|
|
Post by Willow on Jan 20, 2014 22:29:24 GMT -6
It had been a mere few weeks since Willow had met Oya in Mark's Town, yet already she felt as attached to him as if he'd been there for years. As they traveled, Willow became more and more comfortable with the young man, and the barriers of age and past had blurred, leaving room for something deeper and more meaningful. However, Willow was still self-conscious -- she didn't know much about Oya, although his selflessness and care for her during her case of Sea Fever showed her his soft core.
Willow and Oya were traveling to Mark's Town when a storm forced them to spend the night by the road. With no experience with such matters, Willow was trusting her safety with Oya. The obligatory closeness of the conditions provided a prime opportunity for her to tell Oya how she felt, that is, if they could get out of the sheeting rain first.
"Oya," Willow said, with concern evident in her voice. "It's getting pretty bad, and the roads are treacherous as it is... We should stop for the night, but... I'm sorry, I don't know much about survival in these conditions. And... I'm cold," she admitted, trying not to let her shivering show through her soaked vestments.
|
|
|
|
Post by Oya on Jan 20, 2014 22:41:15 GMT -6
Great a storm thought Oya as the rain came falling down. Lighting lit up the sky and the wind began to howl. Willow seemed unprepared for the situation, and in truth Oya had not expected such a storm either. However Oya was calm. This was nothing compared to the high seas. Storms out there made this look like Childs play.
“Come on”, spoke Oya as he grabbed the rains of the horse from the ground. “I saw a cave not far back. We can stay in there till the storm passes”, spoke the boy. Oya had a knack for noticing these things. Paying attention to ones environment was key to survival. Oya pulled the horse to the cave like he said. Luckly it was big enough for the beast to fit in. He knew Willow would not feel right letting it sit outside. “Here I will start a fire”, spoke Oya as he pulled out some kindling from his bag. He took two rocks and hit them together till the bits of wood caught a flame. From there he began to feed the fire with a couple of bits of coal he kept in his bag. Oya believed it was better to be safe than sorry.
|
|
|
|
Post by Willow on Jan 20, 2014 23:02:50 GMT -6
Willow watched as Oya ably started a fire, trying to watch and learn from his example. As the fire started, she huddled close to Oya, unable to conceal her shivering. Her clothes were dripping water, and her hair hung limp and swollen with it, making streams and rivulets on the cave floor.
"Oya," she questioned, "How do you learn these things? I mean... I guess what I mean is I have no... Survival skills, I guess. I feel like I'm a burden to you. Do you think maybe you could teach me a little?" Willow shivered, her teeth chattering. She couldn't see it, but her lips were starting to turn a bit blue, and she was becoming pale. Her clothes were sucking the heat out of her -- a dangerous condition.
Willow shuddered and moved closer to the fire, trying to warm her hands. She wished she could somehow wring herself out, or shake the water off like Storm. "Oh, Oya," she said, "I have some Etrurian herbs I brought along with me. My mother gave them to me when I left, and I figure you could tell me what they are," she said, unconsciously shuddering with cold. Willow produced a waterproofed, leather packet and set it at his feet. "Take a look," she offered.
|
|
|
|
Post by Oya on Jan 20, 2014 23:18:00 GMT -6
As willow was talking Oya unbuttoned his shirt. Without saying a word he removed his top and revealed his bare chest. His body was covered in muscles from training and scars from old battles. Even though Oya was an intellectual he was still a pirate. The boy turned and took the herbs from willow’s hands. He looked at them and opened his mouth to speak. “These are healing herbs. They are useful when one gets wounded and need to stop bleeding. However that is not what we need to worry about “, spoke Oya. A blush began to cross his face as his eyes moved to the ground. “Willow you are going to need to get out of those clothes”, spoke Oya. Oya turned away for a moment in embarrassment as he finished speaking. “The water is sucking the heat out of your body. If you stay in them too long you will die.” The oby opened his bag and pulled out a blanket. He walked over to Willow’s horse and spread the blanket over the back. “You can use your horse as a screen”, spoke Oya as he walked back to his spot. His face was almost as red as a tomato.
|
|
|
|
Post by Willow on Jan 20, 2014 23:28:35 GMT -6
Willow's first instinct was shock... Then realization. She was cold. In fact, now that she thought about it, she felt clammy and... brr. Oya was right. Willow got up and moved behind Storm, beginning to undress. First, she pulled her tome of light magic out from her bosom and laid it on the ground, and unbuckled her military belt, allowing her stave to rest on the ground with a clear, pure ding. Quickly and self-consciously, Willow undid her clerical wrap, trying to hide the outline of her figure that was reflected onto the cave wall by the fire's glow. Finishing undressing, she quickly wrapped up in the blanket, sighing at the warmth and modesty it provided her. Sighing, she moved her tome and staff by the fire, and moved toward the entrance of the cave, wringing out her vestments. After getting a good gallon out, she laid it out to dry by her items and sat back down by Oya, giving Storm a pat of thanks for being such a good wall.
