guarded by a hiding mothy snail deep in it’s shell.
There was an abundance of fish of all sorts, in various hues of brilliant colors to the most ugly things she had ever seen. Sorting through the floppy, flipping mess was a nightmare of scales and slime, and it almost seemed it had all been for naught. But there it was! Not just one of the ugly little things, but two! Two perfectly sized rat tailed cods as foul as they could be.
“We got it! We’ve got the fish!” Araminta was filled with such a flood of relief it was almost dizzying. Taking her quarry first to her bag to find her saltbox where they were laid quickly inside and closed up within. It was a grim sort of thing to lay them down in their salted coffin, and it made her visibly queezy to do and think about. But it was done. The fourth trial completed.
The turnover of the petite wrist offered a vague show of likely red soft burns. Made from a rope trying to escape for its dear life and her refusing to let go. Understandable and silly in their own ways. Still, “Not.” Theon corrected, “I will heal it later.” Seemed he wasn’t about to accept her having another injury even if she suggested it was alright. That she was. At this rate with her leg unable to be healed and looking like she just spent two days wrangling pigs in a mud pit, he didn’t much care about the idea that she was to sport an unwanted souvenir from this hellish fishing trip.
But it could wait. Seeing as all they needed now was to know whether she got the ugly little fink of a fish or not. Leaving her to wander back to her net of questionable creatures as he trailed a bit behind. Peeking but not about to lose his guard. Who the hell knew what was about to spring out of the waters, the dirt, the net, the sky!
Nothing here was safe and at this point, he was ready to torch it in some great inferno. Seemingly about to be the true ignition stick to Araminta’s former idea of lighting the cavern on fire!
He was… well he was overwhelmed. Waiting on baited breath till she was seemingly able to find that she got the ugly fecker from the net. With due care and a lot of ingenuity that wasn’t just sitting at the side of a glowing pond with vague hopes and pleas.
She was swift about taking the caught beast and putting it into its well deserved salted hell hole. Though he felt some relief, a finger pointed out to the shelled beast. “Should return them to Matilda… though… perhaps you can ask for hospitality.” He didn’t think Araminta wanted to be covered in mud, grit and dirt for too long and a proper bath would likely be appreciated. Not here. Not in these waters!
For all of Theon’s inner turmoil, Araminta’s was quite the opposite. Perhaps aided in now being worn out after a struggle to not get pulled into the slimy glowing lake, or the day in general, but mostly just with a peace in knowing this trial was over and that she knew what her next steps would be. With her quarry sealed in it’s saltbox and put away in her bag, she got up to start grabbing the other fish and toss them back into their watery home. Not being able to stand the thought of leaving them all out on the bank to dry and wither away!
“That’s a good idea,” she openly agreed to his suggestion of taking the old woman up on her offer. In fact Araminta was more than happy to get him out of this blighted village as quickly as possible. The old lady was pleasant enough and surely being surrounded by all the sweet snails would be a nice calming place for them both to recuperate.
“Theon…” she started, while tossing fish to the lake. “After we rest with Matilda we’re going to leave here and move on to Essurn.”
Another couple tosses of fish.
“Removing the curse here is the right thing to do, but it’s too much for just the two of us alone. …seeing that demon’s alter, I let myself get carried away with anger and wasn’t considering what’s best for this place or for us. We’re seeking paladins anyway, we could tell them what we’ve learned about this village and let them take over. …is that okay?”
Araminta had made such a big deal about wanting to stay her and fix everything, but she’d done so full of fear and anger with no sense of what it was actually going to take to face a skilled cultist, disrupt a ritual and break a curse. She couldn’t fight them herself and asking Theon to do it in her stead, following some half-baked plan born of frustration and rage was not the right way to go about it.
There was a sense of washing acceptance that she wasn’t about to puff her cheeks up in a sense of defiance at the idea of seeking out Matilda for that of a safer place to rest and a wash up. Doubting the idea of being a muddy swamp monster was going to be enjoyable at all. To hear it was a good idea at least prompted him to aid her in throwing back the assorted fish into their gnarly waters. Eyeing the fuzzy creature that just had its big ol’ eyeballs hanging out of its shell now.
Small nose feelers twitching to make sure everything was safe at all.
However, his name was spoken. Pulling his focus to be present and alert to her. Listening acutely to the mention that after Matilda’s, she wanted to go to Essurn. He nodded. Finding no reason to refuse, complain or anything in-between.
Nor did he think that she had to give him any sort of explanation either to why she wanted to go to the ocean port town. Yet she spoke up about how the curse here was likely too much for just their hands to handle. He didn’t know enough about demon cultists and their voodoo magic to be an expert and well, them bumbling about was likely a very very bad idea. Plus, his mother surely knew they were here at all. Which mean Gusteau was probably dispatched as well.
A ugly shiver ran his spine at that. He knew he wasn’t strong enough to go against that man.
“Yes. If that is what you feel is right. Then it is okay.”
“Do you think it’s the right thing to do?” Araminta asked in earnest. Granted, this was a moment where she would’ve argued and insisted had he somehow wanted to stay – doubting he would, but still wanting to know how he felt. There was a partnership here and a balance to keep between them, proven again in that Araminta might’ve been quite clever in all of her ideas, she also was at the cusp of getting eaten alive every where she went. One could be clever all they wanted, but when a giant fish came chomping, she was as good as dinner!
After all the extra fish had been returned to their glowing home, Araminta also made sure to pull up the wired trap she’d set in the lake and empty it out of anything it caught. As well as collected her staff and the remained of her things.
Finally it was the little cerulean snail she scooped up into her arms, giving it a gentle bidding that it was all safe now and it was time to return to it’s squigglie family where it belonged.
Then she was making sure to stick close to Theon’s heels – for both their sake’s!
He might as well have been a dog to a high pitched noise. Tilting curiously at the way she rephrased the question that it was seeking his insight. Something that felt almost wrong to give. Urging a few more blinks before he sort of just putting fish back into the waters. Debating the what and who of her query with no immediate results. Eventually, “I don’t know.” It was all he could give. Not a yes or a no. Just a mystery because he’s opinion shouldn’t have mattered.
Didn’t matter.
Wouldn’t?
Eventually taking to looking certainly more haggard in that moment, “I don’t wish to have an answer.” He was tired. Sore. Mentally exhausted and truly didn’t want to answer anything right now. To focus strictly on the right here, right now. To recluse to the safety of the mind while he operated on familiar behaviours that felt secure and safe right now.
Requiring little more than to help where he was needed and eventually leading the pathway towards where Matilda had been. Not too much further she was, though she seemed to be perfectly aware of them. Righting her form from having sat down on what looked like a decent rock. Devoid of anything funky growing on it while the night and glowing waters seemed to give her a mystic hermit quality.
“It’s a good thing this place is empty, you two could wake the dead. What’dya find in the waters?” She asked upon their closer approach, “Sounded like something big.”
Araminta had broken Theon.
The man had spent his entire life on a leash by the Imperial Queen, taught and trained to be nothing more than a silent, killing ghost. Survived somehow with a kind heart still in one piece, and Araminta with all of her nonsense, and chaos, and danger, and witless stupid impossible plans had broken him in a day! She tried not to fall into a panic about it but worried all the same. Rest and calm was the answer here, so Araminta needed to get him off to a safe place just as fast as she could.
Once they’d found Matilda, Araminta offered her back the sweet little cerulean snail (of course after giving it a good pet and all of the compliments of being a good helper). The rest her hand at the crook of Theon’s arm, hoping that it was enough to help him feel secure. She was there, she wouldn’t be far, they were safe.
“A fishy beast thought it might steal my catch and then have us both for dinner but my friend is an excellent guardian and we are filthy, but whole.” Araminta explained easily. “Does your offer of hosting us still stand? We won’t be any trouble for you and I’m quite good with chores and other tasks. We’d just like to be well out of this village and on our way.”
Her brow popped suddenly at the mention of a fishy beast. Surprised they didn’t actually see her eyebrows pop right off her head with such a lax reply. Accepting the little critter to set down with a few scooting pats to its fluffy end. Never taking her dark eyes off either of them. Unsure if it was because Matilda was trying to determine how crazy they were or if they were lures for chaos.
Maybe a bit of both.
“Aye, aye… filthy and smelling like the inside of a pig’s rump I am sure.” This woman was fascinating in the worse sort of ways. “Yes, if you head along back down and towards the east for a good five or so minutes, you’ll find a little hut. There’s a little tub of rain water in the back that can wash up in. Scoop it out to wash up, don’t go climbing into it.” She seemed worried that they would be a pair of hooligans climbing aboard.
“The door will be open and if you’re good with chores then put that one to work cutting wood outside and you can fold up the various linens sprawled out. Sort the little critter’s nest inside the house. There’s a bit of food too which I’ll get yah both to gather up some fresh tubers and things from the better part of the woods when morning hits proper.”
She gave them a once over too, “No nookie either.”
Araminta actually had to pause and tilt her head to smell herself and with a wrinkle of her nose, found the woman did in fact speak the truth. All the more wishing they were somewhere with a real giant tub and hot water and bubbles and sweet smelling oils. A little disappointed that she couldn’t full on roll into a tub, but glad all the same that there was at least some good clean water to scrub her skin with.
There wasn’t going to be any help for her clothes and she didn’t have a change of them, but Araminta would take what she could get.
It seemed the old lady had plenty of chores for them too, which honestly was a bit of a relief as well. Not only did it help Araminta know this was someone they could more reasonably trust, it meant Theon would have things to do to keep his mind busy, or clear? However it worked for the mind to process the turmoil that presently had him dead silent again and running on that stoic default.
“Nookie?” Araminta wasn’t sure what nookie was, but guessed it was some sort of local colloquialism. Either way, she nodded about the rest in emphatic agreement and gently tugged Theon by the arm to come along with her and follow the directions out of the woman’s home.
At this point whatever spewed from Matilda’s mouth was just going to be taken with a large grain of salt. Because he had no idea besides the very blunt statements what the hell she meant. Settling to accept that they would have to do some work to appease her kindness and really at this point, it was a boon. Just to do something other than sitting around with what felt like a load of thoughts and a thumb in his butt.
With the tug, he came along willingly. Grateful truly to bid this little cursed hole a goodbye. Guessing that its blighted self really did fit a lot of motif’s. It was miserable in plenty of ways and it had no use for a destination. Having to venture a few guesses to how someone died here. And he had plenty of those.
They wandered in silence along the given directions to eventually come out of the plagued portion of the abandoned village. The air practically felt so fresh out here that it stung to breathe in! The woods that surrounded were thankfully thick and green once more with the ground looking much the same. Less ooze and less unnatural glowing. Cradling that of a petite little well maintained hut that thankfully had more than just a thatch roof over top.
As they approached, he lightly tapped a finger to her grasp on his arm. Then tipped chin up to indicate that the aforementioned tub towards the back was hers to attend too firstly. It would do her probably very well to be cleaner again and with a place to sleep that wasn’t liable to have a bug crawl into your ear!
Fresh air and the deep greens of the forest were enough to help lift so much of the weight that had been on her shoulders. Strange how the longer they’d spent in the blighted village, the more hopeless and out of her control things had started to feel. What she thought would’ve been just a simple trial hadn’t turned out so simple at all, and now Araminta understood well how fourth trial could’ve easily been someone’s last. The longer it would’ve taken them to catch that fish, the easier it would’ve been to succumb to the despair of the place and fall victim to it’s dangers… and perhaps that was true curse on it.
She was a bit reluctant to let him go, but was certain that Theon would refuse to let her take care of him if she didn’t clean herself up first. So with only a little bit of hesitation and a watchful eye to see where he’d wander off to, Araminta did as instructed to make use of the rain water tub first.
Her things she set aside out of the way, along with her cloak and her boots. Eying her reflection in the big tub of water with a surprised grimace. There was a wild feral woman looking right back at her! Tired green eyes and a dirty face. Her hair would probably be flying around in all directions had it not been bound into a braid. Araminta looked plain awful and certainly not like any sort of princess. Taking a bucket from nearby, Araminta scooped out some water. Wishing she could just climb right into the tub itself.
