A walk in the forest

[Pandora Valis]

Pandora knew that she shouldn't go out alone but then again she had a garden to tend to and gather some fresh supplies for her shop. Yes, she had someone who delivered things that she needed but she had her plants that she had meticulously grown with her mother for many years and she wasn't letting those fall to the wayside.

She was dressed a little different than normal for a hike in the forest but she had just left after speaking with her father and just throw a warm cloak on and grabbed a basket with small plant nippers and left. A soft hum left her as she continued on, her basket swaying as she started to since she felt she was alone;

"I'm the cold, cold water in the long, deep river,
what is luring you is what will cause the deadly shiver,
And all that's sacred is all that withers.

And you were never keen, resisting all that's been,
Forever I remain in waters never seen.

I'm your personal mirror, cut to fit you forever,
evolving so that you can have your mortal steerer,
cause all that's sacred is all that's with us."

Her voice was a soft melody in the forest, it easily echoed around and made it sound a little haunting yet tinged with an ethereal tone in her voice. She was singing it in a light tone, no sorrow, just light and easy as she walked. Her basket swung around her body, her curls bouncing a little with her steps as she made her way through the carefully marked path to where her garden was tucked away.

Xavier Bolton

[Xavier Bolton]

Xavier knew most of the forest around Teronna better than he probably should. He'd hunted in it nearly every day since he was seventeen. At first with his father and his cousin and eventually on his own. Though he hadn't been hunting animals. At least not the kind of animals people normally hunted for sport.

Xavier was actually fairly comfortable in the forest. It was quiet, usually. Other than the sound of skittering creatures and the occasional rush of water from a river or water fall. At least that was the normal sounds. The sounds he was hearing now however were not that of a cute squirrel or bubbling river bank. There was the sound of a woman singing that caught his attention. Enough to make the soldier follow after to find the source of the voice. Though he wasn't stupid. For a moment he sat and watched the woman, tending to some flowers and plants.

She didn't seem to be like one of the monsters. Though one still couldn't be too careful. While keeping a bit of a distance he figured there was at least one way to announce his presence.

"And you were never keen, resisting all that's been.
Forever I reman, in waters never seen.
When I saw the river the sun was up and blinding.
And on the surface gleaming with no sight down.
Should I stay till dusk? But I trifle away the joyous day.
So I kept on wandering so alone."

His voice rumbled through the air around them. A deeper and richer tone harmonizing with her softer melody. It wasn't often Xavier sang in front of or for many people outside of his family but he felt drawn to.

[Pandora Valis]

Pandora had gone to take a breath when a male voice chimed in with her singing, startling her but a smile broke out across her face as she turned to face him with her hands folding in front of her to hold onto the handle of the basket as she looked to him. She had an innocent look to her, the dark curls enhancing the soft pixie like looks she had.

"I see it can't be wrong, when we are always drawn
to cast our flaw along and stay until we're done.

I'm the cold, cold water in the long deep river,
what is luring you is what will cause the deadly shiver,
And all that's sacred is all that withers."

She would finish the short song before dipping her head and dropping into a curtsy before the dark-haired man in front of her.

"You have a handsome voice, Sir. Not many have heard that tune," she told him softly, her voice sweet albeit a little shy as she was now a bit more leary about strangers in the forest. Though if he wanted to hurt her, he could have snuck up on her instead of joining in on her song. "Countess Pandora Valis," she would tell him then, introducing herself as a noble lady since he looked to be one of the noble lords she had seen and heard about.

[Xavier Bolton]

Xavier couldn't blame her for being apprehensive about strangers suddenly appearing near her in the forest. It wasn't particularly safe for anyone to travel in the forest especially by themselves. Unless they were well trained. She certainly didn't look like a soldier but one couldn't ever be too cautious. As she curtsied he returned with a small bow in return. "You have a lovely voice as well." It had been her voice after all that he'd followed to this spot.

"I'm Sir Xavier Bolton, it's a pleasure to meet you." Still, he kept his distance between them. If just to be cautious for both of them. It couldn't have been too easy for a young woman to have a strange, armed man sneak up on her in the forest. He also still wasn't sure whether or not she was a mystic. Or just dangerous in general.

