Josephine Dezantro's Story

Aetrius listened as Lolan and Josephine talked about the weather and how they best be on the look out for bad weather that could be heading their way, she kept an eye on that and nodded. She remained looking ahead when she heard Linde speak up, and how she was glad to see her and Kieran getting along, and as she was about to talk she felt Linde kiss the side of her neck that caused her to blush.

Kieran grinned and chuckled looking at Linde, "Ya know, I've never seen her light up like this. Not even with her past relationships." she gave Aetrius is a sly grin and then whistled a casual tune from Saharan, which resulted in Aetrius to give a low growl and slump into the saddle some, yet again.

The two days passed by easily and rather quickly, with little to no hassle along the way. But eventually they arrived at their destination, the boarder of Cre' Est. They had set up camp that night, ate dinner, talked around the fire again, and all went to bed at some point. When the morning arose, the sun light of the tents, warming them up and casting it ever bright orange glow everywhere. By this time though, Aetrius was already out of her tent and nowhere to be seen, Kieran slowly awoke from her slumber and looked around, and sensing something was off. She looked to a small hill in the distance, surrounded by trees and saw a figure in the distance, she decided to investigate and slowly made her way there. Eventually she closed in the distance, and saw a red haired woman sitting down, back facing Kieran. Kieran chuckled and walked up, and sat down next to Aetrius, who sat with her knees held to her chest and her chin resting on her knees. They both remained silent as they looked out in the distance, until one of them spoke up softly, "Can I ask you a question...?" her voice came out softly, as if it was almost a whisper.

Aetrius nodded silently, barely moving her head, but Kieran understood her all too well and understood her message. "Why..Why did you come and look for me in Veilbrand? I know it's been a few days now, but since we left you never told me anything...You've remained rather distant...Am I that different to you know? Do you look at me differently because of what I was forced into? I'd understand if you did, but even then..." her voice died down some, as Kieran looked down and couldn't help as tears slowly trickled down her face. Aetrius continued to remained silent for a few moments, not out of anger or resentment, or even disappointment, it was because she was trying to find the words to say, not even the right words, but words to say in general. She sat there for a few more moments in silence, Kieran nodded and slowly began to stand up, taking the silence as a way of telling her to leave Aetrius alone. But as Kieran turned to leave, a soft voice spoke up behind her.

"I'm not mad at you, Kie...I never have been. You're my sister, and my best friend. You're the only family and friend that I have left from my old life. You've always been the one person I could count on to survive. You were always by my side. For years we had each others back. Always looking out for each other, even when I was an outcast among our clan, you always had my back...Even when...Even when I was marked you were the one who believed in me. You left Saharan because you knew I didn't have a place there anymore. You left because of me, and because of me you eventually got sold and wrapped up into something that resulted in me having to go and find you, after who knows what you've been through..." her voice dying down as her long, breathless ramble and mess of words were expelled from her lips. She remained silent as she softly caught her breath, and after a few deep breaths she spoke up again, "I blame myself, Kieran. For what happened to you. It was my fault you got put into that situation. You should hate me by now..I do. I've hated myself for years because of what happened back there. because I couldn't help you..." she said softly and looked down, her own tears finding their way down her face. Kieran slowly walked infront of Aetrius, and crouched down, gently lifting her currently tear stained chin to look at her.

"You are my sister. Just as Saharans, family means everything to us, regardless as to what had happened. Just as you say, you're all that I have as well. We share the same blood, what runs through me, runs through you. I will always be there for you, just as you had always been there for me. Regardless to what happened all those years ago, regardless of what you've become since our departing...There is one thing you will always be to me." she said softly, as she sat down with Aetrius, hands covered by her own soft and smooth hands. Aetrius looked at Kieran with a raised eyebrown, "You will always be my little sister." she said as she wrapped her arms around Aetrius, and gave her a tight hug, resulting in Aetrius to fully break down into a heartbreaking wail as she wrapped her own arms around Kieran tightly, and continued shaking all the while she cried.

