Closed Chance meeting (Hazel)

[Gris Steele]

He would not attack her. At least yet for she was right. They were in danger and he did not have what it took so he took her soft hand and pulled himself up. They were almost a good foot in difference of height so it was a tad odd for him to lean on her as he felt that his ankle would not hold him just yet. He would have to bandage it and find some means to be more stable but first other problems came to mind.

“I am no expert in this but the sun is going down and we are out in the open. We should try to find a place to hold out for the night and away from things that want to eat us.”

Gris hated telling her he knew nothing of what to do but he was just using common sense. How far that common sense would go was beyond him. They could force themselves off the game trail but who knew what laid in wait or they could figure a way to find a nearby tree and climb it or even just find a place and build a makeshift shelter. Gris did not even know what she could do but if he did than it would dawn on him that they both could help each other in building something.

“So any ideas?” Gris asked as he wrapped his right arm around her waist and leaned on it as they walked. Awaked would not even be the word he would have used to tell this story but he did not want her on his left side even if that was the bad ankle. He wanted his free useable in case they came to blows once more. Maybe by the end of the long night they would come to trust each other but for now they were so different in his eyes.

“So any ideas?” He asked as his stomach made a loud protest but after his he heard the same sound coming from her. It would seem they both spent the day not eating and did not pack anything for he did not see any pack on her or feel on with his arm. Rather he felt just how small she really was as he held his arm around her and on any other day would have enjoyed her scent which smelled deeply of pine and oak.

He would have smelled like ink if he could place it since he spent all his time drawing up plans for the city and outside dealing with people on how things should be but for now his scent was just sweat and dirt.

[Hazel Richardson]

"I know somewhere we can go."

It took all the perseverance in Hazel to not shrug him off her and allow him to walk alone. She was still angered by his last outburst, but for his sake rather than her own she allowed his arm to rest against her. She knew perfectly well that he was limping on the opposite side, but she said nothing - if he wanted to make it harder for himself, then that was up to him. But, due to him being so big and she being so small she struggled to support them both, and their pacing was a slow crawl.

The place she had in mind was a spot not far from where they were now. She had used it many times to create shelters and rest. Not that the animals posed much of a threat to her, but she didn't mention this - if he knew her race he would, most probably, guess she had a background of slavery and that was something she did no enjoy telling people, considering his already low opinion of her. So instead, she forced herself onwards, keeping silent, until she managed to guide them both to where she wanted to be.

Although there were many trees around them, the tree she brought them too was a lot larger than the others and had a lot denser leaves. Because of this, the ground around the base of the trunk had lost its coating of grass and was more or less moist earth with a few knotted roots sticking out here or there. It was clear this space had been used before, by the set of stones which had been ordered in a circle to border a few ashes and a small, hollow space which fitted beneath a great root of the tree - leaves were scattered inside it, but in an orderly fashion, as if it had been used as a sleeping area before.

As they made their way through the long grass which bordered the sanctuary, Hazel slipped her hand high up to grasp Gris' shoulders. This helped a little in supporting him through the rough terrain, until they reached the flatter space.

Hazel wasn't exactly comfortable showing this space to Gris - and this showed clearly in her expression as she released him. It was her little, secret space which was hers and hers only. But desperate times called for desperate measures, and even as she dwindled in her own thoughts the sky was darkening and the creatures of the night were moving.

"We best get a fire started and sort out some shelter, before we're left in pitch black. Have a look for some branches on the ground."

Hazel wasn't really sure if he was able to do this in his condition, but got to work by herself anyway. Collecting branches long enough to cover the cavernous hole, and piling them up beside the entrance.

[Gris Steele]

He would not have found this little hideaway without her knowing about it beforehand. It clearly was not meant to last but it would work. Already he missed his bed as he limped about picking up different branches that she told him to. His mind trying not to tell him that this place would hold on weather but if anything were to attack they would not have room to move about or flee. His skill within the architecture field told him so many things with just a passing glance but that was his job.

