!PRIVATE! Marchen: The Journey

[SilverDragonetsu]

"First things first; Getting on." Ryuu stood behind Aki and thus it seemed he ws going to take her by the waist like all the over times and put her up on the saddle. Though he didn't take her by the waist. Instead he took Aki's hands by the wrist and brought it up to the saddle to a hand grip.
"Hold onto this knob-bit tightly.", he wasn't going to bother with the actual names for the different pasrts of the saddle, it wasn't important rigth now. "Now put your left foot here in this loop," he told her next, tapping the toe of his foot to the side of her own.
'Your ready. I have my back turned thus you assume my gaurd is down. The one who's got the real upper hand here is me...'
"Now just pull yourself up and have your other hand ready to reach over the saddle to grab the edge of the saddle or even Haru's mane. Don't worry; It wont hurt her. When your up, Use the moment to swing your leg over the saddle and get your foot into the other loop on the other side."
After his instructions, Ryuu had his hands ready to help Aki incase she couldn't pull herself up on her own.

[Aki Ameko]

Expecting to be lifted by the waist again, Aki was rather surprised when Ryuu instead grabbed her wrists and started directing her on what to do. My goodness, I do feel silly now... Aki thought. I should have had him teach me from the start, rather than going through all that embarrassment... I suppose sometimes I just let my ego get in the way. ...But I'm still gonna ditch him first chance I get.

Aki followed Ryuu's instructions, and lifted herself onto the horse surprisingly easily. "Wow..." Aki said aloud, staring around from where she now sat with awe. "...That was easier than I thought it would be..."

[SilverDragonetsu]

"See now. Once you have a good grip, it pretty much effortless." Ryuu smiled rather proudly upon Aki, enjoying her moment of glory. His hands grasped the reins, and was about to hand them off to Aki. "The only enduring part is...Tch! Gyah!", Ryuu flinched, a loud ringing pingning his sences. It was like a dog whistle to his ears.

"Outsiders!", No sooner had he spoken the word had a foul stench fill the air. Like death and evil. Followed by the stench was a mob of dark clad beings, rushing from the forest to the road. Screaming and hollaring in an ancient tongue, like the hissing of demons and foul beasts. The moment they came into sight, barreling towards Aki and Ryuu, He knew that the Curess wouldn't stand a chance. Not against Outsiders.

Reaching for Aki in flash, while trying to hold the skittish Haru still, Ryuu yanked Aki to his level by her sleeve. "Take the reins! Lean in on your feet close to Haru and always keep your balance! And no matter what, ride on and don't you DARE stop until you reach the city!!"
Shoving the reins into the Witches hands, He pushed Haru towards the empty country road to the city and smacked the mare upon her rear, to send her off in a bolt.

Ryuu himself hurried to Suke. He was going to fend off the Outsiders and give Aki a get away. Besides...It was him they were after...

[Aki Ameko]

Aki glowed for a moment, relishing Ryuu's praise. But then the loud ringing filled their ears, followed by loud screams and Ryuu's hurried instructions.

"Ou-outsiders??!" Aki gasped, looking at the oncoming horde in horror. It was just then that the smell overwhelmed her and made her feel sick. There was so much noise and other distractions that Aki had a hard time catching Ryuu's instructions. "Wait! Lean in and...?! RYUU!!" But before she had time to say anything more, Haru took off in a flash, and Aki was forced to do as he commanded. She held tight to Haru and took off down the country road.

[SilverDragonetsu]

Aki was safe, that he was sure of. "I knew I'd made a good choice when I bought that mare." Aki was already far down the road. It'd take too long for these outsiders to catch up to her, even if they bothered to try. Slinking back towards the waters edge, Ryuu quickly found himself surrounded by the outsiders. He'd actually hoped to get to Suke and out run them himself. His plans had been dampered though; these fools were quick and to the point of what they were after.

