Walking Delusions

a/n: I decided to go ahead and post the next chapter. Hopefully it will inspire readers to comment. I'd like to know if anyone is reading or if I'm wasting my time in posting this. It's nearly complete, I'm in the midst of writing the last three chapters so updates won't take long.

In any case, I now present chapter two! Enjoy.

Chapter Two: World’s Collide

Wandering slowly, carefully, eyes all around me.
I feel alone and yet surrounded.
His eyes are on me; I shiver with the thought.
I feel completely undone by the look in golden orbs.
The sensuality, the lust, the utter abandon.
Is the look for me, am I worthy of such thoughts?
Still I hesitate, my foot on the threshold…
Do I know him as well as he has guessed me?
It is so hard to believe that something could be,
On the edge of my insanity, I have lost my reality…
We are the same, he and I.
The same in truth, and the same in lies.

I don’t know how much time passed before I awoke. I don’t think that I even dreamed. I stirred, emitting a groan at the fresh wave of pain that coursed through my body. My eyes opened slowly, revealing very blurred vision. I saw the darkness of night, with the sky so black it was nearly blue, and pinpoints of light, obviously stars. Out of the corner of my eyes something burned orange and yellow, most likely a fire.

I couldn’t think too deeply though, not for the pounding in my skull. My head spun and my mouth was dry. My first thought was that I could not feel the weight of the chain as I turned my head from side to side; my blurred vision vaguely making out three odd shapes huddled around what I assumed to be a fire. I tried to touch my neck, to ensure that the collar was gone but something restrained my hands, pulling at my wrists. I whined pathetically as I struggled against it, realizing that they weren’t bound together but to something else apart.

“Naam, fai uwo utudo,” (1) came a soft spoken female voice. I had no idea what she just said; it was in a language I did not recognize.

I turned my head, trying to locate the source of the voice as I jerked against the bindings, arching against the ground. I couldn’t discern anything but shapeless shadows and it made me panic irrationally. A hand came out of nowhere, placing itself firmly on my chest, pinning me down and ceasing my struggling.

“Wha… what’s going on?” I croaked, my voice barely above a whisper. Even I was shocked by the sound of it. It felt like as if I had been screaming for hours on end, with no one to hear my call. Slowly, my vision cleared when I blinked several times, moisture returning to my parched eyes.

A small, wooden cup was thrust into my view as a hand placed itself against the back of my head, helping to guide my lips to the rim of the cup. I accepted the aid gratefully, sniffing the contents before sipping at it as best as I was able. It was water, pure and simple. Never had I tasted anything sweeter. It destroyed my thirst thankfully but I wanted more. I leaned forward, to drink, and groaned slightly when I realized that the cup was empty. It moved out of my line of sight and I turned my attention elsewhere.

“Thank you,” I said softly, my voice still cracking. I looked up into the concerned jade-green eyes of a golden-haired young woman. Her pale ivory skin glinted in the glow of the firelight, surprising me with her beauty. For a moment, I thought I really had appeared in heaven and that above me was an angel. It felt very inadequate and plain in that moment, inwardly cursing my average looks thoroughly.

She gave me a confused look; apparently she did not understand me either. Either that or I seemed very strange to her. In second thought, it was probably a little bit of both.

To my left, another figure shifted. My eyes caught the sudden movement and I turned my head, wanting to see what was going on. A man stood from in front of the fire, turning to face the stranger and I before walking over to us. I could feel my breath take a hitch at the sight of his face but not because he was beautiful, no, but because he was ugly.

He had a heavyset brow and dark eyes that seemed to hold no compassion, no warmth. His short and pale hair was scruffy, standing out in all directions as if he had never brushed it or bothered to get it cut properly. His face was fat and puffy like a man with some weight on him though his body was lean and thin, a startling contrast. His fine lips were drawn into a continuous sneer, as if he were scowling at me. He wore a set of dingy brown robes with long sleeves and bound with a black piece of fabric, sandals covering his dirty feet as if he never bathed.

Abruptly, the dirty man and the beautiful, clean might I add, young woman began to converse in that odd language. It was very disconcerting to be lying down, tied to something while two people talked over me in a language I did not understand. I tested my feet by lifting them slowly. Yep, they were bound too. Resigned to my fate, I watched the interactions of the two with interest. At least I was not getting dragged around by a collar and forced to march endlessly.