Then she dumped the whole bucket over her own head, clothes and all, giving a soft squeak of complaint from the chill. She was so filthy, it wasn’t going to help at all just washing her face and hands and then running around in muddy clothes. At least like this she could rinse off most of the grime and be free of any remaining slime. All she’d have to do is sit in front of a fire for a while to get dry.
It took a few bucket dumps and a little bit of scrubbing, but once Araminta was satisfied that she and her clothes no longer smelled of slime and death she gathered up her things and went seeking Theon to insist he wash up himself.
Thankful there was no rebuttal or insistence of any sort to have him tarry along when she could go and clean up, the moment he was freed of her grasp, he wandered. Getting his bearings of their particular location before taking a bit of a migrated pathing to just well… let his feet meander. Certainly not far enough to be considered the sort that had just become so enamoured with the idea of freedom that he let the forest devour him but more so out of necessary former idleness. To shake away that sensation of stagnant pressing and a vague useless entirely worthless attempt to shake out any and all thoughts that were too clustered together in the small containment that was one skull.
Liable to have the top of his scalp pulled off like a cookie jar to vainly try to shake out the contents.
Probably only to get cobwebs and dust rather than anything substantial.
The abode itself was neatly nestled and he surmised that how the place was kempt, that Matilda had additional help somewhere. Perhaps a family member in the form of a either a strong young son or son in law. Maybe close enough by to be of service but not so near that people would talk about the woman that kept strange pets. Living by a blighted village that was home to nasties while she spit gospel truth about the Imperial Queen with no care to whether her tongue was to be torn out.
Funny that he thought of that now, because he hadn’t actually ever heard someone talk so willfully about the Imperial Queen before. At least not human. The white wolf had but she was fae and well, it was clear no love was between the two forces. Just when he listened to Matilda, was he suppose to have some loyal thump in his chest that ought to have been insulted by some regard? It seemed like he should have but he hadn’t. Then again, this was the woman that had used him like some stupid ragdoll since he was old enough to be considered useful to her whims. Assuring that he was plenty molded to her desires while keeping him just stupid enough that he lost any claim to either humanity or faehood. Then using dark tactics to harm Araminta by possession and forced him to try to re-submit to a cruelty that he just couldn’t do anymore.
His head practically ached. And there was a strange desire to peel off his own skin as if he wasn’t even worth the means of being upright and mortal.
This had to be the realization that he felt used. Soiled and dirty and so beneath the efforts of what ought to be even a sliver of compassion to someone that bore him. Even a little. Yet, she had sought to make Araminta’s hands the one that sliced and diced him. Certainly doing the slicing part with how the bandages had been plenty soiled from their encounters in the mud and muck. Doing well to affirm that he was broken and only meant to serve, serve, serve.
Staring at the abode a while longer as the collection of various unpleasant clusters of thoughts assaulted, his attention veered somewhat when it came to noticing the wet appearance of the girl that was somehow saddled with his existence. The one he felt betrayal about earlier and frustration soon after. Then pity and remorse and guilt and every other god’s damn unwanted emotion that was better thrown into the dirty waters of that damn town.
“Rest.” One word. One so unbelievably familiar word was given when she approached. “You should rest.” One consistent word that at least felt functional. “It has been much for you today.”
“It’s been much for you as well, Theon,” she responded, giving him that green-eyed look over once more. Unable to tell if he seemed better, per se, but he did appear to be less… stiff? Tense. At least enough that he didn’t look so brittle and like she’d shattered the man to pieces. Rest would be good for both of them.
“Wash, please, and then come inside so I can be sure your wounds are properly covered,” she held up a finger before he thought to insist she was the one that needed to mind herself, especially as she was practically shivering at this point.
“I am going to start up a fire and get warm and dry. I’ll eat too and sort out what she’s asked of us. Then we will rest. But I won’t be able to rest until I look you over, okay?” This was vitally important to Araminta, as she was so afraid that she’d done something wrong and finally smashed his spirit to pieces. That in all of her desires to help him, she’d only made things massively worst.
…now she was even second guessing these instructions too. Araminta really just needed to leave this poor man alone!
“I’ll be inside,” she muttered out quickly, turning to leave him to himself and stop her blasted meddling.
She was correct, he was about to point out very quickly to her means of ensuring he was alright, that he would be just fine. Yet, she didn’t allow a second for that very noticeable quip to come to life. Rather she declared there was a reason and it was for her peace of mind. Something that kept him from actually breaking the skein of silence. Rather he gave a nod to her.
Not about to keep her outside any further when she was shivering so obviously. “Okay.” He watched her. Like a owl in the night when she expressed she would be inside, allowing him to make that pathing choice towards the back to where a bucket and the tub of rain water sat. Slight ripples still crossing the surface but hardly worth bending over to get a look at himself.
He didn’t suspect it was anything worth looking at unless he wanted to see a mud monster. Simply pulling parts of his dirty ass armour off so he could fetch the bucket of water and start drenching himself. Soaking down the cold source into bones and muscles to feel a sense of bitter relief at its disturbingly chilled presence. And the removal of dirt and grime by the second.
By the end of it, skin that was bared was bright pink due to the water and due scrubbing and his hair was actually red once more. As clean as it was going to get without being submerged into hot water for a good fifteen minutes! With soap and oils and an aggressive brushing to assure no bugs had decided to make a nest of him.
Decidedly he left the armour outside to soak and dry there. Making the effort of knocking on the door to announce his presence before removing boots to stay outside as well. Not about to track mud inside Matilda’s gracious abode. He’d tuck the weapons however at the front doorway of the place to keep them inside but ultimately he kept to tunic and trousers. Socks had also been left out due to their need to be aired and well, he just didn’t want them indoors anyways.
Just at his entrance to the place, he gave it a quick survey. And finally, “Bag… there is a another tunic. Of my own. It would be better for you to wear to be warm.”
“It’ll just get wet? You need it yourself,” was her immediate response, wiggling a finger at him to come sit on one of the two chairs she’d set next to the fire.
Araminta had kept her word that she’d intended to feed herself and try to dry. Barefoot herself and with her hair unbound and loose, save for being clipped back out of her face. She was certainly dryer than before and no longer shivering at the very least, but she’d not sat still for long. Having steeped herself a hot cup of tea that was already half gone – but what a blessing it was! She’d not had a toasty cup of tea in ages and so now she was trying to savor the rest.
There were still a few more tasks to do… Matilda wasn’t kidding about her linens needing folding, and Araminta had already started on a few with a neat little stack of the ones she’d done already. Araminta was more than happy to tidy up the little critter’s nesting place, finding it quite interesting to see how they lived when they weren’t slurping up slime to their little hearts content.
All in all she found the small home very cozy.
“Sit? Would you like the rest of my tea? I can make another cup.”
For a silent moment he simply stared at her for his offer that she could switch into something at least dry. Contemplating what he had said and how she responded so swiftly. Seemingly he might have offended her with his thought, “My apologies for being inconsiderate.” It was all he could think of for the direct reply.
Next he came to promptly adhere to the wiggling finger. Sitting down and waiting for what was to come. Allowing his gaze to venture just enough around the place to appreciate that it seemed suitable for someone who wanted to live away from people but not without normal comforts that he seen.
“Tea?” He seemed confused by that looking at her cup a moment then shook his head. “No.”
“It’s not inconsiderate, it’s quite the opposite, really,” he responded softly, watching him settle in the chair and wishing she could see in that skull of his to know what he was thinking. Shifting to pick up her mug and have another sip of the hot tea herself before setting it down and moving to fetch some fresh bandages out of her pack.
“I’ll wear it for bed so Madam Matilda doesn’t return home scandalized with me half dressed doing chores around her cabin,” she decided. Not that Araminta was even remotely concerned about scandalizing the woman at all! But she was a bit worried about the black markings spiraling along her thigh, and it was frankly none of the woman’s business. Better to be kept safely unseen, just in case.
With a fresh bandage in hand, Araminta leaned next to him first checking his arm to be sure none of that awful slime water had somehow leeched itself into the wound. Glad to find that he’d cleaned himself up well and that the long scratched was still nice and clotted. Ignoring the pang of guilt she felt in her stomach, Araminta chose to fill the silence with her usual chatter. For her own sake, but as well as a way to help feel like things had simmered down to a soothing calm. Battle mode need no longer be engaged!
“I’m looking forward to Essurn,” she started. “It’ll be nice to explore a new place without any agenda other than a few new supplies.”
“Oh.” Then he had misunderstood her reason for the swift reply. Reassessing it for anything that might have been glaringly out of place that even his obtuse thoughts could snatch upon with really nothing significant at this particular second. Blaming it on the pressing fatigue that had done plenty well to catch up after their day of wild and zany antics.
Sighing rather mentally instead of outloud when frame sat upon the chair. Glancing at the made fire that came from her own hands. Something that she had learnt now which was quite the thing to be praised. Seeing as she hadn’t known previously and now—
“Scandalized? How so?” he wasn’t even sure he could follow that reason but it seemed somewhat important. Which he supposed it made sense. There was no reason for Araminta to be dressed so far down while they were guests. Unless it was her own quarters, then he could fathom the understanding behind her suggestion.
With the movement made and the checking of wounds that had been gleaned earlier, interest bid his turn of attention. Watching from the corner of eye rather than twisting head all the way around. As not to openly stare in such quarters, “I am sure Essurn will be nice for you.” Theon hummed with an affirmation that he was saying such things with belief rather than expectation. Realizing seconds next that his mouth had run dry of any responses. Mostly due to the fact that he wasn’t even sure what one did in a place without an agenda. Suppose it was why, “What… does one do in such cases? Or… what will you do then without an agenda?”
“She doesn’t need to see the scarred up body of a lost princess and I am not keen on answering any uncomfortable questions to a stranger, as kind as she is,” she explained easily. It had taken Araminta a while to even feel comfortable with Theon knowing and seeing such things, this old woman hadn’t earned the right. Besides the fact it was so awkward and uncomfortable to talk about!
It didn’t take long at all to replace a new bandage on his arm, so Araminta shifted down to her knees, gesturing softly at his side to let him know she was going to check that wound next. While he’d said he healed quickly, she wasn’t about to just believe such a wound would’ve disappeared already! At the very least she could see if those stiches needed to be pulled out or not.
“Without an agenda?” she repeated the words, to help herself understand the actual question he was asking. Araminta had a feeling the only thing Theon had ever known was going from one ordered task to the next, and then spending his unoccupied time sitting in that empty lonely hut of his just staring blankly at the wall! She wouldn’t be able to answer with have fun, as he likely had no idea what that even meant. So she considered how to be more specific.
Rest, for one, so sleeping in a nice comfortable bed. I’m dreaming of a hot bath with bubbles.” she paused there, suddenly smiling wide. “You said there were minstrels, and I’d very much like to spend a few hours just sitting and doing nothing but sipping a delightful drink and listening to music. We could watch the sunset out by the sea and admire the bigness of it all. I want to try all of the local food, and browse the markets, and see what the people of Essurn thinks makes their town so special. People love to share what’s special about their home.”
Ah. His eyes moved somewhat to where he knew the wound was but never lingered. Digesting down the knowledge of how she didn’t want Matilda to even glimpse the injury upon her leg and that made far more sense to him. Especially since it likely would have drawn some rather blunt questions from the woman anyways. So this, he comprehended. It was not about to become a topic piece either right now unless she wanted it to be.
Merely accepting that she seemed satisfied with the new injury and moved to seemingly wanting to investigate the previous. Leaving him to watch but the silent admission that she was allowed to investigate at her discretion. The idea of modesty wasn’t that obvious nor did he suspect anything was about to be strange anyways.