"What's a young lady like you doing out in the forest on your own? It's not safe to be out here." He mostly meant it wasn't safe for her. The armor guarding his body with the sword hilted on his hip was enough to suggest he was competent and capable enough to care for himself.

[Pandora Valis]

A light bit of pink stole across her face at his compliment of her voice, her head dipping down and her curls brushing against her cheek as she did so. "Thank you. I didn't know other's were out here, not many seem to go out this way," she told him with a little smile.

"You as well Sir Bolton," That name, that name alone sent a nervous shiver down her spine. Who didn't know about the Bolton family? They were a bit terrifying and their words were sharp and could cut cleanly through a person- just as that sword could. She had no real reason to fear him, she had a good reputation and those in the city knew her as a good honest woman so there was nothing they could use against her really; at least she hoped.

His question made her blush a little more and shrug her shoulders some, "Well, the soil out here is rich and fertile and my herb garden is out here." she explained as she would point down the slightly worn path she had made, although it could be mistaken for a game trail with the size of it, "Well, safe is a relative word Sir- it can be just as dangerous crossing the road as taking a walk in the forest," she told him simply. Pandora rather liked to live her life with as little fear as possible since that could kill a person and she wasn't looking to die.

[Xavier Bolton]

That was true at least. There weren't many people that traveled out into the forest, certainly not on their own. Even fewer of those that did were women. However, he couldn't comment on the fertility of the soil. There were plenty of large trees and beautiful plants certainly. "I'll have to take your word on that." He stated simply as his eyes wandered between the trail and the plants growing around her.

The comment on how dangerous it could be just crossing the road seemed a bit odd. Perhaps it was a bit of a pessimistic line of thinking. Perhaps he was just used to being with other guardsmen and knights. "Might I ask what you do for a living, Lady Valis?" It was fairly obvious she wasn't simply one to throw parties like his youngest sister. It wouldn't make sense for her to have her own little garden in the forest for no reason. Given how well cared for the plants and herbs appeared.

[Pandora Valis]

Pandora gave a little smile at that, "Thank you and given what I do relies on healthy plants, I can tell good from bad land to grow plants in," she told him with a little confident smile. She also could just taste the dirt but that was gross and she hated doing that, it was why she used her own fertilizer mix as well that she didn't overly share with other people.

"I run an herbalist shop in town, the Moon Flower. I either grow or buy a bunch of plants and then I work to making various things to help people with their health and all sorts of things really- would you like to see my herb garden?" she asked him curiously, just to show that she wasn't lying. She was always a little defensive about her work, she struggled to get up off the ground and once she was though, she flourished and added to her family name.

If he was up for it, she would start to head down the path, a little skip in her step as she moved along, 'So why are you in the forest today?" she inquired of him curiously, her head turning to look at him.

[Xavier Bolton]

The name of the shop sounded familiar. Perhaps he'd passed by it on one of his rounds or had heard some of the nurses talking about it. Not that it really mattered either way. It was always interesting to talk with people who ran their own businesses. "Is it a family business?" Xavier couldn't tell you why he cared. Maybe it was because he was bored. Maybe because he felt a need to keep her safe. Maybe because he thought she was pretty.

When she offered to show him her herb garden he shrugged his shoulders. "Sure, I've got some time to kill." Pun not intended. He followed after her, almost smiling smiling at the little skip in her step as she walked. He kept his hand on his blade just to be safe. Never could be too cautious. This could be a trap after all.

When asked what he was doing in the woods Xavier shrugged his shoulders. "Patrolling the area. Looking for trouble makers." His eyes scanned the area around them as he spoke. Looking and listening for possible threats. "You wouldn't happen to be a trouble maker would you?"

[Pandora Valis]

Pandora smiled and gave a nod, "It was my mother's but she never got to see it flourish before she passed away but since she passed it to me I've been able to do that- now I sell to most of Teronna and any other visitors we get to our lovely country," she told him proudly. She loved her work, the sound of her passion of it was in her voice as she talked of it.

