Post by Nemeris Arundel on Mar 26, 2020 20:07:49 GMT -5
[Continued Scene from Searching Home Among the Ruins ]
[EOIN] Uh oh, now he's done it. If he was really worried, he may have wiped that stupid grin off his face. But she was so lively and stepping out of her shell when she was laughing...or about to threaten his life. He'd take either because it helped him forget the destruction around him, and the destruction that was currently his life. "I'm...going to take that as a threat," he mused, pretending to be nervous as he followed behind her. Slipping that journal into one of the saddle bags, he untied Nomad from the tree and climbed into his back. The humor had gone from his face again as he looked around them once more. The sooner they left, the better, but this sight wasn't going to leave him any time soon. [d]
[NEMERIS] "Take what as a threat?" She raised a brow as she untied Vesta from the tree and mounted her, urging the horse forward. If Nemeris was threatening him, he would surely know. He had called himself a dead man, so that was his new nickname. She fell silent again as they made their way out of the forest and back onto the path to head towards the village. [d]
[EOIN] He was just joking, because her calling him a "dead man" sounded far more menacing from her lips than his own, oddly enough. Eoin just shook his head in indication to forget about it, chuckling lowly. As they began to head back towards the path, he gave another glance over his shoulder at the destruction and ruined cottages, wondering when or if he'd ever return. That made his mind wander back to the looming threat. "So, does Aralore really have little defenses?" he asked while drawing his horse up next to hers. [d]
[NEMERIS] Anything from Nemeris' lips sounded more menacing than it should. Perhaps it was the tone of her voice, or her facial expressions. He didn't answer her, so she shrugged it off and rode silently, until he was asking her about Aralore's defenses. "A lot were killed in the war... but we have allies. Tresteria, Noistar and Ithias." She shrugged. "They helped us win the war..." Her slender shoulders lifted and fell in a shrug. "I'm assuming at some point we should all meet to discuss what you know... what to do..?" [d]
[EOIN] Even if she had meant to threaten him, he wouldn't have taken it to heart. Perhaps he liked to think he knew her a little better than that. He was sobering quickly with her words, however, as there would be no more humor for a short while. The discussion didn't warrant it. They had allies. Tresteria. The prince who married Alexandria. He was clenching his jaw as he thought about it, wondering how much of it was just for the alliance...and how much of it wasn't. He'd already asked Nemeris a little about it last night and wouldn't again. And considering Alexandria couldn't utter a word to him, he figured he would never get the chance to even ask her. Eoin sigh at these thoughts, trying to push them aside, but it proved harder than he thought. He had begun this conversation. "I know nothing more than what I've already said," he answered, his tone flat now and missing the amusement of just moments ago. "But yes, you all should meet to discuss. I saw what I saw, and I do not know how long Aralore has." It was a frightening thought, but it was the truth. "It could be weeks, or it could be months...I really do not know." [d]
[NEMERIS] She noticed his jaw stiffen and wondered what he had running through his mind in that moment. She had an idea, but wouldn't say anything. Instead, she nodded at his words and sighed. "Will you stay?" Her brow rose as she looked at him. Despite not having what he used to have, he could still be needed and useful in Aralore, and if she could convince him to stay somehow, she would. It was nice having a friend around, someone who understood her, even if it was only a little bit. [d]
[EOIN] Remaining silent, he didn't know how to answer her question. It had only been a day since his return, and he felt so lost. There was so much he had physically lost, including his heart. Were he any other man, he might have said no, if the queen would not be his. But it wasn't just about her...it was about the kingdom, the place he called home. Or, at least, used to call home. But gray eyes shifted sidelong to Nemeris, his face still serious and contemplative, "I don't know." A pause, he sighed. "Everything I ever had has been taken from me..." [d]
[NEMERIS] She wasn't sure how he would answer her question. Part of her expected him to say no, because he had lost so much. So when he admitted he didn't know and that everything he ever had was taken from him, she fell silent for a moment, seeming like she had nothing to say about it, or to him. Until, finally she spoke, her gaze remaining ahead. "No it hasn't..." She shook her head. "Just the things that might have mattered most to you..." She finally looked at him. "You still have your life. You do have friends... Especially me... And this is your home...You do belong here, Eoin..." She was being genuine and sincere now, because she meant it all. "It might seem dark right now, and you feel lost... But all of that will get a little better day by day..." [d]
[EOIN] He would have been okay if she decided not to respond. It wasn't an easy conversation to have, and Eoin wasn't even sure if he wanted to speak on it further. However, when she did respond, his gaze was drifting back over to her. She would know...wouldn't she? It wasn't all too long ago that her own life had been flipped upside down, and another time previous. She remained, but maybe he wasn't as determined to care about that as she was. His eyes glinted with a hint of a smile, but there was no smile to be had on his lips. The sincerity was at least there. "Thanks, Nem," he told her quietly, letting out a light sigh as his eyes trailed back in front of him. "I'm just...wondering where to go from here. I know it's only been a day, but...I'm not used to standing idle." [d]