Leaving him to decide that while the glaring absence of knowing what one did without an actual plot or plan in place did, he figured asking was the only way he was going to grab a sliver of fathoming. Which she repeated causing that nod to show that was exactly what he meant. What did she do when there was nothing on the itinerary to be done. No trials and such. Leaving her to think as he adjusted his posture to assure he wasn’t being difficult with her probing.
Shortly given an answer.
A comfortable bed and a bath with bubbles. That made sense and he figured there would be enough inns that would be less like the one they had stayed at that halfway town. He’d assured to earn more than enough could for her comfort in such ways, so it would be easy for her to stay at such a place. Even if he needed to earn a bit more coin, he was sure it could be done to maintain that want. Just her grin was spreading and the mention of minstrels playing drew her intrigue. A want for her to listen and drink something likely tasty.
Admittedly he was counting in his head the amount of coin to assure everything she wanted to do was able to be done. Without her needing to work for it or trade for it.
“I see.” The man bowed his head, “Then, such things will be done as you wish and want.” Spoken easily like a transaction. “There are inns upon the main entry of Essurn. Some along the beachside.” He noted though he had stayed at none of them. He hadn’t needed too with the whole fast travel form he possessed. But he could be certain to do his best to comply to every mention and asking she had. “I will rejoin with you after your time there, then? How long would you be completing such things?”
Theon was healing well and that was a great relief to Araminta, who had plenty of experience now with wounds and all the terrible ways they could go wrong. The stitches could certainly come out now, so she got up quickly to fetch some useful tools – a little pair of scissors and some tweezers – before she returned down to her knees at his side.
“Everything I wish and want?” she murmured with a soft laugh. “Then I wish and want for you to stay with me in Essurn, Theon.”
It surprised her that even now he didn’t seem to realize he was included in all of these plans. Guessing he still thought he was nothing more than a giant muscle man there to be her shield and sword while she attempted the trials. While it was true she knew now that there was no way she could get through any of the future trials without him, Araminta had no intentions of him becoming her leashed Ghost.
“We are partners, remember? Not just for the frightening things, but partners for the relaxing times too. I happen to enjoy your company.”
She did pause then, mid pulling a stitch to drop her hands in her lap as a sinking feeing twisted up in her stomach. Araminta did her best to not let a frown cross her features.
“…unless you’ve changed your mind about coming? Today was hard… harder than expected. I’d understand if you’d rather have some time away from me.”
Eyes followed when she got up. Intrigued to what she was after but shortly able to fill in the blanks to what and why. Yet that seemed to be not the focus when the sound of her gentle laugh came with the remark attached of him to be staying with her in Essurn. He figured that part though hadn’t put the parts together that his presence was to be present. More so accepting that they’d go, she’d tarry off and he’d wait till she was ready to return to the trials at her leisure. It seemed perfectly suitable and warranted no upset on his part.
Merely able to take the mote of appreciation that he was even afforded that much. Anything more seemed to be something of mythical proportions. Fantasy.
“Not just for the trials?” Confuse struck down like a tempest on the high seas. Scrunching brows at her. Or the word relaxing. Maybe both.
Just that Araminta seemed to have something come and plop itself down on her thoughts that caused her to stop the work of removal. Offering the full turn of attention to be ever present while considering with due care the weight of her commentary. “No.” Honesty rang, “I have not changed my mind.” He hadn’t. It was more the lack of comprehending that there was more to this detour that apparently he was to be included upon not just following. “I am not familiar with this…” hand made a vague gesture, “Routine. I will accompany when you ask and stay put when you wish. But I did not change my mind.” Giving himself a slight tilt, “I… the coin that was hunted. I did for you so you could go to Essurn. I do not want you to miss something you appear to be happy for.”
“You are- You’re not an ornament or a tool to be put away when you’re not of use, Theon. You’re my friend.”
That’s what Araminta settled on saying out loud. The truth absolutely, but not the full breadth of what she actually wanted to say. That he was stunning and generous. Something of a marvel and what a prince really should be. That he – completely by accident – tended to make her feel like she was something important and special, even though she knew that it was just his nature to be soft hearted and kind.
The reality, of course, was that there wasn’t anything particularly special about Araminta, she was just in the right place at the right time under very odd circumstances. He’d also find her compliments uncomfortable and awkward, so she kept them to herself and did her best to focus on pulling the very last of the stiches. Dropping his tunic back where it belong and then escaping to put her supplies away wherehe wasn’t going to see that flush of pink in her cheeks or that wistful expression on her face.
“It’s going to be a great deal more fun to try new things with a friend, regardless. There’s more than enough coin for the both of us and I don’t intend to be extravagant and wild. It’d surly draw too much attention! We’ll have a lovely few days staying out of trouble.”
Mouth opened. Closed and repeated a few more times as though the effort was literally crunching down the means of neither a ornament or a tool but that of a imaginary statement that had once upon a time been something he’d hoped for. When he was too little to understand that his placement in the world would be no more than a beck and call demand by the Imperial Queen. Actually if his personality was prone to bouts of argumentative declares and huffing puffs, he could have expressed that was exactly what he was or had been. Just those two very descriptive words that played perfectly into what his general existence was. Unless he was complying to the demands of the ruling body here, then he was put away.
Left to be a figure in the cupboard that didn’t exist beyond that.
Suppose, “I suppose I have to learn what it is to be a friend then.” Stating it instead of letting it rummage around in his thoughts to bounce around till it became trash.
Of course he wasn’t aware that her means to slip way for the moment was to conceal that of the pinkness that had adopted to her features. Merely waiting for her to return with a pointing out that she was excited to try these things with him present. The idea that she wasn’t planning on being too crazy with their gathered pieces of currency didn’t seem to bother him. Actually, he was surprised she was even worried about that at all. “Is these things common to do with what you would consider a friend?” Seemed he was interested then all the sudden. Someone ought to tell his face that.
Glad to be focused on a pleasant topic after the sort of day they’d had, Araminta set all of her things aside out of the way and then got busy to finish folding up all of the linens Matilda wanted folded. It was the least she could do before getting ready for bed, as Araminta wasn’t quite sure where bed was supposed to be just yet. Imagining herself sleeping with all of the furry snails and being surprisingly just fine with the idea, but not so certain Theon would enjoy it.
“Oh absolutely. Half of the fun of having friends is getting to try new things together and have interesting experiences,” she responded, shooting him a grin.
Then Araminta paused, midway of folding before tilting her head with a new thought.
“…We’ll have to try all sorts of new things to see what you like doing. We could find a troubadour show, or ride horses, or try shooting range. Sailing maybe, or even finding some rocking chairs on a porch and attempting crochet. Sometimes you don’t even have to share the same interests, it’s just nice to spend the time together talking. Or not talking. Silence can be comforting as long as you’re not alone.”
He ought to join in on the efforts of chores that they were listed to do before Matilda agreed to allow them to stay but he didn’t think it would be polite to ask Araminta a question and then get up before she could answer it to her heart’s content. Sure that it would be consider rude! Though he also thought that it might not be in the wisest part to be chopping wood so late anyways, Though he wasn’t without a light source, so it just might be absolutely fine.
The way she shot him a grin seemed to imply something. Something that made his chest squiggle with strange intrigued curiosity even u p to her pause. Completing the head tilt much like he did only that hers was completed with a various list of things that seemed like perhaps general every day things that most people would do in a contented place. Although he had no idea what a troubadour was, and certainly didn’t think him riding a horse was a good idea. Being half nokken and well being able to use that form. But a shooting range was intriguing. Although what were they shooting?
Then the mention of sailing to rocking chairs doing something that he wasn’t even sure he could repeat to make it sound right. Seemingly stashing away each idea like that squirrel with its nuts once more before he gave her a look that was a little bit too innocent for one who was a controlled assassin. “Silence is comforting when you’re alone as well.” Well he was never alone. He always had his own thoughts that were plenty active and vocal. He had to be comfortable with silence seeing as that was all he seemed to have in abundance.
Just that his gaze veered to where she was folding and he found himself compelled to do something more. “Would you like assistance?”
Araminta nodded softly to his offer of assistance, knowing by now he couldn’t seem to stand being idle for too long. Picking up one of the larger linens, likely to be a bed sheet of some sort to hand him one end of it and then to show him how together they could fold it easily nice and neatly.
Why did this old woman have so much laundry? She was only a single woman in a single small house! Was she doing the laundry services for an entire town?
“I find too much silence when I’m alone very lonely,” she admitted with a simple shrug of her shoulders. “My thoughts can carry me for awhile, but then it becomes… overwhelming? Overbearing. Looming. Smothering…”
Araminta seemed to have a lot of terrible words to describe it, but then she’d had a lot of time all by herself to truly have the full experience of lonely silence. She was, by her very nature, someone who needed to be around people to be at her most comfortable. By the way she interacted with others, it was easy to assume she was extroverted, though Araminta wouldn’t consider herself as such. She didn’t have to be directly interacting with people, so long as she was near enough to them. That was enough.
Though, she did quite like this too. Quiet conversation in a cozy space.
“In any case, you’re good company whether you’re talking or not. We’ll have a good time no matter what we do.”
Easily he found comfort in doing something even as mundane as folding laundry. It was something new to learn and not typically an item he would have even bothered with. Well, one would need to sleep in a bed or at least a hay pile with a sheet to even consider doing linens at all. Although if one were to ask him why Matilda had so much laundry, he might have even ventured a few guesses from the way he observed her home at all. But that was neither here nor there.
Seemingly far more enrapt with this new conversation that sported on a topic that he was oh so familiar with. That to Araminta, too much of it was a whole concoction of feelings. None of them particularly enthused either. Though each word seemed to be worth a mental study. And, he could sympathize with each one. It took a long while before he finally accepted that whom he was, was only to ever be one. Most nobles or royals at young ages attended tea parties for girls and often boys trained with another. Developing relationships that were usually important to their future. Their families. Bonding and learning the hierarchy at tender ages to avoid both foolishness and ostracizing the kids. His mother was the Imperial Queen. Granted that didn’t do a whole lot for him when people had targeted him as a child. Nor did his parent care either, if he survived, he survived. Then it just meant he was a little more fit for her uses.
She had no one she needed to butter up too, keep on her side and so forth. She had people in the control of her palm readily with her seemingly limitless power so his existence was just that former mentioned tool.
He wasn’t even sure who had raised him or rather the better word would have been, taken care of him from infancy to the point he could remember the maid being there. Though the memory was hazy, the look of disdain was ever present in her face. And how much he personally disliked being left alone yet that was how it was.
That lack of communication or effort or even socialization had been deemed unimportant. Sure he was taught the basic means of how to be in a room but it was on the Queen’s directive. An added means of silence.
So as he worked with her to fold these large linens, he glanced at her when Araminta said he was apparently good company regardless of his mobility of mouth. “You… get accustomed to it eventually.” He stated, “To the silence. To absence. It stops feeling like everything you’ve described. It just takes patience… and time.” As if this was a lesson to be learnt at all. Shoulders shrugged at it as though the whole conversation was a literal piece of existence. “In Essurn… should purchase you a travel bed roll. It would make sleeping nicer for you, it was a thought on my mind when you were resting in the village.”
Araminta could hazard several guesses as to why Theon would think one could get used to lonely silence. For what else had he ever experienced to know the difference? You couldn’t miss what you never knew, and while Araminta very much wanted to stress that she could never ever get accustomed to it, she at least understood he was coming from such a different place than she.
Maybe he did even prefer to be on his own. It must’ve felt like a freedom to finally be untethered with no one to answer to an no one to worry or care about… or worry about how they didn’t care! To finally be singular and only belong to yourself. She certainly wouldn’t fault him at all if that was what he wanted for himself.
Yet immediately following such a sad statement, he turned around to suggest things to make her own existence easier. Dragging up that warm fuzzy, confusing feeling that she thought she’d brushed off already. He was always thinking of things to do for her, and then constantly fighting her attempts to do the same for him. It was truly comical! How could this stubborn man not see how much care he put into her, and then still continue to refuse hers in return!
