A Distant, Twinkling Campfire

As the sun's dying maroons and pinks streaked the sky, many nocturnal creatures stretched their grabbers and walkers in preparation for a full evening's events. Among these was Videl; a young-spirited Bosmer who was deep-rooted in the scattered, border gullies of northern Valenwood. The dark-haired, blue-leathered figure was difficult to see when far from the distant, twinkling campfire of what was to be assumed her camp. She darted to and from the area, seemingly gathering fungi and lichen from nearby flora and rock formations. The campsite was typical: an open-air bedroll, discarded backpack, various pouches, fishing line strung in the stream. What made the sight unique was the small gathering of alchemist's supplies assembled on a long, flat stone near the fire, the mercenary-like she-elf scurrying in and out of light like a squirrel before winter, every time adding to a small pile of ingredients.

As this sun set, Videl seemed to be unaware that a second bosmer was watching her. He had, under his own arm, a bag full of ingredients he'd been picking. He was puzzled to see all of hers, as most bosmer followed the Green Pact, and would be very against picking anything in the Valen. He crept up to the camp curiously, silently, with his one good eye and his one incredulous nose. He climbed, with his bag, up a nearby tree and perched himself to watch her gather.

Engrossed in her findings, the younger elf settled into the circular area she'd made into her camp. Now content with her findings, she crouched nearby the alchemical provisions she'd set up before with hunched shoulders and hair-on-end. She'd felt uneasy since returning to the woods she'd not seen in a number of years, but this particular evening chilled her supernumerary senses more than normal. Videl tittered, then the black-haired Bosmer began removing caps-from-stalks and grinding contents in a mortar. Being Bosmer, the Green Pact was something she'd been introduced to from a young age. However, the fanaticism and tradition of most Valenwood Elves seemed lost on the more city-tempered female below Ali. A sharp noise from above catches her attention, but she dismisses it to be nothing more than an investigative squirrel, or similar woodland fauna after short investigation. After all, when hard-pressed, seldom did an assailant get within weapon's reach of her without being detected. Videl was reassured by her overconfidence, which led her to become even more engrossed in the mixing before her. The small alembic began bubbling as it heated, masking most noise one would make when combined with the crackling fire.

Alijham climbed back down, slowly. He decided that he would make his presence known, rather than her finding out his watching before he wished it so. He scratched an ear under his hood, lips pursing under his facemask. He dropped down to the ground with a silent 'thump'. He walked up to the little camp and sniffed around behind the girl, not making a sound. He sat down a yard or two behind her and waited.

It didn't take long for the she-elf to notice his presence, a special type of prickling giving her the gumption to check behind her. Videl's face skewed apprehensively, either from studying the elf's darkened face or from fear, but she managed to keep a relatively calm attitude. Crackling wood filled the ears of either elf, as well as the basic sounds of night's coming: singing crickets, baying wolves. Finally, the she-elf seemed to gather the courage to break the natural silence. "Friend," she paused, clearing her throat and assessing him again, "or foe?" The query was simple, and seemed to hold no apprehensions. Her weapons--a simple, inwardly curving sword and dagger--were nearby, and she seemed to have no others on her.

Alijham looked over her with a soft eye. His eyes floated over her camp after inspecting Videl herself, listening to the sound around him. He didn't seem menacing, just curious. His eyes wore a soft squint with the smile that began under his mask. "Nothing to be wary of," he replied to her surely. He squatted. "What have you got there?" He pointed to the plants she'd begun to pick apart and crush. "I've been looking for some of those around here, and I haven't sniffed any out. No wonder they're all gone."

