Closed Under the white snow [Arden Wintervine]

[Clemens Kos]

He had a manly pride to uphold. Stubourly, he shook his head, as if he didn't need anything to help him with the muscle ache. Even though his body would be wanting of anything to ease his strained muscles. An inner turmoil appeared, between accepting the little herb from her, or simply walking off and keeping his pride in check. He'd bite down on his lip as he thought about it, looking at the woman, and next to the root or whatever it was she was holding up for him. Where he was on the brink of denying it, a little thought crossed his mind. He did just help her, even though she was against it quite vocally, because he knew it would be for the best. Maybe, just maybe, he was supposed to return the gesture, and simply accept the help given to him. He lowered his head in defeat, as his left hand was brought up, and unclasped the leather mask he wore. With a single tug on the material, he'd pull it down to her neck, going to reveal his somewhat curved nose which seemed to be broken on a few occasions. He wasn't a pretty inviduvidual, not by a long shot. But how else was he to chew on the root that was given. "Thank you, Arden." And with that, he'd pick up the root and simply lob it in his mouth. Of course it wasn't sweet as he liked a snack to be. It tasted like frozen roots. Probably because he was just chewing on a random root that was given to him by a stranger as a thanks. He was naive enough to accept it, not thinking the girl could do any bad. "It was nothing...I was going the same way, anyways." The man replied with a somewhat curved smile, as she thanked him. Which was true, in a way. He didn't need to help, but he did it anyways. Probably because it was an excuse enough to try and socialize. "But I have to tell you this tastes bad." He added, trying to be funny, rather than insultive. He did, after all, appreciate the help. Even though, something odd happened. Unlike before, while he was carrying the girl, he was now looking straight at her. Maybe it was just the root giving him trippy visions, but he could of sworn he just saw her eyes changing colors. That was somewhat strange, even if he might of heard of a Vantha before. He quite rudely stared at her for a second, straight into her eyes, as his brow furrowed. "Did that just change?" He blurted out, before he realized he was indeed gauking at the woman. Blinkingly, he looked away. In an almost comedic fashion, he turned to the side.

[Arden Whitevine]

Arden looked at him as he pulled down his mask revealing his crooked nose, obvouisly broken several time. Lobbing the root into his mouth she noticed the grimance, she laughed at little. The root it's self was not meant to taste good by all means, it was mainly used to heal sore muscles. If she had any mint she would have added that with the root, giving it a better flavour, but seeing as it was mid winter, mint was not easily found. "Well it's not meant to taste good." Arden laughed. Her eyes shining brightly, she smiled at the man in front of her. I guess he's not as bad as I thought. He's quite a pleasant person. She shifter her bag and realized that she was still holding his. "I think this is yours. I have no idea what I would do with a fox." She grinned handing over the bag. She was bemused, her eyes becoming a brighter green. His faced changed, furrowing his brow he starred at her. Arden watching him, what was wrong now. "Did that just change?" She heard him blurt out after some silence. She guess he was talking about her eyes. He must not have met many Vantha. "Yes, they did change. Usually happens with Vantha." She murmured looking away. She tucked some hair behind her ear, watching him shift his stance.

[Clemens Kos]

The root indeed left a foul taste in his mind, and he decided that he should get a drink before going back to his room. If not else, to wash it off and simply be done with it. Even though he usually tried to get minimize his expenses, specially for something uneeded as a drink in the tavern, he felt like today he could somewhat celebrate. The reason for it was right infront of him. His hand extended out, going to reach to the bag she held up for him, offering a smile as he finally got it back. "Thank you. You have no idea how much trouble this caused me." He spoke out, giving the bag a judgemental look, as if it was the root of all his problems. Not that his mood was any less cheerful, as he lobbed it over his shoulder. Unlike the woman before, this bag was much lighter, and there wasn't really any comparison. Thinking about it, he probably wouldn't carry her anywhere else even if she asked for it. He was, after all, quite tired. He got an explanation for the changing eyes, or so he thought. She did murmur her answer and looked away, so he didn't really know if that was something he simply shouldn't ask, or something that was so blatantly obvious she was simply ashamed that he was that stupid. Needless to say, the answer was a Vantha. Trying to recall anything he heard of those, but to not much avail. Yes, he heard about them living in cold, snowy places, but that they change eye-color. Maybe he should try looking at people's eyes more often, and he could even find something more interesting to do. Be it as it is, he slowly pulled his mask back up, now having no actual need of keeping it low. It was tugged, and re-attached to cover up his face. His free hand was lifted up, bringing his fingers through his hair, to remove any loose strains that were clipped between his face and the mask. After such a motion was done, he returned his attention to the woman. He should probably be on his way, because he had a sudden feeling there will be an awkward silence following. "I see." "Will you be able to go alone, now?"

