Raise Your Glass

Aurora

Taking in a breath of the brilliant Spring air, the delicate woman had intercepted her uncle on his way out to attend the Winery after months of neglect from any of the immediate family members. Perhaps it had been a bit bold of her to do but she would offer to go herself since he had been so busy with the more political side of things after the war, causing the older man to reluctantly agree to her going in his stead. It had been about half a year since she last was in the Lowlands, however, she had nearly asked Victorian to travel along with her but there was a raised bit of flustering at even the idea of him since that night in the Lagoon that hardly felt real. Focus on things other than him is what she needed to do and this little trip without him was a perfect step in the right direction as she entered Edinburgh at long last.

The last time she had gone was when she had instructed Gwydion to leave and she kind of hoped to see him here again as her lungs absorbed the smells in silent hope she might pick up his scent. No such luck would find her, rather, all too familiar herbs would lace the air from her a different companion she had dragged along with her. Well, dragged wasn’t really the right word. The moment she had mentioned where she was going, it seemed like the chimera would latch onto her with the insistence on joining her which she had idly accepted, in part to ward away unnecessary guards flocking to her.

“Danny, m-m-must you always get distracted? We are nearly there,” she huffed a little, seeing them falter to their normal curiosities, though she hadn’t the foggiest what pulled their attention away this time. She smiled to herself as she glanced back toward a spattering of white and black, forever amazed by the other’s endless childlike wonder even though they were her senior, her teacher, her doctor. She wished her own mind could stay so occupied by simple wonders like it once had. Four years in this world had started to dull her excitement at such simple things. Maybe it wasn’t that at all. Her mental health had been diving up and down like an unhinged teeter totter that can’t decide which side is heavier.

Loss. Love. Pain. Happiness. Depression. It all weaved and interlaced if she let it get to her head. Some days she slept for extended periods while others she stayed up for days at a time, tired but unable to sleep. She had refrained from addressing any of it, dabbling in herbs she had to try to counter it only to fall to the opposite extreme. The desire to dwell on such thoughts today were ignored, focusing on the nice weather for a change and it uplifted her as her ears preened at a gentle gust of wind rolling the flora gently.

Rounding the bend, eyes would become bright as a field of vines well maintained went on for a while, guiding the eye to a large manor a little further up the way where the berries and grapes would be housed to ferment to perfection and not mold. She’d skip ahead, a light bounce in her steps as she went to greet some of the employees that greeted her with open arms. Many of the workers seemed glad to see the delicate noble, far more than had the patriarch shown. She’d turn toward the doctor with a gentle smile, waiting for them to hobble over so they might go inside the lavished winery.

Dwelling beneath the eyes of nobility was a far cry from the mangrove swamps once called a more permanent home yet within the manor, beneath another’s roof, they’d lingered for many moons now. Ignoring the insistence of extravagance and properness thrust upon them whenever making contact with the family’s wait staff. Phrases which earned each a short bout of laughter, the politest way the doctor could decline before continuing on their way. It only mattered should it fall from darling Aurora’s lips and all they’d promised her thus far was not to track mud and debris in, not to fiddle with the silly decorum which adorned the walls or sat perched upon pedestals. Not to bring too much of their work through the gathering areas of the home where her uncle and his guests often met.

Rules easy enough to follow. Though Dantès knew all too well that even should one adhering to such declarations, it would not keep them from evading trouble beneath scrutinizing eyes. Luck could not be pressed here. At least when the title of doctor - a physician vouched for by the house’s darling no less - lay atop their crown, other more peculiar aspects of their mannerisms were allowed to slide with nothing more than a sneer or distasteful remark. Oddities partially ignored whenever one called them to attend to proclaimed ‘higher’ company. How easily substance could be mixed into applications or slipped into drinks… but here they would behave. At least for now.

Yet for those who did not enjoy their company, today should be a joyous occasion for nearly as soon as they’d emerged from darkened quarters the chimeric doctor was swift to cling to the presence of another. Saddling up alongside a girl both patient and student with a familiar glint in their eyes and a wide grin stretching over their lips. Talons offering a resounding click against the stone flooring, lingering within her space as they always did even when eyes danced ever watchful. Query falling over what riveting matters encompassed her time… only to be drawn into it themself.