“If we get one for me, we should get one for you as well,” she countered, almost daring him to fuss about it. “A small kettle too so we can make tea on the fire when nights are cold?”
Head tilted almost on cue. One could probably time the very motion any time something unusual happened that was outside his normality. In this case, his suggestion that he had been thinking about something to carry around for her to rest easily upon but when it was returned at him, it was the weirdest thing to hear. “I don’t know why we would need one for myself.” That innocent bluntness appeared. Studying her as it seemed like there was almost something in that presence that he ought to realize was liable to be told otherwise. “It would be a luxury wasted for myself.”
Luxury…
Though his brows lifted subtly at the mention of a kettle and the mention of tea. Seemingly acting the part to draw his line of vision around to the cup she had previously. “Tea… is that something you enjoy as well?”
“Theon…” that exasperated sigh came out before she could stop it. Something warm to sleep in being considered a luxury to him! That he somehow didn’t deserve things as simple as a blanket and warmth! How does one even begin to explain everything wrong with such a statement and finally convince him otherwise? This was almost agony!
“I like tea… but don’t get distracted with that! You’re thinking of how to get me tea now, and I don’t want you to stop being so considerate, it’s honestly such a blessing to have but, Theon.”
She tilted her head back and sighed again as if the wooden ceiling could give her strength! How to explain in a way that he’d understand and not somehow decide it was ruling law?
“Partners.” she reiterated, even stressed the word. “What I have, you should also have. We’re equal partners and that means it’s very important that both of us are well cared for? I’ll understand if you refuse certain things because they make you uncomfortable or you simply don’t like them… But things that make our life easier should be for both of us? Otherwise I’m going to worry that I’m taking advantage of you? Taking everything you have and not giving you anything worthwhile back!”
Once more his mouth had parted in a starting attempt to say something or rather think of something with the same motion of lips potentially flapping to manifest it. Save that she was promptly telling him that yes she did like tea, but that his thoughts that were easily already considering things or ways or what to have available that she might like, was stopped. Well, he’d stop attempting to verbalize it but he was still thinking about it. Whilst paying keen attention to how she moved. The mannerism that were offered so he could attune what was being done with how she sounded.
Cataloguing so he might pick up on cues faster. Registering them preemptively even if it seemed right now that she was bordering on vexation. Stressing his name again while looking at the roof. Even urging him to peek upwards in case there was something he ought to be aware of there.
For her to rotate down and assured a particular word was noted deeply as important. With a bit of a stressed importance of clarity to what and why. And finding that as she finished, he found her statement entirely ridiculous. “You are giving back.” The man took a moment as he idly began to tap a finger to that of his hip out of a fidgeting motion. “You are my first friend. That… is phenomenal already and I find it to be worth every ounce of what I have. That is all I would like, it is precious to have.” Shoulders shrugged at her shyly, “I don’t mean to make it feel like it is uneven or you are taking advantage of me but this feels important. Its new and I’m still learning. I do these things cause they feel important.” He gave his head of red a gentle shake like it was going to shoo away the rest. “I don’t think it is taking advantage when it is things I… I want to do.”
“O-oh…”
With that simple breathless statement Araminta could feel the burn in her cheeks. Well that just… completely obliterated any argument she could possibly have! Rendering her so haplessly speechless that she likely had stared at him for eons like one of those blasted opened mouthed fish. Araminta truly didn’t think she’d given him anything of much value beyond her pitiful attempts here and there, but if Theon thought differently, then who was she to say otherwise! Apparently Araminta just being Araminta was enough.
She didn’t know what to say. A lump had lodged in her throat and it was embarrassing and he really was just the best person.
Without having the sense to second-guess the decision, she stepped forward to throw her arms around his waist and hugged him. Squeeze him to death was probably more like it, as Araminta buried her face at his chest and held on for dear life. Which really, he was going to have to get used to now, because he couldn’t go behaving like this and her not hug him!
Nothing could brace him for what happened next. Not even a strong warning would have been enough to cover the sort of impact such a action had. For anyone else, this was probably just so run of the mill that it was hardly worth one thought. Let alone a thousand that exploded in yammering nonsense within his own. And not a single one of them making a lick of sense. Best described as indecipherable blathering that was gratefully not spewing next out of his mouth.
Only a sort of cracked mask awe spun with embarrassment that somehow she had not only hugged him once, but twice. In one day!
It was a record!
Although his arms had sprung in a sort of awkward hover, he glanced at them each. Checking to make sure they weren’t tugged by invisible strings to do so before lightly, ever so carefully pressing the tips of digits to shoulders.
Boy had he known that she would have found his endearing acceptance that she was who she was, then she might have had her face completely melt off if she asked what his entire thoughts were. To be beset but that blunt honesty that didn’t have really a filter to hide behind. Currently, he was not complaining about this frontal action either. Granted, it felt weird but not unpleasant. Just very very different.
“Is what I said, alright?” Just to make sure she wasn’t irritated by what had been said.
Her first response was a soft mrphing sound, with no possible way to tell if it was an affirmation or a refusal. Remaining clinging there with her fingers curling into his tunic until she could feel the press of her own nails threatening to tear through the fabric into her palms. Eventually, when she was certain she wasn’t going to start sobbing, she laughed there muffled against his chest until she found enough courage to pull away.
Maybe still a little teary but Araminta grinned at him all the same.
“It’s alright, I understand,” she affirmed with a nod. “I won’t fuss anymore about it. If you’ll let me take care of you too? That’s all I really want?”
One had to simply wait to see if Araminta was about to free herself from clinging so tightly. As he wasn’t sure if there was a procedure to remove someone from their grapple hook anyways if they didn’t wish to let go. Nor did he feel it was necessary to pry her off either. Not about to openly admit that much in the same vein of her being his first friend, this was like the only second time he had ever been hugged before. And a part of him wanted to hold that privately like some sort of priceless treasure.
Although he clearly needed to grasp how one returned the gesture, just… not right now.
Eventually she was sounding less like nonsense and more like giggles until she was freed from being face first into his chest. Looking a bit peaky around the rims of those jade eyes but not so dire that he had to start worrying that she was ill or something worse.
“I’m not sure how that works in reply but… but if that is what you wish then I agree.” However, just what was he agreeing too. Suppose that was going to be something to be learnt. Lips turned inwards to brush over making the bearded features momentarily appear to be mouthless before he was looking around the space. Then to a window, “Should rest properly now. It is late in the morning… and I will need to do chores for Matilda as well when there is light enough to see.”
“I’m not sure where she expects to put us and I hate to presume,” she muttered, moving away to dig in those packs again to find the tunic he’d mentioned and shook it out. The thing was practically going to fit like a dress on her, but she couldn’t deny it’d be nice to sleep in something other than her traveling clothes, damp or not.
With a quick glace around Araminta found an old changing screen to duck behind, making quick work of peeling out of her clothes and pulling the tunic over her head. The hem went down pretty far, but not nearly far enough to hide away those black markings that were steadily crawling their way down to her knee. Still it felt so much lighter to be wearing something properly dry and not so itchy!
She brought her clothes over to the fireplace and draped them over one of the chairs so they could finishing drying faster without her in them. Then she took a moment to swallow the last of her tea.
“I might sleep in the snail nest,” she pondered, still not so opposed to the idea.
“Floor.” He stated so suddenly, “Most likely.” A look around the place showed that it was cozy. Meant for one and any sort of bedding area itself was sequestered off to the very back corner that was barely a door into another room. Though as he stood there thinking about this and found his gaze eventually following after Araminta, he suspected that laying on the floor was far better than sleeping on the blighted soil of that village.
While it wasn’t fantastic, it was better. It was dry in here. Warm and of course less likely to have that of anything creeping up in the night to try to snatch her away. Or a slime cuddling up either.
Still, he decided to take a look around while she managed to switch the means of attire over to his offered item. Eventually settling on the mass amount of linens with a choice that well, it would do no harm now that Araminta was cleaner to lay on one. At least to separate herself from the floor and there was his and her own cloak to aid in keep her covered.
So as she eventually reappeared even to mention the snail nest, he paused. Looked at it. Then her. Then the little folded construction of a sheet on the ground with cloaks prepared, “They may come to you to sleep with.” He seen how that one seemed attached to her, and the rest had climbed all over Matilda with ease! So who was to say that Araminta wouldn’t have the seven or so cerulean snails all over her. “Here.” He offered then to point, then took the position to sit down near. With his back to the wall and indicated that she was welcome to use his own leg as a pillow for the night. “Essurn… will have a proper bed as you asked for. If you aren’t opposed to travelling swiftly… we could return to my home and the village if you wish to find a bedroll. If that is alright.”
Araminta certainly seemed to like the idea of cuddling half a dozen fuzzy snails, but it seemed Theon had some other plans with the more human style of nest he made for them. More surprisingly he was actually intending to sleep with her, albeit sitting propped up. With how much he’d been shaken up by the day, maybe she should have expected it.
Though a little shy about it, Araminta wasn’t about to refuse such an offer. Especially when it’d be a comforting relief to have that physical contact for awhile. The day had been difficult for her too and it’d be so much easier to sleep knowing he was right there and not likely to move. …at least not until she was good and unconscious! So she settled on the sheet, pulling up both of the cloaks to cover herself properly, perfectly content to rest her head on his leg. Only squirming a bit until she found a comfortable position and let out a slow breath to relax.
“I was going to ask if we could take your dappled grey direct to Essurn,” she admitted softly. “I’d like to get away from here as quickly as possible, but a stop at home first is a good idea. To get things we need and leave things we don’t.”
There was a patience to him that didn’t wavier even after she gotten plenty seemingly comfortable. Tucked in and appearing to be at a level of peace. Allowing himself to cross arms over his chest loosely and a peeking at that of the fireplace. Making sure it would be warm enough for her and Matilda’s whenever return. Sure that the little snails would be very appreciative of it as well so long as they didn’t want to accidentally crawl in.
“If you are comfortable with it, then it would be fine.” Truly it had felt very unusual not to be using it. Someone of his being that was just so normal to us and now rarely at all. “It would make things very easy to reach swiftly.” And less likely to be tracked as well.
It was one of those things that he did learn that his mother had a hard time keeping track of. Unsure if that was because he was shapeshifted or because he was seemingly more fae. Harder to note down. Regardless, it worked in their favour. “Rest now, it has been a long day and I am sure you are tired.”
“We’ll use your speedy steed more often,” acquiesced Araminta, turning just enough to glance up at him. “Since you do like it I won’t feel so bad.”
Truly, it was the only reason Araminta kept refusing it! Well, that and it felt like such a silly awkward thing to be riding a man-horse. It surely didn’t help that she wasn’t the best rider either. Yet, she hadn’t even thought before that there was a chance Theon enjoyed getting to change his form and leaning into the freedom of being fae. She’d seen the spark of joy in him while he was giving hell to those scoundrels, and he’d said later that shifting form was as natural as a breathing. Perhaps she’d been missing an opportunity to see Theon at his most free.
“Goodnight Theon,” she murmured soft, nestling back into her comfy position, now with a plethora of thoughts to entertain her. All of the lovely places they could go – not even for the trials, just interesting sights and things in between.
It didn’t take her long at all to drift off to sleep.
He had become increasingly far more alert when Matilda had returned to the abode. The means of cat napping promptly forgotten about in turn for quick attention. Finding the older woman had barely offered them a glance upon initial entry. Merely padding over to the little nest area that was for the fluffy snails. Putting them down one by one and some twice when they decided they were hardly finished with their adventures. Being tut-tutted before the older woman would take notice of at least his gaze upon her. The pair of them silently staring but nothing said. Only that Matilda seemed to approve of the setup without any singular visual complaint.
After a little bit of meandering, Matilda retired to that single room. And he was almost surprised that his thought of the snail gravitating over was nearly spot on. They inchworm’d around the immediate area for a bit of time as he settled with the intent of returning to that state of napping only finding himself paused to do so. Watching as two were curious at first but helped themselves up to the form of Araminta. Seemingly acting as an invite to the others for they certainly skittered along till they were arranging themselves contently upon her.
