A/N: Ahhhh! I've managed to get out another chapter this month! This felt nice, enjoy!
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Breaks:
[L1,2 or 3] represents the beginning of a flashback to one of Elena's past lives. There is more than one past life, which is why they're numbered. Though, these memories are usually told as she sleeps and Elena herself cannot remember them.
[/L1,2 or 3] represents the end of a flashback to one of Elena's past lives.
[P] represents the beginning of a retelling of a memory in Elena's current life.
[/P] represents the end of a retelling of a memory in Elena's current life.
~3~ is just a timeskip
AN: Enjoy the story!
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It was with gentle care and nimble movements that I removed the bandage from around Evangeline's torso. With each wrap gone, I couldn't help but brighten up. As more of her back was revealed I got to see just how much she had healed within the day since I'd last checked on the injury. While some places still had scabs, they were healthy and dry. Where the scabs were missing her skin was of a lighter color than the rest of her body. I suspected that's how it would stay for a while yet, at least until the fresh skin wasn't so fresh anymore.
"This looks great!" I praised as the last of the bandage fell onto my lap.
A green eye peered at me from over her shoulder, mouth quirked up halfway, happiness danced within. The more time I spent with these travelers the easier I found it to be to read what their moods were based on their expressions. Some expressions were still unknown to me, the emotion read in their eyes not familiar enough to guess what it could be either, but I was certainly getting better. This expression Evangeline gave me was amused, something she seemed to display quite a lot around both Yugo and I especially.
"It's all thanks to you Elena," she told me. "I haven't ever healed this fast before and my back was bad. I know because, as I told you before, I've had worse."
Uncomfortable by the warm fuzzy feeling the praise gave me, I turned my attention to the wrap in my lap. I started to roll it up carefully. It would have to be washed later.
"Uhm..." I cleared my throat, still unable to look back up quite yet. Evangeline let out a giggle that only made me feel embarrassed. "How... how about checking your alignment? Since, now that you're healed, you can do full movements again?"
The idea of how to do so was a combination of what Evangeline had suggested before at the river and something that came to mind when I taught Yugo how to fell the trees. Basically, I'd be using my magic to check for any misalignment in Evangeline's back.
That first time I had thought of it, I'd immediately done it on myself, on my leg. The fact that it worked at all was enough to make me giddy. But on top of being able to- essentially- sense bone structures, I was able to make out where injuries were- be it little things like soreness, or something big like dislocation. My current on-going test on myself was to see if it was possible to ease soreness away. Unfortunately I've had minimal success so far on that front.
Just checking to see if everything was where it was supposed to be though? I had that down pat. It was Dally who I had tried the ability on first, considering how he'd somehow misalign himself barely an hour after he'd visit the Bone Healer. He kept traveling all the was to the Summit Tree, only to have to turn back around for the village a few minutes after arrival. So after I explained what I planed to do for him- just look at what was wrong so he could stop hurting himself- and I'd gotten permission to try it on him. It worked of course, exactly as I knew it would. Dally's description of the event though- like I'd dunked him into a hot bath and given him a shot of liquid courage- was odd. Never mind that I didn't understand half of the description though, because he didn't get hurt again afterwards. For the rest of that day he was fine, in spite how freely he moved around, which was a great improvement compared to before.
At my suggestion to check her Evangeline's eyes widened with surprise, then softened. "Please, go ahead. And thank you."
Rolled up bandage set aside, I gave an acknowledging nod.
Gently I placed my palms to either side of her spine on her upper back. My eyes closed as I began to concentrate on my magic, summoning it up into my palms. Just like with the trees and the ground and air and the ocean, Evangeline had magic in her that was all Evangeline. Unlike with the trees however, I couldn't afford any mistakes with trying to change my magic to match hers completely.
No, instead I used her magic like a map. My own magic drew hers near, like some curious creature that was ready to defend it's territory but wouldn't attack unless provoked, and with it so close I could easily sense what was wrong with it. Where it hurt, where it was weary. But with how little of my own magic I had to use to draw out hers, so as not to accidentally cause harm, I could only sense what was directly under my palms.
"Okay, lift your arms to either side?"
With my eyes closed in concentration I noticed how the muscles and bones shifted as they should under my palms, no wince of pain or hesitance came from Evangeline either. There was no distress in her magic here.
Naturally, ones own magic wanted to preserve and protect ones self. Which meant that Evangeline's magic played a part in her self healing. When I sensed that there was something wrong, it was a lot like confronting Moon when he was trying to hide something from my view by putting it down behind him. Essentially, the magic that was Evangeline would become defensive. It didn't freely let me sense what was wrong, just that something in the area that I was examining needed to be protected. But as soon as I removed my magic, hers would linger in that area, and- in theory- it would stay to help the body heal whatever was wrong; like pointing out water to a thirsty Moon.
I placed my hands just over her shoulder blades next, "circles?" This time there was a response. While Evangeline gave no physical indication, her magic flared in the area closer to her shoulders. The full circle movement had irritated something there for sure.
Hands lifted away so that her magic could linger in that area, I then brought my attention to the middle of Evangeline's back, close to her spine, where she had taken the most damage. With my wrists touching over her spine I was able to sense immediately how that area would give her grief for some time yet.
"If you can... try doing a twist while keeping your hips still." Evangeline barely managed to turn her shoulders to start her twist before she sucked in a painful breath. Her magic felt especially angry here, and my own only agitated it more. So I rubbed soft circles over the area, being careful to follow the curve of her lower ribs so her magic would know where it was needed most at the moment.
