BETTER PLACE / aine

[T. ROUX]

[glow=white,1,400]GONNA MAKE YOU SORRY THAT YOU MET ME, GONNA MAKE YOUR INSIDES HURT !｡+ﾟ.[/glow]

Trygve Roux had been grounded.

The moment Kydobi had left was when Roxanne had scooped him up by the scruff taking him home, he had received the scolding of his life and he felt a bit bad not entirely after the encouragement he had gotten from his cousin, Goldenluxury. He had held his own ground surely that had to mean he had potential of being an outstanding apprentice, hell, maybe he would become the youngest apprentice there was. The thought made his paws twitch with excitement, right now, he was laying on the beach watching the ocean lap at the shore with foam. His sisters were building a sandcastle, his mother having told them to keep an eye on him while she made them all something to eat. He was getting bored and he was itching for a fight even if his body screamed every time he tried moving too swiftly, he wanted to wrestle with Brandy. As much as he loved his sisters, the whole sandcastle making wasn't enough to keep him entertained so without much of a word, he slowly rose to his paws making sure they didn't notice him leaving.

He let out a huff deciding to go near the train tracks of his home not really wandering far since his body didn't let him get that far. Trygve would sit down pressing his paws against the cold metal feeling a frown on his maw, he glanced around only to blink at the border with the bell. His thoughts began to betray him and made him think of Kydobi's invitation for that youth training he mentioned, it made his fur prickle with excitement in a way though he would have to go when nobody was watching him which was proving to be rather difficult since his mother, siblings, and uncle kept a close eye on him. He was lucky to have snuck off away from Eulia and Natyli but he knew it wouldn't be long before they came searching for him. He laid his head on the tracks as his thoughts strayed further from the Pitt youth training and locked onto a single individual that made his heart flutter. From a group that consisted mainly of vulpine, his mind was stuck on a single one; Aine.

That stupid flutter in his chest returned, he could feel his face heating up. Why was he feeling this way? It made him angry but he wanted to see her again yet with his injuries, he wouldn't even make it that far to the Pitt and he'd be lost once more. Stupid nose... If it worked like it was supposed to, I could go wherever I want. He thought bitterly deciding that he would lay there, it would be a miracle if he could see her again. But he didn't know how long it would be until that day arrived. [glow=COLOR,1,400] ━ ✧*:･ﾟ[/glow]

[aine.]

[align=center]

I'll come back when you call me

Aine found herself in an odd conundrum.  A state of panic, somehow listless.  Antsy pacing.  All starting from the moment Kydobi departed, Trygve in hand.  Wary.  Uncertain.  Inconsolable, though her father did try.  He always tried.  And she tried too.  She really did.  But the seed in her mind was planted.  What if something went wrong?  Something always went wrong. 

And Trygve. 

Did the Typhoon have a medic?  Was someone checking on his burns regularly?  Was he angry?  Did he hate them all now, too?  Just another face in an endless sea of hate-filled eyes?  … And if he was... Why was she sneaking out of the safety of her family's treehouse, a basket of flowers and herbs dangling from her jaws, attempting to retrace the steps from an accidental visit to the pirates' home a few moons ago?  … She had to.  She had to make sure.  Even if he hated them all, she had to know he was doing okay.

The thought of her father's angry voice when he realized she'd snuck out made her linger.  Standing rigid by the tracks.  To step onto them, to walk all the way across... An island home to... Hatred.  Her throat closed up, teeth clenching the woven handle of her basket.  Breathe.

One paw in front of the other.  Just one.  Then another.  Waves washing so surprisingly close.  Salt in the breeze.  What a pretty place...  But her hazel hues were locked on the tracks.  Watching her paws.  Flickering up for seconds, then flashing back down.  Up.  Down.  U- was someone guarding the gate?

Oh no. 

Aine faltered.  Breath catching.  But she'd only ever seen one jaguar with those freckle-like spots.  Oh.  She'd gotten tense all over again, just to realize there was no danger present.  … Assuming he wasn't mad.

Too bad she was out in the open.  An obvious flash of orange against tracks and shallow ocean.  He'd noticed her by now, so she could hardly turn tail and change her mind.  Trying to push past a tight chest, the vixen began moving once again, finishing the long trek across the track leading to the gate.  Her paws were drenched.  Legs tired.  But she'd done it.

"H-hi."  Da's gonna ground me forever.  "I - um.  I." Her voice, already horribly soft, was muffled from her basket.  A fact she came to realize rather abruptly, her ears flicking back sheepishly.  Slowly, she dropped the basket onto her paws.  "'m Aine."