It would seem they liked warmth if he was about to venture a guess.
Taking to watching them for a good long while till the breech of light was peeking through windows. Urging him to rise to intent to complete his own various routine of chores needed.
It was Matilda that would be around inside the abode when the steady sound of chopping was being greeted. Herself arranging little bits of food that would be suitable for easy consumption of unusual additional guests.
Araminta would’ve loved to sleep the morning away, but even though her nest was warm and toasty, sleeping on the floor wasn’t quite as comfy to hips and bone the same way soft ground could be. The chop, chop, chop of wood mixed with the clink and tink of an old woman’s morning routine certainly didn’t give way to easy sleeping, either.
At least upon opening one eye and then the other, she immediately greeted the morning with a soft giggle. Carefully shifting as to not accidentally send snails tumbling to the floor as she sat up straight. Taking the time to greet each one of the sweet little things she could reach with petting scritches and a soft good morning, not about to miss greeting a single one of them!
What a lovely life it would be to live in a small cottage with dozens of animal friends!
“Good morning Madam Matilda!” she greeted cheerfully on sight of the woman. “Were you able to sleep well with mysterious guests in the house?”
The rustling and the soon to be morning greeting to each one of those little mothballs with shells was hard to ignore. Working diligently with the effort of putting together a simple meal of no more than porridge. At least willing to feed the bellies that had come into the house. Appreciative that her home hadn’t been ransacked and it was moderately tidy enough to express there was no snooping occurring either. Opening one’s home to random people always had a chance of going incredibly poorly, as one might assume.
“If I was worried about the two of you, I wouldn’t have allowed the offer in the first place girl.” She seemed to mentally sigh at this before eying the one that was still seemingly like she was missing a few cards out of her deck. Though she was pleasant by comparison to the silent bodyguard. “It would seem you needed rest to be comfortable enough not to wake with the cuddle bugs all over you.” The sound of metal hitting wood was rhythmic and she was suspecting that the fellow was liable to cut up all the wood out there to be plenty over prepared. “Best be rising. You’ve still got a few more chores to complete before we are equal on the exchange of a free roof. There is porridge to be served soon so you will at least have something hot in your belly.”
“It was an exhausting trial,” agreed Araminta, not to worried about confirming that is indeed what they were up to in the blighted village. The alternative would be making up a story that’d surely sound completely insane! And with Matilda’s dislike of the Imperial Queen, Araminta wasn’t concerned about the old woman spilling any information to any prowling seekers following after her and Theon.
Slipping out of her nest to rise to her feet, the princess confiscated her now dry clothing from the chair it’d spent the night on and scurried out of sight to exchange Theon’s tunic for proper attire. On self inspection, she found some spots where the fabric was starting to get thread bare. Who knew you could wear out clothing so quickly when you only had a single set! …although getting thrown about by the trials surely wasn’t helping to prevent tears and fraying. Perhaps taking Theon through the markets of Essurn to upgrade vital items would be a fun activity!
In the meantime, Araminta folded up the tunic to replace in their bags and set about folding up the sheet they’d borrowed.
“Tell me what you need done and I will get to it! Tidying, collecting, cleaning… I haven’t quite learned cooking yet, so maybe not that.”
Eyes made their travel up and down this one when she seemed to start mentioning that she would be happy to help with whatever was necessary. Just not cooking which thus far, would have been useless considering. “Take this food out to that of your bodyguard and then once you are finished eating, I’ll have you both dig about in the woods for some various tubers.” There was little need for the woman to work first then eat. Eat then work.
“Perhaps I will have you scrub the snails. They could use it after being in the slime last night.”
Scrub the snails? That sounded like delightful good fun for Araminta! Any and all chores that involved interacting with animals directly were quite entertaining for the princess, even if they tended to get a little messy. Certainly more fun than digging up tubers, though that was a task she could do easily and also enjoyed the simplicity of. Araminta had gotten very good at woodland foraging for edible things.
Taking up the two bowls of porridge she scooted along outside the home to find where Theon was chopping away at fire logs. Watchiong curiously for a few silent moments both to check and see if he looked like he’d gotten enough sleep and… well. It was always interesting to watch Theon when he was in motion! A huge contrast compared to his silent, stillness.
“Matilda has made us porridge for breakfast,” she announced after a moment. Then after a beat actually stopped for a second to take a spoonful from one of the bowls herself as a taste test. “…edible too! Do you want this bowl?”
Had the arrangement of what he was doing not been at least somewhat facing towards that of the front entry of the home, he’d likely had been caught rather unguarded by Araminta’s appearance. His mind was thankfully not completing a wandering party by itself but rather focused on splitting the logs. Putting himself to work in a way that was rewarding. As it required him to do something more than simply sit, stare, wait and fight. Exerting efforts without having to suddenly combat great behemoth’s of mental challenges or physical opponents.
Still, he’d eventually pause. Making sure the axe head was driven into the base of thick tree stump that acted as the chopping place. To wipe at brow and smooth back hair that had become slickened with that of sweat.
Turning the knife bright rings upon that of the woman that seemed like she was at least somewhat rejuvenated. Cleaner than before and her gaze looked just as brilliant as he typically noticed. Softening something in his chest. That promptly turned to disgust when it seemed that she had come out with a meal that was well… not prepared by that of himself. And found that even as Araminta seemed to register his strong aversion as she knew why he avoided such things, she tried to show him that it was edible. “Please… no thank you.” He grimaced visibly, “But… thank you.”
Nodding as if she knew this was going to be the answer all along, Araminta took the both the bowls over to a felled log and had herself a seat. Scraping his portion of breakfast into her own bowl to eat herself. No reason to risk Matidila’s cooking being offended, or Theon having to make awkward explanations. At worst if she over ate she’d be a little sluggish while digging around in the woods and that honestly wasn’t a problem at all! Tubers didn’t tend to fight back or chase you through the forest!
Pulling her legs up to sit crossed legged on the log, she ate a few spoonfuls herself perfectly content to sit there in his company without expecting anything else. Admiring the shift from cool misty morning to the warmer hues in the sky and the way the birds were starting to come awake with their beeping and chitters. Usually by now she’d be plotting what was necessary for the next trial, so it was a nice change in pace to not have that worry sitting on her shoulders.
For now, her plotting was now focused on Theon and how she might help him get past things that were making his life unnecessarily difficult.
“Matilda wants us to go fetch tubers in the forest today. I think we might get a few extra for our own pack so I can learn how to cook things myself when we’re on the road. Roasted potatoes and carrots… or a nice stew when you’ve got a rabbit.”
By whatever limitless grace she seemed to possess, she did not press. Nor eye him in a state of contempt or disbelieve. Merely melding the two bowls together to where she migrated to a log and took a seat. Earning a lingering look that seemed to almost be surprised she was staying out here. Having expected her to gravitate inside to play with the fuzzy clusters of fluff that had made her their bed this morning.
When it was apparent she wasn’t about to gather up and wander away, he returned to the effort of grabbing the logs to split and crack. Allowing the minutes to blend into familiar silence. A little more comfortable than normal. If he could think that.
It continued as such with the rhythmic efforts till she spoke. And mentioned they were to be tasked with rooting out wild carrots and potatoes. Perhaps a turnip or some beetroot. Just that he paused in mid-swing to look at her. “You wouldn’t have to do such things.” He seemed ready to point out that her to afford her grasp to such work wasn’t anything she ought too. “I’d… dislike the idea of you wasting food because of my quirk.”
Immediately she laughed.
“You shouldn’t eat my fledging attempts at cooking anyway, Theon! I don’t imagine it’s going to be very good at the start,” she admitted. Araminta knew enough in theory, on how to cook things through and that seasoning was important. But like most talents she’d come to discover, there were a lot of little details that went into making something well. Things you never really knew were an issue unless someone was directly teaching it to you, or you were learning it yourself through trial and error.
“I’d like to learn, regardless. Especially now that I can start my own fires. I can always make just enough for me and you can try it if you get daring.” Araminta figured if he got to watch her make it, he’d be involved from start to finish and feel much safer to try. …at least when she wasn’t creating a culinary disaster.
It was funny how she was giggling and laughing at his statement paired with the idea that she wanted to learn for her own benefit, just how he felt immediately foolish at all. Putting an unnecessary assumption into the mix when she merely wanted to cultivate that effort to where a basic means of feeding oneself. And how he had taken it into such a way that included his silliness upon it.
Good thing he was working as he adjusted some to put her over his shoulder. As to keep a means of that embarrassment silent to himself.
Eventually nodding to agree that her learning was hardly something to shake a stick at. “We can go… look when you are finished then.”
“I hope you’ll also help me with cooking so I don’t poison myself,” she chimed in. Still completely amused, but hoping he wasn’t taking her laughter as an insult or teasing to him. He was just funny!
Porridge seemed to be one of those things that grew and grew the more you ate it, but Araminta wasn’t about to waste a single bite. Knowing it was going to be worth the nutrition to get her through the day even if she felt like a stuffed goose. Once she finished those last bites, she hopped off her perch to pull some water out of the rain bucket and give the bowls a good rinse. Having the sense not to try and rinse the bowls in the barrel itself and taint all of Matilda’s collected rainwater.
With a soft comment that she’d be back, Araminta returned the empty bowls to the old woman and to fetch something to collect the tubers in. She’d returned with nothing else but a basket and her stick-turned-staff, seeming to be just fine with trusting her belongings left here with it’s snail guardians.
He gave her an agreeing bob of the head to express that if she wanted his aid for scavenger cooking then he would oblige. Preferring too that she would not inflict food poisoning on herself. Though he hardly knew the means of a good delectable meal that probably had been her common munchies as a princess. Even as she departed after, he was left with such a quizzical thought.
Recalling well enough the types of foods that were arranged for those of royal quality from the few gatherings he had been too. And just the arrangement of the meal that had been before him when he was too young to know better but young enough to remember every detail.
Urging a mental wonderment of just what her kingdom had been like in such things. Familial gatherings with siblings that he knew she had. From how she expressed before she was not the crowned princess.
Upon her return, he was moving to stack pieces of chopped hunks together. Stacking them by the corner of the house for easy access before raising his gaze and nodding again. Thankfully, they had gone foraging together enough already that he wasn’t uncomfortable with this effort for another. Plus this was a new area, there could be plenty of other items to collect that would be of use.
Berries, herbs, even the wild vegetables that grew freely.
Still he waited for her to take the lead so he might follow along –aware of his less than kempt state and keeping away as not to be well… terribly aromatic. “May I ask you a question Araminta, of your home?” He seemed to notice previously each time he asked, she had gotten a bit sad around the eyes. Indicating she wasn’t always happy to talk about it so it was best to ask.
Araminta had no issue at all with leading this foraging mission, being plenty comfortable with this means of hunting as plucking up plants didn’t give her that twinge in her heart the way hunting animals did. Gods knew, if they did Araminta might actually starve to death! Choosing to wander the exact opposite direction than the blighted village, to be sure they didn’t stay even the slightest bit close to it, Araminta also deemed it best to get a good distance away from Matilda’s home. The old woman likely kept closer due to her age and would’ve gathered up what was near by now. So the princess and her bodyguard as the elder seemed to call him, would go out farther and likely have a ready supply of things to gather.
“Oh?” she responded, curious that he’d become brave enough to ask at all. For as much as Araminta talked, she rarely mentioned too many details of home. Generally sticking to events and things after she’d escape the mountain pass. There was no real purposeful meaning to it… at least not that she consciously chose to avoid it. Just… maybe there was a part of her that tried not to think about it all anymore. It was hard to keep going to when darker feelings welled up.
Still, talking to Theon had been a comfort so far and if he wanted to know more about her, she was happy to share.
“You can ask me anything you like, I don’t mind.”