[NEMERIS] "But your not standing idle. We are going to the village to get some things... Going back to my manor and you are going to fix the roof for me. And chop me some firewood... And then we'll figure it out after that." She smirked slightly, knowing that wasn't what he meant, but she'd give him a stupid purpose because it was better than no purpose. She did understand what he was going through. When she had come to Aralore--she had absolutely nothing of her life left. She would have lost her own life if she hadn't escaped...her own home. And for whatever reason, the queen had believed in her and gave her somewhat of a purpose... Of a new life. But here she was again, with everything she had in her life, suddenly gone again. She sighed quietly at her own thoughts, not really knowing what else to say. [d]
[EOIN] Because he knew she had suffered (still suffered), it was probably why he had been able to so easily and freely joke with her so soon after his life went further to hell. He probably couldn't have done that with anyone else; no one he knew, at least. It was why she was able to draw out even the faintest of grins right now. Eoin shook his head lightly, his attention still on the path ahead. "Ah, yes...I see. You're clearly using me while I'm at my weakest." If he had really been offended, he would have sounded like it. She would have known. "Soon you'll be expecting breakfast every morning and your shoes shined." [d]
[NEMERIS] She laughed at his comment and nodded. "Of course I am using you. What else did you think this was?" She smirked, her own tone making it obvious that she was kidding. "And... if you think you can make breakfast better than I can... By all means... Or I could continue to make you weapons out of bread..." She bit her lower lip to prevent herself from smiling further. "But you won't have to shine my shoes, ever... That's fine. I don't really need that." She shook her head, rolling her eyes at him. Off in the distance, the village could be seen. It wasn't too horribly crowded, which she suspected would be a relief to Eoin. When they got a little closer, she dismounted and tied Vesta up to a post before brushing herself off from dust and wrinkles. A quick glance found the bottom of her dress again and she grumbled at the sight of it all ripped up. "Damn you for making me ruin my dress..." [d]
[EOIN] "Touche', my lady," he mused. Well, she finally got a decent comeback on him, and it made him actually laugh out loud. There, she was making him forget all those woes, even temporarily, again. "And I can make a better breakfast, but...I didn't want to hurt your feelings or anything." He wasn't really sure if that was entirely true, but he'd let her believe it. If she even cared to. At the mention of not needing to shine her shoes, he chuckled again. "Oh, well...thanks for that." In truth, he was more than happy to help with whatever she needed. It was obvious that she needed some help around the manor, and it was the least he could do with her having offered up a room to stay. Until she kicked him out for his foolish antics. He almost laughed at that thought. Closer to the village, he had gotten silent, not sure if he wanted to come across any familiar faces. But she was complaining about her dress again as they dismounted, and he grinned widely. "Oh, come on...it's not as bad as you think." Of course, he said that as he drew up the hood on that cloak to conceal his features. [d]
[NEMERIS] As he laughed, she found herself grinning at him. "You? Hurt my feelings? You'd only be so lucky to have such an effect on me..." Perhaps that sounded a bit conceited for the woman, but it was her way of saying it took a lot for her to become offended. And if he was willing to cook, she wouldn't have a problem with that. She hadn't been raised to cook in the kitchen. There were always servants for that, growing up. Of course she had the means that she could hire someone...But she did not want to deal with anyone. Not since losing the baby. It took a lot for her to trust. She glared at Eoin as he threw his hood on, as if embarrassed by her tattered up dress and she walked over to him and nudged him hard in the rib, without saying anything. Except, "Let's go, dead man..." Without waiting for him, she started walking down the path of the village to where various stands were up on display with various things for sale. When she reached one with fruit, she picked several pieces and threw them into the satchel she carried and paid the merchant before moving along. "Is there anything you want? Or need?" [d]
[EOIN] Well, good to know she wasn't easily offended. But maybe he would cook, at least once. Of course, it was no castle cuisine because what he grew up learning was how to live off the land. He'd hunted and foraged, and cooked over a campfire. A part of him missed that. It was just..simpler. Easier, even. He grunted in discomfort when she nudged him in the side. He emphasized with a gasp and a slight slumping over...and grinned from within the darkness of that hood. Eoin would follow behind, idly looking around as Nemeris shopped. "Perhaps some clothes," he commented, now that he had a bit of coin. He didn't need much. "And a new skirt for you, because you'll never let me live that down." [d]
[NEMERIS] Oh that would be fun to tease him about--cooking over a campfire like some ruffian. And expecting that she would actually eat that? Although, venison sounded lovely right now, and she was wondering if she could pick some up from one of the local hunters selling his game. She looked to him as he mentioned needing clothes and a new skirt for her. She laughed and shook her head. "I'm fine. I don't need a new skirt. I just enjoy giving you a hard time about it." She admitted, nudging him again. She continued walking until they came across the clothing stand. "Here you go..." She picked up a shirt and unfolded it, holding it in front of Eoin. It was very much not his style, and she smirked. "Yes... This is so you... Should we get you five of them?" [d]
