How Far - [Open]

Fantastic, it looked like he was lost. That trail he had followed for the past few days ended up being a little more twisty and confusing following up than it had been following down. Often times the dirt road would branch off in different directions...and he couldnt remember for the life of him which one he had come from. Not even his natural sense of direction could help him figure this maze out. In the end he had just gone in random directions. After all, he wasnt planning on going anywhere specific. Didnt his plan have something to do with going where the wind took him? Right...sounds better in theory. Oh well, he would just have to deal with it. He was in that territory where people would look at him weird again. They werent exactly freaking out like they used to, maybe appearing and then dissappearing for about four months helped that. Either way, he was happy to not be drawing so much attention. The only way he knew to go at the moment was straight, and he really didnt want that to be a dead end.

He saw some familiar sites...but most of them were more faint than anything, like they were in the back of his memory. Well, all he really needed was a town. From there he could find directions, maybe get himself a map for once. Yea...that would be great. Hopefully the road he was following now would lead him to a town where he could do just that. Luckily for him, thats what happened. Unluckily, it turned out to be the town of Tola. Probably not the best place to ask for help. A fight maybe, but not help...But he didnt know that. Go figure. Complaining wasnt exactly something he could do, so he'd have to deal with it. Walking up to the town so full of life in the middle of the night, he was a little surprised. Even the forest slept somewhat at night, so he would think that people would too. Apparently not...which could be told from all the noise. First things first, he needed to find a place that could make him a map, or that he could buy a map. Standing in the middle of the town...he looked at all the different buildings...each one more confusing than the last. He had to focus...last time this happened he ended up walking into a morgue asking for a room for the night...

Alright, that was pointless. He couldnt figure the buildings out for the life of him. He recognized a few from the town he had stayed in for awhile, but there were many other types of establishments he did not recognize. He decided he would go to the place which appeared to have the most amount of people. Surely he could find some help in a place like that? Looking around, he located the place which was making the most noise. Looked decent...if only he knew what he'd be getting into. He walked up to the front door but was halted by a rather large man, and his question. "Hold it. You think you can just waltz in here? I aint seen your face around here and I dont like strangers...How old are you?" Denzyl just sort of stared at the man for a moment, before telling him he was twenty five. The man at the door snorted at him and said he could go inside, only because he was gonna enjoy throwing him out later.

Obviously he had no idea what he was talking about, but went inside anyway. What he found was only a little overwhelming. A large group of people scattered around, mostly at tables, and a few at a large stretch of wood at the back of the room, where one man stood. It looked like a type of counter where the owner, or at least one in charge of looking after people, was at. At this point he had indeed learned what that was, so was able to assume that he should go there with his questions. As he made his way across the room, a fat man sitting at one of the chairs just happened to extend his leg in an attempt to trip him. This worked only about halfway, because he did fall...but instead of smacking the ground, he caught the ground with his hand and went with the motion, cart-wheeling back to his feet. He looked back at the man with a somewhat dissappointed look. "You would be wise to keep your feet out of the walkway..." and with that he continued his way to the counter...leaving the other man gaping at him, as well as a few others. When he reached it...he was smart and asked what kind of establishment this place was. The bartender laughed at him. "Are yeh serious man? Dont ye know anything?! This is a bar ya moron! What'd you think it was, a girly play house? It looks to me like ye've gone to far from your last one!" The bartender just cackled at him...while he waited for him to stop before politely responding. "Right...would you just tell me where I could get a map of the area?" The bartender, of course, just simply laughed at him again and waved him off before stating, "Either buy a drink or get the hell out!" To this...he had to take the latter. After a few moments, he picked himself up and began a walk out of the bar...

As clueless as he generally was, he was getting the feeling that this place, this "bar" was a place of meeting for humans, generally the more annoying one. All it really took was that conversation with the bartender to realize what kind of a place it was, and ultimately decide he should leave. It was one of those times where he actually wished the people there were cowering in fear or something, at least then he could make a smooth exit. Because of those thoughts, he knew that things like fights were more than likely to break out...which is the main reason he didnt pay any mind to the one that took the attention of the whole bar as he was walking towards the exit. Ignoring it wasnt really that hard, it was more like just a bunch of noise anyway. All he heard was voices of men barking at eachother...nothing he had to bother with. Let them have their "fun", he was getting the hell out of there before HE ended up having to hurt someone.