The confirmation was pleasantly nice to hear. For something that may not have been entirely required. Though he was hardly going to kick up a fuss about it. Instead nodding as per usual to her gentle agreement. Noting how they were directly moving further from Matilda’s abode for foraging. For good reasons he didn’t need to stress upon.
Merely taking too considering their pathing. The scenery around them for further disclosure that they appeared to be alright. Leaving his mental state a chance to hone his eventually inquiry.
“Family.” He started in an attentive effort, “How… or rather what was your dynamic with them? You have… siblings?” His interest had bloomed to know the difference between what he knew and she experienced. And well, a chance to learn more of her. That was what a friend would do, was it not?
Araminta thought she was prepared for any question he might ask and the resulting feelings it might dig up… she very much was not. Having assumed he’d ask something more akin to what she liked doing, or what life was like as a princess, not a direct question about her family! It took every amount of her willpower and courtly training not to let these flurry of thoughts and emotions show too much on her features, though some undoubtedly slipped out… She’d told him he could ask her anything and Araminta meant it, she didn’t want him to think it was a mistake.
“I have- …had? three siblings. Two older brothers and a younger sister,” she did finally say after a long pause. Oh, this was difficult. How did you talk about people you loved with all your heart and hadn’t yet properly grieved for? But Araminta didn’t want to stash them away into a locked box of memories to never think about again, either! So she gathered up her strength by the means of a deep breath and continued with the same fortitude she’d give any of the trials.
“My eldest brother, Fitzgerald, was heir and he was a gentle soul without a single ounce of meanness in him. It drove my father crazy because he’d come from an era where men where supposed to be fierce fighters, and Fitz willfully tried to avoid any sort of training that involved combat. He was actually quite good with a sword, not that he’d ever let Father know. He was wise too, smarter than the rest of us. We all knew he was going to be a good king.”
Araminta paused there to swallow the lump in her throat, feeling it in her gut that this verbal acknowledgement was going to hurt but needed to be done at some point.
“He died trying to protect our mother and his wife. It was very quick and they didn’t suffer.”
He was lingering at a distance from her and while generally Araminta wouldn’t mind, this time she felt the need to hold on to something solid. Thus she shifted the basket to her other arm and waited for him to catch up to her, then rest her hand at the crook of his arm.
“My little sister, Calia, was not so little at all. In fact, she might even be taller than you!” At least this seemed to perk her up as she glance up at him, as if still trying to gauge the height. “All she ever wanted to do was be a knight and no one could’ve stopped her. She could beat both my brothers with one hand tied behind her back, and at least half of the castle guard. Somewhere in the fray we were separated and I am not sure what happened to her. …I hope she’s still alive and that when I go back she’ll be there fussing at me for taking so long and making her kill all those demons by herself.”
If anyone could survive and somehow hold the line with whomever was left there in the kingdom, it would be her sister. Otherwise Araminta might not have any hope left at all.
“…and then there was Haaron. Harry.” she lowered her voice to hint this was the wild sheep of the family. “An absolute menace to anyone pretty or with deep pockets. With all the charisma and cleverness in the world, and he used it to cause any matter of mischief he could get away with. A cad and a rogue and he was my favorite. We’d made it all the way to the mountain pass and could’ve just kept running, but he was sure they were following us. So me, with all of my bright and terrible ideas thought to destroy the pass with some black powder we’d found in a miner’s crate. It worked, but he was flung into the river and fell down the falls… I don’t know if anyone could survive that.”
By now Araminta realized she’d blabbered on a lot more information than he’d actually asked for. …he’d only asked what their dynamic was like! Not a grim and dark exposition of death!
“I’m sorry, that was too much. We were close and I loved them.”
This was more than he expected. But ohhow he listened. Intrigue wouldn’t have even crossed the first layer of fascination that dawned slowly behind that stony composure. Rather it might have been best stated as vigorously devoured these details. Even if he could register that what was being talked about seemed like it was causing her undue grief. If the way she paused and waited for him to align with her pace as to reach and draw closer. Assuring they were physically near in hopes it might dull whatever this was she was experiencing.
There was pain and joy. Delight and foreboding. Things he knew, things he understood but still found entirely new!
However as he paused while she mentioned the mountain pass being blasted and her brother slipping down to be dropped into the river then the falls, he picked up two things.
One, Araminta kept saying she was nothing special in their former interactions. Nothing remarkable yet, she had come to plan that of the closure of the pass. Which would be no easy feat. She did not realize that she had a tactical mind. A mind that many people of high offices valued immensely. One who could think on a whim and provide various results and plots. They did not all have to work but the fact she could do it so swiftly. And with such a detail that most people would have been required to open their skulls literally put to even scratch the surface of their ingenuity. She, did not.
Secondly, he noticed that her family meant something. Obviously far more than he would ever understand but he could feel the power in her storytelling.
“If he is as resilient as you, I believe you will find your brother.” Theon stated clearly with a level of conviction that was liable to be as ironclad as steel itself. “Alongside your sister. She sounds formidable.” A woman warrior, he was intrigued. And wished to see someone of such a raved about calibre, fight as well.
“It was not too much for me. But perhaps you? I am sorry to have asked. I have no dynamic so the familial bond interests me much akin to a scholar with an research topic. Though in similar vain I suppose I lack the morality and the compassion that should be exercised in asking about such things. For that, I am apologetic that I’ve caused you misery.” He bowed his head to her, “I will not ask again. Thank you for indulging me, Araminta. It was generous of you to share.”
He’d then point towards a frilly ruffle, “Wild carrots, there.”
“If you lacked the morality and compassion, Theon, I sincerely doubt you would be here with me right now,” she responded with surprise. Honestly, the way he seemed to not realize these things about himself! So brainwashed to think he truly was that stoic, silent Ghost, full of nothing but an empty head and heart of cold nothing. Not that the Imperial Queen hadn’t tried to abuse it out of him, but here he was. A listening ear to a tragic story, with nothing but hopeful words and gentle compassion.
At his beckoning to the carrots she leaned her staff against a tree and knelt down to do a little plucking.
“I admit it’s hard to talk about them? The feelings are still raw and painful… but I do want to talk about them. So you have nothing to apologize for and you’re more than welcome to ask me more things. I’d rather talk about it and feel the pain than forget them?”
It was an honest truth. And now that the door had been opened, there was a lighter feeling on her shoulders. Oddly, his encouraging words seemed to linger there in the back of her mind, making her straighten her back a little as she mulled over.
“…and maybe you are right! I’m still alive by sheer accident and I’ve not nearly the skill and mettle that the two of them have. If I can survive, then surely they’re alive too out there somewhere! We might all make it back in our own way.”
Funnily he gave her an unusual look to being told he had such things. Nor would he be there with her right now. Urging a long contemplating reflection till, “I don’t see it.” Of course he couldn’t see such things or recognize them. They were foreign entities practically. Unheard of. Unmentioned, ignored. But he could see that he wanted to make her realize he lacked being able to understand her genuine relationship with family either.
Simply waiting till she spoke up about how he need not withhold. Rather him asking was good. It allowed her to reflect and acknowledge those painful things that well… hurt but were necessary. It helped her. “Okay. But I will ask if it is alright. First.” Indicating she would always have that chance to say no yo his query at that time.
He moved about to see if he could see more of the wild vegetables. To abruptly stop at her last commentary.
“I noticed this moments ago. When you were speaking of your loved ones.” Stepping back so he could kneel down to aid her in digging. “Every so often you claim you have no skills. Nothing notable but I believe you are incorrect. I’ve listened to you aptly and I wish to express my findings.”
Then paused to assure his wording. “You are quick witted and astute. Devising plans swiftly with unlikely scenarios and ideas that most would not typically. I’ve seem these in action as well.” Theon altered his gaze to her, “A quick mind that considers unlikely problems with many different solutions are tactical. Minds that are sought after in high risk situations. In high positions. You are not without mettle, Araminta. You are one very rare mindset that even those who claim such mantles, severely lack. You are a clever person. A tactician. A person who leafs in unlikely ways and is very sought after.” Nodding shortly to be pleased with his reply. “I am honored to be alongside you.”
There was something delightful about Theon getting so serious and sounding as if he were a professor relaying his research at a university lecture. He seemed to be jumping at the chance to share, that Araminta thought it might be some interesting new piece of information… instead he was describing her as some sort of tactical genius! As if she’d actually came by any of these wild ideas of hers through intelligence and thoughtfulness instead of the frantic floundering she was so used to. It was absolutely ridiculous. Sweet. But ridiculous.
“…I don’t see it,” she responded softly, unable to hide the twinkle of mirth in her eyes or the smile that was quickly growing across her features.
Araminta managed to pluck out her carrots and gave them a good dusting to remove most of the dirt before depositing them in her basket. Finding there was a pleasant little tingle in her chest, lingering there from albeit ridiculous statements, but appreciated nonetheless.
“You’re very sweet and I’m quite lucky that you were sent to me,” she continued, reaching out to grab his hand while she moved to stand herself. Tugging him up to join her. “I’d not be alive now if it were someone else.”
The way she repeated his own words back at him after a little bit of contemplation, he had to wonder if she actually didn’t see it or if she was just toying with his former reply. Seeing how her eyes sparkled paired with the way her mouth began to spread, he was leaning towards the fact she was jesting. Though as long as she understood he meant what he said with every bit of authenticity as he could muster. Something that came surprisingly in abundance. Yet he dare not make an argument of out this. Simply because he most likely wouldn’t have much to argue with. He knew what he knew and that was enough to have said it.
Moving to help unroot some of the veggies from the soil. Holding their fluffy ends with a gentle twisting motion to avoid them getting caught in the earth and being stubborn to move or break! Tapping them against the ground to remove the dirt before brushing and depositing them much the same into her bucket.
She called him sweet and he felt as though his cheeks ought to be heating up at that blunt comment. Only that when she reached out to grab at him, he obliged with assistance instead. Shortly following when she tugged, suggesting she may not have been alive had it not been him sent to observe. Something he wanted to content with but admittedly knew she was right. “I am grateful that it turned to how it is now.” Admitting this didn’t feel wrong. Though it made him wonder what would he have done if she agreed to his mother’s ridiculous terms of her marrying instead. And found his mind was blank to even offer a suggestion.
Paired with no need to bring it up. He gave a gentle point forward to indicate for them to keep looking for them rogue tubers.
Araminta herself was quite grateful that things turned out they way they did, offering him nothing but a big wide smile as a reply. Pure luck was on her side, that the Imperial Queen could have killed Araminta easily in any number of ways, but somehow sending her own son was the mistake. Even without the extraordinary ability to protect her from dangers, he offered her this little spark of hope that she hadn’t realized was starting to dwindle. There really wasn’t anything as powerful in the world than the hope to keep going.
Falling into a nice routine, the princess had a keen eye for spotting the differences in plants, perhaps partially aided by her interest in watching woodland animals. Because if there was a bird, or rabbit, or squirrel nearby she knew that something tasty would be close, and was often rewarded with a patch of wild food ready for the plucking. When she took longer to examine a particular bush and it’s berries, it was a hint that she’d made a mistake with something similar before and was now extra careful to be sure it wasn’t a toxic lookalike.
Matilda was going to have quite the lovely variety of treats to work with beyond even just tubers! Elderberries, late autumn raspberries, green onions, rose hips and chicory roots. Araminta could have spent the entire day gathering up things, but her basket could only hold so much.
When they came across a crabapple tree, princess Araminta decided that would be the perfect final treat! Setting down her basket and her staff to circle around the tree itself seeking the lowest of the branches and knobs before making her attempts at climbing it. Once again proving to more more a feral wilding creature than any sort of elegant princess.
There was certainly quite the collected arrangement of items that would do well to assure they repaid Matilda for her gracious acceptance to house them for the night. After he had threatened to put an arrow through her of course, she didn’t have to do much for them. Yet she had. And it seemed Araminta was proving just how grand she was at collecting the sorts of items that were asked for and not so much. Making a plethora of food stuffs that would do well at feeding someone for some time. Leaving him to be the following hound that would help when necessary.