[EOIN] He was a ruffian, was he not? He lived most of his life in the bloody woods. But, she was going to tease him about anything anyway...because it was what he was basically doing to her. She was a good sport. "Alright," he started when she mentioned not needing a new skirt. "When some old fool comes up to you throwing coins your way for a 'good time', don't come crying to me." Wouldn't that be a sight to see. He was already laughing at the poor fool as though it had actually happened. No one would be daft enough. At the clothing standing, he let his eyes wander for the most simple and cheapest articles of clothing before he was turning towards her, just as Nem was holding up some horrible patterned thing this vendor was calling a shirt. Eoin didn't look all too thrilled, even rolled his eyes before he was snatching it out of her grasp...only to throw it back at her. When he found the most boring pieces of clothes, he snatched them up and paid the vendor. [d]
[NEMERIS] She couldn't help the gasp that escaped her lips as he suggested her skirt would draw in the men looking for a 'good time', and she suddenly laughed, lightly shoving him away from her. "Stop it!" And she would throw it right back at him, to make him feel uncomfortable. "Though, I suppose it's been a while.. Might as well get paid for it since I'm not getting it anywhere else lately." She totally did not mean it, though her tone suggested otherwise. She could be good at hiding the tone and true meaning of her words, when she wanted to. "A woman can have needs too, you know." And then, she could no longer hold back that smirk that crept along her lips. She rolled her eyes at his boring choices of apparel and she showed him the horrid looking shirt once again before laughing. "Are you sure you don't want this one? Would look dashing on you..." [d]
[EOIN] Well...again, touche'. Eoin expected some sort of response to his words, but by the shock on his face, he was expecting the silence and usually stoic ambassador to joke around like that. At least, he thought she was joking. After a moment of just staring at her (along with the vendor who had heard it all), the ranger finally burst out into laughter. "Okay then!" He really didn't know how to respond to that, but he couldn't stop laughing now. Although, the humor died down just a little bit when she tried pawning that horrible shirt off on him again. He yanked it away and tossed it back to the still stunned vendor before grabbing her hand to pull her away. "Do I look like a man of flowery patterns and frills?" [d]
[NEMERIS] She honestly didn't care what others thought of her. Not anymore. It wasn't worth it. As he burst into laughter, she looked at him with a serious expression, as if she wasn't joking. She looked at the vendor as he stared at her and she blinked and raised a brow as if asking him if he had a problem. Then Eoin was yanking the shirt from her hands and grabbing her hand to pull her away. She smirked slightly. "Did I embarrass you, Eoin?" She finally laughed. "And why not flowery frilly? There's a first for everything.." [d]
[EOIN] "No, you didn't," he answered her, still chuckling. "Except maybe with the shirt." It had been horrendous. He liked his dark, earthy tones...not whatever that atrocity was. When they were walking down the path again, he let go of her but gray eyes were regarding her from the shadows of that hood. "Next, you're going to tell me to cut my hair...and shave." Granted, he could use a trim. He was beginning to look a bit grizzly. [d]
[NEMERIS] She smirked as he was complaining about that shirt which she clearly had been joking about. She knew it was hardly his style. Though as he brought up her wanting him to cut his hair and shave, she shook her head. "No." She paused, though it probably seemed that would be all she'd say, but then she eventually added, "It suits you. Though, maybe we should clean you up a bit so you don't look like a caveman." She smirked and stepped up to another vendor, with various meats. She selected a few cuts, paid for them and placed them into her satchel after the man wrapped them. [d]
[EOIN] Her words made him pause in his steps, his hooded head turning to regard her as if she had hurt his pride. She was right, though. He'd lost too much weight and his hair and beard were swiftly becoming a mess again. Perhaps he should invest in a sharp blade and some shears before they left here. He grinned regardless, watching her buy some meats. "It'd be more affordable just to hunt for your own...would spoil less quickly, as well," he whispered, not wanting the butcher to hear. It was true, though, but he was also itching to just get back into some sort of routine. It was the only thing that was going to keep him sane and find some normalcy again. Still, he couldn't actually picture her hunting. At all. Which was probably why he said it. [d]
[NEMERIS] She stepped away from the butcher's table as he whispered to her about hunting. She looked at him as if he had three heads and laughed. "Me, hunting?" She shook her head. "I don't know how. I've never had to." But she thought about it and tilted her head, placing a finger to her lips as if exaggerating her thinking. "Would you show me?" She really was interested, and maybe it would give them both something to do. [d]