When I finished, I opened my eyes to Evangeline's breath of relief. Her shoulders had sagged, muscles all up her back had relaxed. The sight had a soft smile of my own start to appear. As though I couldn't see the happiness in her that I caused, "how does that feel now?"
"Ohhh..." another happy sigh. "I didn't even know that hurt until you did... whatever you did. It's great now. Wonderful even."
Somehow her reaction struck me as funny. A small laugh left me as I watched Evangeline move almost lethargically to pull her tunic back on.
"Good." There was no pain in her movements now as she twisted as I had requested of her earlier. I winced at her action, imagining the strain that would put on her body that was still trying to heal. I'm not sure why what I did took away any and all pain from the area in the first place, but it did. While not feeling the pain allowed one to move with full range of motion, the pain one feels also served to make sure the body didn't get any more damaged than it needed to be before it could heal. "Try and limit your twisting, bend with your knees whenever you can, and please don't lift anything heavy with your left arm until tomorrow at the earliest."
"I will, thank you again, Elena. This has been very helpful." Evangeline stated as she turned completely on my bed, legs unfolding from beneath her to let her feet touch the floor. Carefully she stood up, testing her body movements with a happy smile on her face.
"Y- you're welcome." I accepted, just a bit flustered. How many times would I be thanked for doing experiments? Frankly, she shouldn't let me mess with her magic so casually. While I did know what I was doing, as I had tested it on myself first, there was still the chance that I could get it wrong. What if she, or anyone else really, only got more hurt in the long run thanks to my meddling with magic? Magic that I knew was dangerous.
"...Elena?"
My eyes snapped up from where they had fallen to my lap to meet Evangeline's bright green in front of me. Worry colored her features as she seemed to take me in. Had I stayed silent for too long? Quickly I hopped up to my feet, not wanting to worry.
"Yes?" I asked her as I picked up the bandage roll from the bed. Even with my mask on it felt like Evangeline's gaze was piercing. Pretend casualty entered my tone, though I hoped it came across more realistic than it sounded. "Something wrong?"
I bounced slightly on my toes as I waited for her answer while my fingers played the edges of the bandage roll in my hands.
"...that's what I was going to ask you, actually."
A lump formed in my throat. Both my bouncing and my fiddling stopped. It was only for a moment but it was enough for Evangeline, apparently. I stiffened as she raised her hand, only for it to rest gently against my shoulder, dangerously close to the straps of my mask. All she'd need to do was twist her wrist to grab the string. Just a small tug would be enough to let it fall from my face. But she didn't reach for the string, nor did she cause me pain with the weight of her hand. When she moved her fingers it wasn't to squeeze my shoulder hard enough to leave imprints on my skin but to draw a soothing circle on the back of the socket. The action was enough to let me relax, somewhat.
Carefully, "Elena... something has been eating at you for the last couple of days." Evangeline voiced, tone soft but full of worry. It wasn't an accusation but a statement of truth. The ears on my hat fell back at the sound. My throat tightened with emotion the longer that I held her gaze. I couldn't comprehend it. Why was she asking about this?
The last couple of days have been filled with ship repairs. With the ability to control plants, Amalia had worked together with the villagers to get the sip out of the water and suspend it in the air for proper repairs to be done. From there the villagers took over, using their ability to bend the wood Yugo and I had collected to the correct angles needed before they were to be added to the ship. Dally had taken over cutting any pieces that Yugo and I had left partially finished, along with anything that was deemed too long or too narrow. All the while Ruel kept the repair plans close and directed everyone on what was to be done with clear authority.
At times Botan would show up, check on the progress for the day, then head back to the village. They hadn't yet run out of wood from the first time that Yugo and I had gone out to collect it. Which left gathering supplies that would be needed for the occupants of the ship to Yugo and I. Namely, dried foods, fresh water, and any other supplies- like kitchen knives and bedding- that were lost due to the initial wreck.
I enjoyed the task given to me, even if gathering fruits for drying in the sun was rather redundant and taxing- they needed a constant watch to keep a pesky Moon and other creatures from stealing, and even in the shade the sun was rather hot. While we gathered the fruit and prepared them for drying I tended to talk about Moon and various shenanigans he'd gotten up to over fruit. It helped that Yugo asked plenty of questions too.
On the way over to the rock beach, where we would then dry the prepared food, I'd show Yugo some parts of the island that I enjoyed visiting from time to time; the bow meow den for example, or the hot water pools on the side of the mountain where the rest of Moon's family resided.
Sometimes Yugo would point out a plant he recognized that was used in cooking and I would take him to an area where plenty like it grew so we could collect the part he could cook with and dry that too. If it called for it, we'd uproot one and put it in a pot with some of it's home soil so that the entire thing could simply go on the ship with them when they left.
When we had to stay sentinel over the food as it dried on the stones Yugo would tell me stories of Emelka and of his adventures that lead him here.
The topic of leaving the island was never brought up again. I didn't ask and so neither did he. It was simply safer to enjoying the present and discuss the past, rather than contemplate the inevitable future. Each time I thought of bringing it up, like in one of those quiet moments where neither of us felt the need to really say anything but sometimes decided to talk anyways, it felt like a great weight that was slowly building on my shoulders. Time that counted down till Yugo's departure with his friends gathered there with it, made it even harder talk about then it originally was. However the biggest reason why I didn't bring it up was because I was still undecided.
