[ AW ] wayfaring stranger

A R Y T H M E T I K

Aryth’s glimmering, emerald eyes landed on Grigori’s features with apprehension. Does he feel awkward now that the other left? Or disappointed that I don’t want to hunt with him? These social situations, particularly amongst strangers, were still relatively new to the Junior Professor, who spent most of his life cloistered away with ancient tomes. But several heartbeats passed without Grigori taking his leave, and Aryth realized he might be overreacting. But he did sense nervousness from his new companion. At least, he thought he did, judging by the shifting gaze, halting step and rapid chewing. Perhaps it was selfish, but seeing the other man just as nervous as him relieved the scholar. Once more, he was able to smile and calm his nerves.


With a nod and a chuckle, the earthen-hued wolf began to lead them down the unmarked road toward the Castle. He strolled at an easy pace, dandelions in tow, and silently savored the smell of Grigori’s mint. “I think a trip with you to the Capital is going to be quite interesting, actually.” His smile widened good-naturedly. He continued to speak around his bundle, enunciating as best he could, “Oh, I suppose that’s just a haughty way of saying I’m a teacher. I live with herbalists and other teachers who heal injured wolves and teach classes on local flora. I’ve started hosting classes myself, but I’d much rather be teaching what I’ve read in books than what I’ve learned about plants.”


After a moment, Aryth quirked a brow and glanced over at the blond wolf. “You know, as a professor, knowledge is just as valuable to me as anything else. Perhaps you could return the favor by telling me a bit about your homeland? Or anything else fascinating outside of Rionnach?”

code by claerie

@Grigori (:

It was kind of Ayrth not to pay his cluelessness too much mind. He wasn’t always the quickest on the uptake and it might have earned him a fair share of teasing as a kid. But he wasn’t stupid enough not to realize when he was being stupid.. well, most of the time. He quirked a brow at the other’s optimism regarding their trip, wondering what might have provoked it. Then again, if he had to say, he was actually having a good time, so perhaps that’s all there is to it?

Grigori tried his best to follow at just the right distance and pace, wanting to be close enough to still see his companion’s face, but not so much that they’ll bump into each other if Aryth changes directions. He was quite relieved to find that he could understand most of what the smaller male had to say about his profession. The only part that lost him was about reeds in bugs, whatever that meant, but it seemed to be an afterthought, anyway. “Hah, they’re lucky to have ye” he let out a short bark of a laugh. “Teaches I knew as a kid were unbearably stuck up.” Not the best of his memories. Sitting quietly in one place and listening for an extended time never came easily to him, and then there’s having to remember it to make matters worse.. Admittedly, it wasn’t the worst time of his life either, but he was glad to have it behind him.

For a moment, the movement of his ears was the only sign he even heard Arythmetik’s offer. He considered it carefully in silence, but there was just no way he could feel good about taking it up. “Naw. Ain’t much to say ‘bout it, and I’d rather help ye with some physical labor. I’m good at that, and ye-“ ’Don’t seem to be’, he almost said, but realized in time that it might sound rude or demeaning. Besides, he didn’t really believe that. If anything, he thought the other was underselling his capabilities earlier. Aryth didn’t look weak or frail, Grigori might have taken a glance or two as they walked. “Ye don’t seem to like it.” he finished with a smile, before the pause could grow too awkward in length.

But the change of topic couldn’t be undone and thoughts of home forced their way into his mind. Truth be told, at first Grigori wanted to just avoid them as much as possible. His gaze shifted to the landscape as he tried to distract himself with chewing again. The more he thought about it, the more he realized how hopeless trying to outrun his own mind was. It was literally the only thing that could follow him to the end of the world. So if he could satisfy someone’s curiosity while he was at it.. might as well, then? But he’ll do it free of charge. “Compared to here, it was a dump. Dry, dusty and hot. I liked it, though.” His voice was quieter now, more contemplative. The grass folded under their paws softly, almost silently, nothing like the dry, almost crunching sound he knew from home.

“I was born in a frontier settlement and lived there most of my life. Strangers are a rare sight, everybody knows everybody kind of place. I don’t think I would’ve ever left if I didn’t catch one of the elders doin’ somethin’.. horrible. Wanted to bring ‘im to justice, but no one took what I said seriously.” Grigori shook his head, feeling the aftertaste of frustration and disbelief he had felt back then. They quickly gave way to anger. “Hell, maybe fuckers were in on it too, or had their own secrets to hide. Ain’t no way no one else noticed anything all this time.” He kicked at a pebble, then watched it come to a halt in the rich grass disappointingly fast.

