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

Araline:

I folded up the blanket and handed it back to him with a, “Thank you.” I went over to to look for the stairs that would lead down the the out side. I frowned when I couldn't find any thing. I stepped closer to the edge carefully and looked down. My heart dropped into my stomach, there weren't any stairs but a long ladder down the side of the wall.

Ario:

I put the blanket back into my pack before shouldering it and moving to stand next to Araline. "You ok?"

Araline:

“No,” I whispered. “No I am not okay, there aren't any stairs!” I said pointing miserably to the ladder.

Ario:

I understood and I put a hand on her shoulders. "Come on, we made it this far. A single ladder is nothing to us. Besides I'll be going first, I can catch you if anything bad happens."

Araline:

I looked up at him uncertainly then back down. I bit my lip and nodded once though my stomach was twisting itself into knots.

Ario:

I gave her a hug and whispered softly. "Have I ever let you down?" I let go of her before moving towards the ladder.

Araline:

I watched him while chewing on my lip and trying to think if he ever had.

Ario:

I turned around and smiled at her before starting to climb down. I waited once I was below the wall for her to start coming down.

Araline:

I groaned and followed after him trying to decide if it was worse to go down facing the wall or facing away.

Ario:

"Face the wall Araline. That way I can talk to you and you can watch the ladder." I said, already making a plan. I planned to talk to her the entire way down, that way I could distract her from the climb.

Araline:

I took several deep breaths and started down forcing my hands not to cling to the bars instead of going down each one.

Ario:

"So, can you tell me something? What is your favorite memory?" I asked her looking up and watching her carefully.

Araline:

“Well hmm let me think.” I said while starring down at the ground horrified. “Pretty sure it was some time when I wasn't about to drop to my death.”

Ario:

"Look at the wall only and try again." I said softly smiling at her.

Araline:

I took in several deep breaths and looked at the wall taking each step very slowly. “Um, why don't you tell me yours first?” I suggested since my mind was in a fog of terror.

Ario:

"Hmm, well do you remember about six or so years ago you planned a surprise birthday? A few days earlier you had bandaged my hands because I had hurt them while exploring. For my birthday you got me a pair of gloves, and then afterwards insisted I take you exploring." I said after a moment. "My favorite memory is your expression. It was the first time that anyone had ever looked at me like I was important."

Araline:

“Honestly that is your favorite memory?” I asked looking down at him barely even able to remember it.

Ario:

"Well do you have something better?" I challenged her looking up at her smiling.

Araline:

“When I first learned to ride then also when I got Carousel. Most of the times when I was with you. finding my fathers journal was pretty great, made me think maybe there was hope after all.” I said while looking down at him.

Ario:

"Careful princess, keep talking like that and I might think you want to keep me around." I said teasingly. I only ever called her princess when others were near, and when I was teasing her.

Araline:

I made a face at him and said with a dramatic sigh, “Well there really isn't any use getting rid of you now is there, seeing as you are the only person I may ever see again.”

Ario:

I chuckled and replied. "Just admit it, you would miss me." I said teasing again.

Araline:

“I might, its true. I am more worried about where I would get my source of nonsense if you weren't around.” I said with a smile while looking at the wall.

Ario:

"Nonsense?!" I exclaimed. "Its not nonsense, its more of....yeah I got nothing." I finished chuckling.

Araline:

I grinned. “It is nonsense, but it is bearable.” I said and took another step down making sure one hand had a death grip on the bar before I moved the other one.