Pressed back against Suke's side in the shallows of the water, Ryuu glared back at the outsiders, their voices but a slur of clicks, caws, and hisses. Some seemed to know enough Marchen based language that he understood, but only just.
A jagged bladed spear was stabbed towards Ryuu threateningly. And he only averted his gaze to the road where he could see just the speck that was Aki reaching the hill top far in the distance. He rolled his eyes shut, a menacing grin reaching his lips.
"Well old friend? It seems we have no choice. At least the Curess is safe. Let's have some fun...I'm sure...that we will meet again." His eyes flashed open, only now with slitted pupils and sharpening canines.
"Tel su Ecnad, ym wollef snomed...", He hissed in return to the putred cretures surrounding himself and his Horgon.

[Aki Ameko]

Ryuu... Aki was far over the hill by now, but she could still hear the loud yells and screams of the outsiders she left behind. ...Is he...going to be ok? She thought to herself before realizing what she was actually thinking. I...I'm actually worried about him... And I...I'm actually apart from him, like I wanted to be... She hardly payed any attention to where Haru was taking her as her thoughts continued. If this is exactly what I wanted... Then...why aren't I happy?

~*~

Aki arrived at the next city well into dusk. Her legs ached from the strain of holding on to the swiftly trotting horse, and she dismounted for a rest with some difficulty. "Where am I now...?" She wondered aloud before collapsing against a tree with exhaustion. At least I'm not completely alone... I still have Haru-chan with me... But...is Ryuu coming back? Will he be ok? Aki felt a lump in her throat and her eyes burned without her knowing why. And before she knew it, she had drifted off to sleep.

[SilverDragonetsu]

Slow and steadily the sun rose, dawning a new day upon the inhabitents. Not all would awaken to a quiet, quant morning as usual, though. From down the street came a young girl of seven, clad in a plain jade colored dress that reached only just her ankles. In her arms she carried a basket of flowers, likely heading off to the market for the morning.

Pausing in her strides, the young girl stare at Aki in bewilderment. Curious, she approched ina hurry, stopping short to edge closer. "What a pretty lady....Whats she doing sleeping here though?", She wondered to herself nervously. setting down her basket and dropping to her kees to sit beside Aki, the child tilted herhead side to side and craned her head forward to look directly into Aki's face.

"She looks like an angel!" The child gasped with a blush. She hurriedly covered her mouth, afraid to wake the pretty lady. Then again, maybe she 'should' wake her?
'Do angels ride horses though? No...she has pointed e---SHE's An ELF!' she thought to herself excitedly. She gave the pointed eared lady a nudging. "Miss pointy ears. Miss pointy ears", she urged in a hushed voice. "Miss elf, please wake up?"

[Aki Ameko]

((That little girl is made of D'AAAAAAAW. heart ))

"Mnh?" Aki groaned slightly as the girl began nudging her. Instead of getting up, she merely changed position, keeping her eyes closed. With another nudge consciousness began to return more rapidly, and Aki opened her eyes slowly only to see the bright sun peaking through the branches in the tree, and the little girl nudging her.

"Eek!" Aki jumped slightly, covering her mouth, then realized it was only a little girl in front of her rather than a savage beast. "Uuuuuuuhm... Hi." Aki said awkwardly. She looked around her wearily. It's morning... And no sign of Ryuu... For a moment she seemed to be unaware of the girl as she stared solemnly at the ground and bit her lip. ...I hope he comes back...

[SilverDragonetsu]

((She is, isn't she <D))

Startled, the child flinched back from the Elf, pursing her lips to keep from screaming in surprise herself. As the pretty lady finally said hello, the child smiled, realeasing her held breath. "Hi!" She responded excitedly, leaning foreward on her hands and knees. Her smile faded though as the lady before her appeared suddenly dissapointed.
"Oh...What's the matter, Miss Elf? You look sad?", she asked quietly with a childs innocence. She waited for a responce, tilting her head gently to the side.