Or... more accurately... I didn't want to make the decision.
During those quiet moments where I could have brought it up... I instead imagined if this would be what it would be like... if it was Yugo who stayed. And sometimes, when I'd catch his eye during those moments, I wondered if he had that thought too. That he could stay. That... maybe he should.
Then the sun would start to set and reality would crash back into me. Yugo couldn't stay- even if he had secretly thought it, or not- because he already had a mission.
A family to find.
(Something inside chipped away at that, left a gaping numb and raw hole behind. It bled and bled until it had made a pool which just kept bleeding and had to be changed into something else. This thing would then be pushed away to that little corner where things go to be forgotten. It does not get forgotten, and I hate how it just keeps crawling back, refusing the fate I want to give it- like some undead thing that keeps haunting me- a little stronger each time it has made it's appearance, and it leaves marks because it fights before it goes again. I wish I knew where it even came from because maybe then it wouldn't be so scary.)
Together we'd gather the dried food. Put it in one of the repaired barrels that had been set aside and out of the way of work. Take a tour of the repairs that had been done on the boat that day. Be told how much longer they thought it would take before it would be sea worthy again.
In a steady stream everyone would slowly stop work and enter the forest. The smell of the feast that waited at our destination could be found on the salty breeze. It drew everyone near from all over the island. That's about when I split from the group, already feeling the dark looks boring into me, hearing the words that were supposed to be whispers which were flung my way like poisoned daggers. It was inescapable when it came to the villagers, the only relief provided when Botan was around because no one would dare go against their Shaman's decree in front of them.
The first time, I had slipped away to the fruit grove to gather myself a meal and make my way up to the Summit Tree to enjoy it. But when I arrived, I had found Yugo, Dally, and Evangeline already sat at the table. In front of each of them a plate of food from the village, untouched. And a single plate set up at an empty seat. No, I did not cry when they told me that they had gotten me a plate and waited to eat their own until I arrived. Not even when it was explained that it was Yugo's idea, that Dally got curious and followed Yugo, and that Evangeline saw Dally wander off just as she noticed Yugo was missing and got worried. What I did was sit, listen to what they had to say, and eat the village food that tasted better than any other food I'd had to date. Then I thanked them, made sure their injuries wouldn't get infected, and promptly dismissed myself to bed. That's when my emotions decided to attack me, alone under the starry sky. My sleep that night had been rather troubled and barely restful.
From then on, at the end of the day, after I'd leave first the others would soon follow with food from the village in their arms. Eventually Amalia and Ruel caught on and joined the group as well.
Now... now as Evangeline stared at me, green eyes searching but presence entirely patient, I couldn't help but wonder. Should I ask her why they all kept insisting on me joining them for meals? Why it was that Dally threw an arm around my shoulders each time he spoke to me? How come she kept asking after my health when I wasn't the one injured? What was that heavy sad gaze that Amalia couldn't stop throwing my way each time she saw me? When Ruel dragged Dally away, or distracted Amalia with a question, and even reminded her that she'd already asked her question three times before, did he know that I had felt overwhelmed? Was my comfortably with Yugo so obvious that the others kept leaving us alone when they could, or was it my imagination?
"You don't..." here Evangeline paused like she needed a moment to rethink her words. Something sad entered her expression, some regret entered her eyes. But her tone was resigned and kind and promised patience. "You don't have to say anything at all if you don't want to tell me. That's okay. But Elena," she gently pulled me forwards and put her free hand on the top of my head, right between the ears of my hat. It sent a wave of warmth and comfort through me.
"If you do want to tell me about it, I'll always make the time to listen. It doesn't even have to be me. I'm sure Yugo would listen if you'd rather talk to him about it. He's very good at listening. Though that doesn't mean he'll do as asked or even follow what was said... It's just, in my experience, it's always been better to express what you're feeling rather than let it bottle up. Okay?"
That lump of emotions in my throat only got bigger the more that she spoke. Unable to speak around it, I let out a hum and gave a nod of my head. It got me a soft smile and then Evangeline wrapped the arm that been on my shoulder around my back to pull me in for a hug. Her hand that had been on my head fell to meet her other one at the small of my back and she bent to rest her chin gently on the top of my mask. Through it all I had gone stiff. It had taken a few moments before I could relax enough to let the warmth she provided seep into me.
Unbidden tears overflowed, raced their way down tracks on my cheeks. Uncontrollable tremors made their way up my body. Made my legs feel weak. Unsteadily I grasped at the back of Evangeline's tunic. Her grip around me tightened, both a silent encouragement and reassurance. Still I couldn't speak aloud. A wounded sound barely managed to make it out of my thorat. The mask I wore was suffocating and restrictive. I didn't dare take it off, not now, arms were to shakey to even try.
The ship would be done by tomorrow night. All that was left was time for the waterproof coating painted on it's bottom to finish it's drying.
(That undead thing was back. It howled and screeched and scratched and bit. Demanded to be acknowledged and heard- Why did it even show up?! It does not belong! I want nothing to do with it!)
Circles were rubbed on my back. A hand ran from the crown of my head down and down the back of my neck again and again. With my ear pressed against her heart I had no trouble hearing the soft tune Evangeline had begun to hum.