Aliijham's curiosity was mirrored, for Videl had found someone with mutual interests. "Ah," she paused, looking to where he had been pointing while trying to keep the elf in her peripherals, "Imp Stool, Lotus seeds, Rot Scale..." Gears churned in the she-elf's head, and she tilted herself towards Aliijham purposefully. "I haven't taken them all, it's quite clear." She wasn't lying, as there were no more than seven unique samples of plant piled neatly nearby. Videl rocked on her heels. "What use are they to you? Being tailed and accused sets one on edge, if you'll excuse my niceties ... or lack-there-of." Her words tasted of venom, ready to be twisted into sharpened, silver insults if the elf were to influence her so. She erected herself, and blocked the view of her bounty with arms crossed. "Are you here to relieve me of what I scoured so tirelessly for?" Her tone softened now, playing to the man's pathos.

Alijham looked over her as she talked about her ingredients, nodding, but he started to laugh when her words turned more sour. He stood up from his squat and planted his hands on his hips, cocking them and his head to her. He let one foot rest on its toes. "I'm not going to rob you of some mushrooms, my dear. I just wanted to see what you were up to out here. I was hunting, actually, not gathering tonight. I did that last night. You musn't be so standoffish."

Videl's amber eyes squinted in confusion as the elf began laughing at her, chewing on her words as he spoke. She looked over herself, her bounty, and the elf once more before letting her guard down. Slightly. "It's not so easy to be alone, lately. I'm finding more conflict at swordpoint rather than pleasantries at goblet." She chuckled shortly, spreading her lips into a rare smile. "I assumed, being this far out, you must've had less-than-good intentions. I'm sorry." The elf offered a humble gesture: not something common in the second era. She took a few steps back, giving him an avenue of entrance to her meager campsite. "I haven't much to offer in the way of comfort, but the fire's warm and..." She looked at him, seeing if her hostessing was appreciated. If not, she would peter off into silence, shrugging hopelessly. If he seemed interested, she would continue, "... I've got some brandy if you're still not warm enough." The smile had dissipated, but friendliness was not hard to read from her attitude.

Alijham nodded softly, giving her a short bow. "Thank you," he tipped his foot and tip-toed over to the fire. He plopped down on his butt. "I understand, forgive my humor. I probably look more menacing than friendly in this mask," he patted the mouth before pulling it down, that and his hood, shaking out his wavy chestnut hair and wetting his lips. "I won't steal all your drink, but I do appreciate the fire very much.. why are you alone, anyhow?"

Videl nodded in agreement as the elf realized he was still masked, and watched him make his way to sitting. She sat down as well, nearby her alchemical station. However, she only stole glances at it to see the progress of her extraction. The she-elf nodded again in answer to his appreciation, but looked at him queerly afterwards. She'd never really needed to travel with anyone else: the thought hadn't even occurred to her. "I... suppose it's a combination of mistrust and personal interest? Safety in solidarity, isn't that what they say?" Whether or not she was making up sayings was up to question, but she stayed invested in the conversation. "It's quicker, I don't have to take care of anyone but myself, and... I suppose nobody's ever asked, really." A short giggle escaped her, which was silenced quickly with a dash of visible sorrow. Videl shook off her piteous demeanor, replacing it with a feigned smile. "You're alone as well," she tried him, leaning forward slightly with her wide eyes like the moons above. "However, I cannot say that I see many Bosmer hunting in packs." Her teeth flashed at him in a more genuine fashion.

"Mm, I used to be the same. But you get lonely in all that traveling and nonsense, I used to do it, too." He pursed his lips. "That is very true, but you don't have anyone to speak to or watch your back.." His eyebrows raised, leaning forward aswell. His one eye widened in turn, mocking her in slight, but not in a mischievous fashion. "Indeed I am. Not when I return home, though, I just hunt and gather myself. I don't stay out for awfully long periods of time. No," he smiled back, "they do not. But my family did, and I spend the juicier portion of my life much away from bosmer."