[EOIN] He shrugged, because he didn't really think she would go for it. Then again, if she wasn't feeding an entire household, it may not be worth it in some cases. Still, didn't hurt to learn. "Sure," he told her as easily as that, grinning. "Have you ever used a bow before?" It was far easier than a spear, bit even still. It had been awhile since he shot an arrow, so he knew he was going to be rusty. Just need to get back into the swing of things... [d]
[NEMERIS] She smiled softly as Eoin agreed to show her how to hunt. This should be interesting. Despite her seeming like she was a dark, cold and heartless woman, she had never killed anything before. She honestly wasn't sure if she would be able to kill an animal. She shook her head slightly at his question. "No, I haven't." But she would like to learn. It had always interested her, she just never had a chance to learn or have a reason to. [d]
[EOIN] Hunting wasn't for everyone. Although it was a means of survival (and even a hunter had to bring the butcher she just purchased from some meat), it was still taking a life. Briefly, he was kind of curious about how she would handle that, but would say so. He would find out for himself at some point. As she said she'd never used a bow before, he just nodded, "Well, then I'll show you." A pause, and he couldn't stop his mouth from uttering the dark thought that suddenly sprang into his mind. "It would be...good to know how to defend yourself with something." Anything. With the threat of Saelis, everyone should be on alert. Was anyone in that castle heeding his words right now? Did Alexandria believe him? [d]
[NEMERIS] She stopped at another stand where there were various vegetables, and she picked through it, stuffing her bag with what she needed before paying the merchant. She turned to Eoin and nodded. "Yes, I suppose I should learn to defend myself... Somehow. Perhaps I would not have lost my...." She trailed off, not wanting to finish that sentence and fall into that depression again. So she quickly changed the subject, pointing at another stand. "Oh, look!" She walked away from him and over to the stand, where there were books. She immediately began searching through the titles as if she were looking for something in particular. "Do you like to read, Eoin? What do you... Did you used to do in your spare time?" [d]
[EOIN] He accidentally made her remember that particular, horrible memory...and it brought his attention swiftly over to her. Dammit. He hadn't meant it, he wasn't thinking, and was about to say he was sorry (or say anything, period) but she was already rushing off to another vendor. This time it was books. Gray eyes blinked as he followed after her. Nemeris was clearly trying not to think about it, so he would try to as well. "I, uh..." Just say something! "It's been awhile since I've read anything." To answer her next question, he faltered. "I don't remember." The words were flat, and he was glad that hood concealed most of his features. "I hadn't had much spare time because of the war...then...well-" Then he was imprisoned where he had all the time in the world and nothing to occupy him but his own worried thoughts. Clearing his throat, he stepped up to her side as she examined the volumes of tomes. "Do you read a lot?" [d]
[NEMERIS] She did not wish to think about her lost child, because it often brought her great sadness. Perhaps she was not meant to be a mother. Her first son had been turned against her and stolen by her own brother before she was banished and not allowed to ever see him again. And now, she could not protect the unborn child that grew within her and failed to give it life. So, she did whatever she could to push the thoughts from her mind. As Eoin answered her questions, she stopped and looked at him, brows furrowing slightly, but she nodded in understanding. When the war came, no one had much time for anything. But now, in her darkened loneliness, she perhaps had all the time in the world, in her own prison. "Yes, I do..." She answered him simply, before she turned back and continued glancing through the books. When she found one that interested her, she paid for it and held onto it, rather than place it in her satchel. "Was there anything else you'd like to look for?" She questioned him quietly, though her eyes were quickly scoping out the area to see if there was anything else she might need. [d]
[EOIN] No, it was a good thing to push on from all of these thoughts. She was going down a road he was attempting to avoid and did not wish to follow. And he just flat out didn't want her falling into that darkness, not while they were having a pretty decent time. Eoin hadn't cared about coming to the village, really, but it had turned out to be fairly fun. "I think I'm good," he answered her, before he gestured to the book she held in her hand. "What's it about?" He was mildly curious about what kinds of stories would interest her. As he waited for her to answer, he was reaching for that filled satchel she was carrying this whole time so that he could sling it onto his own shoulder. It was the gentlemanly thing to do. [d]
[NEMERIS] She nodded in response as he claimed he did not need to look any further. She had what she had come for, so she turned and began walking in the direction they had come from, so they could return to their horses. Eoin was taking her satchel, offering to carry it for her, and she smiled, thanking him. When he asked her about the book, her eyes glanced down at it and she idly thumbed through the pages as if doing so would tell her how to answer his question. "Potions and spells... You know... " She wiggled her fingers to indicate magic stuff, as he had done yesterday. A smirk played along her lips for a moment before she shook her head. "No... It's just a book of poetry, actually." She laughed and shrugged her shoulders. "Guilty pleasure of mine that no one knows, except for you now, so I may need to kill you." She smirked and then looked at him with a look that totally could kill. [d]