[Aki Ameko]

Aki jerked her head up, now remembering that there was still a little girl in her midst. "Oh...it's nothing..." She said dismissively. "I'd...best be going..." With that Aki rose with some difficulty, and went to stand by Haru. She only stood there for a moment by Haru's side without mounting her, not sure what to do. Where do I go now...? I suppose I could just continue on with business as usual...but...

[SilverDragonetsu]

"Going? But...we just met?" The little girl was dissapointed by the Elves sudden decission that she was going to leave. She didn't get to talk with elves very often. Most of the time they were just passing through the city and were gone no sooner than they arrived unless otherwise.

Even though the elf had said she shoudl be going, she merely stood at her horse. Again, the child could see that long drawn expression. She wondered what had caused her to look that way. pickingherself up from the ground and dusting her skirts off, the little girl picke dup her basket.

A small hand gripped at the Elfs cloak and gave a tug. From the basket hanging from her arm she held up a flower. It was small and only half bloomed. It had only five petals and was pale in color, almost a glittery color.
"For you. No charge."

[Aki Ameko]

Aki looked at the girl again, startled, and blushed slightly at the kind gift. "Oh...thank you..." She said, taking the flower and holding it at eye level, staring at it distantly. What a beautiful color... It reminds me of... Her expression saddened again. Aki leaned against Haru and began petting her softly with one hand, and holding the flower close to her heart with the other. She closed her eyes, feeling quite relaxed against Haru's warm body.

[SilverDragonetsu]

It brought joy to the childs face to see that the woman was smiling now. She smiled herself, giggling in glee and triumph of this small, but acomplished goal. Of course, the elves smile did not last very long. With a saddness of her own growing, the child tried to think of a way to cheer of the beautiful elf. Smiling gently, the child retrieved thehanging riegns of the mare.

"Your waiting for someone, aren't you? Thats what everyone who comes here is here for. Since it's almost right in the middle of Marchen, losts of people meet here when they get seperated from they're travel companions. Don't worry, I'm sure they'll show up soon, who ever they are."
She glanced to the ground as she spoke these words, a more tragic sadness creeping to her features. though glancing up with a brighter smile, the child lead the Elfs Mare from the spot she'd been standing for some time now.
"Come on! I'll show you Azimuths most popular inn. If you stay there, no doubt you'll meet them. And---the Market place is real close too! Just down the street! Oh, by the way. My name is Usa. What's your name?"

[Aki Ameko]

Aki stared at the child, but didn't say anything. Right in the middle of Marchen...? This is where people go to meet...? Aki followed the girl somewhat reluctantly, but started to smile a little. "Ok. Thanks...Usa. I'm Aki."

[SilverDragonetsu]

"Aki? Wow! what a pretty name!", the little girl giggle shyly to herself. 'Just as pretty as she is, too!' "Just stick with me, Miss Aki. I know this city like my personal garden." A confident proposal, like any.

The child led Aki and haru through the growing crowd of people along the streets to an Inn called 'Azi-Inn'. The Mare was left to the stable boy and from there the little girl had taken Aki's hand rather bashfully and took her inside through the entrance.

"Mr. As--" She started, quickly cut off by a rather large fellow, taller even than Ryuu and very well built, but not exactly all mucle. he crossed his arms. "Uuuuusaaaaa!", he said in a deep scolding tone. "Your late for work...again!"

"I-I'm sorry Mr. Aster! I was on my way, I swear. Please don't be mad, I..I brought you a customer!", Usa rambled out quickly, clapping her hands and bowing apologetically. The man hmphed and hummed in his throat, craning over the bowing child. His eyes glanced to the female Usa had brougth in, and his frown lightened to a slight smile.

"Alright.", he said in his scruffly voice, lightened rather much. "You're safe this time. So how long will your friend be staying?" Wipping his hands in his apron, the man gave a nod towards Aki.