Videl listened attentively, for she remained in the perched position she'd found before. Her sliced eyebrows peaked when Aliijham mentioned his own loner tendencies. She found it difficult to believe such a typical looking elf would be found anywhere away from the coddling, hidden tree-cities of Valenwood, and it showed on her face. As he mirrored her stance, the she-elf felt a rising tingle on her hairs. Feeling challenged, Videl made sure not to falter. A smirk cracked her painted lips as the elf detailed, creating contrast on her darkened visage. "Lots of family?" She began, a hand reaching behind her to remove flask from alembic, scrabbling with the glass on the rock. "Lucky, that. I suppose it comes with the blessing of living... here." It almost seemed she couldn't bring herself to name it. The she-elf's eyes drifted upwards, her mouth propped open slightly due to the extreme angle. She scrutinized the canopy for some unknown blemish, letting the slightest bit of air escape while distracted by thought.

He dipped his head in response. "Lots, yes. We did everything together.. did you not have much family?" He lowered back down and sat on his butt with a 'thump'. He wondered what she was looking at, and in turn, looked the same direction.

Videl returned to Nim shortly after noticing the swift movement of the elf sitting down. Whatever the girl had been searching for wasn't immediately apparent. "No," she said shortly, chewing on her words as she decided whether or not to let the elf past her walls, "I had a father. Something of an uncle. I never knew my mother. Past that, no. No family." Her tone was somber and sobering, riddled with allusions to pain and memories. "I don't keep ties," she continued, "there's not a lot of familial traditions to uphold." The she-elf now spoke sarcastically, returning to her original, sardonic attitude. "I suppose it's partly why I've returned to the Vale; to... reignite my heritage." Videl's eyebrows popped as she chose the word 'reignite', a thin smile curving her lips.

He watched her with a soft but wary eye. He was young in the face, but his expression told that he was knowing like a father, and old in the heart. "I understand," he dipped his head. "No traditions or ties? Hm." He cracked a small smile back at her. "What do you mean?

Videl nodded in answer, unsure of how to extrapolate upon the matter. "I suppose I mean I've not seen my father or... uncle in many, many years." Her tone grew listless and weary, the she-elf's mind drawing inward upon itself. Her gaze began to travel, but she reigned it quickly. "Uh, what about yourself? You say you did everything together? What about now? See them often?" She returned back to normal, her youthful but hardened face relaxing and loosening in query--her eyebrows raising. Her armored body followed suit, sitting back and finding a comfortable position to rest in.

He looked at her for a while, still. He nodded. "No, ah.. not anymore. I ran away when I was young," he chuckled. The laugh was obviously rather fake, he didn't find it humorous at all. "But I have a family of my own now." He sat back a bit, too.

Videl seemed surprised, but quickly stifled it by carefully picking at a stone wedged in her palm. "That sounds nice," she droned, eyes flicking upwards from their concentrated previous position. "How many children?" Her bottom lip hung open after the question dumbly, fingers now massaging her left palm. Despite how tired and glossed her eyes seemed, her brows were vaulted high.

He looked over her for a moment, contemplating his answer. He fiddled his hands in his hair. "Nine, but one is not mine biologically, and six are.. well.. I don't think I'll ever see them again. But I will never say that they are not among my children."

Videl tossed her head from side to side, contemplating his response. "Hm," she started, "you're a better father than most." Her eyes drifted back to her palm, a wince and sharp breath of air denoting pain. She screwed her mouth, wiping away a small amount of blood on her leathers. "Did they die," being couth was not her strong point, "or have they just gone their own ways?" Her attention returned back to him, palm now pressured face down on her leg.

"I.. thank you?" His brows knitted softly. "They are not dead, no, just elsewhere. Somewhere I can't go back to," he gave a short nod. "What is wrong with your hand?"

Her brows connected, face skewing in surprise. "Uh--cut it. Earlier. Rock got in it." She referenced the previous stone, her face searching for it aside. The injured palm remained pressed against her thigh. After a moment, her eyes returned to his. "Can't go back to?" She echoed him, head tilted inquisitively.