The branches he found were small, dry and more than a handful as he picked them up clearing the area of them. “So tell me why is this here? Are you a hunter that spends her time hunting and stealing?” He asked, not to be mean but to help pass the time as they were running out of sunlight. They had maybe an hour more before the moon and darkness would take over the land as already he heard the sounds of birds die down and other sounds coming to life.

It was going to be a long night as he sighed. “The things I do for the city bah knew I should have to hired a guard to act like a guide.” He said as he threw the sticks near her as he took a seat down. In his good hand was a thicker small stick that he placed near his feet and without much of a passing glance he removed his simple tunic.

His tan skin showing off more as well as the slight muscle definition that the tunic was hiding. The dagger in his belt was clearly seen as he took it out and started cutting up his shirt, a good amount was thrown to Hazel to help start the fire.

He placed the stick inside his boot and warped the torn cloth around it to tie it down giving it extra pressure. He would have down the same to his wrist but he did could not do that one handled and not sure if she would have helped him that much right now due to the glares she kept giving
him.

He was not a medic so the work was not the best but he did his best as he slowly stood up and walked a bit more around. It was a pain in so many ways but it would work until they made it back to the city but even if they made it past the night he still would want to do his job even if it meant staying longer in the forest.

His tunic was ruined and he now was shirtless but that did not bug him since he knew it would help set the fire and he had to use some of it anyway for his ankle which he still blamed her for and not his own foolishness.

[Hazel Richardson]

Hazel finished off the pile of branches, until she was satisfied with the amount, and then glanced at the pile of rags which had appeared beside it. She turned to look at Gris, and noticing his lack of shirt her cheeks instantly flared with a blush again. Quickly, she turned around, and grabbed one of the rags along with a smaller stick.

Then, with a few cautious steps, she made her way over to him, and gently took his injured hand. She had little experience with medicine, but gingerly began to copy what he had done to his ankle. She bit her lip as she tightened the strip of cloth, not wanting to hurt him, but knowing a loose knot would probably do his wrist more damage in the long run.

"I'm not a hunter - and I steal to survive. I just like it out here; it feels very free."

Hazel said this quietly as she worked on his wrist. After the knot was complete she quickly backed away, as if suddenly realising how close she was to him. As she moved, she began to get started on covering the hole with the branches, but her arms soon became tired from the work and after a while she gave up on the shelter, and told herself the gaping hole could be used as an entrance. She slotted the branches into position so that they created a sort of roof over the whole, and made it complete - rather than having the outside gaping within and leaving them completely open to the wind and anything which decided to visit them in the night.

"The fire should ward off most dangerous animals - once we get it started. But, of course, there's always a chance some may come along. Some say they can smell fear."

She looked pointedly at Gris as she said this, but then couldn't help but grin to herself. His luck had been so good already - other than the whole attempted theft and injury. Most people in is situation would still be lying on the floor, waiting for help. Hazel smirked once again to herself, as she began to get to work on the fire - perhaps his good fortune would rub off on her, too.

[Gris Steele]

The “hole” she was trying to call shelter made Gris laugh inside. It was a poorly dug hole that would just be deep enough to sit in. One would call it a bath almost as he just shook his head and let her help him patch up his wounded hand.

“Look Hazel, This shettler is not going to work that well. It might fit you without much of a problem but I am sadly a tad bigger than you. At this rate you might want to light it on fire and use the hole as a bonfire and either bury each other or climb a tree.”

Gris pointed out as he saw what she was trying to do. Yet he just could not let himself think this was the best idea in the world even if they had no tools or gear.

“Without taking in the account of wind or bad weather, which is not going to happen odds are, it just is not safe. Its a plate for anything that wants to eat us as anything can attack from the sides. If we had time I would say sharpen the sticks and make a barcade fort but we don’t anymore. Even if we got in that hole and covered ourselves with sheets we still would be a easy target.”

Gris said softly as he kept letting slip his understanding of a few things. Buildings and how things worked was one as he kept looking around in hopes to try to find something they could use. Yet she was right. A simple fire would keep most things away but a larger fire would ensure they would stay warmer and safer as long as it was kept under control of sort and did not spread outside.

“We can also make make torches that we can place on the outside and hope for the best if you do still want to sleep in that hole.”