A winery, that’s where she was headed. How exciting! Surely some truly fascinating herbs could be found along the way to Edinburgh and once within its embrace, the very vineyard itself. There lingered no doubt that such a thing surrounded constructs of stone and there was no telling what may discovered there. Just what could be squirreled away beneath their noses, tucked into a satchel amidst various vegetations - a bag they insisted on bringing. For even now they snatched up plants that could both help and harm, tossing each into the canvas. Though as they began to drift further from Aurora’s steps those familiar tones called out.

Phrases drawing their gaze to narrow but a smile to grow, “Do not worry my dear Aurora. I’m not going anywhere.” Yet they would not deny distraction, instead they would bring it to her as fangs snipped away a cluster of sweetly fragranced blooms. Prancing to her side they waved the stalk of floral buds in her direction before their own lyrics fell in muffled disarray, “Meadowsweet, for soothing medications and drink.” At least that is what they’d heard, that some brewers had taken to using it within alcoholic indulgences. Perhaps her family did as well? Not that it mattered, this particular plant held its own uses in their eyes.

Their paces would slow again as the mix of lacy flowers and leafy stalks were placed amongst all else gathered on this venture so far. Only to glean Aurora’s frame growing ever smaller as she bounded ahead - eager to greet those who awaited her upon the steps and lingered at the winery’s doorway. However, it was clear eyes were upon them - their darling student’s included - whatever rooting around they wished to do in the vineyards would have to wait. Though it did not stop the way fangs stole away a few berries before uneven gait carrying them up to where the small group stood. Good leg nearly hopping up the smooth stairway to evade putting pressure upon a limb better off removed. A task for another time.

For now they needed to keep focus, evade the temptations of flesh that wandered in the secluded sections of the fields or even in the shadowed halls just beyond those doors. Briefly attentions turned toward the assumed workers as dark tongue swiped away the lingering juices. Content to stare at them for that brief moment before that mismatched gaze flickered back to one known. The only wolf known in this instant, “Friends of yours?” Or did they always show such delight when greeting a would be employer?

Aurora

She watched them for a few long moments, her eyes growing sleepy as her tail swayed from side to side in silent contemplation of wondering if bringing them here was really the best idea. They loved touching everything in the Helvig estate; she wouldn’t be surprised if she’d have to slap their paws around things here too that they could break. Not that there was too much they could break here at the vineyard unless they were so clumsy they stomped on every item from one side to the other, leaving behind a bitter destruction that even a dry summer couldn’t try to beat. Okay her imagination was getting ahead of itself, it wasn’t like she was watching a cow stomping around the place without a care in the world. The Doctor was more graceful in an often rather unsettling way, and with a far smaller frame.

The sentiment to behave and follow along wouldn’t go unnoticed but even she had to let out a soft hum of uncertainty that they were being entirely honest but there was at least truth there. “You have been a r-r-rare constant in my life. I guess I can’t f-f-fault you for loyalty in bbbeing my ever-curious shadow,” she smiled gently, though lost a little composure when the chimera suddenly grew closer into her space which she should really be used to by now but each time she always found a prickle of anxiety weaving into her skin in anticipation of contact. No touch would come, at least not this time, as they managed to pause at her side instead of growing as close as possible into her personal bubble.

“I sometimes use it in my tea when I want something a bit l-l-less sweet. It can be a little spicy or too medicinal though, which makes it not the best for a c-c-coherent blend with a sold product if we can’t control the taste well enough,” she addressed with a semiprofessional tone but in the end she sounded as mousey as ever as she peered up at the herbs then away as she started to head off and make more progress so she might find relaxation sooner.

Once she had reached the place, she would come to regain their company soon enough, finding the worker dispersed when the chimera approached. It wasn’t all that surprising; they weren’t always as friendly as one might hope for when it came to strangers. “I’ve known a lot of them since I was a child, they are kind of l-l-like family but I’m still their boss,” she answered, sounding more and more disheartened with each passing word. “Was there anything in particular you wished to do, Danny?” she asked, unsure if they were after a drink or something else here.