Although as they were likely intending to return with the collection, it seemed the princess had something else in mind.
A tree with little bulbs of fruit dangling from its branches. And apparently a silent bidding for her to decide that she wanted to climb the thing rather than asking for any assistance or even using her staff to bat the lowest of fruit hanging. Leaving him to puzzle visually at her decision. Working mouth a little in debate to whether he ought to say something or not. Siding promptly on the not part.
“Don’t worry, Theon, I won’t fall out of this one,” she exclaimed, having assumed that peculiar look on his face was the memory of her squishing him before.
Already up on the first of the lower branches, she seemed to have an agenda in mind on exactly what sort of the fruit she was looking for. Checking bunches of the crabapples and only ever so often plucking one from it’s branch to toss down for Theon to catch and add to her basket. She avoided ones that were overripe or with strange brown spots. Skipped over ones that’d been pecked at by birds, or milled into by worms. She knew which ones were just right by the color of them and the smell.
It might’ve been she wanted to impress their host with the very best of produce! It was a good thank you, in Araminta’s opinion.
Her words seemed to draw a sort of recollection that only added to the change in his face. As if he hadn’t been thinking of such things and now clearly was. Liable to start eying her cautiously as he drew in a bit closer. Ready to act once more in case she did decide to take a tumble out of it. Although there was no snake that could be seen in the limbs here. Not that it mattered after she graciously reminded him to the former tree event.
His side absently twinged as if to echo that it too did not want a repeat. Thankfully he wasn’t wandering around with the sword currently and housed no armour yet. Merely appearing a common folk with trousers and gray tunic while working to watch her dedication to collection. Unclear to what she was being so specific for but worked well to take the tossed down ones into that of her basket. Accruing more goods by the second till finally, “What are the apples for?” Asking because he wasn’t sure her reasoning for such efforts.
It seemed almost particular unlike then scrounging up the other bits of forage.
“I imagine she doesn’t get these very often, since they are so far out,” explained Araminta. She found a couple more choice crabapples and tossed them down. Decided that was likely more than enough. Any more and the basket would be too heavy to easily carry back.
“Not easy to carry enough either with such old bones,” she thought out loud, already making her way back down the branches. Carefully watching her footing, especially when she’d a glimpse of his renewed expression. Maybe she shouldn’t have reminded him about her prior tumble!
At the final branch it was easy to lower herself down with a very short jump. No tumbles, no slips, no falls, no injuries! Only a few leaves in her hair and a need to dust off her hands from crumbling bark.
“Crabapple tarts were always my own favorites, but she might make a nice jelly to last her through the winter. Or a spiced cider. Those are quite nice too.”
Theon hummed thoughtfully to the mention that the apples were likely not on Matilda’s menu very often. Due to how far away they were and he highly doubted that the old woman was about to go climbing up the tree as Araminta was. Doing well to assure he took what was tossed down before lingering closer at her slow departure from the branches. Not about to stand still if she made an unceremonious plummet once more.
Thankfully with her making a departure without any additional folly, he made an effort to reach out to lightly pull away those rogue leaves.
“Tarts?” Curiosity rose again at her. Figuring it was a food substance but he just didn’t know what sort it was. Jelly he knew of and cider was a vague knowledge. “They were common for you? The tarts…?”
Araminta almost asked if he’d never tried a tart before, finding that an outrageous thing… and then quickly remembered how sensitive and selective he was about food. He may have had one as a young child too small to remember now as an adult. He certainly didn’t seem to have the knowledge on how to bake, nor the opportunity when he only ever caught wild game and foraging, so she couldn’t very well to expect him to have tried to make them himself.
Worse yet because he didn’t seem to think he deserved anything better than the bare minimum of needs. Why would he attempt to make a treat for himself.
“Oh tarts are lovely! A baker would make them with ground amaranth flour and whatever fresh fruit might be in season. Crabapples and blueberry were always my favorite, but I’ve surely never had a tart I didn’t like. I hear baking is tricky, though. Like a magic spell but with food… if it isn’t the correct amounts of ingredients made just the right way, things are sure to go haywire.”
Which Araminta wasn’t likely to try her hand at making her own tarts any time soon. They’d be lucky enough if she could make simple skillet meals or stews!
Gathering up her basket again as well as her staff, Araminta tilted her head to gesture it was time to head back to Matilda’s waiting cabin.
Well this was interesting information to have to his mental files. Paired on that she expressed that she had two that she particularly liked but also didn’t ever have a tart that hadn’t made her particularly happy. Wondering if there would be something of the sort able to be found in Essurn to assure that she was treated to something that she had a favouritism too. It worked well for him to make those permanent notes too. Just he would have to figure out what said tart looked like if he wanted to see if there was anything of the sort for Araminta to have in the port town.
It clearly was a sweet thing so that at least narrowed down the knowledge.
“Hmm.” Theon nodded at the explanation that apparently baking was quite the tricky thing. Needing to be just right otherwise things were likely to go the wrong way. So that was also good to note.
Motioning that he was willing to take the basket from her while she walked with her staff. Agreeing that it was a good idea to return now to Matilda, as the elder woman might have wondered if they meandered off without fulfilling their end of the agreement.
The man had that look about his face, as if he were plotting. Though he still rarely expressed any sort of extreme emotion or feeling in his features, she’d starting picking up the little details. Likely creating a little box in his mind of Araminta Facts to later do something so unnecessarily sweet. Making her wonder if she too should have a list of Theon Facts in her head to somehow return all of these niceties in kind… only to remember he’d said she was somehow already doing so.
When she passed him her basket to carry, it was then with a soft smile of realization, Araminta figured she did have her Theon Facts. The things she did to make sure he felt needed and comfortable. She just didn’t get that same silly look on her face!
“Did you know that food is the one thing all people and creatures share in common? Well, that and death, but food is more interesting!” she offered this tidbit of information, reaching down to entwine her fingers with his. “It’s why most celebrations involve food and why royal banquets are so common. When I was little I thought it was just an excuse for the adults to have a party, but it’s a good way to show best intentions.”
“I think Matilda will be very pleased with our finds.”
His grip moved thoughtfully about the basket. Ensuring nothing took a tumble out to the ground for it had no reason to be returned to the earth so soon. While he thought it was better she didn’t carry it anyways but focused on the means of walking with her longest lasting staff thus far. To assure that she didn’t take an tumble in some rogue dip in the ground with her tender leg. Granted, he was also starting to look at the ground for such things. Like he was going to see them before her.
Araminta in her famous fashion, made a mention of a curious little tidbit. Pulling that of innocent attention up so he could listen acutely and funnel the fact through the grinds of his thoughts. “Then how is food shared in fauna?” he asked provoking a want to hear more. Now that he was curious after all. Though he agreed that Matilda likely would be rather surprised by the amount of their collection.
“That is a good question,” she remarked, those verdant green eyes going wide as she glanced up to him. As Araminta had been more focused on the cultural aspect of it, where villages and kingdoms might share their food culture around. Leaving her to think carefully for a few silent minutes as she pondered it out.
“…brown bears don’t normally live in large groupings, but when it’s time for the salmon to run upstream, they’ll all come together in the same places to catch and eat together,” was her first immediate thought. She imagined it was the perfect time for the bears to meet others, find new mates and catch up on bear things. Surely there was more than that though….
“Oh! And wolves prefer doing their hunting as a pack activity? It’s a need to hunt food in such a way, but why wouldn’t it also be a means of bonding and strengthening pack dynamics?” At least Araminta thought so. Wolves were notoriously family oriented and least so said the things she’d read. It wasn’t as if she’d met enough wolves in the wild to know herself. And lucky for that too, Araminta would be easy pickings for a pack.
“The way animals behave is fascinating all by itself. More than I have ever had a chance to learn about in any case.”
It appeared he came across a particular question that drew her into deep thinking mode. Leaving him to wait and shortly to be a part of the theme of reply. Mentioning two animal dynamics that were in all means, very different from another. Solo bears to pack related wolves. But both coming together in the efforts of meal time. Which likely had other reasons as well.
Admittedly he found these comments fitting. Nodding along and taking them easily without any rebuffing. Nor would there need to be. Simply that it seemed there was more to learn about such things and he wasn’t sure if he ought to apply such efforts.
Rather just chewing on this new information with a private awe till they were reaching the familiar outskirts of the private home. Noticing after a moment that the subtle movement on the side of the house was that of those snails. Seemed they had a run of the place at their leisure while Matilda was out in the yard. Eyeing things variously that weren’t of any deep importance to them. Just that she pushed back the brownish silver hair to look their way once the sound of footsteps managed to draw attention.
For eyes to venture down at the basket and back up in a popping motion. “Wondered where the two of you got off too.” She mumbled loud enough to be heard, “Apparently far enough into the woods to find enough items to fill a marketplace stall.”
While Araminta was certain the woman was exaggerating, she still beamed the widest of smiles and was quite proud of their findings out in the woods. Finding that her own attention was almost immediately stolen by the free roaming snails, and that she’d nearly forgotten to give a greeting at all.
“It may be more than you can actually use, and if that’s the case we’ll happily take the extra with us.” she did finally chime in.
Then, naturally, was unable to resist the allure of the mothy snails. Approaching the closest one to pick up and snuggle, taking the opportunity to love on them while she still had the chance. Knowing that soon they’d be on their way, and the life of a traveler was no place for sweet little scud suckers.
“I hope you like crabapple! If not, Theon and I are going to have our first adventure in attempting to cook the things. They’re a bit sour to eat as they are,” she turned to explain to him. Not that it wasn’t possible to do so, but Araminta quite preferred them mellowed down in some other preparation. Especially if she had no sugar to sprinkle on them.
Matilda eyed Araminta and her chipper attitude. Still seemingly trying to debate if it was done out of an empty air head sort of effort or if the fallen royal was really just a happy go lucky sort. No answer came to obvious mind and it seemed that the elder woman wasn’t about to start flicking blunt commentary off anyways about that. Merely grunting a sort of agreement about the amount collected.
He temporarily watched as Araminta seemed to gravitate towards the snails. Picking one up to be snuggled upon and he was wondering if it might be a better idea for her to have something cuddly to keep nearby. He knew dogs could be rather useful in travelling and protecting, though he wasn’t sure how useful a moth snail would be anyways. Nor was he about to ask Matilda for one though he would if he knew how happy it would make the dark crowned woman.
“They’ll keep. No sense in making you both pucker like a nun’s arse because you are sucking on sour fruits.” The elder expressed seemingly accepting the basket when he offered it. Cradling it with thoughtful eyes before indicating they were absolved of any owning fees. “We’ll divide up the food. More here than I could eat.” Matilda looked between them, “In your pack I put a bit of cheese in a cloth for you as well. Seeing as you most likely ought to be going off to your next trial of death, hmm?” Then she looked thoughtful, “If you head a bit north, I can give you a few things that you could trade at the little town there. Tell them Matilda sent you and a thin reed of a boy named Bo will give you some things that might do you well, girl. Clothing particularly. He’ll do you well and he needs the things too, if you are up for a bit of a wander.”
Then he felt her look at him, “Wouldn’t suggest you take the bodyguard in too far, he might get riled up by the calm townsfolk and I’d never hear the end of sending in a arrow pointing hunter into their mix.”
“Thank you for your hospitality and your sharing!” responded Araminta first, finally releasing that snail and having to resist grabbing another one. Were she to say her goodbyes to all of them, they might be there for hours yet. “We’ll be off soon to the fifth trial in hunt of seeds. I can’t imagine what trouble that’ll bring us, but then I wasn’t quite prepared for how dangerous fishing could be either. It’ll be… something.”
This time Araminta would hopefully get a bit of knowledge about the next location first. They’d gone into the blighted village having little in the ways of expectations and didn’t want to repeat the process. Although, truly the worst of danger there had been the Imperial Queen’s spellwork and not he trial itself. Araminta wasn’t sure how to prepare for that sort of danger or the creative new ways the queen might strike next.