I wasn't sure how long I held onto her. It could have seconds or minutes. Either way a knock came to the door and startled us both. Instantly I jerked back and away, cold embarrassment washing over me. This wasn't the first time Evangeline gave me a hug; she gave them to me every night before she went to bed and every morning upon first seeing me. This was, however, the first time that her hug had drawn such a response from me. Much like the other day with Yugo. Only, unlike with him, I felt the need to hide away now, try and forget this even happened. This wasn't safe.
"Hello in there?" Called Ruel's voice from beyond the door, "everything alright? I was under the impression dear Evangeline was all healed up by now and this wouldn't take so long."
"Ruel, why are you bothering them? Let Eva get treated in peace!" Amalia sounded a second later, as though she'd just come across the old man in the hall.
"I'm sorry, my arm hurts and I'm tired! I'd like to go to bed but I need dear Elena to give me the all clear first!" Ruel huffed back, somewhat sarcastically.
In front of me Evangeline wiped at her eyes. This shocked me; why was she crying? I didn't understand it. But she gave me a soft smile all the same. I did my best to stifle my hiccups, too stiff to do much of anything other than stand there and stare.
"Sorry Elena," Evangeline stated quietly, green eyes dropped to the floor. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable, or sad. But what I said still stands. If you want to talk to me about what's been bothering you, you're welcome to come find me at anytime."
Her eyes came back up, assessing. "Do you want me to go get Yugo for you?"
Eyes widening, I shook my head. He didn't need to see me crying anymore than I had already let him. Evangeline shouldn't have seen me like this at all.
(Why couldn't that feeling have stayed away? Now look at what it's done. No one was supposed to know just how easy it is to make me cry.)
Though the thought of having Yugo nearby did help to calm me, somewhat, and I almost regretted my hasty rejection.
"Okay. I can tell Ruel to wait at the table for you. Then you can come out when you're ready. That alright?"
There was only a little hesitance from me before I nodded my head. This would give me the time I needed to calm down (push the thing back into its corner) so I could take a look at the progress of Ruel's arm before bed. Last I checked it was coming along nicely, without any infections or irritations, and I was confident that it would be done by midday tomorrow if not by morning. Dally would have finished healing already if he didn't keep injuring himself and Yugo could use his arm normally again, shoulder healed enough that it needed to move to finish its healing, though he still had to be careful not to overuse it.
With a nod of her own, Evangeline went over to my bedroom door and opened it. She slipped out, closed the door behind her, "she'll be right out, Ruel. I've been asked to let you know that you can wait by the table. It'll just be a moment."
He grumbled, "oh alright then," and all of their footsteps receded from the door.
I didn't take the time given for granted. Immediately I lifted the mask from my face, just enough to fit my hand and wipe away at the itchy tears. My breath stuttered unpleasantly as I fought to regain control of it.
When I could see without the tears blurring my vision, my eyes landed on Moon in his basket. He was already paying attention, stared up at me with his brown eyes big and body curled in on himself like he felt guilty of something.
"Moon..?" I questioned, puzzled with his behavior. Of what I could see he didn't have anything incriminating near him or with him at the moment. He hadn't really left my side long enough to cause real mayhem either. The entire time I'd tended to the others he'd stayed on my shoulders, only hopping down to settle in his basket when I'd gone to my room with Evangeline on her insistence of 'privacy' in order to remove her bandages.
At my inquisitive tone Moon only seemed to shrink down on himself more. He let out a sad small croon, then curled up in clear indication to be left alone.
Another sniffle left me as I puzzled over my friend's actions. Ultimately I left him be, as he wanted. Instead I directed my attention back to the bandages in my hands, occasionally rubbing the rest of the tears away as I slowly calmed from the emotional waterspout that had torn through me.
"Elena?" My head jerked up as I looked to the door. It had been opened somewhat, just enough for Yugo to poke his head in. His brow furrowed as he entered fully, head tilted curiously, "Eva said you were just cleaning up..."
"Mhm!" I agreed immediately, held up the roll of bandage in my hands as evidence. "Just had to..." I ignored how my voice slightly shook and stared at the roll myself, wondering how I could pass off rolling the bandage up for all the time I was taking. Then I glanced around more fully, there were the two jars I had brought in with me in case I needed to give Evangeline's wounds a little more time. They were set beside the bed, lids slightly askew from the last time they were used.
"Do you want help with anything?"
When I looked back at him, Yugo had stopped just before me. His eyes jumped from the jars to the roll in my hands curiously, only to grow more concerned when he settled them on me. I had to look away before he could catch on to the fact that I was crying. The last thing I wanted was to upset him. He was starting to be able to detect when I was distressed rather well, even when no one else did.
Well, everyone except for Evangeline, apparently. But maybe I wasn't nearly as good at hiding it as I thought- which in itself was distressing. I don't ever want any of the villagers to know what hurts me. They tend to use that against me.
[P]
"Common... common... common...!"
Knelt on the forest floor, I'd cupped my hands around a tiny sprout that had barely poked it's way out of the earth. The little thing was halfway under a thick bush. I was sure that it would die within a few days when the bush stole all the sunlight that the little plant would need to continue to survive. But if I could manage to get it to grow to be just big enough to get the sunlight...
Other than with the strength of the gentle breeze the tiny green leaves didn't move. Within the cup of my hands the plant stayed small and vulnerable, undeterred by the strength of my gaze.
I don't know what I was doing wrong. All the others could do it, and with barely any of the effort that I was displaying.
