RP:In the Meadow(4)
- Date: Feb 2, 2010
A path runs through this meadow from the merchant's corner, and then turns west. Your sure that it would save time for the path to just cut straight west, but the maker of this dirt road obviously wanted travelers to see this serene place. Long, soft grass, and wild flowers invite you to lie down here and enjoy the peace and quiet of this place. Bees hum from flower to flower, collecting the sweet nectar, and unknowingly the means to create the plants offspring. This meadow shows how dignified and simple life can be sometimes, and you feel the need to ponder your own existence in this world called Hollow. To your west you see a path leading into the hills, while to your north you can see a building.
Diamond : Even though the night was colder then usual, and the returning animals were...well, returning, the elf would sit where she always did. Against the largest tree in the meadow, one that had cherry blossoms in the fall, and apples in the spring. But at the moment, it only bared frost and a feeling of emptyness. Diamond sat there, half asleep. Huddled together like a hungry child would on the street, the only difference was she was much cleaner and was actually well fed ( on good days ) Every so often her head would drop, letting the sleep creep up and win, but she would always snap back up right before it dragged her down
Aranhil would enter into the meadow, his heart set on seeing Diamond again, he hadn’t seen the woman in some days now and was worried for her. He looked first to the middle of the meadow, wondering if once more she would be there despite the chill in the air. But of course, she was at the tree line, safe from the winters deathly winds, or as much as the forest and mountain could protect her. He would make the small trek to her and with a smile and a wave he would call out to her, “Diamond.” He was happy to see her again, he hoped her in good health as she was last time. Naturally as he would speak to her the particular eyes of the healer inside of him would look her over for new injury, signs he would be making a new enemy.
Diamond instantly sprang up as her name was called, eyes fluttering and mouth opening, to what looked like she was going to scream, but instead a long and slow yawn rolled out of her mouth. The elf would rub sleep out of her still half closed eyes, and even after she stared at the well-known man she would be dumbfounded. Then, a jolt of life, " Oh! Hi Aran!" At the mention of the name the fox would peek up from behind Dia, since he was curled up trying to get warm.
Aranhil had only a moment where he thought something was wrong and it disappeared with her yawn. He became excited she had remembered him and instantly walked forward and embraced her in a long hug. “How have you been?” he would ask still holding her. The cart he normally pushed around was absent as was the pack that normally was swung over his back when the cart was gone. He had come here only in the interest of finding Diamond, nothing more.
Diamond eeped as she was hugged, and even struggled a bit- she had never been hugged without screaming or hurting someone before-but the elf would relax and give up, folding her fragile arms around the man, " I am fine. Its been very long, Aran. I must have gotten lost or something." The elf felt finished with the sentence, but quickly added, " I missed you."
Aranhil nodded and released her, standing there, slightly awkwardly he would say, “And I missed you as well. It has been too long, forgive me for not finding you sooner.” He stood where he was, surprised at himself for the words he was speaking, he questioned himself, these feelings he had. Should he speak so freely of them, he was not sure and so waited once more for a reply from Diamond.
Diamond shook her head, " Its not your job to trail behind me. I got lost, and that was my problem. But I finally got back, unharmed, for the most part, so..." The woman shrugged, " No harm done, right?" Aranhil might have been undecided about things, but Dia had it worse. She wasn't even aware of anything. How could she anyways?;amnesic, duh
Aranhil shook his head, “It may not be my job, but I feel obligated to know you are safe, and to protect you.” He wasn’t hesitant about those words, he knew that he felt at least that much of what he felt was certain. “So what have you been doing, where have you been lost at?” He wonders if she may have meant lost inside of her head, or perhaps even lost amongst the few memories she has and the new ones she has gained.
Diamond purses her lips and then scratches her head. Then she points westward, " In the mountains, I believe. I was trying to leave the meadow and I got confused where the enterance was from where I came in through, and then ....Well, long story short I got lost and found my way back after Aran found me"
Aranhil smiled at the young fox, he indeed had watched over her as he asked. He wasn’t sure if the fox had understood what he wanted the creature to do back then, or if it was just instinct, all the same he would be thankful to the dark and pulling from his pocket a spar biscuit from his dinner he would offer it to the fox who would take it happily. “Make me happy to know Aran his helping you after all, and more than just a travel companion. But you must be careful Diamond, Aran wont always know the way back to the meadow if you wander too far.”
Diamond shrugs again, " I will take the risk. Maybe its time for me to explore Hollow, instead of just being in the meadow. I am sure I will always find my way back, no matter how long it takes. And even if I get hurt.... Well, it won't be that bad. I can always run if something -that- bad happens. " For some reason the elf seemed mellow about this, not even caring that one day she could get mugged, or kidnapped. Perhaps she didn't realize how the world was, or she just didn't want to. Diamond would scoop up Ara and begin to pet his coat, " But its a victory for Ara this time."