It might have been a bad idea to bring that up, after all. The blonde male couldn’t imagine anything more efficient at souring the mood.. and he still withheld the actual reason why he had left. That he couldn’t bring himself to talk about. Grigori let out a sigh. “Sorry.” He looked to Aryth again. It reminded him that the company he had now was much better than most anyone back home, and after a moment that thought was enough for a faint hint of a smile to return to his lips.



„*”

A R Y T H M E T I K

If Aryth could have blushed, he would have. He wasn’t accustomed to compliments, but as he’d grown more outgoing (and grown into himself) he received more and more. But it felt affirming to receive even a passing positive reaction from a rugged stranger. The man’s barking laughter stoked a faint chuckle from the scholar as well. “Fair enough, I can think of a mentor or two who seriously need to retire…” They were old, grey, grumpy, and barely around anymore anyway. With the rising of a new monarchy, a new generation needed to rise up as well to teach, heal, fight, and influence the sacred land around them.


But just as Grigori was building Aryth up and inspiring his thoughts, he stumbled over his words. There was a brief pause while the blond male course-corrected, and Aryth blinked...then laughed whole-heartedly. He was nothing if not humble. Too humble, sometimes. And it was good for him to be brought back down to earth. “No, I...I don’t. And I appreciate that.” He grinned wryly at his walking companion, flicking his tail with humorous gusto. Someday Arythmetik might surprise himself by mastering a daring feat of physical prowess...but it wasn’t going to happen anytime soon. Still, as he gazed at Grigori’s handsome facade, he could see that something was amiss. He seemed honest enough, but also like he was...hesitating. Aryth was worried he crossed an invisible boundary, and he turned to look straight ahead, nodding with respect and unspoken understanding. They continued to stroll through the rolling, verdant hills, and the treeline in the distance grew larger as the faraway sound of rushing water pricked Aryth’s ears.


Suddenly, without prompting, Grigori started to talk about his homeland anyway. Inside, the scholar was thrumming with excitement. Outwardly, however, he strained not to react so that he wouldn’t embarrass the taller male at his side. His green eyes flickered sidelong to catch glimpses of Grigori’s face as he spoke. A frontier settlement, in unclaimed lands? There may not be any books written on such a place. Grigori continued, frustration plain on his face as he described corrupt elders and a fateful, but disturbing, event. It was no wonder he hadn’t been quick to discuss it. Part of Aryth felt honored that the man was comfortable enough to share. As he turned to apologize, Aryth’s lips parted, his emerald eyes widening ever so slightly. He wasn’t good at comforting people. He’d never been asked to do it. But Grigori wasn’t asking for sympathy or pity or anything of the sort. It was something softer than that, as Aryth could see by the smile hidden in the corners of his maw. Maybe friendship. Aryth didn’t smile, but his eyes were bright and he said warmly, “Don’t apologize. Frankly, I’m quite intrigued, but I would never ask you to talk about something you’d rather forget.”


As the pair continued to walk, they eventually made it to a river that blocked the path. Its white-grey waters cut a line through the flattened plain that stretched just in front of the Capital’s border. They were nearly in King Adamh’s territory (although, and many would argue this, all of Rionnach was his territory now). Aryth began to slow and turn along the bank, searching for a place where the water was shallow enough to walk across. “I’m sure what you saw was very painful. You’re not alone in that sort of suffering here. The locals may not show it, call it pride or stubbornness or denial, but our kingdom went through a sort of...betrayal recently, too. Many have died. Yet Castle Town continues on as though nothing has happened.” And I have, too, haven’t I?

code by claerie

@Grigori

Even when immersed in his bitter memories, Grigori could tell how attentively his companion was listening, hanging on every word, almost. Reading people wasn’t necessarily his strong suit, but knowing that Aryth was the studious type made it much easier to see it coming. The way the green-eyed male’s ears moved back and forth, a subtle dance to the beat of his intonation.. Somehow, it made drudging up the past feel worthwhile. “Eh, it’s not so much that I want to forget. It reminds me of what I want to do.” It’s just too unpleasant for fine company. Grigori balked at saying that, worrying it might be too bold. No matter how easily the conversation was going, it doesn’t change the fact that they only met a short while ago. It was tempting to enjoy his newly recovered bachelor status and flirt with anyone whose company he enjoyed, seeing as the first time around he got married before he could enjoy this kind of freedom.. but he could be patient enough to wait for more suitable circumstances.