Despite his dirty appearance, the man did not stink. He looked human as well, not much to fear in that, relatively speaking. After all, humans were known to do the very worst things to one another. War, Plague, Bombs, was I really any safer with my own kind than the grunts? I suppose it depended on the individual. And I hoped that these individuals were trying to help and not harm. After a few minutes of conversation, the man knelt down beside me, his brown eyes meeting my own.

“Jinuta?” he questioned in a word I did not understand. I gave him a blank look and he sighed, continuing. “Tik-tik-aou? Salut?” Three different languages, one right after another, leaving me to believe he was a scholar of sorts.

Perhaps he would know my language. I recognized that last, believing it to be French. I knew a little bit of French, had to take it in high school. Had three years of it but I don’t think I could form a coherent sentence even if someone pointed a gun to my head. ... I take that back. Especially if someone pointed a gun to my head. I don’t work well under that kind of pressure.

I shook my head. “Not French, English,” I responded evenly in English. I tried my hardest to keep the damn southern drawl out of my voice as well. I hated how it made me sound like an idiot.

I wasn’t born in the South but I had the nasty habit of picking up any accent if I had been exposed to it for longer than a few minutes. Not that all Southerners are idiots or anything, but you have to admit, ‘ya’ll’ and incorrect grammar does not make a person sound intelligent. It’s simply the truth. And it doesn’t sound pretty either, like someone speaking German. Anything in that language sounds like a curse word!

His eyes widened in shock, giving him a slightly comical expression. Like a pissed off guppy. Ha, ha. “English is a dead language!” he exclaimed. “I have not heard it spoken for nearly a century!” He spoke carefully; every word measured and in proper English. I’ve heard native speakers with worse grammar than him. Sad... so very sad.

I furrowed my brow in slight confusion. If it was a dead language, then how come he knew it? So I asked. “Can’t be that dead,” I retorted. “You’re speaking it right now.”

Dark brown eyes stared, as if uncertain how to combat that. He shifted in place, perhaps getting comfortable. “It is a requirement for my order,” he began slowly, carefully watching my face for a reaction. “Many of the ancient manuscripts are written in the old tongue. But, why do you speak it?” Still being kind and considerate, despite my rude words, what kind of man was this guy? The type I always called a doormat, or at least, that was my first impression.

“Where I come from, everyone speaks English,” I snapped, pursing my lips in thought. It was an exaggeration but he didn’t have to know that. In the great melting pot of America, sometimes English was the least of the languages spoken. Maybe we should invent an American language and make everyone in the United States learn it. A strange thought to hit me considering the circumstances, but I was rapidly degenerating into insanity, the bonds on my wrist and lying prostrate a disconcerting feeling.

“My apologies,” he replied hastily, dipping his head in what I could only assume to be an apologetic bow. “I did not mean to offend you.”

I chewed on a lip. “I’d be a lot less offended if you’d untie my hands.”

To my right, the still unnamed female snorted, a sound that was remarkably akin to a barely restrained laughter. “Fai kur cuqid ca sow?”(2) she asked, turning her attentions to the brunet. Her emerald eyes sparkled with mirth, gesturing towards me with one rather delicately boned hand.

He nodded. “Elc lev’g qi’English.”

“Naam!” She smirked widely, rising quickly to her feet and brushing bits of dirt and small rocks from her baggy trousers. “Fai cedo kuwo ay sow.” After that enigmatic statement, she strode away back towards the fire, hips swinging seductively. The other figures looked up as she approached and left me alone with Mr. Dirt and Brown Robes.

I couldn’t help the look of distrust I gave him. Tied up and alone with a strange man, this was the type of situation young women were warned about. The kind where you checked your drink for a date rape drug or something.

He didn’t seem perturbed by my glare; however, merely reaching for the ropes with his fat, grubby fingers and speaking to me as if I cared. “I am Ryou,” he introduced as he untied my wrists. Gratefully, I stretched my arms as I sat up, this Ryou redeeming himself with that small action.

“Anne,” I replied before laying into him, questions pouring from my lips like water as I demanded answers. “Why am I here? Where am I? What happened? What are you going to do to me? Why was I tied?” I didn’t care whether he could answer them as quickly as I asked, I was just glad to be able to put voice to the insecurities that had gripped me ever since I appeared here... wherever here was.

