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

Ario:

I heard her follow me, and I just accepted it. I couldn't force her to do anything after all, just make suggestions.

Araline:

I walked next to him wishing I could tell what he was thinking. Then again maybe I should wish that, He had just told me and I didn’t know how to react. I felt the need to say some thing and make this less awkward but nothing came to mind.

Ario:

"I'm sorry." I said after a while. "That was inexcusable of me to throw my feelings around like that." My voice was soft, and I kept my gaze anyplace but her.

Araline:

I sighed. “Ario, it’s fine.” I said softly, what else cold I say? I’m sorry I have been making things difficult? I’m sorry I don’t feel the same way? Because I didn’t, did I? I couldn’t tell. This was making things more confusing then they needed to be. And I was the one making things difficult?

Ario:

I shook my head but dropped the subject. It wasn't fine, even if she said so. I had broken what bonds of friendship we had, because of my stupidity.

Araline:

I looked up at him. I should have said something else. I opened my mouth the say some thing but was cut off by, “You two, come here.” Brian. I went around the over growth of bushed until I could see him and spun back around immediately but not before that image was seared into my mind. He was skinning something, could have been a rabbit. I cringed, even with my back turned I could hear a sickening squishing sound. Some how he was making the dead animal make that noise.

Ario:

I glanced in concern at Araline before giving her hand a gently squeeze and crouching down next to Brian. I tilted my head watching what he was doing.

Brian glanced up at Araline and chuckled softly shaking his head. He offered the knife to Ario, testing him.

ARio:

I took the knife and carefully duplicated what he had done. It was messy sure, but do able.

Araline:

I moved away a bit so I couldn’t see or hear a thing, and I waited for them.

Ario:

I glanced at Araline once I was finished. It was obvious that she didn't like this...so maybe it was a good thing that I was with her...

Araline:

I stared at the ground. I would probably pass on dinner tonight, and the night after, and the one after that. I didn't think I was ever going to eat again, especially not that. I hugged myself. "Nice work." I heard Brian say.

Ario:

I nodded and getting to my feet I said softly. "I'm going to go wash up so that Araline will feel better."

Brain glanced back to where Araline was but couldn't be seen. "She should get used to it if she has the intention of living out here for any length of time." His words were more for her than Ario.

Ario:

I shrugged and said absently. "I'm going to take care of her until we find her father. Then its up to her if she wants to keep me around."

Brain studied him for a moment. "You're of more use to her then her father would be. I know him, quite well actually. The question is whether she is of any use to you. I believe you would do better if you didn't have to baby sit her." He said mater-of-factly.

Ario:

"I'm not baby-sitting. And you should watch what you say. I am simply taking care of someone I care about." I said finishing with an absent shrug.

Brian:

“It will do her more good if she isn’t mollycoddled.” Brian said watching Ario carefully. “Do as you like though. I’ll start this cooking.” He held up the skinned rabbit.

Ario:

I nodded. "Thank you for teaching us." I told him nodding my head to him respectfully before walking away. I made sure to walk out of Araline's sight so that she wouldn't have to see the blood.

Araline:

I sat a little ways off with my arms wrapped around my legs and my chin resting on my knees. I could still hear most of what they had been saying though, and I didn’t much like it.

Ario:

I found a small stream and removing my shirt because it had a few spots of blood on it I washed my hands before starting to wash my shirt.

Araline:

I looked up when Brain came over to me. "Come on, you, back to the cave you go." He said, nodding toward it. I glowered up at him unbudging.

Ario:

I finished washing my shirt and let it hang in a tree to dry. I sat down next to the stream as I waited.

Araline:

I got up and brushed my dress off after a moment. "I do not need to be shepherded." I said calmly reverting back to the palace act. "Then you can find your way back on your own?" "Of course." I answered dropping my gaze. I had mostly been following Ario without noticing where we were going. It wasn't that far though.

Ario:

I laid down and closed my eyes before starting to sing softly. It was a song I had learned from my mom before she had passed away.