[Arden Whitevine]

"Yes, I should be fine. Thank you." Arden gave another small smile. "If you ever want to know more about Vantha come find me."With an awkward turn she began to limp slowly towards her small home. She touch the mark on her collar bone again, banishing any chill in her. Well that was great Arden. She gave her head a shake, running a hand through her hair, trying to remove some knots. The sun had fallen behind the trees as that were talking, and even being as close as she was, she still needed to get home. Arden gave a look behind her shoulder and with a heavy sigh she turned around. "Want to get something to drink?" Cringing inwardly. Really Arden. I guess the least I could do after giving him that awful root. She stood silently looking down, waiting for his reply. She was thinking that the answer would be no, seeing as he was reluctant to even take the root. Being further in the open, the wind was colder and stronger. Kicking up the soft snow, blowing it around. Touching her mark again, she twirled the snow before letting it continue with the wind. She enjoyed playing with the snow when the wind blew it around, since that was the most she could do with it. Arden gave a quick glance upward at the man. Several feet were between them now, she shifter her weight slightly to ease the discomfort.

[Clemens Kos]

Clemens was already ready to leave. He didn't want to be a bother to anyone, and thus knew when he should simply leave and not push his presence. Because of that her question caught him by surprise. Inviting him? He blinked quickly. That hasn't happened in a long while, and he didn't even know how to respond to that. He already got her root away, and specially a drink would mean even more of a price to pay, even if it would only be water. He knew he should simply walk off, but part of him simply wanted to stay around a bit longer, with the company he didn't seem to mind all that much. After a few painted long moments, he decided to nod, and speak up. "Sure." That was all he said. He didn't want to add any more plesanties, because frankly he didn't even know them. He didn't even know where the two would be going. Probably one of the few taverns around was his first guess, even though that would be even more expensive. "Where to?" He asked, being somewhat recultant to move from the spot. Should he walk closer? Take the lead? How was he supposed to know. He awkwardly shuffled from one foot to the other, as he waited for her response.

[Arden Whitevine]

"Okay, well um, we could go to the tavern." Arden began moving again, limping towards the tavern. "You looked like you could use a drink, especially after what seems like a trying day." She gave another small laugh. She could really feel her leg again, but it wasn't as bad as the initial pain. More of an ache, a dull throbbing. "I hope you don't mind if we stop by my place, I need to pick up a few things." She looked up at him, walking beside her. They neared her small home, she was excited to be home. Her pace quickened, as she saw the familiar chimney. She had wrapped it in vines, so during the spring when the vines bloom, it smells and looks wonderful. "I'm just up here. I'll be quick, I just need to fix my leg." I was really surprised when he accepted my offer. Her eyes did a sparkle, she might actually be making a friend here. That was exciting to her, even with such a circumstance. Thoughts were running through her mind, trying to remember what she needed. Arnica, and some comfry mixed with elderberry. Yes, that would do well to keep infection down. She gave a quick nod to herself. All this over being careless with a knife. Arden gave a heavy sigh. She knew that this process of fixing up her leg would take longer. Maybe she'll just make some tea, that way he wouldn't he wating around outside. That seems like a good plan, just invite him over for tea instead of going to the tavern.

[Clemens Kos]

Simply walked, keeping silent. He did see the outskirts himself, but never paid any close attention to it. The small cottage that they were walking towards seemed like a comfortable enough place to have. Then again, everything would be better than his own little room he had going for him. Not that he complained, because at least it was warm and he HAD something to begin with. He never liked the feeling of being left alone with nothing, so even if he had to pay daily, he at least had a roof under his head, and even the owner of the tavern seemed to be a nice enough guy to warrant him staying there. Looking at that cottage, however, got him thinking. Should he think about finding a place himself? It wouldn't be all that bad, but getting the money for it would be beyond tricky. "I don't mind where we're going. I'll just tag along." He finally decided to speak up, fixing the shaft of his halbert, which was beginning to press against his back in an uncomfortable way. "Take your time." He then replied, watching her vanish in the wamrth that was her cozy home. Being left alone like that, he simply took a moment and looked around, trying to find anything he might remember this location by. Maybe an odd tree, or a landmark. It wasn't that hard to find this place, and it was quite near to Syliras, in which he himself stayed. He mused a smirk underneath his mask, trying to figure out how much the little fox would be worth, and how long would it take for him to get to the lounge from here. Shouldn't be long. He made a mental note about visiting that, before he turned around once again, to look back at the cottage. 'She's taking a while.' He thought to himself, tapping his one foot to pass the time.