He held up his hands in surrender, his thin lips curling into a smile that came off as more of a skeletal grimace. “Patience, please. One question at a time. I still have to translate.”

“Sorry.” I apologized more out of reflex than any real regret. I was still put out by the entire situation, even if Ryou and his companions hadn’t been the initial cause. I didn’t appreciate being tied down. And the apology would do well in keeping the good treatment. Maybe they were decent people and wouldn’t try to sell me as a slave. With my hands free, they instantly went to my neck, feeling nothing but bandages. I breathed a sigh of relief.

Ryou nodded knowledgably when he noticed my motions. “Yes, the Ectows did a number on you. It was lucky that we came across their trail otherwise you would have been a slave by the end of tomorrow.” He bit his lip, busying himself by fiddling with the ties that once bound my wrists. “You should be thankful that Melath loathes Ectows and ordered us to kill them. Otherwise, he might not have cared about your predicament.”

Well, wasn’t that revealing? Heroes and knights in shining armor these people were not. I hoped that they didn’t expect any repayment because I was pretty sure that the few crumpled dollar bills in my back pocket wouldn’t have sufficed. And there was no way in hell they were getting the silver Celtic ring on my finger. It was practically a family heirloom... well, as soon as I made a family to pass it down into.

My ears perked up at the name ‘Melath’ however, instantly exciting my inherent and sometimes dangerous curiosity. After all, it was that curiosity that initially got me mixed up with those creatures... the Ectows as he called them. “Melath?” For some reason, the name was vaguely familiar. I frowned as I stared down at the ground, idly rubbing on my bandaged wrists.

“Our leader,” Ryou explained succinctly, gesturing with a head nod to one of the blurred shapes near the fire. “Or as close to one as we have. One of the more polite elves I have met.”

It was getting stranger and stranger. Elves? Ectows? Where in the hell was I? A dream? A reality? Nothing seemed concrete anymore. I shook my head in confusion, slumping against the ground.

“Ectows and fairy tales... what the fuck happened to me?”

Ryou eyed me with disbelief, shifting his body to reach my bound feet and undo those ropes as well. “You speak as if you are not from here,” he commented, fishing for information.

“Why was I tied down?” I mumbled a question in answer as I looked around me. I had been lying on a soft cotton blanket. I remembered dimly a wonderful spicy smell emanating from the cloth; its aroma was of mystery and intrigue, completely and utterly attractive. I did not respond to his statement simply because I did not know how. I didn’t even know where ‘here’ was.

“You were thrashing about in your sleep, crying with nightmares. We thought you would hurt yourself,” he answered with a shrug before sitting back on his butt, draping a robed arm over one of his bent knees. “You did not answer my earlier question.”

I sighed, scrubbing a hand over my face. “How can I? I don’t even know where here is!” I snapped in response, not liking the distrustful glances he was shooting my way as I gingerly tested out the strength of my legs and ignored the weakness in my body.

Just then my stomach growled and I realized just how hungry I was. The Ectows didn’t really try to feed me anything that was not rotten or uncooked. I covered my belly with my hands, embarrassed by the sound it had emitted, and especially considering that I had just snapped at him.

“Where are my manners?” Ryou suddenly exclaimed, completely aghast at his own behavior and interrupting my inner thoughts. He shoved himself to his feet, brushing grass leaflets from his robes before holding out a hand to me, offering his aid in standing.

I looked at the proffered appendage, not in confusion, but concerned that they might not have been clean, judging by the state of the rest of his body. Had he never heard of a bath... or even a jump into the river? My hesitation must have led him to believe I was questioning him because his next words were an obvious assurance.

“Come to the fire. I will introduce you to the others. And perhaps get you something to eat.”

His hands were surprisingly clean, I noted. I nodded in agreement and took his hand as he gently hauled me to my feet. I swayed a moment, my legs unsteady. His other arm darted out, catching my back before I fell. I relaxed into his hold, surprised that he did not stink as much as I thought he would for being so dirty. In fact, he smelled pleasantly fresh and herbal as if had just took a bath. His robes were soft to the touch, much like the blanket. They must have been made of the same material. And his body exuded this kind of unnatural warmth and heat. It was weird.

“Thanks,” I breathed, strangely affected by his nearness. My mouth pulled into a puzzled frown as I looked up at him from my much smaller height.