[EOIN] Uh oh, now he's done it. If he was really worried, he may have wiped that stupid grin off his face. But she was so lively and stepping out of her shell when she was laughing...or about to threaten his life. He'd take either because it helped him forget the destruction around him, and the destruction that was currently his life. "I'm...going to take that as a threat," he mused, pretending to be nervous as he followed behind her. Slipping that journal into one of the saddle bags, he untied Nomad from the tree and climbed into his back. The humor had gone from his face again as he looked around them once more. The sooner they left, the better, but this sight wasn't going to leave him any time soon. [d]
[NEMERIS] "Take what as a threat?" She raised a brow as she untied Vesta from the tree and mounted her, urging the horse forward. If Nemeris was threatening him, he would surely know. He had called himself a dead man, so that was his new nickname. She fell silent again as they made their way out of the forest and back onto the path to head towards the village. [d]
[EOIN] He was just joking, because her calling him a "dead man" sounded far more menacing from her lips than his own, oddly enough. Eoin just shook his head in indication to forget about it, chuckling lowly. As they began to head back towards the path, he gave another glance over his shoulder at the destruction and ruined cottages, wondering when or if he'd ever return. That made his mind wander back to the looming threat. "So, does Aralore really have little defenses?" he asked while drawing his horse up next to hers. [d]
[NEMERIS] Anything from Nemeris' lips sounded more menacing than it should. Perhaps it was the tone of her voice, or her facial expressions. He didn't answer her, so she shrugged it off and rode silently, until he was asking her about Aralore's defenses. "A lot were killed in the war... but we have allies. Tresteria, Noistar and Ithias." She shrugged. "They helped us win the war..." Her slender shoulders lifted and fell in a shrug. "I'm assuming at some point we should all meet to discuss what you know... what to do..?" [d]
[EOIN] Even if she had meant to threaten him, he wouldn't have taken it to heart. Perhaps he liked to think he knew her a little better than that. He was sobering quickly with her words, however, as there would be no more humor for a short while. The discussion didn't warrant it. They had allies. Tresteria. The prince who married Alexandria. He was clenching his jaw as he thought about it, wondering how much of it was just for the alliance...and how much of it wasn't. He'd already asked Nemeris a little about it last night and wouldn't again. And considering Alexandria couldn't utter a word to him, he figured he would never get the chance to even ask her. Eoin sigh at these thoughts, trying to push them aside, but it proved harder than he thought. He had begun this conversation. "I know nothing more than what I've already said," he answered, his tone flat now and missing the amusement of just moments ago. "But yes, you all should meet to discuss. I saw what I saw, and I do not know how long Aralore has." It was a frightening thought, but it was the truth. "It could be weeks, or it could be months...I really do not know." [d]
[NEMERIS] She noticed his jaw stiffen and wondered what he had running through his mind in that moment. She had an idea, but wouldn't say anything. Instead, she nodded at his words and sighed. "Will you stay?" Her brow rose as she looked at him. Despite not having what he used to have, he could still be needed and useful in Aralore, and if she could convince him to stay somehow, she would. It was nice having a friend around, someone who understood her, even if it was only a little bit. [d]
[EOIN] Remaining silent, he didn't know how to answer her question. It had only been a day since his return, and he felt so lost. There was so much he had physically lost, including his heart. Were he any other man, he might have said no, if the queen would not be his. But it wasn't just about her...it was about the kingdom, the place he called home. Or, at least, used to call home. But gray eyes shifted sidelong to Nemeris, his face still serious and contemplative, "I don't know." A pause, he sighed. "Everything I ever had has been taken from me..." [d]
[NEMERIS] She wasn't sure how he would answer her question. Part of her expected him to say no, because he had lost so much. So when he admitted he didn't know and that everything he ever had was taken from him, she fell silent for a moment, seeming like she had nothing to say about it, or to him. Until, finally she spoke, her gaze remaining ahead. "No it hasn't..." She shook her head. "Just the things that might have mattered most to you..." She finally looked at him. "You still have your life. You do have friends... Especially me... And this is your home...You do belong here, Eoin..." She was being genuine and sincere now, because she meant it all. "It might seem dark right now, and you feel lost... But all of that will get a little better day by day..." [d]
[EOIN] He would have been okay if she decided not to respond. It wasn't an easy conversation to have, and Eoin wasn't even sure if he wanted to speak on it further. However, when she did respond, his gaze was drifting back over to her. She would know...wouldn't she? It wasn't all too long ago that her own life had been flipped upside down, and another time previous. She remained, but maybe he wasn't as determined to care about that as she was. His eyes glinted with a hint of a smile, but there was no smile to be had on his lips. The sincerity was at least there. "Thanks, Nem," he told her quietly, letting out a light sigh as his eyes trailed back in front of him. "I'm just...wondering where to go from here. I know it's only been a day, but...I'm not used to standing idle." [d]