It was about the time he was at the door, hand on it and ready to push open, that he really heard something from the fight that was said for the first time. What caught his attention was a single voice, one that obviously belonged to a female. The others may have been too thick to realize it, but somehow he could tell just be the sound of her voice that she was still a teenager, probably somewhere between fifteen and eighteen. He turned his head to look with some admitted interest at that point, but left his hand on the wall. What he saw was the group of people gathered around her while she tried to talk her way out of a fight. It was, obviously, unsuccessful, and before she knew what was happening, he could tell, she was socked right in the face. The blow made him flinch himself a little, for he knew that could not have felt good. He felt the urge to step in, but knew that it was not his fight, and if he did so...the whole place would probably break out into one big rumble. Much as he wanted to help, he knew that wasnt possible.

He decided he wouldnt step in until things became...more deadly. In truth, it was hard for him to stay in the same spot as she took the second blow to the stomach, launching her across the room, but he was able to anyway. He watched even longer...just about ready to step in anyway when suddenly the girl whipped out two blades, holding them with what looked like a good amount of skill. His eyes widened slightly, and he reached behind his back for his bow, placing one hand on it but not yet weilding it...when suddenly a woman came out and hollered at the man who had started the whole thing. He knew it was over right then, so took his attention off of them, and instead took a look at the girl. She seemed different, once those blades slipped into her hands...battle crazed, perhaps. Then again, that was understandable. One can only take so much before you just want to throw caution out the window and screw someone over.

He turned his attention back to the door, which his other hand was still on, and began to push slightly to go out when all of a sudden her voice was next to him, and a little below as well. It surprised him slightly, she had gotten over there quickly, though he did not jump. She had asked for him to hold the door for her, and he looked down...studying her now exhausted and beaten face. He paused for a moment, looking at her, but then opened the door the rest of the way and followed her out. He was met again by the doorman, who was of course, like everyone else, laughing. "Oi! Look who it is! Its been not five minutes since you went in there! To much for you to handle eh?" His laugh was cut short when he noticed the girl, and suddenly he was on her. He grabbed her by the arm and yanked her over to him, forcefully. "What the hell do you think your doing here?! Adults only!" Despite the fact that she was LEAVING, the man seemed intent on holding her for...some reason. Before either of them could react any further, the doorman was suddenly smacked to the ground...by his boot, leaving the girl just standing there. "She was just leaving. And so was I." he said to the downed and embarrassed man.

He walked with her a few ways away from everyone else before turning to look at her, something going through his head. "Hey, you dont look so good." he touched his own cheek where a big purple bruise was starting to form on hers "I dont think your cheek likes being big and blue. I could treat it for you if you'd like."

He couldnt help but smile, a kind friendly smile at how she rambled. It wasnt because he was amused, but rather because it let him know that she actually was grateful. He was expecting her to blow him off, honestly, to just be like "Uh, no thanks...bye..." and run off. He was pleasantly surprised that she actually responded positively. It was the first time that had happened in awhile anyway. "No, its okay, really. Do I need to know you to offer help? If so, this world is messed up more than I've thought." he said, laughing the last sentence out. He reached for the pouch on his leg, ready to extract the proper medical supplies to help the bruise stop hurting, when suddenly she made an unexpected movement.

She had pulled out a crap load of cash out of seemingly nowhere, and his eyes did admittedly widen a little. Not so much because he was like "Oh look! MONEY!", but rather because he didnt see it coming. But that look of surprise slowly turned into a small frown. Something about a scenario where one person gives up money, a lot of it at that, just because someone had acted through the kindness of their heart...well it didnt seem right. He knew he couldnt accept it, though he was getting the feeling that all that money in her hands was probably what caused the fight. Realizing this, the frown changed again into a small smirk as he pushed her hands down, rejecting the offering. "Is this what that fight was over? I can see why that guy was angry. I get the feeling you earned that money with more than just your skill with cards, so I cant accept it." he placed a finger on the side of his forehead, immitating a thinking stance. "To be honest, if an act of kindness is so rare around here that one would feel the need to pay because of it, then I think were really in for it!" he continued, the smirk returning. It was after that moment that he extended his arm, and invitation for a handshake. "My name is Dan."

