Beyond the Castle, part one. (Two person.)

Araline:

“It’s Araline, but sometimes people call me Ara.” I said. “And it looks like you bumped your head when you fell.”

I didnt hear as i fell asleep, my fingertips curling in her dress a bit.

Araline:

I blinked. “Uhhh, Ario?” I asked then glanced around biting my lip unsure of what I should do. I tapped his cheek with my cool hands. “Ario, wake up.”

I opened my eyes and blinked at her groggily. "What?" I asked softly.

Araline:

“I think we ought to get you to the infirmary, you might have bumped your head pretty bad.” I said sitting back on my heels.

I shook my head. "I'll be fine. I should head home anyway." I said in protest.

Araline:

“Okay.” I said a little disappointed. I stood up and held my hands out to help him. “I’ll walk with you. You should have your mom look at your head.”

Ario:

I shook my head again. "Here I'll walk you home, I can't exactly feel good about leaving if I make you walk home alone."

Araline:

I smiled brightly. “Okay, if you say so.” I said swishing my dress lightly.

I gave her a smile, even though it wasnt fully real as i got to my feet tiredly and brushed myself off.

Araline:

I tilted my head while watching him. “Do you feel okay?” I asked.

Ario:

"I feel like I fell off a pillar, but beyond that I'm fine." I said flashing her a small grin.

Araline:

I laughed at that. “Well come on then. I’ll be in trouble when I’m found by the way, so brace yourself.” I said

I raised an eyebrow, "well ok then. This should be interesting." I said giving her hand a gentle pull to get her moving before letting go.

Araline:

I followed along behind him. Usually I didn’t get along well with other kids my age, I figured they were mostly jealous of me. But Ario seemed different, and nice. “Lady Araline!” I heard the maid call when she saw us. “Where have you been?” She demanded hurrying to me and snatching my wrist up. “Your dress! Oh your mother is going to kill me. What were you thinking?” She pulled me along clearly unaware of Ario. I grinned shamelessly back at him and half waved as the made dragged me away.

I chuckled and waved back before motioning to her sleeve to say i had left something. It was a small flower and i had left it there after grabbing her hand.

Araline:

I found the flower and grinned. When I got back to my room I put the flower into my father’s old journal. After my bath I sat on my bed and looked out at the garden far below.

I went home after that and silently cleaned the house, knowing no one would be there. My parents were dead and my grandmother had just recently passed away.

Araline:

The next few days I was cooped up in the palace unable to get away on my own. Finally a week later I managed to escape into the garden. I wondered if I might find Ario again but it was in the back of my head.

Ario

I lounged in a secluded plce in the garden, asleep. I had been coming for a while to catch a glimpse of araline again. But i had been nervous, after learning she was practically the princess of this place.

Araline:

I made my way to a stone pond. Hiking my dress up to my knees I dangled my legs in the cool water and hummed softly to myself.

I sat up at someones humming and i rubbed my eyes sleepily before looking around to find the source.

Araline:

My humming turned into singing as I sat by myself. I grabbed a rock and started drawing with it on the stone.

I recognized the song and that it couldceithercbe a duet or a solo. Whencthe option came up i joined incto sing the male part.

Araline:

I jumped slightly and stopped but when I saw it was Ario I started up again smiling brightly up at him.