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

Araline:

"And don't you forget it." I said, grinning. "You should get some sleep. Nothing else to do any way."

Ario:

I nodded and put my arms around her hesitantly holding her gently to me as I let my eyes close. My heart was beating fast, but I ignored it and tried to sleep.

Araline:

I let my eyes close as well. I could relax now knowing that he was some what okay. I could feel his pulse but I fell asleep too quickly to make much of a note of it.

Ario:

I heard her breathing slow as she fell asleep, before I myself drifted off.

Araline:

I rolled to my back and felt something fall away from me. I peaked open one eye and realized it had been Ario's arm around me. I sat up on my elbows and took a look around us. It was early in the morning and unbelievably foggy.

Ario:

I continued to sleep softly, completely oblivious to what was going on around me.

Araline:

I sat up and stretched my arms up with a yawn before looking dawn at Ario. I sucked in a breath to keep from squealing when I saw the giant black beetle sitting on his stomach. I flicked it off quickly and shuddered in revulsion.

Ario:

I woke up with a slight start when I felt something flicked off of me. It took me a moment to focus and I looked up at Araline. "Morning."

Araline:

“Good morning.” I said putting a little too much effort into keeping my voice even. “How are you feeling?” I asked.

Ario:

"I'm sore but are you ok?" I asked looking at her in concern. I reached up and touched her cheek gently.

Araline:

I nodded. “Sure. Every things fine. Do you know which way the cave would be from here?” I asked.

Ario:

I started to sit up so I could look around. I didn't know what direction I had head off into before ending up here.

Araline:

I watched him chewing on the inside of my cheek. “You don’t know do you?” I asked glumly.

Ario:

I shook my head sadly, but I had to lay down getting dizzy really quickly from that.

Araline:

I sighed. “Lift your head.” I told him grabbing the edge of the folded shirt.

Ario:

I closed my eyes and lifted my head. I would do anything she wanted me to do.

Araline:

I took the shirt and shook it out once before dipping it in a clear puddle close by. I went back to Ario and knelt beside him.

Ario

I looked up at her my gaze both caring and trusting. I hated that I needed to be taken care of but I didn't mind so much that it was her doing it.

Araline:

I sponged off each of his cuts carefully. I glanced up at him for a moment then went back to what I was doing.

Ario:

"Its kind of nice..." I stopped as I winced when she was washing off one of the cuts. "...to be taken care of."

Araline:

I smiled and continued what I was doing. Once I was done I tapped his cheek lightly and said, "Well don't get used to it."

Ario:

I smiled. "Well, I'll enjoy it while I can, and then once I get better I'll go back to helping to take care of you." I said good naturedly.

Araline:

I laughed and rolled my eyes bringing my knees up to my chest and hugging them. "I don't need to be taken care of."

Ario:

"That's why I said help, not that I would just do it. No, I don't want to get on your bad side by doing that. If anything else I just want to help you find your father. After that..." I shrugged. "I don't know what I will do, but I'll stay with you until you no longer want me around."

Araline:

"Ario, I will always want you around." I said a little in exasperation.