Aranhil would smile at the creature again as she finished before turning back to Diamond, “If you wish to explore some more I cannot stop you. But I can however, arrange for you a protector of sorts. Would you allow for me to do that much?” Aranhil had thoughts of the new clan he had joined, ‘The Fold’ they were called. Surely they would give one of their members to protect her, even if he must lie as to the reason.
Diamond frowns, " It would be no fun to have stranger following me everywhere. I would end up running from them anyway." Slowly she turned on her heel and moved back to her spot underneath the tree and sat, even if the ground was frosty cold. The earth next to her would be patted with her free hand," Sit? So what have you been up to since I have been gone?"
Aranhil gave into her for now, he would of course bring this back up later once he talked with Arien. Sitting down beside her he would contemplate placing an arm around her and after a short time he would move closer to her and do so just before saying, “Just please stay safe, I worry for you.” He would finish not caring what he said now, genuine worry was in his voice as he spoke to her.
Diamond smiled, " Of course I will be save. I wouldn't wanna worry you. Its bad if someone worrys all the time, because the more they do, the more possible that the thing that they are worrying about will happen. Or in this case I guess what would happen to me? I'm not sure...exactly." She gave a big sigh and leaned her head to rest on his shoulder. Ara would move between the two and rest both of their legs, " Silly fox" Dia would note as she glanced down to it
Aranhil smiled at the fox, ‘A good creature,’ he would think to himself. “Fine I wont worry as much, but you must at least visit with me every couple of days if not more. It’s the best I can do, I don’t want to be away from you if I can help it to be honest.” By now his head rested on her own. He had made a silent vow to himself many days before that he would protect Diamond. That’s part of what the fox was for, he thanked the creature again by the silent act of petting its coat.
Diamond would go from petting the fox to scratching his ears, or the very top of his head, " I promise I will. I don't like to be away from you either, so I don't think you have to really worry about that one..." Hm, it seemed worry always was in their conversations. A figner would point to the sky and a smile would be placed on her pale lips, " The stars are out!"
Aranhil laughed softly at her spontaneous nature, still he was comforted that she felt the same as he did for her, at least in that small way. He decided then he would wait a bit more before he told her how he really felt, maybe at their next meeting if all was still well. “Yes, they are bright aren’t they? There is a place east of here where the stars appear to be even closer to the earth. Though its quite a climb, perhaps you may stumble across the Scenic View on your travels one day.” He looked at her now instead of the stars, “Pretty,” he would whisper though she may not notice that he had instead meant her than the stars.
Diamond seemed to be squinting at the stars as she leaned forward a bit," So...closer? " Now that was something amazing! She never heard of anything like that! Perhaps there was even more places out there! Maybe stars could get -even- closer then close! Suddenly, she felt excited. Stars most likely was one of her favorite things right now. So now, she had to just go to the 'Scenic View' " I will go there...." Her ears twitched as she heard the man whisper, being an elf and all-and finally coming to terms with it-it was hard not to hear.Dia would turn her head and smile at the man, " Yes, they are. But...uh, maybe you should look at them." and with that, she would slyly turn his head very gently by the chin, if he would let her.
Aranhil chuckled lightly as she moved his head for the stars, his cheeks would turn slightly red at the contact. “Yes, I just thought I saw something, he would say. “If you want to go alone the directions are simple to remember.” After that he would explain to her how to get there, the path to the northeast and then south a small ways. He would explain it again to the fox just to be humorous and of course he would add as he always would from now onward, “..and make sure you remember the way back. She doesn’t pay much attention to these things.” He winked at the fox now as if it was a mutual understanding that he was right and he didn’t want the fox to tell her.
Diamond nodded as she tried to remember the way there. She had -almost- been to busy not to hear the ending part, but she had, and so she turned and crossed her arms. A bit of a huff sound coming from her, " Psh! I will remember! How can I not? Its just...." She pointed from the directions he had said, " And then I just go the opposite directions to get back." The fox was patted on the head, " No worrys about me...."
Aranhil stood up laughing now, “Of course, of course. I was merely joking,” he would look back to the fox and wink again. “No worries,” he would laugh again. “Give me another hug before you take your leave,” He opened his arms outward, waiting for her to embrace him.
Diamond stared at the man, wondering when she had said she would leave, but, it was getting late. Perhaps she would just sleep at the place where the stars were close and a cliff was present. So she stood and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, " Goodnight Aran. Have pleasant dreams, k?"
Aranhil nodded and embraced her as well, “May you have pleasant dreams as well. Take care of yourself Diamond, and don’t get lost,” he would chuckle softly at the ending of his words. Finally he would release her from the embrace and nod once more to the fox whom seemed to be doing well enough in protecting her for now.
Diamond giggled and stepped forward, giving the man a ruffle to his hair, and-though hesitating-giving him a kiss on the forehead, " pleasent dreams." After Ara was in her arms, she skipped offward so she can watch the stars as she fell asleep.