Wait.  He already knew that, didn't he?

"I - um.  I wanted to check on you... So I brought- I brought aloe vera.  It-it's what I used for your- your burns.  And um.  These are some- um flowers that I- I grow. … Th-they're not- not herbs, I just. Um.  They're pretty." God, if she didn't feel a little silly, ducking her head down.  "… It's a um.  An apology.  We-well kinda.  I don't... No one knows I... Um.  I came."

Her teeth caught the inside of her cheek, hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.

— aine | the pitt | commodore of the crows | fae druid —

[T. ROUX]

[glow=white,1,400]GONNA MAKE YOU SORRY THAT YOU MET ME, GONNA MAKE YOUR INSIDES HURT !｡+ﾟ.[/glow]

His eyes would close trying to think of a way that he could leave the Typhoon without drawing further attention to himself, which would be quite the task since Trygve enjoyed having all the eyes on him and the memory of having that much attention during that fight with Caesar made his claws unsheathe. If only he had won the fight, he could have brought something much greater than a chunk of the Savannah cats tail, a frown tugging at his lips. If only he hadn't been so little and inexperienced, he would definitely annoy his uncle to show him how to fight now. Michael owed it to him now, Ry was sure anyways but only time would tell when the bobcat would actually get off his fatass stop worrying and actually teach him how to properly hold his own. Who knew when Trygve Roux would end up fighting someone else and frankly, he wanted to be ready for that day he was going to demolish someone's ass with his skills.

His claws scraped against the steel and he would glance up seeing a silver of scarlet, his fur immediately bristling as he would sit up quickly immediately wincing at the pain in his side. It didn't take long for him to recognize the vixen that had treated his wounds, his pupils widening which was very different to when they were normally dangerous slits that stabbed daggers at people. He swallowed feeling his heart beginning to thump loudly within the chasm of his chest and that unfamiliar heat blossoming across his face, the tips of his ears feeling hot. Was it a fever? Did he get feverish around the vixen? Confusion took over most of his much yet when she saw her dopamine began to produce itself, why did he feel so nice whenever she was around? The confusion making him, well, angry. He hadn't realized that he was staring once more though this time he would take a few shaky steps forward.

Was she here to tell him how stupid she was? Or tell him that she never wanted to see him again? That hurt. That possibility hurt and he was uncertain as to why it did but it made his heart ache, it had killed the fluttering within his belly.  Now it was twisting with a new feeling that Trygve Roux was rather unfamiliar with; anxiety. He hoped that she wasn't angry at him for causing such a mess over in her homelands, his frown growing larger as he took a few more shaky steps forward but they were more hesitant now. It's probably not that. I gotta calm down, I'm a Roux for fucks sake. And even if she was angry, why should I care? He thought to himself with his gaze wavering just a bit with uncertainty. Why shouldn't he care? She had helped him. Trygve Roux, don't be so stupid. A sigh brushing pass his parted lips, he would lift his gaze once more realizing that Aine had a basket full of flowers and that... Weird plant she used to put on his burns. He couldn't remember what it was called.

Suddenly, she was introducing herself again. Was it to make up for their first time meeting? Whatever had been the intention behind it, he found his usually downward lips turning up a bit into an amused smile. Which was quite the sight since the boy normally wore a frown or scowl on his face, maybe an occasional smug or shit eating grin. Smiles were treats for people who Trygve had a tolerance and liking to. The smile stayed in its place almost like a king on their throne, he raised a nonexistent eyebrow at her only to feel an amused rumble emit from his throat "Don't worry," He was a bit hesitant shuffling his paws in the sand before he would continue feeling his smile falter into a shy one, "I wouldn't forget a name belonging t'somebody as pretty as you." He wasn't lying, he thought her to be quite pretty. There was plenty of foxes within the Pitt but only Aine had caught his eye. Only fate would show if that was a good or bad thing for the Pittian.

Ah, aloe vera! That's what it had been called.