He felt tired. Worn out and more than a tad hungry so he knew he was being cold and rude but he was rather sure she would be the same way sooner or later. He did not know that she could turn into something far larger and was more of a danger than anything in the woods near Ravok for the largest thing they had were wolves, bears and untold monsters.

In his eyes she was just a simple young adult who was careless and a thief. Not that it really would bug him if he saw her steal from someone else but she used him as a mark. The shoe was on the other foot as they said he knew as he looked at her.

On top of it all he would have to buy new clothes when he got to the city. This is why he should either hire a guard to act like a guide or learn the layout of the woods past the city. Guess he was learning it now the hard way.

“So tell me what is the story with you? Always find easy targets out that are lost or just were stalking me since I left the city?”

[Hazel Richardson]

Hazel was trying to hid her annoyance. Although it was obvious he was an intelligent man, she couldn't help but be irritated by his comments on things she had done before.

"You can sleep somewhere else if you want. But I wouldn't fancy sleeping in the tree, considering we have little or nothing to hold is onto the branch. So, unless you can lie board stiff all night, it's going to be a long way down. I'm not your babysitter - you can do as you please, but I'm staying here."

Hazel began to place branches into a pile, in the hopes of building a bonfire up. She made a steady pile with her experienced hands, and only once she was done creating a steady heap did she turn back to face him. Her anger was beginning to build as he spoke, although this probably had something to do with the general circumstances rather than her usual manner.

"Look, I know you probably think I'm a useless waste of space but if you could please refrain from annoying me for just tonight I may be able to help you out. I'm sorry for what I did, but I'm trying to make it up to you here!"

Her breath was a little ragged when she finished talking, and she immediately moved away from him to sit by the ready to light fire. Her legs were folded, and her green eyes lingered on the ground.

"And you can do all that if you want - but you don't have to be scared for your safety. There's something a lot more dangerous to the darkest of creatures around here, and they're sure to stay well away from it."

Her voice was a little gentler, but she still sounded exasperated.

[Gris Steele]

She was right. Like last time and the time before that. Oh how he was annoyed by that on so many levels but he would have to let that pass. He knew they both were tired and odds are she did not want to be alone here either.

He really just wanted to punch her senseless but he would hold off on that. Maybe after awhile he would not want that at all but he just kept quiet and started to help her to give her some help so she would not be worn out by doing everything. The light was almost gone and they had to get the fire at least started.

He did not have any flint and steel to use but he took a branch, a rock and some twigs and started rubbing the stick in a circle that had the twigs trying to set it on fire. Trying being to key word of the day since he had no idea what he was doing but he saw a few people do this in the past. The idea was to heat the twigs so they would catch on fire and after that you would want to give it more fuel such as his cut up tunic.

What he really wanted and what really took place were two different things. What he wanted was a small fire but what took place was just him wasting his time and energy as he kept rolling the stick in place with his hands and not even coming close to flames.

It clearly was his lucky day.

“Have anything to start this fire or know how to do this trick?”

He asked her after he kept failing more than once and more than once he thought he heard a giggle come from her but he did not question that. It could have been the lack of water for all he knew in his system.

[Hazel Richardson]

As he asked this she couldn't help but grin. Slowly she removed her pack from her back and set it on the ground at her feet, and then removed her thick cloak, hanging it on a stumpy branch. From the bag she removed a flint and steel, which she held in her hands with some confidence. With her lack of cloak, a bit more of her figure was shown, and the full length of her hair was visible - which reached down to her hips in curly locks.

After a few tries, she managed to get the thing to work, and a small spark light in the dark. It was weak and feeble at first, but soon began to grow as it feasted on the various heaps of wood. Content with the warm flames, she sat down at the fire's edge, and began to rifle further through her pack.

She had left most of her food at home, but always brought bare essentials with her. As she searched, she held out her water skin - which was half full - to Gris, before managing to find enough provisions for a decent meal. Although all she had was a few small fishes, which she had gutted and prepared correctly, and were now heavily coated in a salt preserve. She used a few damp leaves to wrap the fish in, and then placed the fish on the outskirts of the flames - just warm enough to cook, but still cool enough to not set the leaves alight.