"..Yes, can't go back to," he replied vaguely, signaling that he did not wish to elaborate. "May I see your hand? I can disinfect it for you."

She mulled over the possibilities, then relinquished her hand to him. It was a small cut, no bigger two inches. The wound was fresh--hours old--and had a rosiness about it. Videl's eyes flicked ceaselessly between him and her hand, wary but compliant.

He began to dig into his satchel, pulling out a small, round blue bottle and a cloth. He poured some of the blue liquid on to the cloth and held it over the wound, raising his eyebrows for permission. "It may sting a tad."

Videl watched him carefully, making sure to watch his fingers specifically when he reached into his pouch. She scrutinized the liquid as it seeped into the cloth, and nodded purposefully. "Yeah, yeah..." she murmured, not yet ready to be thankful for allowing her personal bubble to be broken. Her jaw clenched and eyes squinted in preparation for the heralded stinging.

He pressed the cloth to her hand and held it for a moment before taking it off. "Give that a second, tell me when it doesn't sting anymore." He went bag digging through his bag.

Videl quickly replaced his hand with her own, pressing purposefully on the pained palm. Her eyes continued wincing, but followed him as he searched like a squirrel in his nest. As he had prescribed, the pain subsided after a few burning moments. After clearing her throat, she eked, "It's better," and brought her hand up to sniff the salve he'd applied to her.

"Good," he gave a nod, and took a small roll of bandages out. He reached forward for permission to wrap it. "I always carry my supplies with me, never know when someone will get bellysick or sliced."

She extended her arm to him, giving permission, and watching whatever doctoring he would be doing with interest. Her head bobbed while listening, nodding idly. "Do you often cavort the glens playing medic for unfortunate souls like me?" Despite her word choice, vitriol was absent from her tone, and she even managed a short chuckle.

He started to wrap her hand gently. He snorted. "Well, when I find someone or something that needs assistance, yes. But I normally only come out here to have some peace of gather ingredients. It depends what I find on the way to my destination, you're just lucky I was headed this direction."

Videl's gaze never left his careful handiwork. She listened idly, but consumed his words thoughtfully. "I suppose I rather am," she murmured, either from the focus on his hands or otherwise was unapparent. She scuffed her boots along the rock, shifting her weight while waiting on his doctoring. Her uninjured hand reared behind her, taking some of the shifted tension.

He finished up and scooted back, looking up at her with a small smile. "There. How's that feel?"

Videl inspected the finished product quickly, nodding the while. "... Still numb, I suppose that's good." She returned his smile, weakly.

"Good indeed," he chuckled, looking back up to her. "Do you stay at this camp often, or move and re-make camp?"

She shook her head, smile dissipating into neutrality. "Move," she grunted. "Like I said, I've only just returned to the forest." Her head craned again to peer at the canopy above, but she returned her eyes from heavenly bodies to Alijham's earthly one before too much time passed.

"I see," his eyes followed hers curiously. "Why is that? That you move?"

Videl studied him closely, assessing the elf. "It wasn't by my choice," she began, a quieter, more careful tone being taken on, "I was cared for by one who believed it beneficial to /not/ be remembered." Her inflection implied that she'd never settled anywhere, despite calling the forest her home. "I suppose I've just gotten used to that, now. Besides, it's not as if I could fit into the 'collaborative community' paradigm." Her eyes sank to the floor, studying something nondescript. "It's easier this way."

"..I see," he smacked his lips. "Sounds like a mer I know. Why not? I never thought I would, but here I am.. easier? I.. suppose. But it's lonelier."

The she-elf studied him at the sharp, wet noise, listening carefully. "I've nothing to contribute," she answered shortly, her face unsure of her own answer. "Loneliness isn't relative to survival. Besides, it's too difficult to trust anyone." Her eyes cut at him warily, examining him again. Her body tightened. "Let them too close and you'll end up with a thorn in your side, metaphorically or worse." She shifted, curling her limbs closer to her body.