a death wish (Ara and Dante)

[whisp.]

”You are the world’s biggest idiot.” Lillian Black said to Ara McArthur as they ducked past the trees and edged deeper into the forest. ”Do you not remember what happened last time? And Ara had not forgotten the pain or the blood, but she couldn’t stand back and let this thing take over her life. There had been a lot more trouble lately in the forest, a lot more attacks on those innocently enjoying their lives. She couldn’t allow this to keep happening.

”This is just the way it has to be. Go back now, I’ll be fine. You know that.” Ara flashed Lillian a smile. Still unconvinced, Lillian kept her stride.

”I do not know why you insist on going out alone. It’s stupid. Are you asking to d—“
“You are not Bryce. You are not my protector. Stop acting like one. I will be fine. I have a better chance alone.” And with that snap Lillian started her retreat.

“I’m giving you an hour and if you aren’t back by then I am coming looking for you, you got that?” Lillian’s dark eyes traced over Ara’s expression as the leader nodded her head slowly at the time limit.

“one hour.”

And then she was on her own. The forest seemed still at this current moment, almost as if the animals were afraid of this trespasser. ”what’s happened here?” she mumbled to herself before she felt it. The cold heavy air, contradictory to the warmth that was supposed to be enchanting the forest.

Araaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa A voice cooed in the forest and Ara couldn’t help feel chills. Come out to plaaaaaaaaaaaay….

There was a loud crackling noise as Ara was thrown against the trunk of a tree, taking branches and twigs with her. Her whole head swirled as she attempted to catch the breath that was knocked out of her. ”took you—“ A small moan of pain escaped her as she was tossed to the ground, grinding rocks against her skin, cutting up her dress and allowing blood to stain the rest.

Did you really think you could fight me alone? A voice said, surrounding her head. With one powerful movement Ara swirled her arms, causing a gust of wind to surround her, pushing the voice away.

”You coward of a being. You can’t even fight me in your true form. You hide in the wind.” There was a crack as a whip cut across her back, opening up the flesh and causing her to fall to her knees.

Weak, worthless human. You call me the coward? I call you suicidal. There was another cold burst of air and Ara was suspended, suffocating. She frantically reached for her throat as if to tear the invisible threat off. She desperately tried to send the being away digging deep within her powers but before she could even act on the saved powers she was dropping from the sky. She crashed into every branch and every twig on the way down until finally she hit the ground and stared up above. She was battered, bruised, bleeding, and tired. But It was warm and things were moving again.

Ara sighed in relief. She was alone.

[Tsubasa]

He wondered why he kept coming back here. The woods were an unruly place, as his mother always said, scolding him that he might dirty himself. Dante didn't particularly love the wild of it all, the roughness, but it was quiet. Quiet was something he enjoyed, and it was something he didn't usually get. Of course, he eventually would just force silence, something he was good at doing to people. But it was nice every once and a while to have it come naturally to him.

He walked slowly, taking easy strides, careful not to trip over a branch and, yes, dirty himself. The leader had a reputation to keep after all, a very good one indeed. That was partially the reason he liked coming out here time and time again, this was a place where reputation was folly. That is, if no one was around. But he always made sure there was none of that.

Dante stopped as he came to a place he suited fine enough to ease himself at. He backed himself against of the dark old oak trees, tilting his head against it and closing his eyes, a breath let go. Of course, that didn't last very long. The second he allowed his vision to go dark, a whole jumble of noises startled him from his peace. Eyes snapping open, he stayed still as to determine the situation. Yet again, more sound. A girl's voice? Her screams...

The lad was not the caring type, no he had that weakness washed out of him like the others, so he didn't make himself the hero. But, as his father always said, 'there's always something to gain out of any situation'. Intrigued at the thought of something interesting, perhaps a little bit of chaos in his currently boring week, he broke free from his resting place and made quick strides towards the source of the noise.

Sweeping through branches and bushes of the sort, Dante came upon a sight that shocked him. It was that girl from before, the Unloved! But the state she was in... tattered clothes, blood and dirt, it was definitely a curious sight. Locking into hero mode, the Handsome Eye kneeled down, his hand lightly placing itself on her dirtied shoulder.

"Are you alright? Can you hear me?"

It was always a sorry sight when a pretty girl like this one found herself in such a mess.

[whisp.]

It was so warm. It wrapped itself around her skin and allowed for numbness. Her blonde curls surrounded her head like a lost halo and her dress was completely shredded to bits. She wondered absently if this would be how Lillian would find her. Ara chuckled darkly thinking of the warning her friend had given her. Yes, she was dumb but why should she start listening to others? This was her fault and her mistake only. They’d have to find some other attack she decided. Alone wouldn’t cut it anymore.

Ara shifted slightly in the ground, afraid to move and afraid to sit still. She was sure the danger was gone because of the warmth that surrounded her now but what if it was a trick? What if this was part of its dumb game? What if it was just waiting for her to get up so it could unleash its wrath on her again? But was it wise for her to sit there like a thanksgiving feast? Ara attempted to move again but let out a groan of pain and sat still. Why would the beast stop its attack? What had she done to send it running off? And that’s when she heard the footsteps.