The smirk changed into a good healthy smile when she laughed and smiled back. From what he had seen of her so far, the last thing from her face was a smile. It had gone from serious, to a little afraid, to solem and throbbing with pain. It was good to see her enjoying herself again, even though, as she said, he didnt know her. Kinda strange really, the way he would be so concerned and at the same time happy with her own happiness. Well, that was probably just the way he was, and he felt right that way. Someone in the world had to be concerned with more than just himself anyway. She took his hand and gave it a nice hard shake, showing him that being a girl didnt mean she was a softie, a trait her liked. It let his grin return and stay. He liked the way she put emphasis on the word 'me' before introducing herself, and he responded with a nod of recognition. He could tell by the way she acted that she didnt already know him previously like many others had, which relieved him. If there was anyone he didnt want to suddenly freak out and sceam bloody murder, it was her.

She asked him an excellent question in that moment...and excellent question in which he could only find a single excellent answer. "Nowheresvill? Is that what this place is called?" he looked around confused, as if looking for a sign with the town name...he was actually serious. He returned to her though before she could say anything. "To be honest I didnt actually come here intentionally. I'm a little new to the area, and I didnt have a map...so I was just following the roads, which led me here. I was starting to think it was a stupid mistake, but then I met you." his grin returned from the clueless look he had before, then he continued, "I dont think your around-from around her either...your too smart to be related to anyone in that "bar"."

The girl, whos name he now knew as Lucy, had just then given him a good amount of information. The collection of names and locations she had presented sounded familiar...both in the back of his head, and from the places that the family he had stayed with talked about. He placed one hand on his chin in a real thinking position, mentally forumulating a map in his head using the information she had given him. So...this port town, Tola, was pretty far north...at the edge of the continent even. No wonder he had been on that same road for what felt like days...he probably bypassed a large amount of smaller and larger cities on the way here...or was he so clueless he had walked straight through them without even realizing? No, he wasnt that bad...not yet. He was in the middle of his mental map making when she spoke again, shaking him from his thoughts as he looked back at her again with attention.

"I see...you look pretty young, thats really impressive. Despite being as old as I am, I'm in the same boat as you believe it or not. As far as I know, I've been away from society for quite awhile, just sort of by myself...for about...four years I think? I've just recently started to see the world for what it really is." he bit his bottom lip, unsure of whether or not telling her his "life story", as short as it is, to her. She could probably take it the wrong way...or just think he was crazy. Well, maybe he'd be able to tell her later...right now she probably didnt need to know all that stuff. Even now, this meeting could end one of two ways. They could either both end it with a 'Well...it was nice to meet you, I guess I'll see you...', and basically never see eachother again, or they could hang out for awhile, possibly become friends. He was considering this when she appeared to make the latter more promising than the former.

She had suggested the two of them going to an inn, as it was getting cold and dark out, which he honestly didnt realize. He knew what she was talking about was, for once...so he could actually agree with her this time confidentally. He nodded "Sure, lead the way" he said, following after her as she had begun to walk. He would have to follow her, because he sure as heck didnt know where it was.

He began following behind her, leaving some space for silence...though it was a comfortable silence. It left him some time to be alone with his thoughts as he looked around the town, or up at the stars which could now be seen up in the sky. The darkness all around did provide an interesting feeling of peace, and it made him feel good...alive. It was an interesting effect, and he liked it. He hadnt really thought about it, but the world was lonlier than he thought it would be. Leaving that forest, he had expected more...he guessed. Really, the only kind of human companionship he had felt in the months he had been around was in that town he didnt even know the name to...and even then he felt like he was over stepping a boundry. It caused him to give a sad smile that Lucy probably didnt see as he looked up at the stars. Maybe things would turn around...because right now, he really didnt know what he was doing.