At least she could trust that Matilda was a good friend, even if Araminta left out their detour to Essurn. Sometimes it was better not to give away too much, as who knew if the woman would be in danger herself.
“This reference is appreciated too. My clothes are getting thread bare with all the snatching and grabbing and dragging me around,” she muttered. Even shifting her arm to see if that spot on her elbow had already started to rip into a noticeable rip that caught the woman’s attention.
“Theon won’t be any trouble,” she did finally say, looking up at the man with a soft expression.
He could only hum in vague agreement to what the next trial would be like. Having never been expressively interested in them from the beginning and often working in other dark ways that didn’t need him present anyways. Though it seemed Matilda was hardly finished sharing her wisdom or just sharing in general. Seemingly offering a little bit of additional aid so long as they took some things along that they could give to someone named Bo. That he would appreciate it and in turn Araminta could get some new clothing.
Encouraging him to be a bit plucky when it went to assessing her attire. It had been the only thing she was wearing and he supposed he should have picked up on that far sooner. Made more of an effort to have her get a second bit of cloth to interchange.
Even he had some options but grew obviously more limited with the fact he was no longer in any sort of graces with the Imperial Queen. Not that he could have said he was in the first place either. Just it appeared Matilda was not about to let it drop that he had been on the defense upon their first meeting. “With an unfortunate name such as that, you best only call him the guard you’ve hired. Most people don’t tend to think the name is of good graces. Less you incite bringing that demon of an heir around.” He almost visibly cringed, settling for an mental one instead. Doing at least this best not to look away in shame less Matilda clue in that the demon of an heir was the very one in front of her.
“Let’s sort then, you’ve got a bag that can carry around the items that I do not wish to have?”
“I am in the business of surviving demons,” replied Araminta mysteriously. Loving her own private joke, even if no one else would get it.
At the mention of bags though, Araminta nodded quickly to affirm she did indeed. Two bags in fact! Her original sack of a single strap where she stashed most of her personal things and the items of the trial. And her second backpack that was now the home for their additional traveling supplies and things they were collecting along the way.
It took no time at all for Araminta to gather up these things, along with her cloak while affording Theon the time to fetch his armor and sword.
“While we’re traveling I am going to see about sending paladins this way, to try and break the curse on the blighted village.” she explained to Matilda as she waited to see what items she’d be sent away with. “It may be no one will accept such a task, so when I am free of the trials and have accomplished what I need to, I will come back myself with proper help. It really shouldn’t have been left as it is for so long.”
The joke certainly pulled a rather scrutinizing look over herself. Matilda seemingly unsure what to make of such a comment with no background information. Though he personally felt as though he ought to be somewhat complimented by the statement. Although he wasn’t about to make that known for well… it really wasn’t Matilda’s business, now was it?
Instead he took the chance of sliding off to go begin the process of slotting and dressing the pieces of his armoured attire back into proper place. Leaving the two of them in company whilst Matilda began the means of sorting through the gathered goodies with determination of separation. Keeping and offering in tandem. Only slowing somewhat at the mention that Araminta was planning on trying to break the curse of the place with that of hopefully invited paladins.
“You’re quite peculiar for someone who doesn’t seem to be the sort that ought to be investing in such things.” Matilda pushed over a few of the vegetables they had gathered to be carried with them. “You best be careful in how you approach such a topic however, one is never too sure whom is allied with the Imperial Queen. Or who would take poorly to you attempting to fix what she has ruined in the name of herself.”
“Haven’t you heard? It’s a refugee princess doing the trials. Naturally I think everyone’s problems are mine to solve,” she cracked the joke at her own expense. Knowing that it was a fault of her own to stick her nose in business that wasn’t hers. Unsure if it was because she was born into nobility and that’s just how one is raised, or if it were a peculiarity to her own personality that she had this instinct to meddle. Araminta just felt if you could do something to help then you should.
“I understand, though. Truly, the Queen is not fond of me as it is and fear I’m making it worse with every completed trial. I suppose it will be tricky to trust strangers from now on…”
That was an uncomfortable thought. Not that Araminta didn’t already know she needed to be wary about who and how she spoke of things, but in knowing how easy it was for the Imperial Queen to manipulate others even from a distance, it meant even people who otherwise could be perfectly friendly might turn out to be dangerous. Araminta now understood from personal experience!
In the meantime she carefully packed away all the items Matilda designated to her, already deciding which in her head would be a good first time test of cooking herself and which she might trade off for other things.
“I heard but I don’t base rumours to truth much.” Matilda gave Araminta one of those same eyeballing looks. Up and down, still trying to obviously debate if she meant every word or was a little bit of a ham. Seeing as she giggled no sooner before frowning. “I don’t think most royals worry about such things, girl. You might be from a backwater country in comparison to what locals around here think.” Their Imperial Queen… helping people? Not even a little bit.
Although there was something clearly about this girl that spoke next about how the queen wasn’t exactly her biggest fan. Likely making it far worse with each trial completed which, “And if you somehow manage to complete all of them? What will you do then. You’ll likely have every evil dog of the queen hot at your throat. If not holding it by that time.” Matilda actually was a little concerned for this dopey woman. Even as she slid over a few more items for them to take with them.
“You have no idea what sort of dangerous things the Queen will do, can do. There is a reason she is the Imperial Queen and there are many who speculate there is deals of the dark kind that have been made to ensure such things. You might be literally fighting against the devil, girl.”
The way of things in the mountains were for sure different than here in the twelve kingdoms, that was for certain. If Araminta didn’t know any better, she could easily make the assumption that the royalty and nobility here didn’t care a whit about the people in their kingdoms. But she’d seen the way they were miserable at the Imperial Queen’s court – at least many of them! So while that hateful woman likely did have some fully loyal alliances, Araminta bet there were just as many who were praying for a way out.
“I’ve had a taste now of what she is capable of. It is… Well. The odds are not in my favor at all.” This was easy to admit, after all, Araminta knew from the start that she had little chances of survival. She’d honestly expected to die right at the start, only to have gotten lucky with the hags… and then even more lucky with Theon. At some point her luck was sure to run out!
“It’s foolish of me and I’m not likely to get much farther,” she murmured seriously, furrowing her brow with the statement. “But it’s all far more important than just my life and worth the effort of trying.”
There was a stillness between them after it all. Matilda watching Araminta in such a way that it actually lacked proper description. Till the elder folded her hands on her lap and huffed a bit heavily. Right through that of her nose. “You may be self imposing yourself into believing that if you don’t try, no one else will. Perhaps that may be the fact but there is a breaking point for every back.” The woman expressed before shrugging as if she hadn’t said this at all.
“Do what you want but maybe you should be taking things one step at a time. Rather than trying to fix an overextending problem potentially first.”
Her head tilted only to the sound of steady beats of approach. Only for the other that had been reclaimed in armour to pause. Keeping himself halted a fair distance away as if he were aware that his presence might be overstepping into a conversation not for him to have. Turning rather to wait as he eyed the snails busy climbing the walls like wild beasts they were.
Araminta had certainly come close to a breaking point with this last trial. A harsh truth that as much as she wanted to help and fix things, she was a single person and even with Theon’s help she couldn’t solve every problem they came across. There was no fixing a blighted village in a day. There would surly be no simple way to over throw the Imperial Queen and stop her menacing of the twelve kingdoms! No matter how angry Araminta got.
“Hm, I understand.” she nodded in agreement, allowing that reminder to sink in. “It’s a wisdom I will try to remember.”
All of the planning in the world wasn’t going to get Araminta to the end any faster. It’d do her well not to let those ambitions and her desire to help cloud her better judgement and start her on a path of making wild and reckless mistakes. One step at a time was indeed the best advice she could live by.
On Theon’s return she gave him a smile to let him to know she was ready to go and gather up her things. Turning to Matilda to give a final goodbye.
“Thank you again for all of your help. I hope we can come back one day to visit you and the snails. Hopefully with less trouble behind us!”
A few curious blinks had him looking between the two of them. Unsure of what was being talked about but it seemed serious? Or at least important in some way. Although he was not entirely sure how nor was he about to butt in to ask just that. Rather he extended a polite nod once it seemed the conversation had come to its close. With Matilda sighing a bit labouriously. “Less trouble would be nice. Be careful out there and make sure you stop by Bo to take these with you.” She indicated the bits of items to trade. The cheese in a cloth also having been offered over, alongside a few bits of fabric and such. Leaving him to peer at it.
Which apparently invited, “The snails make the silk after a while from the slime.” Her lips curled in such a way, “Do you think I have them for fun?”
So they made silk like… silk worms. His eyes looked at them again, this time intrigued by them. “Take that fabric in and be sure to say who sent you. Otherwise, be on the way with you both.” She shooed at them like they were mere insects now. Best to get away less they be slapped by hand or paper nearby.
So he looked at Araminta for direction. Where were they to go first?
Araminta took Theon by the hand to lead him off, with no specific direction in mind just yet, only needing to get them far enough on their way that the elder woman wouldn’t be privy to their conversation or need mystical faerie things she didn’t need to know about!
Once they were at a fair enough distance that the tiny cabin was no longer within eyeline, she let him go to pause and have a little think about it.
“It would be nice to have some fresh clothing before we move on to anywhere else,” she pondered out loud. “I could easily get new clothing in Essurn, but having a recommendation from Madam Matilda is a very good thing to have. I can’t imagine it’d take too long even if we do need to do some tasks to make up the cost.”
Of course, she remembered they had a fair amount of money too so doing chores wasn’t entirely necessary if they didn’t want to. But Araminta couldn’t help being frugal, regardless. Coin was better spent in larger towns, while trade came in handy in the smaller villages where goods and services were harder to come by.
“We can travel by speedy stead from now until Essurn? To be sure we’re not easily tracked. There will be plenty of time to rest while we’re there.”
At her beckon by hand and the eventual stop when they were clearly no longer in the line of sight of Matilda or her home, he waited as it seemed there was a lot of thought going into their next destination. Leaving him to be the apt audience member to play privy ear at her verbal pondering. Agreeing internally that they could afford her new clothing within Essurn but in turn, Matilda did give them a chance to merely trade for it too. Instead of using coin. Of course, he wasn’t sure which one she would choose at the end.
Merely nodding when she asked about the travel towards that of the ocean side town. “Yes, if that is what you wish to do.” It seemed they were to go to Essurn and perhaps later once some of the lack of tracking on their parts could be found, they could venture to the place Matilda suggested.
Leaving him to step back. Making room so form could promptly disappear into that of a shroud of chilly fog. Making figure turn from man to equine once more. Giving a prompt shake to neck to disperse any clinging wet mist with a slow bend to front limb to stoop as a bowing indication she was welcome to board at her ease. Rather than attempting to watch Araminta try to climb the heft of height.
Idly arranging his mind to locate the direction required to go towards the distant ocean. Guessing that the distance from their current location to that would be at least an hour. Even in the fae form. Though it would have been days to a week if not a bit more by human foot.
Theon truly did make a lovely horse, though it didn’t ease her apprehension about riding on his back! Still finding it such a silly thing, but as well just being a bit awkward on horse back in general. Araminta loved horses, but riding horses had always been just a little bit scary. Really, if she were a horse herself she’d be sure to throw off any person when she was sick of them on her back too!
Still, she still climb up on the back of him since he was kind enough to make it easier for her. Even giving him a nice pat or two, as his horsey fur was so smoothly soft. He’d have to expect she couldn’t resist the pettings – if there was an animal, Araminta was going to pet and snuggle it if the creature so allowed. That urge didn’t go away even knowing that this was Theon and not the usual horse!
“I’m ready, I think-” she announced, sitting a bit stiff but trying her best to not be silly about it. “Did I tell you I am not good with riding? I do love horses, but they can be such wilfull unpredictable things. I never did get the hang of it.”
Of course, he was a horse, so Araminta did not expect any sort of reply. Giving the man turned horse another pat instead to show that was just fine.