He smiled at me, the corners of his mouth crinkling up like crow’s feet but caused by extra weight rather than age. “You are welcome,” Ryou responded, gently removing his hand from my back. I stared into his dark eyes for a moment before he started leading me towards the fire, aiding my steps the entire way. My legs felt like lead while my head was light and spinning, seemingly attached like a helium balloon on a string.

At that odd picture, I had to stifle a slightly insane giggle. I had the feeling that Ryou would not understand the joke. Besides, I had much bigger problems to worry about, my mind bouncing back and forth like an old game of Pong. I had determined that I was no longer in my world, no longer on Earth. Well, either that or I was somewhere in time, past or future.

But was I dreaming then? Because there was no plausible, scientific explanation for me ending up in another world when I was hit by a garbage truck. Unless I was in heaven... or more appropriately, hell, considering what had happened to me. I stifled a sigh, managing not to attract Ryou’s attention as he steered me towards the fire, determined to introduce me to my rescuers. Knights in shining armor these people definitely were not.

Ryou plopped down around the fire, gesturing that I should sit next to him as he curled his legs under his body. I hesitated, warily searching the faces of the others. I was met with slightly curious gazes that did nothing for my nervousness. And once I realized I was only being stared at, I sat down between Ryou and the blonde woman I recognized from before. Truthfully, the only female in their motley group.

There was a moment of silence before almost immediately, the four companions began conversing in their own language, leaving me completely out of the loop, their words too rapid for me to even catch syllables.

I stared like a damn tourist at the people around me but was distracted when I felt a nudge on my left shoulder. I turned, finding Ryou handing me a wooden bowl filled with a delightfully steaming substance. I took it gratefully and inhaled the scent. It was herbed and fresh with meat and to my aching belly, it smelled as good as an expensive French dinner.

Like a starving child, I scooped up a hot spoonful with the wooden utensil and shoved it into my mouth, nearly choking in the process. The soup was scorching as hell, which I should have guessed from the copious amount of steam, not that it deterred me from shoveling more and more in. I coughed a few times, trying to clear the food from my throat. I received a concerned glance from Ryou but merely glared at him, determined to choke on my food in peace.

It was delicious, or perhaps that was just my hunger speaking. I dove viciously into the stew, ignoring the burning on my tongue and in my throat, delighting in the feeling of the food hitting my stomach. It was only a couple of minutes later before I was scraping the final remnants of the stew out of the bowl, having gobbled that meal down faster than a.... hmm, insert clever analogy here. I’m sure I would have thought of one eventually.

Unsure what to do with it, I held the bowl in my hands and cradled it in my lap, once again completely ignored by Ryou and his companions. With little else to do, I found my gaze attracted by the fire. I watched the brilliant dance of the yellow and orange flames as they twisted and turned around each other. It was mesmerizing really, watching fire as it worked its magic, burning... surviving.

It was then that I felt the weight of someone’s eyes on me. My skin prickled and I shivered unintentionally. My head snapped up, my eyes scanning the four friends. Only one of them even seemed to be looking in my direction, but his face held only disinterest. He seemed familiar to me… somehow. I squinted my eyes in concentration. Why couldn’t I remember?

A hand clasped me on the back, startling me from my inner thoughts and bringing me back down to Earth... or wherever I was. Startled, I looked up into the dark eyes of Ryou. He was laughing, the extra fat in his face jiggling with his laughter but he wasn’t actually directly speaking to me. I furrowed my brow in confusion, unsure of what he meant by touching me, irritation welling up inside of me and igniting my bitchier side.

“I thought you were going to introduce me,” I muttered underneath my breath, shooting him an annoyed stare.

He flushed with embarrassment so bright that I could see it, even by the dim light of the fire. “Forgive me, Anne. I had forgotten,” he apologized sheepishly. I merely nodded once and motioned that he should continue. He rapidly called out something, gaining the attentions of the others. Immediately, three pairs of curious eyes were turned in my direction and I shifted uncomfortably under the weight of their stare.

Ryou gestured towards the woman on my right. “She is Ivory. Stronger than she looks and rather quick to anger.” He smiled faintly, eyes twinkling. “Her moods are changeable as well.”