[NEMERIS] "But your not standing idle. We are going to the village to get some things... Going back to my manor and you are going to fix the roof for me. And chop me some firewood... And then we'll figure it out after that." She smirked slightly, knowing that wasn't what he meant, but she'd give him a stupid purpose because it was better than no purpose. She did understand what he was going through. When she had come to Aralore--she had absolutely nothing of her life left. She would have lost her own life if she hadn't escaped...her own home. And for whatever reason, the queen had believed in her and gave her somewhat of a purpose... Of a new life. But here she was again, with everything she had in her life, suddenly gone again. She sighed quietly at her own thoughts, not really knowing what else to say. [d]
[EOIN] Because he knew she had suffered (still suffered), it was probably why he had been able to so easily and freely joke with her so soon after his life went further to hell. He probably couldn't have done that with anyone else; no one he knew, at least. It was why she was able to draw out even the faintest of grins right now. Eoin shook his head lightly, his attention still on the path ahead. "Ah, yes...I see. You're clearly using me while I'm at my weakest." If he had really been offended, he would have sounded like it. She would have known. "Soon you'll be expecting breakfast every morning and your shoes shined." [d]
[NEMERIS] She laughed at his comment and nodded. "Of course I am using you. What else did you think this was?" She smirked, her own tone making it obvious that she was kidding. "And... if you think you can make breakfast better than I can... By all means... Or I could continue to make you weapons out of bread..." She bit her lower lip to prevent herself from smiling further. "But you won't have to shine my shoes, ever... That's fine. I don't really need that." She shook her head, rolling her eyes at him. Off in the distance, the village could be seen. It wasn't too horribly crowded, which she suspected would be a relief to Eoin. When they got a little closer, she dismounted and tied Vesta up to a post before brushing herself off from dust and wrinkles. A quick glance found the bottom of her dress again and she grumbled at the sight of it all ripped up. "Damn you for making me ruin my dress..." [d]
[EOIN] "Touche', my lady," he mused. Well, she finally got a decent comeback on him, and it made him actually laugh out loud. There, she was making him forget all those woes, even temporarily, again. "And I can make a better breakfast, but...I didn't want to hurt your feelings or anything." He wasn't really sure if that was entirely true, but he'd let her believe it. If she even cared to. At the mention of not needing to shine her shoes, he chuckled again. "Oh, well...thanks for that." In truth, he was more than happy to help with whatever she needed. It was obvious that she needed some help around the manor, and it was the least he could do with her having offered up a room to stay. Until she kicked him out for his foolish antics. He almost laughed at that thought. Closer to the village, he had gotten silent, not sure if he wanted to come across any familiar faces. But she was complaining about her dress again as they dismounted, and he grinned widely. "Oh, come on...it's not as bad as you think." Of course, he said that as he drew up the hood on that cloak to conceal his features. [d]
[NEMERIS] As he laughed, she found herself grinning at him. "You? Hurt my feelings? You'd only be so lucky to have such an effect on me..." Perhaps that sounded a bit conceited for the woman, but it was her way of saying it took a lot for her to become offended. And if he was willing to cook, she wouldn't have a problem with that. She hadn't been raised to cook in the kitchen. There were always servants for that, growing up. Of course she had the means that she could hire someone...But she did not want to deal with anyone. Not since losing the baby. It took a lot for her to trust. She glared at Eoin as he threw his hood on, as if embarrassed by her tattered up dress and she walked over to him and nudged him hard in the rib, without saying anything. Except, "Let's go, dead man..." Without waiting for him, she started walking down the path of the village to where various stands were up on display with various things for sale. When she reached one with fruit, she picked several pieces and threw them into the satchel she carried and paid the merchant before moving along. "Is there anything you want? Or need?" [d]
[EOIN] Well, good to know she wasn't easily offended. But maybe he would cook, at least once. Of course, it was no castle cuisine because what he grew up learning was how to live off the land. He'd hunted and foraged, and cooked over a campfire. A part of him missed that. It was just..simpler. Easier, even. He grunted in discomfort when she nudged him in the side. He emphasized with a gasp and a slight slumping over...and grinned from within the darkness of that hood. Eoin would follow behind, idly looking around as Nemeris shopped. "Perhaps some clothes," he commented, now that he had a bit of coin. He didn't need much. "And a new skirt for you, because you'll never let me live that down." [d]
[NEMERIS] Oh that would be fun to tease him about--cooking over a campfire like some ruffian. And expecting that she would actually eat that? Although, venison sounded lovely right now, and she was wondering if she could pick some up from one of the local hunters selling his game. She looked to him as he mentioned needing clothes and a new skirt for her. She laughed and shook her head. "I'm fine. I don't need a new skirt. I just enjoy giving you a hard time about it." She admitted, nudging him again. She continued walking until they came across the clothing stand. "Here you go..." She picked up a shirt and unfolded it, holding it in front of Eoin. It was very much not his style, and she smirked. "Yes... This is so you... Should we get you five of them?" [d]