It was when they got close to the Inn that he looked back down, and noticed the way she was hurting. She tried to hide it, she did indeed, but he could see right through it. Not exactly sure how, but he could just tell. He was glad she wanted to appear strong...but a little disappointed that she would think she had to. Putting on a constant disguise to others was never a good idea. He'd worry about it later though, because they were there now. She opened the door for HIM this time, and he properly thanked her before another conversation broke out between her and another woman named Mertyl.

He stood by idle and waited for the exchange to pass, and he nodded at Lucy who presented him some information. The place really did feel cozy...but he wasnt ready for sleep just yet. He didnt know about her, but he wasnt really tired. "Alright, I'll look into that in awhile..." he looked around and noticed that the lobby of the inn was also a sort of living room...as he noticed some vacant tables and couches. Cozy indeed. "Would you like to sit down somewhere? I'd still like to take a look at that bruise in any case." he smiled warmly, adding to the friendly invitation.

He got the feeling that she was accepting his invitation because he wanted her to, not really because she wanted to be "treated". He understood that, and respected it as well...but it was too late to turn back now. And besides, he just couldnt feel right looking at the big black thing on the side of her face without having at least done something about it. After all, he could have stepped in on that fight as it was happening...but he didnt. Which reminded him of the falcon kick she had recieved after the punch. Another thing to look into, maybe. He followed her, again, to a table and they both sat across from eachother. It was the first time he was able to get a real straight look on her, as all the previous times they were sort of next to eachother, looking out of the sides of their eyes, or in his case anyway, looking at her back. She probably hadnt even gotten a good look at him yet, so maybe no was her chance if she wanted to. Possibly more of a self centered thought than anything, he tossed it aside and forgot he ever thought about it.

It was about that time a woman came up to them, and asked a strange question. Could she get them something? He was about to look in his pack of medical supplies to see if there was anything he was missing, and if he was maybe she could 'get' him that...but Lucy just told her they were sitting. Obviously, he didnt understand, so he just watched. After some convincing, the woman went away after a sudden outburst from Lucy. He didnt really know how necessary it was, but he didnt really think too much on it. He did, however, feel somewhat bad for that lady...so he made a mental note to see her later, if he got the chance. But for now, his focus was on Lucy. Before taking anything out, he studied the bruise, not saying anything, just looking at her. He wasnt thinking about how she might misinterperate and think he was just staring at her, because he was focusing, thinking. Yep...he had what he needed for her, and eventually reached into the leg pouch and extracted the required items. "Hang on, this might sting a little." he said, and began the treatment. There wasnt really anything he could do to make it go away of course, mostly just make it stop hurting, maybe heal a little faster. When he was done, he hoped it had been helpful.

He pulled back away from her once that was done, having to lean across the table to reach her face, and sat back down in the chair. When he did, he felt his bow dig into his back, so promptly removed the sheathed bow and hung it around the back of his chair, as well as the two quivers. That was much better, he felt alot lighter now, and more flexible as well; comfortable. He was a little surprised she hadnt commented on his bow as of yet, but he wasnt looking for her to, so it didnt really matter. A question came to mind then, and having nothing else to talk about...felt free to voice it. "So, where are you heading next? Do you know what your going to do tomorrow?" it was an innocent question, spoken mostly in interest than anything.

They sat there in silence, just sort of staring at eachother, eye to eye. He had asked her a question, and as of yet, she did not appear to have even realized he said anything. He just sat and looked at her for awhile, figuring that perhaps she was formulating an answer, so gave her space in order to do so. When she hadnt said anything for another few moments though, he cocked an eyebrow in a gesture that sort of said "You there?". That action seemed to trigger something in her, as it was then that she gave a reaction and answered back. Looked to him like it was more the sudden change in scenery, his eyebrow, that jolted her back to reality, rather than what the movement meant. The answer was probably as simple as she could have put it, and though she answered calmly, he could somewhat tell that it was a little awkward, at least in that she hadnt thought about it and the sudden thought OF it came as a surprise. He made no indication he had noticed such things, and acted as though she had responded quickly and completely normal. Though he didnt exactly expect the answer to be turned around on him. The period of silence gave him a moment to think about his own answer though, so he was ready to reply quicker than she, even though he didnt really expect to have to speak of his thoughts on it.