Slightly nervous by his description of her, I nevertheless stuck out my hand in greeting, an apprehensive half smile on my face that came out more as a pained grimace. Her emerald gaze flickered from my face to my hand, then back again, head cocked to the side in a clear question. She looked at me and then at it, a question on her face.

“I am Anne,” I said simply, pushing my hand a little closer to her. She made no motions to accept the proffered hand, eyes shifting towards Ryou with a raised eyebrow. I felt foolish, my hand dangling out in thin air, the familiar fears of being unaccepted in society rising up within me.

I turned towards Ryou, lowering my voice despite the fact I knew they couldn’t understand what I was saying. “Does she not know what a handshake is?”

“Hand-shake?” he repeated the word as if uncertain of its meaning, looking at my hand still stuck out sadly into the air. “I’m not sure what you mean exactly, but we do not touch if we have just met,” he replied slowly.

My face reddened in embarrassment, feeling every bit the hick from the country. “Oh,” I responded, my hand falling limply to my side, figuring the other three now saw me as an idiot. What a great way to make a first impression. It suddenly felt like the seventh grade all over again, when I was forced to transfer to a new school in a new state and meet new people.

Ivory inclined her head at me, which I took as a mundane sort of handshake, hoping that she didn’t think me a complete idiot. Swallowing down my embarrassment, I shifted my attention to the next of this motley group, the silver-haired man sitting to her right. I sucked in my breath, now that I was finally paying him close attention.

He was pretty enough to be a woman with his large, luminous sapphire eyes and long hair, tied into a high ponytail that hung loosely down his back, revealing his elegantly pointed ears. Amber skin was slightly hidden beneath light colored pants, belted at the waist and a dark long-sleeved shirt.

Ryou gestured towards him. “He is Melath, just a bit too far from home.”

Taking my lessons from Ivory, I nodded at Melath who returned with a bob of his own head. I breathed a sigh of relief at not having made a fool of myself in front of him. Not that it would have been the first time I’ve embarrassed myself faced with some hot guy. I won’t go into the story of Derek and the Jell-O.

“And that silent but deadly creature over there is Vincent.” Ryou smiled broadly before he leaned over to whisper conspiratorially in my ear, “They say they don’t know English but it would not surprise me if Vincent is lying. He doesn’t say much, but when he does, why his words have even caused our normally calm leader to demand a duel once or twice.”

I nodded my head as I dimly heard him, my mind too occupied with describing the man known as Vincent. If I had thought Melath was stunning then here I was viewing his equal if not better. Yet, while Melath was the beauty of the sun and the sky, Vincent was the beauty of the night and stars, like carved polished onyx.

Brooding golden eyes, like pools of melted treasure were slightly shielded by the loose bangs of his long ebony hair, pulled back into a length of braid that trailed down his back and revealing somewhat pointed ears pierced by golden rings several times over. Dark pants and a white tank-like top revealed the curious symbols tracing the length of his arms, from shoulder to his wrist in an artistic display of black ink on cream-colored skin.

“Well, what do you think of us?” asked Ryou, grinning broadly.

I shook my head at him. “What am I supposed to say? What an amazing group of people you have here?” I questioned, gesturing with one hand towards them. “I can’t even talk to them!”

Ryou actually laughed at my cursing. I suppose he found it amusing. “Donnil is not far from here. We will pass through it tomorrow. There is a temple of my order there where we can acquire a spell to help fix that. It is expensive but I’m sure it is quite worth it.” He took the empty bowl and spoon from my hand, tossing it towards a pile of other dirty cookware.

I idly wondered who would be the one forced to clean them, secretly hoping it wasn’t me. Even back home I hated doing the dishes, always grumbling that we should just buy disposable. I also I hoped that that wasn’t how they intended I earn the money to pay for the spell.

“I don’t have any money,” I mumbled to myself, my tone glum.

Ryou shook his head. “Actually, you do. You just have to be willing to spend it.” He dug into his robes, producing a small brown sack. It jangled loudly in his hands before he tossed it to me. Not a wise choice. I was forced to try and catch it, doing a non-graceful awkward maneuver that left me half-sprawled on the ground before I managed to pluck the heavy sack from the air.

I kept my gaze carefully on the sack, ignoring the burning in my cheeks. I was doing a hell of a job making an ass out of myself.