“How ‘bout this – do ye have rattlesnakes here? Scorpions? Spiders so big ye’d struggle to fit one in yer muzzle?” Grigori grinned, wondering if the other will even believe such a thing without seeing it. A fair share of the rare travelers that passed through his home expressed sheer shock and horror when facing the spiders. The ones that also complained about the heat, anyway. They always said such things don’t exist in their temperate homelands. Such things the cowboy could easily talk about, without risking ruining their appetites by going into the details of just exactly what his settlement elder had done. Maybe it’d be more prudent to get his guide to tell him more about this place, instead of chatting away about the one he’s left behind. If only Aryth’s excitement for new knowledge wasn’t so difficult to turn down..

The river’s current was quite lively, it must have rained not too long ago. It made crossing it that much more difficult, but Grigori wasn’t too concerned. If there was something he could be as bold as to call his area of expertise, it would be this kind of survival skills. And when you live in a desert, you get quite familiar with a river that’s your main source of water. He watched the shape of the surface flow, listened for the sound of tumbling stones under the rushing water. But when Aryth started to shed some light on Rionnach’s recent history, he paused to listen. It was vague, but Grigori still sort of.. deflated, in disappointment. He might have naively hoped that this land wouldn’t have such problems. There were so many wolves making their home here, after all.. but it seems, the grander the place, the grander the problems. Maybe they’re just so grand that some individuals start to fall through the gaps, out of its reach. “Figures. Still.. are ye content, livin’ here?” Maybe there is enough good to outweigh the bad. The blonde male might be able to survive months in a wasteland, alone, but traveling wasn’t his calling. He didn’t want to walk more than was necessary, to find a home.

But at least he might have found their crossing. “Look there.” He pointed with his muzzle to water ahead of them. “The ripples are smaller ‘n softer, so it should be shallow and mostly even.” Maybe Arythmetik already knew this and he was trying too hard to impress, but it was worth the try. He trotted ahead, taking a step into the water to gauge their chances. It should be easy for him, but.. he glanced to the other male. Aryth wasn’t shabby, but he certainly wasn’t as strong as Grigori, either. “Stay close. That way ye won’t have to take on the full strength of the current.” The last thing he wanted was to accidentally drown the first friendly wolf he met here, so he wasn’t taking any chances.


„*”

A R Y T H M E T I K

So he was a man of action. Aryth heard stories of wolves who were driven by vengeance, pressed to the ends of the earth by desperation, helplessness, anger, revenge. Was Grigori one of those rough and tumble vagabonds? A hardened soul suffering beneath the surface? Then Grigori started talking about vicious critters, and the scholar released a bark of shocked laughter. He couldn’t help but think that the blond male would get along swimmingly with the Highlanders up north. After his laughter ebbed, Aryth realized that his companion was probably just trying to add gracious details about his homeland. “Oh you...you mean those are real creatures where you come from? Crivens!”


As they padded along the bank, Aryth’s gaze frequently clung to his counterpart’s determined visage. He was an observant wolf, and he could tell that the outlander was watching, listening, calculating. Grigori was keen, and Aryth had to admit he was impressed—especially if the other came from a land with giant spiders and snakes that rattled. He’d have to be keen to avoid those beasts, eh? “Well,” Aryth replied, grinning behind the bundle of dandelions, “I don’t know what a scorpion is, but I’m content to live in a place that doesn’t have face-sized spiders.” Muse glimmered in his eyes. “Truly...this is a beautiful land. It’s home. Even scars fade eventually...I hope.”


Aryth was so distracted by their conversation he barely noticed the shallow waters. He followed Grigori’s direction and nodded, happy that they were so seemingly in-sync. Aryth started to wade in, and the cold water rushing over his toes sent a shock through his nerves. But it was an invigorating, brisk sensation, and his autumn-hued coat bristled with energy. Grigori suggested he stay close, and suddenly Aryth was embarrassed again. Had he painted himself as such a weakling that the other male felt the urge to protect him? But as he strode further into the water, he could feel it pushing against his ankles, making his paws stumble against the slippery pebbles. Immediately, he moved closer to Grigori’s side. “Er...yeah, that’s probably a fair idea.” You bleedin’ dobber. Aryth cleared his throat, and after silently chastising himself, he thrummed, “Tell me more about these ‘scorpions?’ Castle Town should be close once we cross the river.”


Indeed, once they managed to make it to the other side, and the sound of rushing water faded, they’d be able to hear the din of Rionnach’s largest city in the distance.

code by claerie

@Grigori
ooc. If you're up for it, I'm asking about whether or not we can continue this thread in the Castle Stuart forum!