[EOIN] He was a ruffian, was he not? He lived most of his life in the bloody woods. But, she was going to tease him about anything anyway...because it was what he was basically doing to her. She was a good sport. "Alright," he started when she mentioned not needing a new skirt. "When some old fool comes up to you throwing coins your way for a 'good time', don't come crying to me." Wouldn't that be a sight to see. He was already laughing at the poor fool as though it had actually happened. No one would be daft enough. At the clothing standing, he let his eyes wander for the most simple and cheapest articles of clothing before he was turning towards her, just as Nem was holding up some horrible patterned thing this vendor was calling a shirt. Eoin didn't look all too thrilled, even rolled his eyes before he was snatching it out of her grasp...only to throw it back at her. When he found the most boring pieces of clothes, he snatched them up and paid the vendor. [d]
[NEMERIS] She couldn't help the gasp that escaped her lips as he suggested her skirt would draw in the men looking for a 'good time', and she suddenly laughed, lightly shoving him away from her. "Stop it!" And she would throw it right back at him, to make him feel uncomfortable. "Though, I suppose it's been a while.. Might as well get paid for it since I'm not getting it anywhere else lately." She totally did not mean it, though her tone suggested otherwise. She could be good at hiding the tone and true meaning of her words, when she wanted to. "A woman can have needs too, you know." And then, she could no longer hold back that smirk that crept along her lips. She rolled her eyes at his boring choices of apparel and she showed him the horrid looking shirt once again before laughing. "Are you sure you don't want this one? Would look dashing on you..." [d]
[EOIN] Well...again, touche'. Eoin expected some sort of response to his words, but by the shock on his face, he was expecting the silence and usually stoic ambassador to joke around like that. At least, he thought she was joking. After a moment of just staring at her (along with the vendor who had heard it all), the ranger finally burst out into laughter. "Okay then!" He really didn't know how to respond to that, but he couldn't stop laughing now. Although, the humor died down just a little bit when she tried pawning that horrible shirt off on him again. He yanked it away and tossed it back to the still stunned vendor before grabbing her hand to pull her away. "Do I look like a man of flowery patterns and frills?" [d]
[NEMERIS] She honestly didn't care what others thought of her. Not anymore. It wasn't worth it. As he burst into laughter, she looked at him with a serious expression, as if she wasn't joking. She looked at the vendor as he stared at her and she blinked and raised a brow as if asking him if he had a problem. Then Eoin was yanking the shirt from her hands and grabbing her hand to pull her away. She smirked slightly. "Did I embarrass you, Eoin?" She finally laughed. "And why not flowery frilly? There's a first for everything.." [d]
[EOIN] "No, you didn't," he answered her, still chuckling. "Except maybe with the shirt." It had been horrendous. He liked his dark, earthy tones...not whatever that atrocity was. When they were walking down the path again, he let go of her but gray eyes were regarding her from the shadows of that hood. "Next, you're going to tell me to cut my hair...and shave." Granted, he could use a trim. He was beginning to look a bit grizzly. [d]
[NEMERIS] She smirked as he was complaining about that shirt which she clearly had been joking about. She knew it was hardly his style. Though as he brought up her wanting him to cut his hair and shave, she shook her head. "No." She paused, though it probably seemed that would be all she'd say, but then she eventually added, "It suits you. Though, maybe we should clean you up a bit so you don't look like a caveman." She smirked and stepped up to another vendor, with various meats. She selected a few cuts, paid for them and placed them into her satchel after the man wrapped them. [d]
[EOIN] Her words made him pause in his steps, his hooded head turning to regard her as if she had hurt his pride. She was right, though. He'd lost too much weight and his hair and beard were swiftly becoming a mess again. Perhaps he should invest in a sharp blade and some shears before they left here. He grinned regardless, watching her buy some meats. "It'd be more affordable just to hunt for your own...would spoil less quickly, as well," he whispered, not wanting the butcher to hear. It was true, though, but he was also itching to just get back into some sort of routine. It was the only thing that was going to keep him sane and find some normalcy again. Still, he couldn't actually picture her hunting. At all. Which was probably why he said it. [d]
[NEMERIS] She stepped away from the butcher's table as he whispered to her about hunting. She looked at him as if he had three heads and laughed. "Me, hunting?" She shook her head. "I don't know how. I've never had to." But she thought about it and tilted her head, placing a finger to her lips as if exaggerating her thinking. "Would you show me?" She really was interested, and maybe it would give them both something to do. [d]