So, she had come all the way out here just to see him? He could feel his heart racing, he was so certain that it was going to fly right out of his chest as it drummed throughout his ears and he placed a paw over his chest as if to silence it hoping Aine wouldn't hear it. His face horribly hot as he did his best in hiding these odd feelings of his, he chuckled nervously "Ha... I think I might have a fever," Yeah, that must be it. That was definitely the reason he felt so hot whenever he was around the young vixen though he would finally say with a sheepish grin "Uh... Thank you for all of this, I really appreciate it... Although, you didn't have ta'go through all this trouble just... For me y'know?" Just for him. That made his stomach flutter even more to the point where he felt almost nauseated by it. His head lowered to the basket of flowers, his nose twitching as he would sniff them. Ah, he could just barely make out a smell. Stupid nose. His mood soured briefly though he would say with a smile "They're really pretty but, I know some flowers that ya might like. If ya follow me," He paused with an awkward shuffle of his paws adding a bit more timidly "If ya wanna see anyways,"

Ultimately, it was Aine's decision and he would respect her for whatever she decided. He just wanted to spend as much time with her before she left him again.

A fever. It was definitely a fever.

It had to be. [glow=COLOR,1,400] ━ ✧*:･ﾟ[/glow]

[aine.]

[align=center]

I'll come back when you call me

When he smiled, she felt some of her worries drift away.  He wasn't mad.  He wasn't mad.  She has no idea what she would've, could've done, if he had been.  But he wasn't.  A mercy she had not known in some time, easing the stream of frightened, anxious thoughts.  Only for the lighter thoughts to come to a complete, staggering stop.  "I wouldn't forget a name belonging t'somebody as pretty as you."

Pretty?  Pretty?  Oh no.  She was... Hardly... He thought she was pretty?  Butterflies and flowers, those were pretty...  She was just Aine.  And all Aine could do was smile, a smile that felt altogether too warm because she didn't know how to respond to such a thing.  Perhaps since no one had ever called her pretty before.

After the initial shock, the fae blinked as he chuckled.  Brows creasing sharply.  "Oh I-I didn't. I didn't bring anything- anything for. Um.  Fever." Was he not feeling okay?  Should he even be up? All the way by the border, too...  She wished she had lavender on her.  Maybe her father had a point when he suggested she create a travel bag for herbs.

"R-really?" Oh, no, wait.  Should she? … She was already going to be in trouble and sitting on the border was one thing...  But she didn't want to leave quite yet, especially if Trygve thought he was running a fever.  It wouldn't feel right to leave him alone.  But should they really go looking for flowers if he was unwell...?  "Are-are you sure? … If-if you're not feeling well... I don-don't want you to make... Make yourself sick." Just for flowers...

She wanted to.  Her paws were itching to move, wondering what belonged in the island's jungle.  This tropical place probably had different flowers.  Maybe different butterflies too.  A whole different world.  But her mind was a broken record, stuck on one scratch.  "… Are you sure?" Hopeful to see what he had to show her, but feeling so selfish at the thought.

He didn't look sick.  Maybe it was the sun.  His dark fur.  But she needed to be sure.  Maybe ask him where the herb stores were, show him what to take. … Okay.  That sounded like a decent backup.  Assuming the shade of the trees didn't help.  Okay, okay.  Good plan.

— aine | the pitt | commodore of the crows | fae druid —

[T. ROUX]

[glow=white,1,400]GONNA MAKE YOU SORRY THAT YOU MET ME, GONNA MAKE YOUR INSIDES HURT !｡+ﾟ.[/glow]

The moment a warm smile appeared on her face, he could feel his heart racing and it felt like his body was melting. His face only growing warmer and his usually narrowed eyes would widen slightly. Oh god, this fever was certainly doing a number on him and well, he didn't  know how to feel about that. He felt like his legs were a wobbly mess much when he was taking his first few steps as a much younger cub, he swallowed quietly with a shy chuckle escaping his maw. Dear god, what was she doing to him? The feeling didn't exactly go away and he couldn't help but lock their eyes together. This fever of his growing worse and worse by the passing moments, his nose twitched as he finally broke out of the brief trance hearing her speak once more as her voice pulled him out of his dazed state. Fever? Oh right! His fever. He should probably do something about that though he would say lightly with a shrug and soft chuckle escaping his maw as he said "Ah yeah... M'face is really hot. But I should be fine!" He would say in a reassuring tone, he rolled his shoulders a bit wincing just slightly at the pain of his burns though he was foing his best at ignoring them at the time. The last thing he wanted to do was make the situation about himself which was quite the surprise since Trygve Roux loved when all eyes were on him. His heart continued to flutter within his chest, his tufted ears pressed down against his cranium.