"Same for me really. Like I told you before, I only stumbled across this town on accident more than purpose. I dont really have a destination. Hell, I dont even know what the areas around here are called or whats even in them to begin with. I guess you could say I just plan on going where my feet take me, and seeing what happens to be there." he said, speaking casually in a friendly kind of way. And it was true too, he really had no set distination. It was the first time he thought about it really, how much he DIDNT know what he was doing. He was smart though, he'd be able to figure something out eventually. The thought that perhaps, since they were both in the same situation more or less, the two of them could travel together barely even crossed his mind...not because he wouldnt have liked the idea, he would have, but he simply wasnt used to such things and didnt even know doing so was a possibility. He added something to his previous statement, "Looks to me like the both of us are probably heading out to wherever tomorrow. Thats just a guess though, I know now that I dont really have anything to stay here for, but you could..." He blinked a few times and shook his head, going into an appology, "Sorry...I dont know what I'm talking about..."

He smiled sheepishly in spite of himself at having said what he did, then having it contradicted by her. He really felt like he had been rude, making assumptions about her own thoughts without really thinking about it much. And to him, it basically sounded like he had started rambling, or thinking outloud when he really didnt need to. So, despite her saying that it was okay, his sheepish smile couldnt be avoided. The tongue thing didnt help much either anyway. Though he still didnt feel reassured, he decided to go on anyway...she urged him to anyway. He cleared his throat before going on, "Well...I dont have any reason to stay here. I dont need a pit stop anyway, as you say this town is basically for, as I got enough supplies to keep going until the next town or whatever. I just thought that, you know, since your basically a 'wanderer' too, you'd probably be leaving soon too. But of course, I wouldnt know if theres still things you have to do here..." He paused here...as if thinking about what he would be saying next, or maybe trying to find something to say in the first place. He took a moment then began speaking again, "I dont really know, I'm just kind of thinking about whats going happen next. I do that frequently, dont really bother worrying about whats going on now. I was also curious about what you might be doing, since your in the same position as me. Know what I mean?"

He was done speaking for the time being, hoping that what he had said was enough to satisfy her, it was certainly enough for him. Maybe she'd answer positively, or maybe she would be a little disturbed, though he doubted that. Just like him to consider all the options though. At least it kept him brain busy for the most part. Better to be thinking about something than appearing completely brain dead.

Throughout the second part of his mini-speech, he noticed the way she seemed to fidget, though only slightly. Watching her do it, he noticed the way the actions she made seemed undeniable, as though it was just natural for her to do so. He hadnt met someone like that before...then again she was one of the very few people he had ever taken the time to sit down and talk with face to face; most people he was just passing by. He also noticed the way she was trying to contain herself as she did it, most likely feeling that by doing so SHE was acting somewhat rude, or perhaps appearing uninterested in what he was talking about. He took this to mind and decided not to really give any meaning to whatever movements she made with her hands or feet. Though he did have to notice she was moving quite a bit in the actually short time it took him to speak. Either way, he just kept on going as if never even noticing what she was doing.

There was another small period of silence once he finished, silent except for the small movement she was making of tapping the table with her fingers. He figured this meant that she was thinking, so he let her have her moment and was silent himself as he waited for a response. He honestly had to wonder what she was thinking about. He thought that maybe she was actually wondering what it was she planned on doing, maybe she hadnt thought about it like he had...if you could say he had. That side of him that had been away from humanity for so long kept him away from figuring what she was really thinking about, basically having him think at a completely different location, while at the same time...that tiny yet natural human need for companionship had him subtly hoping that maybe they could travel together, though he didnt even realize he wanted to yet.