[EOIN] He shrugged, because he didn't really think she would go for it. Then again, if she wasn't feeding an entire household, it may not be worth it in some cases. Still, didn't hurt to learn. "Sure," he told her as easily as that, grinning. "Have you ever used a bow before?" It was far easier than a spear, bit even still. It had been awhile since he shot an arrow, so he knew he was going to be rusty. Just need to get back into the swing of things... [d]
[NEMERIS] She smiled softly as Eoin agreed to show her how to hunt. This should be interesting. Despite her seeming like she was a dark, cold and heartless woman, she had never killed anything before. She honestly wasn't sure if she would be able to kill an animal. She shook her head slightly at his question. "No, I haven't." But she would like to learn. It had always interested her, she just never had a chance to learn or have a reason to. [d]
[EOIN] Hunting wasn't for everyone. Although it was a means of survival (and even a hunter had to bring the butcher she just purchased from some meat), it was still taking a life. Briefly, he was kind of curious about how she would handle that, but would say so. He would find out for himself at some point. As she said she'd never used a bow before, he just nodded, "Well, then I'll show you." A pause, and he couldn't stop his mouth from uttering the dark thought that suddenly sprang into his mind. "It would be...good to know how to defend yourself with something." Anything. With the threat of Saelis, everyone should be on alert. Was anyone in that castle heeding his words right now? Did Alexandria believe him? [d]
[NEMERIS] She stopped at another stand where there were various vegetables, and she picked through it, stuffing her bag with what she needed before paying the merchant. She turned to Eoin and nodded. "Yes, I suppose I should learn to defend myself... Somehow. Perhaps I would not have lost my...." She trailed off, not wanting to finish that sentence and fall into that depression again. So she quickly changed the subject, pointing at another stand. "Oh, look!" She walked away from him and over to the stand, where there were books. She immediately began searching through the titles as if she were looking for something in particular. "Do you like to read, Eoin? What do you... Did you used to do in your spare time?" [d]
[EOIN] He accidentally made her remember that particular, horrible memory...and it brought his attention swiftly over to her. Dammit. He hadn't meant it, he wasn't thinking, and was about to say he was sorry (or say anything, period) but she was already rushing off to another vendor. This time it was books. Gray eyes blinked as he followed after her. Nemeris was clearly trying not to think about it, so he would try to as well. "I, uh..." Just say something! "It's been awhile since I've read anything." To answer her next question, he faltered. "I don't remember." The words were flat, and he was glad that hood concealed most of his features. "I hadn't had much spare time because of the war...then...well-" Then he was imprisoned where he had all the time in the world and nothing to occupy him but his own worried thoughts. Clearing his throat, he stepped up to her side as she examined the volumes of tomes. "Do you read a lot?" [d]
[NEMERIS] She did not wish to think about her lost child, because it often brought her great sadness. Perhaps she was not meant to be a mother. Her first son had been turned against her and stolen by her own brother before she was banished and not allowed to ever see him again. And now, she could not protect the unborn child that grew within her and failed to give it life. So, she did whatever she could to push the thoughts from her mind. As Eoin answered her questions, she stopped and looked at him, brows furrowing slightly, but she nodded in understanding. When the war came, no one had much time for anything. But now, in her darkened loneliness, she perhaps had all the time in the world, in her own prison. "Yes, I do..." She answered him simply, before she turned back and continued glancing through the books. When she found one that interested her, she paid for it and held onto it, rather than place it in her satchel. "Was there anything else you'd like to look for?" She questioned him quietly, though her eyes were quickly scoping out the area to see if there was anything else she might need. [d]
[EOIN] No, it was a good thing to push on from all of these thoughts. She was going down a road he was attempting to avoid and did not wish to follow. And he just flat out didn't want her falling into that darkness, not while they were having a pretty decent time. Eoin hadn't cared about coming to the village, really, but it had turned out to be fairly fun. "I think I'm good," he answered her, before he gestured to the book she held in her hand. "What's it about?" He was mildly curious about what kinds of stories would interest her. As he waited for her to answer, he was reaching for that filled satchel she was carrying this whole time so that he could sling it onto his own shoulder. It was the gentlemanly thing to do. [d]
[NEMERIS] She nodded in response as he claimed he did not need to look any further. She had what she had come for, so she turned and began walking in the direction they had come from, so they could return to their horses. Eoin was taking her satchel, offering to carry it for her, and she smiled, thanking him. When he asked her about the book, her eyes glanced down at it and she idly thumbed through the pages as if doing so would tell her how to answer his question. "Potions and spells... You know... " She wiggled her fingers to indicate magic stuff, as he had done yesterday. A smirk played along her lips for a moment before she shook her head. "No... It's just a book of poetry, actually." She laughed and shrugged her shoulders. "Guilty pleasure of mine that no one knows, except for you now, so I may need to kill you." She smirked and then looked at him with a look that totally could kill. [d]
