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Cold, cold, cold. The frost on windows might have looked pretty, but they signaled a thing so loathed. The bitter, merciless cold. As Marco trudged through the town, his boots made the echo of snow crunching underfoot sound just as painful as it felt. His toes were cold, but not wet thankfully. Small blessing. Behind him, Somnium was only minding how the snow made him wet in some sense, or how a patch of ice was on a particular stone under his hooves. The guardian fared better than his chose at any rate.

Today Marco had braved the cold and chill to return the books he’d barrowed from the library. A small bit of guilt for having them so long, but snow had trapped him for a short while. While no excuse mattered, it was slightly understandable. He just hoped that no one was waiting for what he had checked out. Shuffling into said library he sneezed, followed by Somnium doing the same. At the very least, it was warmer than outside. No wind as well.

Books dug up from the traveling pack off on Somnium, the doctor went to the counter, hoping Tessa would forgive his lateness in returning the books. The novel included.

It wasn’t like Tessa to sound genuinely taken aback by an arrival. Yet when she came around and smiles, Marco did the same. It was always a pleasure to see her, and from the lack of pints in the snow- “I am back, and from what I saw outside, I’m one of the few. Somnium-“ The buck was busy staring at the yearling from behind the book shelf. “Somnium what are you- ah. Well, that certainly explains your interest.” Looking to the young doe, Marco smirked.

“It seems legends have finally brought you into the fold Tessa. You went out and became part of your own story?” He was close to laughing, the thought of bookworm Tessa braving the forest for a totem. “Wouldn’t have guessed. But I digress, It’s nice to see you again. Weather’s been a bit nasty so I apologize in the delay. Somnium wouldn’t have me riding him while carrying my things as well. Me or my things. He doesn’t do both sadly.” The buck snorted, looking at Marco’s stomach before staring his chosen down. “…Somnium, if you’re insinuating I’m fat I would like to remind you who got into my tin of sugar cubes for my coffee?” At that Somnium turned his attention back to the yearling.
Bending down the guardian looked to the other eyes flicking down to the book before shaking his head. Books were not for eating, plus if you drooled on them you might get yelled at. The image of a half eaten book fluttered in Marco’s head and he couldn’t help but ask. “She hasn’t taking a liking to the taste of ink and paper has she?”

The guardian inspected the doe with a curious eye. What kind of guardian would pair up with Tessa of all people. She was Tessa, hardly they type to go do battle with wolves, more the type to write about them. Or read about them. Then again he had Marco, a snotty doctor who wasn’t suited to fighting his own paperwork. A shake, the buck looked at Marco. The doe was okay.

“Between the cold, the rumors and the disappearances, it’s hard to place just exactly is happening here in Sunderland. People are on edge, it’s just not good for anyone.” A sad shake of his head, He got busy to removing the books from the buck’s back, working at the makeshift saddlebags. It was a bit difficult, Somnium shuffling side to side just to tease him a bit. “Stop moving you-“ A groan as Somnium gave a small jump, nearly hitting Marco. “Bah, Bloody buck.” Said buck just looked to Willow as if saying ‘you could do this too you know.’

“Willow though? Cute name. good thing she’s not taken to chewing on your book though. I imagine you’re end up heartbroken. You treat them like your children almost.” A playful smile, he finally go the books free. They looked no worse for wear, with the exception of one medical journal that was hald filled with slips of paper, page markers. “My travels have been fine, though doubtless not as exciting you’re your trip to find this little one. Haven’t seen any of those supposed wolves about however. I’ve been called to a few places, asked to see if people might be contracting some mental illness that prompts them to leave their homes and ‘vanish’. It’s the most curious thing really.” Seting the books down he sighed.

“There is nothing connecting them, and from everything I hear they were all sane, healthy individuals. Well, almost all of them. A few were troubled, but nothing adds up really. With noe bodies either, I have nothing to look at after the fact.” A doctor’s dilemma.

It was amusing to watch the doe examine Somnium as he was. Or it was amusing until she began to mimic him and almost bump into Marco. That part Marco could have done without. “The cold’s been harsh but no harsher then the winter harvests. Heard talk that in the south things are looking sparse. But, this was also coming from a man who I know tends to sell more than he can afford. Not to mention that in the far south the talk of wolves is not as immediate of a threat.” A glance outside to the falling snow and he shook his head. “So long as we don’t get snowed in here we should be fine.” A small smile formed on Marco’s face as he looked to the doe. “Worst comes to worse I hear vension isn’t that bad.” He chuckled to himself even as Somnium snorted and stamped his hoof.

“Oh come now, you know I have no taste for that. Too gamey.” Somnium still huffed. “Yes I’m terrible. But Tessa, no matter how cute she looks, if she’s anything like Somnium was, she’ll wrap you around her finge- er, hoof. Dang buck would act innocent even after he ate up my herb garden.” The pair exchanged looks. It was an ongoing issue between them.