I covered the plant near completely, the edges of it's leaves tickled my palms. Maybe I just needed to-
"What are you doing?"
Shocked and startled all at once, I shot to my feet, whipped around to see the speaker. It was Arza and Luuten, the two a year or so older than me and best friends. Immediately I felt my heart start to jackhammer in my chest- Arza was easily the most talented at speaking with plants, even among the adults. I'd heard some adults talking about how the Shaman would be giving her the apprentice mask soon, despite the fact that she was still a kid.
One didn't start their apprenticeships until they were older, old enough to start looking for their match, so they could support their stamen or pistil while they worked to build a family together.
Because of this, everyone wanted to be Arza's friend. Be in her good graces because she had the favor of the adults. They let her, and those she deemed worthy to be her friends, get away with doing less work around the village. Of course this also meant that those who made her angry or annoyed were the ones who got bullied mercilessly for putting her in said bad moods.
"Um..."
"Oh, it's you." Her eyes had lingered on my hat as she made the statement. It made me cringe and the ears on my hat fell back on instinct. They both took a cautionary step back. Then Arza's eyes flickered down and narrowed. "Hey Luuten, what is that behind the defect?"
I winced at that. While I'd heard whispers of the adults questioning one another about why my magic wasnt working, questioned if it was defective, what it would mean for the future... I'd only ever get called defective to my face by other kids who also heard the adults talking amongst one another.
Shyly Luuten glanced at me before she shuffled a little to see around me. There was a confused lit to her tone, "...just a bush ...and a sprout."
At that Arza laughed. "A sprout?" She looked at me, amusement clear in her eyes. "Why would you be whispering to- oh! You're actually trying to talk with them?! What is wrong with you, we all know that doesn't work for you. You're defective!"
The words stung like boiled water that had been splashed onto me. Was it really so awful that I wanted to do what everyone else was able to do so naturally?
I'd looked away from the two. My hand came up to cross in front of me and grab onto my opposite arm.
"Does that make you sad?" Arza questioned, tone full of mockery. That hot feeling inside only rose, burning my throat and chest. By this point I couldn't talk even if I wanted to. Belatedly I heard Luuten hiss something but Arza shushed her. A testament to their friendship- if it had been anyone else Arza would have had the plants forcefully remove them from her side. "It does doesn't it? Aww poor creepy defect."
She lowered her voice to a mock whisper, "you know, I have an idea that might work for you instead." Carefully I looked over to the other girl. She wasn't much taller than me but she had still bent forwards as though to let me hear her better. But her eyes burned with something that made my stomach lurch, like I'd eaten something bad. "You could dig a hole and go lie down in it. If the flowers won't bloom there, even after that, at least you can help the animals!"
Shocked, I was the one to step back this time. My reaction must have been funny though because Arza just laughed. Luuten hissed something else, grabbed Arza's arm. The girl was shrugged off, but Arza stood up. She lifted a hand-
Something curled around my ankle. It was the only warning I had before I was suddenly up in the air, held upside down. A yelp left my throat as I spied the plant that held me by my right ankle. It was the one that I had tried so hard to get to grow just moments before.
"There." Arza said, hands on her hips. "Your plant is all big now. You're welcome!"
I wiggled around, trying to ignore the burn that had started in my ankle. If I could reach the plant, I could untwist it with my fingers- it didn't look too thick, it would still bend. Right?
With another laugh Arza left. I could see Luuten hesitate as she took a moment to look up at me hung high above her. Then Arza called her name and she startled, only to follow immediately upon seeing how far Arza had gotten from her.
My stomach burned as I tried to pull myself up. The sweat on my hands made them just wet enough to stick to the soft young bark of the newly grown plant. It bent and weaved with me as I swayed in the air, the top too young and springy to snap under my weight.
Eventually I had to stop. Catch my breath. Unfortunately being hung upside down only made my head feel hotter, my mask a heavy weight that pulled me down.
...How long would it be till I got down?
[\P]
I let out a soft breath. Shook my head.
"No, that's alright." I assured Yugo as I bent to grab the two jars at the side of the bed. They wobbled dangerously as I straightened, the tops caught against one another. But they steadied as Yugo placed a palm on them. "Thanks."
"Sure," he helped me fix the jars so they wouldn't try to tumble out of my hold again. When I started for the door he quickly went past me to open it, "here, I got that."
"Thank you," I repeated, a little warmer this time. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted how Moon hadn't made a move to get up, despite how I could feel his eyes trailing after me. It was troubling, considering how he'd kept himself at my side so constantly recently.
His face heated, "of course." Just as I went by him and through the door, "wait!"
Instantly I stopped. His face had only gotten redder. Concern started to build up in me when he closed his eyes tightly, and curled up somewhat around the door he still held. Like it could shield him from something awful.
"Whereareyousleepingtonight?"
Somehow the words he'd managed to get out sounded strangled. I couldn't make out what he'd said.
"...What?"
He took a breath. Managed to lift his head enough to catch my eye with his own. Face still very red, "where... where are you... s- sleeping... tonight..?"
Where I've slept since they'd arrived, of course. It was where I would have slept anyhow, since the nights were still quite nice and it wasn't the Frost season. I wasn't sure if they knew where I slept or if they guessed it. Still, "outside." I answered honestly, and Yugo winced like I'd shouted angrily.
The guilt in his tone was palpable, "y- you've been letting me use your room..."