"Um..." Willow started, trying to overcome the sense of awkward intimacy that wearing a boy's blanket invariably brought up. "Thank you for the loan, Oya." Shifting her weight back, she relaxed on her haunches and let her head hang back, dripping a few drops of stray water onto the floor by the now nice and toasty fire. "So, I don't think you've ever told me much about yourself, Oya," she began. "Do you have family still alive?" Realizing the blunt nature of her question, she added quickly, in an apologetic tone "I don't mean to pry. It's just... You seem like a really kind guy, and I'd like to know you better, is all."
|
|
|
|
Post by Oya on Jan 20, 2014 23:42:05 GMT -6
Kind thought Oya. It almost made him laugh. Oya really did not see himself as kind. He just whipped out an entire village for a piece of information, though he did have a soft spot for willow. “Don’t worry”, spoke Oya. “It does not bother me. My mother is alive”, spoke Oya as he began to go into his back-story. “However my father is dead. He died a long time ago so I never meet him. My mother raised me and my two other brothers by herself. She was a smuggler”, spoke Oya keeping his family more malicious nature hidden. Sure they smuggled, but raiding other ships was in there ballpark.
“She raised me and my brothers on her ship. So I grew up around a bunch of tough sailors and not the best of company. Growing up on the sea one has to learn how to take care of one’s self. During that time I learned my herbalist skills. Whenever we docked I would go ashore and look for plants. Some of the islands were not as inhabited as others so I needed to know how to take care of myself if I ever got lost. Eventually however I got tired of the sea. I wanted to know what the main land was like and I ended up in Bern. I have family here so it was a good enough place."
Oya stopped and looked at Willow. "So what about you willow. How did you end up in Bern?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Willow on Jan 20, 2014 23:53:24 GMT -6
As Willow listened to Oya, she got the distinct impression that Oya missed his mother. "She must have been important to him," she thought wistfully.
"Well..." Willow started. "Actually, I never really spent much quality time with my parents. They were always forcing me into things... Activities, education, sports..." Willow shuddered at the thought of those childhood sporting games. Ugh, what an awful time.
"They even were going to have me married to a bishop, but I couldn't stand the thought of living with him. He looked like somebody had squished his face down and stretched his body up. Yucky," she reminisced. "So I told my parents that St. Elimine had told me to enter the military. I spent about ten years there... Then, I, too, wanted to see the land. So I left to convert sinners to the Church. But lately..." Willow stopped, and she tried to hide tears beginning to well up in her eyes. "Lately, I feel like my life's empty. Even the Church can't fill the whole hole anymore... I just wish I knew where I went wrong." Willow turned from Oya and picked up her mother's gift, fingering it and flipping it in her hands as a tear rolled down her cheek.
|
|
|
|
Post by Oya on Jan 21, 2014 0:06:08 GMT -6
Oh crap thought Oya as the tears began to flow from Willow eyes. The pirate did not exactly know how to deal with this. During his childhood he was taught that weakens was a sin. Crying was not permitted. It did nothing to help and only wasted the water you had in your body. Oya grew up tough, and as such he had very little connection with soft expressions. Still however he could not just leave Willow crying. He did not like the image. It kind of hurt him in a way.
Oya did what was natural too him. He stood up and walked over to Willow and took her in his arms. He grabbed her and held her tight. “Don’t worry it is going to be alright”, spoke Oya.
|
|
|
|
Post by Willow on Jan 21, 2014 0:15:47 GMT -6
Willow jerked slightly as Oya pulled her into a rough hug. Abandoning herself, she simply slumped her head on his shoulder and let herself cry. After a few minutes, she sniffled and turned her head sideways to look at Oya.
"Thank you, Oya," she whispered. "I'm not sure why... But when I'm with you, I feel stronger, more secure, and... powerful. As if you complement me. And... I want you to know that I'm forever grateful to you for your selflessness -- you didn't have to help me when I was sick, but you put yourself in danger for me. And... I want you to know how much you mean to me. You're special, Oya," Willow murmured, returning his hug and resting her head once more on his well-muscled shoulder.
|
|
|
|
Post by Oya on Jan 21, 2014 0:27:12 GMT -6
Guilt began to grow in Oya’s chest as Willow spoke of his selflessness. He was the one who caused the plague. There would not have had to be any selflessness act if he did not poison the whole town. Still he could not argue with the results.
“Don’t worry”, spoke Oya. “I will be here. I will always be here for you”, spoke Oya as he tightens his grip.
|
|
|
|
Post by Willow on Jan 21, 2014 0:39:18 GMT -6
Willow smiled, in spite of her previous sadness, and hugged Oya tightly. After the two broke apart, they settled down to rest and wait out the storm.
Awaking in the middle of the night, Willow saw Oya's face illuminated dimly from the coals of the fire. As her eyes roved hungrily over him, she memorized each line in his face, the curves of his hair, and the bulges of his muscles. "Oya..." Willow whispered, reaching over and gently brushing a stray strand of orange hair out of his face.
"Saint Elimine," Willow prayed, staring deeply at Oya's sleeping form. "Protect this man. Keep him safe, keep him warm. Shelter him from the arrow and the blade. Let me do no wrong to him... And may he know just how much he means to me. Someday, somehow," Willow continued. "Saint Elimine, I swear... I shall protect him and defend him, and care for him all my days."
Laying back down, Willow drifted off to sleep, content and secure with the knowledge that Oya would be there forever for her.
"Good... Night..." she murmured incoherently. "I... lmmmph... you..."
---Thread End---
|
|