[Arden Whitevine]

She fumbled around in her cottage, walking straight towards her cabinet. Grabbing a piece of arnica, she put it in her mouth and chewed. Next would be the comfry and elderberry, taking those she placed it into her mourder. She spit the arnica into the mixture, then walked to her door. "You can come in." She said before disappearing back inside. Putting some water into her cooking pot, she walk over to her table and grabbed the two cups dropping a few blueberry leaves in each. Going back to her mourder and pestal she began grinding the mixture together. Once she was satisfied with the consistency she searched for cloth strips. Searching through tout her entire cottage, moving over every inch of the small place. "Ahh!" She exclaimed, scooping them up. In another swift movement she untied the make shift tie, then removed her leggings from underneath her dress. Grabbing some paste she placed it rather thickly onto her wound before wrapping it again. With a sigh of relief from the coolness of the paste. Pulling back up her leggings she came out from around the corner. "Please, take a seat here." She said wiping her hands on her pants, then pulling out a chair. "I'm making some tea." She returned to the cooking pot to check on the water, simmering but not boiling yet. "Do you like it with honey?" She asked, walking to her cabinet and taking out a small honey jar and a spoon from her small basin. Pulling in a small ratty cloth she tied it around her waist. Then taking the mourder and pestal she placed them in the basin. "Hope you don't mind not going to the tavern. I'm not one for drinking."

[Clemens Kos]

And just like that, the woman poked her head out from the doorframe. Curiously enough, however, they weren't going anywhere. It was actually her inviting him into the little cottage he stood infront of. Now a tavern was a different thing, where there were other patrons and the occasional knight stroting by, but this wasn't the case here. From the looks of it there wasn't anyone else living with her, and no matter how much she complained and shuddered at him as they met, she got awefully accepting of him. A smile sparked on his lips at that thought. Not that he minded that. He felt welcomed, and that was something he didn't feel in a while. So with a single nod, he began walking towards the cottage, and through the open doors. His hand extended behind, closing the door as he walked inside. If he should, or shouldn't lock it was something he didn't know. In his little room he rented, he almost always locked the door behind him, because in the evenings and realy early mornings, it happened before that some drunken soul entered the wrong room. It ended up being quite the rude awakening. So he simply left it unlocked, looking around her interior. Not yet finding the woman around, he guessed something akin to privacy was involved, and he wasn't feeling particularly adventuerous, and seek out what. After a while the words came out, and he was directed to one of the chairs. Setting down the bag with the fox inside on the ground, he reached behind himself and pulling his halberd from the leather straps he had on his back. The last thing he wanted was to ruin any furnitures with it. Setting it lying down on the ground next to him, he reached to his chest and began undoing the buttons of his coat, simply moving his hands out of the sleeves and leaving the clothing to lie over the back of the chair. Doing so, he revealed the studded leather vest he wore beneath. His armored left hand also on display. On his hip, the dagger in his sheet was now clearly visible, and one had to wonder why he'd carry around two weapons. He kept the mask on, for the time being, however. "I...Sure? Yeah, honey's good." He spoke out, as he heard Arden's voice. Something sweet to wash down that root would be welcomed. Now, as he removed his uneeded accesories from his person, he felt much more lighter, and he took another look around, while leaning against the back of the chair he was sitting on. "No, it's fine. Don't worry about it. It's fine here, anyways." He spoke out, nodding. "You have a really comfortable looking cottage. I like the place." He spoke out, giving the minor compliment was the easiest thing he could do at this time. Specially, because he was talking the truth.

[Arden Whitevine]

Arden smiled, wipeing her hand on the cloth she tired around her waist. She walked again over to her cooking pot, the water was finally boiling. Getting up and grabbing the cups off the table. Opening the honey jar, she sticks the spoon inside to collect some of the sticky honey, pulling the spoon out, twisting and turning it so that the ones wouldn't drip, she places the spoon into Clemens cup. With a small ladle, she spoons in the water. Hearing him speak about how nice her home was made her smile. "Oh, thank you. It's a nice distance way from the hustle of the main city." She laughed, the drunkards being loud at all hours of the night, and day, wouldn't be pleasing to hear. Grabbing the cups again, using the cloth, she walks back over to the table placing the cup with the spoon in front of Clemens. Then she places her cup down and sits across from him, letting her tea cool she clears her throat. "You seem surprised that I invited you in." She mused, looking down at her tea. She doesn't look at people of then especially when speaking. She had noticed that he had removed his coat and placed his things on the floor. At this point she noticed the dagger in his him. Two weapons, how odd, even more so since it seems he had quite a large one.