"I wouldn't have used it anyways." I quickly corrected. Reminded, "I sleep out there as often as I can. It's nice and warm out right now, so it's okay." Ever since I'd gotten my portals anyhow.
Yugo took a moment to stare at me, clearly making sure if I was telling the truth. When he saw I was a breath of relief left him. Only for him to tense right back up a second later.
"It's... i- it's raining out now." He explained quietly, shyly.
Shocked, I looked passed Yugo to the bedroom window. I'm not sure when it happened, but Yugo was right. A dark blanket of clouds covered all of the sky above, occasionally flashing with lightning that was too far away for the thunder to follow. Occasional fat droplets collapsed on the window and left long streaks down the pane.
There was no way it would be safe for me to sleep outside tonight.
I already knew why he preferred to continue to use my room. Yugo had told me shortly after the second night, when it was just us. He had explained that there wasn't enough room in the rooms to fit in a third bed. How Ruel was smelly and while the old man had a haven bag that he could sleep in, Ruel couldn't even stand his own stench and preferred to sleep outside of it. Besides Ruel hated sharing and purposely hogged blankets to deter anyone on trying to sleep in the same bed as him. And while Dally didn't mind sharing, as soon as he was sleep he'd kick Yugo out of the bed- literally. He'd just end up on the floor. As for the other girls, Amalia would yell at him for even suggesting to share while Evangeline would agree with an uncomfortable silent disappointment sent his way.
When I brought my attention back to Yugo, the ears on his hat were nearly completely flat. In a high voice that was nearly a squeak, "canweshare?!"
As I tried for the second time to understand his question, Yugo quickly rambled on in a high whisper, "N-not the bed, I didn't mean that, no- n- not that that would be bad or anything-! B- but! T- that's obviously not what I meant. I mean I could just go over there and get Dally to help me bring a bed over here and then I could sleep in that. And it'd be right up against the wall, f- farthest from y- your bed-!"
He clamped his mouth shut suddenly, probably at my curious tilt of the head. He couldn't look at me again. Instead he focused on the grains in the door and traced them roughly with his fingers.
"You don't need to do all that." I stated soothingly. Dally had been asleep for a while now, Ruel was grumpy because he hadn't gone to bed yet, and from the sounds earlier both Evangeline and Amalia had just gone to bed. The bed already in the room was plenty big enough. "Just go to sleep. I'll be back when I'm done with Ruel, okay?"
His eyes had snapped up to mine at that. Gone wide with shock. Yugo was so red it had covered his ears and crept down his neck. Honestly, it was worrying. I made a mental note to grab an extra blanket to make sure he wasn't catching anything.
With that in mind I turned and walked down the hall towards the main room. After a few steps, "o- okay..." I heard Yugo get out before the door to the room was closed.
As I exited the hallway, for a second I could have sworn that it was Botan who sat at the table and not Ruel. Then I shook my head and refocused. So many times I'd walked into the main room to find Botan there already, it was now odd that the old man wasn't here anymore.
When I sat the jars down at the end of the table Ruel sat up and looked at me with something sly written on his wrinkled face.
"What was it you and Yugo were talking about?" He asked, already holding up his arm for me. I sat down beside him and carefully began to unwrap it.
"The weather." I answered, "it's raining."
His shoulders slumped. "Really? I thought he'd gone to ask you something. It certainly sounded like he was nervous from all the way over here."
"You could hear us?" I questioned him, "why are you asking if you could hear us?"
"I couldn't really hear you. Your voices were too low for that. What I did hear was nerves. What did he ask you?"
Gently I rubbed some of the healing goo on his wound. It was nearly completely healed. Wouldn't even need the wrap anymore.
Confused by his question, "he just asked if he could still use the room." I informed.
A light chuckle, "did he now? What did you say?"
"Yes, of course." Why would I have said no? But my matter of fact answer only seemed to amuse Ruel more.
"Is that so?"
"Yes." I gave his arm another inspection to make sure I'd covered what I needed. Then with a nod, "you're done."
"Ah, finally!" With a stretch the old man stood up happily. "Now I can get to bed, oh, I can hear that pillow calling my name..! Say, Elena, are you a cuddler?"
With the jars in my arms again, I had moved to put them away until Ruel called my name. I had no idea what he was talking about. "What are you talking about?" I decided to ask as I set the jars down just inside the storage room. Once I was sure they were properly sealed I straightened and looked over at Ruel. He still had that look on his face but was badly attempting to hide it.
"Oh you know... when you're asleep, do you tend to grab on to the nearest thing around and not let go?"
"I... don't know?" Even as I thought of it, there was no time that I'd done that which came to mind. But then again, maybe I did. I tended to sleep without anything near me to begin with.
"Don't know?" Again the old man seemed disappointed by my answer. I fidgeted, not liking this. "Are you a toss-and-turner then?"
At that I shook my head. "No, I stay pretty still." If I didn't then I'd worry a lot more about my precarious sleeping spot. But I knew I barely moved because each time I needed to roll I partially woke up to make sure I didn't accidentally roll of the edge.
Ruel hummed at this answer, like it was barely acceptable. I shook my head again, what was up with him tonight? Not wanting to be bothered anymore I made myself a portal to the room with the spare chests. I'd need to find that blanket for Yugo. "Goodnight, Ruel."
"Oh alright." He huffed at the sight of the blue magic, but still sent me a smile. "Goodnight, dear Elena."