With a nod, she'd lead him through the path she had made, her hands folding behind her back to hold onto the basket she had. His little joke made her just smile, who did have free time out in the forest? She surely did. Currently, she didn't feel any danger; Bolton or not, he didn't seem like he was trying to intimidate her to a puddle of tears.

What he said made her nod before she laughed as she shook her head, "Unless you call going to tend to a garden troublemaking then no." she told him with a bit of a smile as she kept walking until the ruins of an old house appeared. There was glass surrounding it and from the looks, it was recently put there to help with the plants that she had tucked away in here. Inside the area though was a large garden with a variety of plants, some were obvious and others not so much so. Pandora would push back the hood of her cloak and then walk around the garden to the left to get down on her knees checking over some tiny leaves, " No I don't get into any trouble. Mostly, I try to stay out of it so that my father leaves me alone- it's better that way," she told him simply as she would lean forward and then pulling out a pair of tiny plant sheers, snipped off a leaf to look at while sitting back on her calves.

[Xavier Bolton]

The mention of mothers passing away caused a pang in his heart. It wasn't a topic he liked being on and he had managed to mostly avoid it since her death. Still, he could understand wanting to continue doing things for a loved one after they passed. Things they were passionate about that made them happy while alive. Though he didn't say as much. Simply hummed softly in acknowledgement. There was no point in saying how he was sorry for her loss. Xavier had heard that himself a million times and it had never done anything to make him feel better.

As they arrived at the little clearing with the house the oldest Bolton blinked a bit in surprise. He hadn't been expecting to see a full building. "Do you often stay out here over night?" That seemed like more of a danger than just walking the forest during the day. Xavier knew all too well how the more dangerous mystics liked to wander at night. Under the cover of dark.

That was another thing he could understand. Staying out of trouble so that ones father would leave them alone. That was all too familiar to him. The thought made one of the corners of his mouth tug up into an amused grin as he leaned against one of the trees. "Your father a hardass, is he?" He watched as she carefully snipped at one of the plants. Part of him was curious what it was. What it would be used for. Though there was no particular reason for him to be curious. Unless it was used for a poison. That could be something he talked with Vance and his father about. "Do you make anything specific with the plants or just pretty bouquets?"

[Pandora Valis]

Pandora was quietly glad he didn't ask much about her mother, she loved her dearly and her death was painful to her- even if it was some time ago. She had been wholly devoted to her mother and learned all she could from her and then her books that she left her.

The question made her shake her head at that, "No, even I know that it's not safe if I did that- from bandits to wild animals... I'm no match against either I'm afraid- even if I have a shovel," she told him with a little laugh. There was no point in hiding it, she was a slender small woman, what danger could she pose to anyone? Well, she knew how to harm people but that wasn't something she needed to speak of.

That question made her dry laugh, "Cold...heartless...he's not much of a father to me really...I've raised myself since my mother left the world," she explained as she moved over and nipped at another plant and then placed it into her basket before she let out the softest scoff, "Sir...I am not a florist," she told him with a little smile as she looked over at him, "I do, these plants are for healing and adding into various tonics, teas and pastes or personal care products," she told him as she would reach and clip a bright green one, "This one helps with sleeping after I pull out the essential oil from it-though you have to be careful with how much you use or it's too potent," she told him with a small frown at that as she would place it into her basket.

[Xavier Bolton]

Hearing that she didn't stay in the foresr over night put his mind morevat ease. He wouldn't want anyone getting hurt, let alone a woman as sweet as her. "Smart lass." He commented with a nod. Hearing her speak about her father made him almost want to laugh. He knew all too well about fathers that were cold and distant but it didn't change the fact that he still sought out approval from his. Wanted to prove he could be a man good enough to take care of their family when he passed.

"At least you became self reliant. It made you stronger." Xavier was firm in the belief that most things happened for a reason. Maybe that was just an old philosophy he liked to keep from his mother. It was still honest nonetheless. Hearing her tone change as she claimed to not be a florist made him give another small amused grin. "An herbalist then. I might need to get something from you for my sisters." He knew his father bought his youngest sister a new perfume every new moon there had to be something he could get for Farah as well.

"Too potent?" That might be useful in his field. He'd have to talk with his father about it first. Though he doubted the woman would ever knowingly sell him something that could harm another person. "You seem to really love what you do."