Ah, she was worried about him being sick. He tried to figure out what was wrong with him even if he did truly believe he was ill though it wasn't the kind he believed it to be. He frowned for a moment only to speak once more "Don't worry, I won't get any sicker! I'm actually feeling a lot better now that you're here with... With me," He stumbled on the last sentence though he perked up when she kept asking if he was sure that he wasn't running a fever or feeling sick, he nodded once more in a silent confirmation. His tufted ears lifted upwards and he would gently brush by her with a slight tilt of his head "I am sure! And if not, you have Trygve Roux's words that he will definitely rest... After, I show you the flowers. You'll love em," Never had he been so excited to revisit those flowers but here he was with his paws itching with anticipation. He had given Aine his word and he was going to keep to it, so with a small motion of his mottled tail beckoning her to follow him into the lush rainforest did the young jaguar begin to lead the way. His nose might've been poor when it came to tracking down things like prey or flowers but his memory never failed him. With a deep breath, Trygve pushed through the foliage making sure to move it out of the way so the vixen following behind him wouldn't get a face full of leaves.

It didn't take long for him to find the place that the hibiscus flowers grew, they had an almost scarlet yet firey look to them. His smile widened at the sight of them, he wanted to pluck them off to present to the fox kit though he was sure that she'd rather visually appreciate them. He didn't even think that they'd survive in a climate such as the Pitt's dessert, a small frown blossoming on his maw at the mere thought. It took him a moment to realize there was a kaleidoscope of butterflies, it made his skin prickle and crawl with unease. He took a few steps back not realizing he bumped into Aine, he stuttered out an apology immediately "S-sorry, didn't mean to bump into ya like that, Aine." A shy smile on his lips though he would sit down slowly wincing at the slight pain from the burns, his eyes locked onto the flowers and butterflies would he start speaking once more "Sorry bout the butterflies, I forgot they liked hanging around the hibiscus flowers..." He could always scare them away if she felt uncomfortable about them. With that in mind, the young minnow fell into a crouch slowly creeping forward even if his heart raced within his chest at the mere sight of the colorful bugs.

He raced towards them with a growl erupting from his maw, he watched them fly away in several directions. He laid on the ground content with himself that they had flown away though he got distracted, he would turn around to look in the direction of Aine offering a mischievous grin though it faltered when he felt something land on his nose. A butterfly. He was about to shake his head to make it go away but eventually the butterflies returned landing on his body and he absolutely hated it. He felt his face growing warm with embarrassment, he began to mumble out curses to the bugs that had perched themselves on top of him. He didn't move at all mostly not to kill them or maybe... It was due to his fear of them. Trygve Roux was scared shitless of butterflies. He hated them. [glow=COLOR,1,400] ━ ✧*:･ﾟ[/glow]

[aine.]

[align=center]

I'll come back when you call me

Aine recalls her father once saying a positive attitude could make a difference in recovery.  Laughter too, though he seemed more dubious on the matter; she rarely saw her father laugh after all.  Though her brows continued to crease, the vixen began to consider perhaps Trygve would be okay, if he maintained the upbeat attitude.

His confidence assured her.  Besides, if he was sick, she was right here to notice it.  As he brushed by her, she blinked, slowly beginning to smile again.  "... Okay."  Hard to argue with that sort of certainty.  Besides, a promise was a promise.

Though her hazel hues flickered about the rainforest for a moment, she quickly bounded after him.  Surrounded by flourishing plants, Aine felt more than at home.  Of course, she stuck close to Ry, realizing she may lose her way rather quickly if she lost sight of him.  She didn't know the paths like she knew the Pitt's jungle.  Even then.

Aine grinned as their destination came in sight, tropical flowers abundant.  Of course, ignorant of her own nearsightedness she started edging closer so she could actually see, surprised when Ry bumped into her.  She very nearly jumped, blinking in confusion.  What had driven him back so suddenly?

"Oh-"  Her breath caught.  Ever since the fire, leaving half the jungle burnt to a crisp, Aine only found butterflies in her garden and drifting around the surviving flowers.  She had never seen so many in one place.  Like a scene from a painting.  She wasn't entirely sure a painting could capture the rainbow of gently fluttering wings.  Her voice is soft in awe, "je les aime." The flowers.  The butterflies.

Distracted, the fae is bemused when she hears Trygve growl.  Butterflies made poor prey.  They floated so freely.  "I don't mind," she affirmed brightly, "I love butterflies."

"... Oh." While the myriad of colors did distract from the flowers, now left open to view, she hardly expected them to land on her friend.  Her eyes gleamed.  As they were fragile creatures, she never tried to hold one before.  Thus, they must come to you, or that was how she saw it.  "They like you, Ry!" Her giggles are happy and free, wondering if she waited or sat still one might fly to her as well.

— aine | the pitt | commodore of the crows | fae druid —