“People want science to give them an answer, sadly I can’t find one to provide.” At the nose bump, Somnium puffed, darting after Willow, just slightly avoiding his antlers hitting a few shelves. “…..Yes well.” Marco would just have to throw Somnium outside if he made a mess. “If I saw one of the bodies I could find the cause of death perhaps, but without something like fur, proper pints- it’s more the skill of a tracker for that part to know if it was wolf. The most I could do was say what killed the person and if I’m lucky, when they died.” Somnium was just busy chasing after Willow to mind the words of his chosen.

Marco shrugged, idly picking at a loose thread on his coat. His recent travels had been wearing down faster than normal. Not to mention with the cold he’d been using it almost daily going to and from places. Such a small thing showed the simple signs of how Marco had become a little more outgoing in recent months. “I’ve seen mothers panic over a small cut over their child’s knees that didn’t even break skin. Seen grown men fear they might have gotten something from spending too much time in the fields and not wanting to eat what they have grown. Children thinking one another has cooties.” He shook his head with a smile to the thought of cooties. “People fear strange things at times. Suppose even if they did have their answer some might get riled, but I know it would put a few minds at easy. Notably in the nobility. They’d rather not have to answer for missing civilians.”

His own brother was doing his best, but the man had no way to fight what he couldn’t see. Not to mention he hardly was known to be the more prepared. “But even if there are people scared witless, they will need my services. I’m staying just at the city edge tending to those coming and going for the next few days while some of my supplies come in.” A clatter of hooves drew the chosen’s eye to the shelves, Somnium popping into sight looking around. Wilow had lost him, and now the guardian was in his own way, asking the pair if they had seen the fawn.

Marco snorted at the idea nobles keeping panic under some control in the event the worst would become truth, become reality. “Not likely. In small groups yes. My brother for instance, he might control a portion of the common people but what of the traders? The merchants and traveling physicians like myself. We carry words with us and as much as I hate to admit it, we talk freely. Secrets that large don’t stay secret. One might even speculate that without solving this mystery, word might reach other nations who would use the opportunity to start a war.” Not likely, but one never knew. Somnium heard it all however, and stamped a hoof to remind Marco that morbid talk was hardly pleasant.

“…I tend to mull over such things too deeply.” A sudden flash of indignation and secret amusement from Somnium, he looked back to the buck, just seeing the tail end of Willow’s antics upon him. Antics that for better or worse, had left him with a favorable impression. At the idea that they had to leave he smiled a bit, Somnium approaching, ears flicking at the mention of joining Tessa and Willow.
“Somnium has taken a small shine to Willow and seems to think that as brilliant idea.” Half truth, Somnium just thought it might be nice and Willow was rather spirited. The buck shook his head with a huff, amused by Marco’s masking of his own thoughts.

“I haven’t made an offering in a long time. It would be.. nice.” Somnium rolled his eyes, giving Marco a small shove. He’d like it, the buck knew he would.

He felt a bit bad to be so negative around Tessa, but at the same time, he didn't candy coat things. He tried not to at any rate. Besides, better he be honest than lie. "If you ever want to find someplace safe, my brother would take you in. He's a good man if... well. He's my brother. That ads a bit of bias to my opinion now doesn't it?" He tried to smile, but it was small and half hearted.

"Things will get better. Humans, well, we are a rather resilient sort. We will grow and adapt just as animals do. Only better of course." He looked at Somnium, who had already vanished outside.

Willow will adapt and mature with age. All creatures do. To what level..." He paused, feeling Somnium's amusement. "Well that depends. Maybe she'll take over what few qualities that are good in Somnium." The buck might have been outside, but he could certainly hear Marco, hoof hitting a wall, followed by the sound of snow hitting the ground. The buck's head peeked back in, lightly covered with snow.

Marco didn't say, anything, only let a small chuckle escape.

"Let's go make an offering." He wasn't quite sure what words of comfort to offer her, only placing a hand on her shoulder and giving a light squeeze. "After perhaps, we can get some warm cider from a nearby vendor. They're always around, even in this weather and with the rumors out." He smiled as best he could. "I'll wait for you outside." Inside Marco sighed.
He just was that terrible at comforting others.

He didn't see it as kindness, despite Somnium's mental protests that yes, it was a kind gesture. The doctor saw it as practical and helpful. Somnium just though Marco was being a reluctant softy, and sadly, deep down Marco was pretty sure the buck knew his best and was telling him the truth. Brushing off some snow from Somnium's head, Marco waited briefly. Willow got a small smile as the buck was quick to kick up a bit of snow in the fawn's direction. It was good to simply see the guardian enjoying himself, cold or no.

patting Somnium on the flank, Marco paused. "You can ride him if you want." Somnium gave a blank look to Marco. He could ask before offering, after all, a Guardian wasn't a horse or a mule. Marco brushed it off. "Eventually you should be able to ride Willow if she'll let you. Not that much different than riding a horse really." Willow darting off had the chosen smiling. "she she doesn't let you ride before running off one day. Somnium's done that when he gets a bit excited." A snort to deny the buck trot forward.

"........Somnium please." The buck lazily turned his head around before continuing on. "Stubborn, but... Hrm. Now that I think on it I'm not quite sure my offering will suffice. It never quite feels like it does." The bane of pessimism, or just his lack of faith. "Perhaps I sould be like my brother. Offer something gaudy and ornate."