I pulled open the strings and checked inside, the glint of many different types of metal and jewels caught my eye. The other members of the group talked quietly among each other at this exchange. I could feel eyes upon me, but I dared not look. I did not want anyone to see the look of immense greed on my face. I was no appraiser but I knew at a glance it was a hell of a lot of money!

“This does not belong to me!” I declared, eyes wide. My hands hurriedly closed the strings of the money purse and shoved it between my legs. I knew it wasn’t mine but I was prepared to fight to the death to keep it.

He smiled faintly at my reaction. “We appropriated it from the dead Ectows. Consider it them repaying you for suffering.”

“I couldn’t…” I stammered, although my mind was screaming Yes! Yes you can! “I mean, you all saved me, you should keep the money.” I still made no move to return it to him, the angel and demon sitting on my shoulder were having a healthy little argument. I offered out of clear politeness, I believe, because I certainly didn’t want to give it back. It was more money than I have ever seen in my life.

Ryou laughed again. I found his laughter encouraging for some reason. It relaxed me, making me feel as if I was safe. “Believe me! That is just one of the bags we found. There were others. We have our share! Quite a rewarding day in fact. A pretty woman like you and enough money to last us until winter!”

Pretty? He thought I was pretty? Me, plain mousy average Anne, pretty? My mouth dropped with his answer, the surprise evident on my face. Warmth flushed across my face and I knew I was blushing, surprising considering that I had little to no shame. A quiet little virgin I was not. What was the song? Lady on the street but a freak in the bed? Yeah, that was me. But for some reason, Ryou’s idle compliment had me giggling and flushing like a schoolgirl even as I shot him a look of complete surprise. I was average, and compared to Ryou’s companions, the three of them probably some of the most attractive on whatever planet I was on; I was a frumpy mouse.

Ryou looked at me. “Why do you look so confused?” He cocked his head to the side, shifting his position until one hand was draped over a knee. The others paid us little attention, Melath and Ivory discussing something on their own while Vincent sat there in silence. Occasionally, I felt the weight of his golden gaze and frankly, it unnerved me.

“No one has ever called me pretty before,” I responded, my eyes turning away from him in embarrassment. My hands fell to my lip, and I couldn’t help but run my fingers over the brown leather sack, silently weighing the jewels and coins. I couldn’t even fathom what to do with so much money.

He frowned, clearly disappointed by my remark. “I can’t say much for their taste then. You definitely are a sight for sore eyes.” He smiled gently then, clearly ready to dish out another compliment. “Any man would be crazy to deny you, Miss Anne.”

I did not respond, a yawn interrupting whatever I was going to say as my body slumped tiredly. The movement elicited a small groan when stabs of dull pain from my yet completely unhealed wounds rocked through me. I tried to stifle the noise but failed miserably, immediately catching Ryou’s attention.

He was instantly apologetic, and poured on the motherly concern. “Apologies, Miss Anne. I did not realize you were so exhausted.”

I tried to wave him away, hating being treated as if I were a child. I had outgrown that stage a long time ago, if indeed I had ever really had one. “No, really, I believe I’m fine.” Nor did I want to appear weak in front of them. I already seemed like a clumsy, brainless oaf. I didn’t want to add weakness and complete incompetence on top of that.

Although I could not talk to them, I knew that they were watching me, judging me. Ryou had not said it, but I knew that they were already making up their minds about what type of person I was and I was determined to prove to them wrong. I hated it when people made assumptions about me. I have always refused to conform to standards, although my menial and average ways do sometimes disprove that aspect of myself.

He shook his head at my words, dark eyes kind and full of concern. “You are no doubt fatigued from your ordeal. It was not exactly pleasant.”

“Yes, but-” I hesitated with my words. I really didn’t want to be a burden on top of my ineptitude. They had already saved me once, gaining their amusement when I made a complete fool of myself, and they didn’t have to. Although I was tired I was more concerned by the fact that I had nothing of my own to sleep on and I did not want to take someone else’s. I knew if I tried to sleep on the ground, someone would take pity on me. Being pitied was one of my pet peeves.

But Ryou was more stubborn than I gave him credit for. “No. Melath put you under my care and I’ll be damned if I get a tongue-lashing when you faint!” he huffed. “Besides, your wounds need to be cleansed and rewrapped.”