[Pandora Valis]

Pandora gave a little smile at that one as she nodded, "I know I already wonder off enough without someone, I don't need to do something silly like camping- and I'd miss my bed," she said with a bit of playful warmth in her hone. She was a bit glad he didn't continue to ask about her father, they were not close and she wanted to stay away from him as much as she could.

"I did yes...probably strange to see a woman doing that but I am glad did so I don't really have to rely on anyone," she told him as she would look to him and then nodded at that, "Sure, stop by my shop any time and I will see what I can make for you for them," she promised him. She was good any making most anything with herbs and seeing which mingled well with one another and if it was a challenge, even better!

"Well...you won't wake up for several days- I uhm...accidentally dosed myself with too much and fell asleep for four days," she admitted, a little blush on her cheeks from that. She also knew that it could kill a person but she didn't need to go into that much detail. "I do...I love learning new things about what a simple plant can do but also being able to do what I want without fear... it's nice," she told him with a bit of a smile as she went and clipped another plant to place in her basket, "Do you love what you do?" she asked, her bright green eyes looking to him now.

[Xavier Bolton]

"Ah the ground isn't that bad to sleep on." He stated teasingly with a shrug of his shoulders. There'd been quite a few times Xavier had slept on the ground itself. No cot, no blanket, not even a tarp. He'd only really suggest doing so during warm months but it could be very nice. Just sleeping under the stars. Though a bed was certainly was more comfortable. Her comment on how strange it was to see a woman rely on herself made the knight shrug his shoulders.

"My sister Farah is rather strong willed herself. Nothing wrong with taking care of yourself." Though he did still prefer taking care of the women in his life he wasn't ignorant to the fact that he couldn't do everything for them at all times. He certainly would look into stopping by her store some time. Perhaps Farah would like some new soaps or something.

He blinked a bit in surprise when she suggested that she had accidentally overdosed herself at one point. It wasn't all that surprising though. A girl her size couldn't possibly take that much of a dose though. When asked if he loved his job he thought for a moment then shrugged once again. "I love my family and my country. I love protecting the people I care about." If Xavier was being honest he was rather indifferent about his work. It was a means to an end. Not something he was particularly passionate about. Though he supposed it was a good way to get his anger out.

Still keeping his distance he moved from the tree and began eyeing the plants around them. He did recognize some of the plants however. Some of them were from herbs and spices he'd watched some of the servants used in cooking. There was a near by bush with some familiar looking flowers on it as well. The soft yellow petals smelled so sweet. "Honey suckle."

[Pandora Valis]

Pandora gave him a small raised brow before giving him a little grin, "Ok, it might not be bad but the ground is cold and unforgiving, my bed though is soft and filled with lavender and chamomile to make sleeping better," she told him before giving a little blush at telling him that she stuffed her mattress with herbs to help her sleep. Honestly, if she just had that out here, she'd be happy because she was a restless sleeper otherwise.

"No but some think its strange that a woman doesn't rely on a man or their father for things," she told him. She didn't know what to think of his sister, she knew of her and avoided the woman because she was intimidating- then the whole Bolton family was intimidating so how she was able to relax a little with him was a big surprise to her.

His answer was not an answer she was looking for and so would lean over and would snip another plant, "What is something you love to do? Something that makes you want to do it?" she inquired of him as she would place the little cutting into her basket.

The mention of the bush nearby had her smiling a bit and nodding, "You know honeysuckle can do so many things for a person right? It helps with pain and inflammation, breathing problems with the lung, pneumonia, infections, head injuries, sores, and several more?" she asked curiously before a little color rose up to her cheeks at her just blurting out a mile-long list of things one plant could do. It was a pretty flower but it was medicinal and one she often used herself. Slowly, she got up and moved around her herb bed, carefully stepping between the little plants to get to the side where he was and broke off a small branch that held the most blooms and then she crouched down to the ground. Scooping some soil around it, she pulled out a scrap bit of leather she had in her pocket and used it as a pouch and placed the soil and small starter inside it and then tied it off. "Here, have a piece to plant at your home," she told him as she offered out the little pouch to him.