"Good night," I repeated a bit absently before I walked through the portal. I'd made it go into the material room, where I had put the chests last.
Pushed off in a corner was the chest that I had filled with all the bedding from the beds that had been stored away. While it was noticeably emptier than before due to two beds being moved from storage and put into use there was still bedding for two beds left over. I easily rummaged around until I found a the thickest blanket available. For a moment I frowned at it, unhappy with it. I was going to get overheated with this thing, for sure. Then I shook my head with denial. It was for Yugo. I doubt traveling by boat while sick was nice.
With that in mind I made another set of portals and entered my room with the blanket in hand.
It was darker in the room now. The only real light came from the flashes through the window. Absently I unfolded the blanket as I approached the bed and listened as the rain began to fall harder out the window. Boy was I glad Yugo had warned me or I might have gotten soaked already.
Arms stretched to hold the blanket as wide as I could, I draped it over the bed and straightened the ends after. Satisfied with my work, I turned my attention to Yugo. He was no more than a lump under the sheets from what I could tell. But when the lightning flashed, for some reason he looked rather stiff as he slept facing the window, his back to the door. Though that may be the reason, I noted as I quickly discarded my trousers and tunic, mask placed atop the clothes, before I slid under the blankets with him. When I slept indoors, I could never sleep with my back to the door.
It was pleasurable to note that it was already warm under the blankets. The soft bed made it so there was a dip in the center but I turned on my side to face the door anyways. As I tucked the blankets over my shoulders and under my chin I noticed how they smelt of him now. Then I thought of checking on Yugo's temperature. Mentally I shook my head at the idea, if he was going to catch a cold it'd be hard to tell at the moment. Best wait till morning for that.
Just as I was starting to drift off, I noticed how Yugo shifted around in the bed behind me. It didn't bother me, just kept my mind awake a little longer. In the distance a faint rumble could be heard from the clouds. Maybe the storm was moving closer.
"...Elena...?" Yugo's whisper was barely audible. It sounded like he was on his back and that he was far more awake than I was. All I could muster was a short hum to let him know that I heard him.
Again he shifted around. "I don't..." with how close his voice was, I could infer he was facing the door like I was now. He'd probably sleep better like this. Then I registered the hesitance in his voice, the fear in his tone. "...I don't want to... to leave you here alone..."
The bed was so nice and warm. It nearly rivaled the warmth that bloomed in my chest. A happy burble of something that spread over me like a blanket. It was odd, a voiced fear shouldn't make me happy, should it?
He shifted again and I felt myself start to slip towards the center of the bed towards him. There was another dip near the top of my head, and I distantly realized that he'd propped himself up on an elbow. "...'Lena?"
Ah, I still needed to give a reply didn't I? "Okay..." I breathed out. One of my eyes I cracked open, caught a glimpse of him leaned closer to try and see through the thick shadows in the room. Lazily I brought up an arm to my head, found his wrist in the dark and gave it a few gentle tugs in attempt to get him to lay down again. He did, thankfully, and I kept his arm hostage under my head to keep him from getting up again. A small noise of protest left him when he found out but I didn't plan to give it back till we were both asleep. With the new position I found that I could feel just how close he was through body heat. It was nice enough to get me to sigh out, "...then don't."
[L1]
When we entered the large expanse of grassy plain, I had warned Yugo of how quickly the weather could change. What I hadn't known, perhaps because of my sister, is what lived in the long grass of the plains.
While we Eliatropes had dragon blood within us, it was our twins who had the full presence of a dragon, which was largely recognized by all creatures as the most deadly of predators on the planet.
Our attention had been kept on the sky, and the feel of the wind that picked up the further away from the forest that we got. Due East- the direction we were headed- was filled with waist high, untamed grass for as far as we could see. To the North and South of us was the same, while to the West- behind us- the tree line slowly disappeared till it looked like a tiny sliver of dark green on the horizon.
Then the the wind began to pick up sharply and Yugo and I paused. The grass around us began to dip and sway like soft waves in the sea. Dark clouds rapidly approached, and blocked out the radiant sun. I looked towards Yugo, about to ask his opinion on whether we should make a shelter against possible rain or not, when I noticed something about the swaying grass that seemed... unusual.
Around us the wind had picked up enough for it to howl in our ears- yet even that went completely silent as I took in the long, dark green body that begun to rise just in front of us. It's yellow slit eyes seemed to stare me down hungrily, devoid of any other thought or feeling. I froze at the sight of it, eyes wide in shock, as I tried to take in the mass of the scaled body in front of us. It was as thick as I am wide and longer than even Tehanu's massive wing span. But it was the speed in which this creature could move that truly shocked me.
Before I could mutter anything more than my startled acknowledgement that this snake existed, it's body shot forwards with it's mouth stretched wide. Fangs extended from the roof of it's mouth and the intention of swallowing me whole glinted in it's eyes. Yet within that split moment that I began to react, a sudden force slammed into my side and had me pinned to the ground, out of harm's way.
Over an azure-cloaked shoulder, I watched with shock as the snake's jaw snapped closed. When it's body had slammed the ground, the shock waves of the hit could be felt through my back. It then lifted it's massive body once more and turned in our direction, before it stared at the two of us in renewed desire.
"You okay?!" Yugo asked, as he got up and kept his eyes trained on the threat before us.