My hands immediately went to my neck, wincing when I felt the slight dampness that indicated I was bleeding through the wrappings. He really was concerned for my welfare after all. Strange to meet such courtesy. I was used to a world lacking in respect and kindness so faced with his sheer benevolence, I was left slightly baffled. He was undoubtedly the sweetest man I had met in some time. How could I have ever wrinkled my nose at him, thinking him dirty? Appearances weren’t always what they seemed, even I should have known that.

I sighed. “Very well.”

He smiled, pushing up his cheeks into his eyes, causing them to appear even smaller, as he hauled himself to his feet. He looked over to his leader and said something. Melath nodded in understanding before returning to his conversation with Ivory. Ryou reached down, offering me his hand. I took his aid, allowing the stronger man to pull me to my feet. At least being average, I did not weigh too much or too little.

He gestured towards the blanket I had been lying on earlier before turning back to the fire, his gaze falling on the dark-haired man. “Vincent, uwo fai loqogern carensc?”(3)

Vincent shrugged as he tore his gaze away from the dancing flames, looking up at Ryou and responding rather simply, “Ne carensc,”(4) before returning back to his contemplative looks into the fire. I was really beginning to dislike the language barrier, unable to help the sneaky suspicion that I was missing some important part of their conversation.

“What was that about?” I mumbled as I sat down on the previously abandoned blanket. It felt so comfortable to me, heightening the fatigue that was beginning to take a toll on my body.

“Lie down,” Ryou ordered, ignoring my question as he settled in a kneel next to me. “It will be easier for me to take care of the wounds on your neck and wrist that way.”

I complied, my body reclining on its own. I was beginning to feel really drowsy. My belly was filled with the warm delicious stew and the blanket beneath me was soft and full. I almost could not believe I was lying outside on the ground. I relaxed, inhaling the now familiar spicy and exotic scent wrapped up in the folds.

My gaze was automatically drawn upwards, taking in the cloudy sky that completely obscured all traces of the stars. For once, I actually wished to see them, wondering if I would see the same constellations as on Earth. A storm must be moving in. I wished that it would not rain while I slept.

“Ryou?” I asked sleepily, struggling to keep my eyes open. I was so tired; I could barely feel the movements of his hands on my wrist and neck. I wondered if they put a sleeping draught in my food or something.

“Yes?”

I wrinkled my forehead. “Whose blanket did I steal?”

Ryou laughed softly. “It is Vincent’s. Do not worry, he does not sleep like you and I. He will not need it tonight.” His fingers felt rather deft as they worked on my wounds, surprising because I knew them to be rather fat and clumsy looking.

“I suppose I’ll have to thank him,” I mumbled.

He snorted, body shaking with silent laughter. “Good luck.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked, raising an eyebrow in confusion. I winced as he applied some type of herb to the abrasions and cuts on my wrist. It stung only a bit, much like hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol.

Ryou paused, seeming to be considering a response before finally shaking his head. “He does not like to be reminded of his humanity. But that is a topic for later discussion. Go to sleep now.”

How does one not like to be reminded of his humanity? What was he, a monster? Unconsciously, my gaze flickered to the fire, just barely able to see the outline of Vincent. What a strange concept? Then another yawn attacked me as I smacked my lips sleepily. All ponderings on Vincent would have to wait for another time, when I was slightly more alert. But before I could drift off into sleep, there was one more question I had to ask.

I waited until I caught Ryou’s gaze. “Why are you willing to help a complete stranger?”

He contemplated that for a moment before smiling and patting my hand lightly. “Couldn’t say no to a pretty face,” he answered.

I resisted the urge to scoff aloud. Instead, I settled for a simple show of my appreciation. They had saved me from a life of torment and slavery, if indeed this place was real and not some figment of my overactive imagination.

“Thank you,” I murmured to him sleepily, shifting to get into a comfortable position as my eyes slid closed.

“My pleasure, Miss Anne.”

Those were the last words I heard him say before I drifted into sleep, briefly remarking on how I was not really sure where I was going to wake up, but at least it would be entertaining either way.

*****

(1) "Good, you are awake."
(2) Ivory: “You can speak to her?”
Ryou: “It’s simple English.”
Ivory: “Good. You take care of her.”
(3) "Vincent, are you sleeping tonight?"
(4) "Not tonight."

a/n: Thanks for reading! Feedback is most welcome!