Ara’s eyes immediately snapped to the noise and she prepared herself for the worst. And yet there was Dante Yerami. She almost laughed at the idea that such a monster could be scared by a human man. Was Dante’s presence the reason she wasn’t dead? And then he was above her, peering down onto her dirty face.

”I’ve had my better days but I think I’ll live.” She mumbled honestly. She would just need time to heal, for the powers that ran through her veins to stitch up the wounds and put her together again. ”What are you doing walking all the way out here?” Ara said as she managed a slight cough. It seemed that lately she was just running into Dante all over the place. But this wasn’t necessarily a good thing right now. She was hurt from some supernatural being during a battle. That wasn’t something she could just explain to him. She’d have to lie and weave her story together like a spider and its web. She’d done it before and she could do it again but sometimes she really hated to be the spider.

”Mr. Yerami, I will be alright. Just a few dumb scratches, I assure you I—“ And then there was the stinging, like needles traveling all throughout her body. ”Dante,” She said desperately, her eyes widening. ”I need your help, okay? I think I’m poisoned. Can you carry me over to the stream there and lay me in it? The water needs to flush out the wound on my back? Please? I’m sorry. I’ll buy you new clothes if they get dirty.” Ara had taken a hold of his hand and was gripping it firmly. The pain worsened and she squirmed on the ground. ”I’ll explain eventually, I promise.” Ara wasn’t sure what part of that promise was the pain or the truth bursting to get out.

[Tsubasa]

He always loved seeing the look of relief in someone's eyes when they saw him in moments like this. It was almost as good as the look of fear. Nevertheless, the young man was glad that Ara was in good shape despite what conflicted her body. She was clear-headed and, from what he could see in her eyes, well enough to prepare a lie. He'd seen that look before, hell it was look he gave just about everyday. But those questions would be for later, for now he would 'take her word for it'.

"I think I should ask you the very same question, Miss Ara. As well as just how you could have gotten yourself into this mess."

And then the weaving began, and before he could interject on the account of the 'minor bruises', a look of fear flashed in her eyes. That was never good. Dante steadied himself, preparing for any sort of emergency. He had gotten himself into this mess, playing hero, he supposed he would have to follow through. Although, when the word 'poison' rang through the air, he had to admit he felt his stomach leap slightly. The brunet had never dealt with poison before, of course he knew the procedures to deal with it as any respectable lad would. He supposed this was a test of his resourcefulness, wasn't it?

"Don't worry Ara, you'll be fine. Just don't panic, I'll get you through this."

Inside the leader snickered at her promises of clothing. He hardly thought that a girl of her status could afford such adornments as his, but it was a sweet notion. Noticing her suffering increasing, he took her hand and lifted her up slowly and carefully, resting her against his shoulder and wrapping an arm around her waist.

"Just put your arm around my shoulder, and I'll get us swiftly to the stream."

He moved, careful not to go to fast or to jostle her too harshly. As he came to the water, he once again carefully laid her down in the wetness, face steady and full of resolve.

"If it doesn't work, I will have to suck the poison out, you know."

What an interesting night this would be.

[whisp.]

Ara shifted again more uncomfortably than before. Her mind was shifting from lie to lie in order to weave together the perfect web. Would he be able to see through it? Ara figured he’d be able to. He was the king of lying and disguise. No matter what she would come up with it would have its holes. He would ask a lot of questions, she was sure. She knew she would and she had a feeling she and Dante Yerami were a lot more alike than they realized. ”Hey, I asked you first.”

She studied his eyes from where she laid. In all honesty there wasn’t much else she could do. Her head tilted the slightest as she tried to take in his emotions and thoughts. How much depth could he be hiding? How many secrets were behind those eyes of his? Too bad she didn’t have all this time to think about as she was sucked into a world of pain.

”You don’t believe me, but I will. My father wears that brand.” She mumbled in the last bit of effort to keep herself composed. The last thing she would ever want to be was a damsel in distress and she would not play the ‘oh woe is me’ card, unless she was completely and utterly serious about the pain.

As he scooped her up, she obeyed and wrapped her arm around him. Ara’s face pressed against the nape of his neck and her breathe swirled against his skin. She was in too much pain to be distracted by the strength of his arms or the warmth of his skin. Too busy with the pain to notice the touch of his skin against hers or the feeling of her body curled against his. What a predicament she was in…

She could feel her body sizzle as it made contact with the cold water and she felt her eyes widen and her body twist in more severe pain. Her magic was desperately working with nature to get the poison out of her body. This had worked last time, it had to work again. Ara refused to let go of his hand and held it tightly in hers, gripping it as she twisted and turned in the water, praying that it would be enough. Her skin lightened slightly as the magic hummed through her body and her eyes flashed absolute fear as they met his and held. But slowly the pain started to slip away and a black substance polluted the water as it was pulled from her wounds. Her eyes shut slowly and the grip on his hand loosened. ”Thank you.” She said meekly as her body weakened.

”Are you okay after all that?” Ara asked him gently as her eyes remained shut. She would allow him the chance to lie if he wanted, she wasn’t watching.