"Yeah." I nodded even as I pushed myself up beside him. It would be death to stay down. With the wind howling as loud as it was, I had to raise my voice until I practically shouted so he could hear.
Nothing else could have been said anyhow, as the snake took that moment to lunge forwards at us again. It wasn't a very smart move on the snake's part though, as it was Yugo who it now faced. He didn't freeze or pause as I had. Instead, with an easy swirl of his palms in front of him, he conjured up a large Wakfu portal.
Unfortunately the poor snake thought it could try to eat the portal. It's jaw unhinged so that it could open it's mouth wider than portal's circumference, even as the rest of the body was sucked inside. The second portal opened, and out came the unfortunate reptile.
A loud shriek rang out in the area as the snake was expelled from the portal. I jumped back to avoid it's lashing body and watched with pity as it writhed around on the ground in pain. Blood soaked the grass, the heavy crimson substance staining everything it touched. Green scales and rubber-like muscle had torn from being forced past their limits, which resulted with the snake's jaw now asunder from it's skull. Now it swung uselessly underneath the creature's neck, only skin left to keep it attached to the body.
That's when Yugo did something I had no idea that he could. In his right hand his Wakfu had lengthened until it was as long and sharp as one of Adamai's fangs. It was different than the usual wakfu creations he could manipulate freely. The Wakfu sparked and crackled in clear displeasure at being kept in this new physical form but Yugo held tight, not allowing it to get free. It made his very skin glow. If I didn't already know it would make him self-conscious, I'd tell him how beautiful I thought it looked.
Rather mercifully, Yugo went forwards and finished the snake off. Wakfu fang pierced through it's skull without any resistance.
When the snake's body finally went still, I began to relax. It was hard to look away from the fate that might have befell me. That was the first time that I had to face something like this, and I shuddered at the thought of what might have happened had Yugo declined to come. Then the fang dispersed and I turned my attention to said male. Despite the wind whipping around my face, the way he now clutched at his shoulder wasn't lost on me. My eyes widened in shock as I saw that he had gotten hurt and shame filled me as I realized that it was because of me.
Quickly I ran forwards to assess the damage I caused, and ignored how Yugo tried to back away from me. There was something in his eyes that I didn't quite recognize as he noticed my approach, but I hardly took the time to wonder what it could be when there was an injury to heal before me.
With a swat at his hands that tried to block my view of the wound, I pushed away his slashed cloak to grab at the broken tunic beneath. Yugo winced as I tried to get a better look at the injury, and I gave him my most apologetic look in response.
The wind grew to be too much. It's strong gusts nearly blew the both of us over. Then the cover of clouds broke and the rain began to fall on us in cold sleets.
Frustrated with the weather and worried that something worse could happen out here, I swung my bag off my shoulders and freed the large tarp I had from its straps. Yugo caught on to my idea quickly as he grabbed one end of the water resistant fabric, then pointed to a spot further away from the snake's corpse.
Together we somehow wrestled the tarp to the ground without blowing away and Yugo was able to create stakes made from his Wakfu to cement the tarp down. Then, with our bags dragged behind us, we crawled under the cover that was now created. Yugo and I did our best to tamp down the insanely long grass underneath the tarp before we laid our soaked bodies down to catch our breaths. Low to the ground, the tarp had less chances of being blown away. This also meant that there was no room to stand, and we would have to crawl around until the storm passed. At least the thickness of the grass kept us from being entirely soaked.
"Did you get hurt?"
Surprised, I looked over to my friend. "No." I stated, then frowned as I took in his shallow breaths.
"That's good." he breathed, and I saw his mouth stretch into a small smile even as his brown eyes were left half open. Alarmed, I rolled off my back so that I could hover over him and take in his injuries. His eyes seemed to light up some as he spotted me come into his field of view and his features relaxed somewhat, "I worried that I didn't move on time."
"Yugo..." I breathed as my eyes zeroed in on his wound. Fear began to claw it's way up my throat. "You've been poisoned."
Tentatively I reached a hand out to move both his tunic sleeve and cloak out of the way of the injury. The skin around the wound was inflamed. Gaped open. Blood ran freely from the wound, a green tinge to it that had my stomach curdle with sickening worry. Shivers began to take over his body, and I knew it wasn't just because of his wet clothes. Heart pounding in my chest with (probably) enough force to bruise my ribs, I held back the tears that pricked at my eyes as I forced myself to look at his gaze.
His brown eyes were calm as he took me in, and I leaned forwards to brush aside some wet hair from his forehead. "Y- you'll be fine." I stuttered, "I'll fix this." I was the healer. The only one who could do this. I would do this. Still that sickening fear clawed at me, ate up my insides like I was the one poisoned instead of him. Because this was Yugo.
I couldn't loose him.
He raised a hand and grabbed the back of my hand. It shocked me, just how his weak grip was, as he leaned his cheek into the palm of my hand. Despite his shivers, his skin was warm and his hand didn't shake. "'Course I will, Elena." his words were barely above a whisper, breath labored and interrupted. "I have you with me don't I?"
Eyes wide, I forgot how to breathe. There was no doubt in his eyes as he looked at me. For all I knew, my heart had stuttered to a stop at that very moment. Then with renewed strength it started up again and went at a steady pace. Tears were blinked out of my vision, and I gave him a wobbly smile.
"Why was that a question?" I softly scolded, "of course. I'll always be here for you."
I summoned up my Wakfu and got to work. I won't loose him.
[/L1]