It appeared as though his own thoughts were subtly going in beat with the tapping sounds Lucy was making with her fingers, so when she suddenly stopped, all his own thoughts scrambled for a moment, then disappeared, allowing him to look back at her with more attention, as it appeared as though she was getting ready to say something. She did, and it threw him off. He didnt do anything to really show this, just continued to look at her, probably appearing to be in thought. What he was actually doing was, in his own way of course, asking her for advice on what HE should do next. Basically asking her what she planned on doing, and using that as a sort of example, or a precedent perhaps. What she suggested he was suggesting was a whole new idea entirely, though it sounded quite good. He didnt want to appear anymore clueless than he already was, so he decided to roll with the punches and act as though thats what he WAS inferring all along, and answered her accordingly. "Well...would you like to?" He said it slow and casual, but also in a kind of friendly way, to keep her feeling comfortable rather than obliged.

In the midst of his thinking process and as he was beginning to speak, he leaned forward in his chair to place both arms on the table, crossing eachother in a crossed like position in front of his chest, leaning his weight on them in this change of sitting. It was more comfortable for him than his previous one, which was leaning back completely on the back of the chair, keeping his own back pretty much straight. The bow dug into him a little, despite being hung up on the chair, and his back itself was getting a little tired, so the forward motion gave him some relief. He could tell that she was thinking again, briefly as it may have been, as it didnt take her too long to answer back. She had a look on her face, one he couldnt really read, but wondered if it had anything to do with what she was thinking. It was a strange one, as he couldnt really tell if it was worried or maybe hopeful...Well, whatever kind of a look it was, he didnt really think what she said was a direct reflection of what she was thinking previously.

He sighed after she got finished speaking, a kind of thoughtful sigh. He had hoped she wouldnt answer like that, for he had hoped she would make the decision up for him. He hadnt even thought about the idea yet, and somehow he figured she had, so it meant he'd have to think about it. He couldnt deny it sounded like it would be a fun experience, but he also wondered if it might be an annoyance. As he thought about that specifically, his eyes drifted away from empty space and focused on her again, and it didnt take him very long to figure she wouldnt. Besides company what was she? A stomach to feed, maybe someone to look after. Neither which were problems for him. He could find food in his sleep, and he felt confident that he could look after her easily enough, if she would even need such to begin with. She seemed capable...at least when not surrounded by a bunch of thugs in a bar. He hummed thoughtfully before opening his mouth to speak.

"Hmmmmmm...well, after much intense consideration..." he was obviously playing around with her, showed by the slight grin that was back on his face, ""I believe that the path to a bottomless pit would be more interesting and enjoyable with you around."

The laugh Lucy gave him in return made Dan smile, letting him know that his answer turned joke was not denied, but rather accepted as good humor. It made him feel better about himself, maybe not so out of sync with regular people. His smile was disguised as a grin which suggested he was laughing at his own joke as she was, while not actually opening his mouth. His thoughts of relief were successfully tucked away, relief in that her laugh probably meant yes. The longer the issue had come to mind, the more he found the idea of traveling together appealing, and the more he wanted to do so. In the beginning, if she had immediatly blown him off, he probably would have just nodded and said 'alright', minced a few more words, and gone to bed. But now, if she were to finally say no after so much anticipation, he probably wouldnt take it too well on the inside, though would remain as polite as possible, appearing still as though it didn't bother him as much as it did.

A few more moments followed which included another small moment of general silence as she appeared to think, another laugh (this time in the form of a giggle) probably created from those thoughts, and Lucy laying her chair down on the ground again. He was actually thrown off by that for a moment, as he hadnt thought about her sitting position as abnormal, so when she suddenly flew to the ground, his eyes widened in a type of 'Woa, what?" look, despite having seen her that way before already. This look passed rather quickly as she spoke, crisp and professional, acting more like they were making a business deal, though her own smile showed how friendly it really was, which he reflected. "Great, pleased to be able to accompany you." he said, extending his arm for a handshake, one of the human gestures he actually DID know.

When she had taken his hand, he planned on standing up and stretching. After which, he would look back at her and say "So, traveling partner, what shall it be for the remainder of the night? Sleep, or might you have something in mind?"