The hole lurked behind her, and in the firelight looked a little bigger. In it there were various hand marks on the walls, showing where she had made the indent deeper and deeper until it was large enough to sleep in. The floor was coated with a carpet of crisp autumn leaves to cushion the harsh floor and preserve some warmth. However, it would still be fairly cold - and Hazel was worried about Gris without his shirt on. It was a fine night, but even good nights could become chilly.

The fish cooked quickly, and using a twig Hazel dragged the small parcels away from the flames, and left them inside the leaf squares to cool.

"Grab one, if you like. You must be hungry."

Hazel managed a genuine smile, before grabbing one portion for herself. Perhaps this night could be endurable.

[Gris Steele]

He almost yelled at her. Almost. She had the items needed to make a fire and did not use them until he made a fool of himself but then again he did not even ask as he forgot all about her pack. Without her cloak on she looked so much smaller he took note of her features from that light of the fire that she brought to life as he felt the warmth of the flames lick his skin.

Her pale skin stood out so much compared to her orange hair. Even her hazel eyes made her soft colors of her face stand out but what also stood out was the fact she was rather on the thin side in terms of body builds. If she did not run away he could have taken her out with a few well placed punches and kicks more so with the leather straps still on his hands.

He just took a seat near her as she gave him her water skin, he felt it was only half full give or take so he only took a few sips. Just enough to try to push back the headache that was forming as he gave it back to her.

He did not say anything else as the fire came to life and she took out what looked like food out of her pack. Fish from the looks of it as she treated it in leaves and roasted it over the flames. He was hoping the smell that it was giving off would not bring other animals in the area around. Two were enough in his eyes but for once he did not poke at that with his words. He was getting to tired and the night was going to be rather long as it was.

He grabbed the portion of the fish and slowly ate it while nodding at her and for the first time since they had met a smile formed along his face. The fish was undercooked but he did not even tell her that. She clearly was doing more than what he was right now.

Even the hole at this point seemed more inviting but that could have been due to the colder wind blowing as Gris started to get cold due to his lack of shirt. He would have asked for her cloak but while it was baggy on her would have been more tighter on him and rude. He would be fine as he would not freeze to death due to the fire but getting a cold was another story.

“T-Thank you Hazel.” Gris said softly at last speaking for the first time in what felt like forever. He just leaned next to her small frame and warped his right arm around her hugging her almost. Mostly out of more warmth but he felt like she needed it on some level or maybe it was him.

“Hush my little child, you are safe now.
I know you have had a long road but its okay now.
Hush my little child, for I am here now.”

Gris slowly and softly sung to himself and to her. He clearly was not meant for singing as the words did not flow or bring any images to mind but it was the thought that counted at least.

[Hazel Richardson]

Hazel felt a little safer with the flames flickering, and a full stomach. Where she had been slightly aggravated before, her mood had calmed slightly and instead she just felt a passive tiredness.

She was just beginning to relax, when she felt his arm wrap around her. At first she had flinched, expecting some form of attack, and her cheeks paled as she knew it was too late to run - but when she realised he was simply placing his arm against her, fear quickly turned to embarrassment, and her cheeks went from ghost white to pink.

Hazel was not used to such interactions, and wasn't sure what to do, other than to focus her eyes on the flames and sit very still. She could feel his side against hers, and tried to ignore the fact he was topless. She thought he must be cold, but was too scared to rise up from this awkward hug and offer him her cloak, in case she offended him.

And then he began to sing and her poise became more rigid. She sat in the same sturdy position, until he finished his short song.

"You're welcome."

She murmured, her eyes held steady on the flames. In fact, she was just beginning to feel a little drowsy - what with the warmth of the fire and the adventurous day behind her - when her fingers brushed against the dagger at Gris' belt. Immediately the muscles in her body tensed and she burst up onto her feet, almost tripping into the flames in the process.

"Okay, give me your weapons. I can't sleep knowing you have them."

She held a hand outstretched, a serious expression upon her dainty face. The other hand balanced against her hip, and she gave him a hard glare as she demanded for the weapons. Although she didn't think he'd give them up so easily.