For so long did she blame herself for losing Kieran, and for even losing a part of who she was in Kieran. Knowing that she finally had her sister back again, and that Kieran didn't blame her for anything, or hold any resentment towards her, she couldn't help but finally let all of her emotions out, all of the self doubt and hate, sadness and anger, anxiety and stress, all came out as she cried into her sisters arms until she had nothing left to cry out. And so that sat, on that small hill in the distance, as Kieran hummed Aetrius a soft tune their mother used to always sing to them in their times of sadness, one that always helped calm down a sad Aetrius, but this time it only caused her to cry more, and silently they sat there until it was time for them to leave camp.

Aetrius and Kieran rejoined with the others down the hill when they heard the others were awake and starting to pack up, they helped prepare everything for their travels and eventual departure with Joesephine. Once they were all ready, Aetrius helped Linde up onto Bree, and Kieran helped Rose onto their horse, unknown to them, once soon they got to Cre' Est, they would be saying goodbye to two people, not just one.

Aetrius had to admit to herself though, even with the one girl's distance and solitude, and unintentionally rude appearing manners, she would miss her somewhat. And perhaps, if she did leave, may Heresta bless her and perhaps she would meet up with them again one day.

Aetrius remained looking forward, but her ears and eyes were open and aware of her surroundings. She listened in on Lolan's and Josephine's conversation and chuckled at his attempts at keeping her around, but to obvious no avail. His attempts were good, but not good enough for her apparently. She gently pushed her heels into Bree's sides and mushed her between Lolan and Josephine and waited until they had finished speak, "After noon, Miss Dezantro. I'm sorry for my behavior these passed few days. I just...I don't take well to new people, for obvious reasons. Hell, I shouldn't even have been with this group for very long, nor even at all. I was a wanderer, much like yourself. Lived alone, all the like. I think we have a common mind set, in that area mind you. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I'm sorry for not being as nice or welcoming as I should have, it's my apologies." she said as she gave Josephine the Saharan Salute, and small bow.

Aetrius smiled at her words and nodded, "It's nothing, honestly. If I were to be honest, I'm more than certain that I treated this lot far more worse than you have." she gave a genuine chuckle. It was true, she did. Her first impression back then was to get the job done, then leave. It was only when they assisted her to Veilbrand that she decided to stay with them longer, and Aetrius explained that to her, not why, but that they only stuck around to get what she needed done. She remained silent after a few moments and then spoke up, "Said you were from Triveila, yes? May I ask what it's like? I've never been there, even with all of my travels." she asked, genuinely curious for what other lands were like, as far as she did travel, there were few and far places that she hadn't gone, and these were some of which she'd never been to.

Aetrius listened as she explained what her homeland was like and smiled, it sounded much different than what her own was like. While Saharan was dessert everywhere you look, Triveila was the very opposite, and sounded like something to see. Aetrius turned to look at Josephine as she spoke, "I'd have to venture there at some point, it sounds like a sight to see. Saharan is the exact opposite. Coarse, dry, and sand everywhere. Sand dunes, sand storms, and just regular sand...If the terrain and weather doesn't turn you away, then the just as coarse people probably would." she gave another genuine chuckle. She looked back ahead of them, and then back at the newest member, but back at the trail yet again, "How long have you been traveling, if I may ask? I myself have been on the road for.. six years now, I believe." she said with a rather sad tone, as her mind went back to her days in Saharan, and knowing she couldn't go back there anytime soon, at least not alone.

Aetrius listened as Josephine explained that she too was on her own for years, for almost the exact same reasons as her own. But she felt her face turn a light shade of pink at the question of what had brought her out onto her journey of six years. She paused, and thought for a long while, she could lie, but that would be obvious to her and could possibly ruin her plan, or she could be honest and see if Josephine was honestly worth keeping around or not.

"Hm...Too many things..." she started, with a soft voice as things started to come back to her mind as she reminisced on her past years. "Well, I first left home with my sister, Kieran, many years ago...Bit of a long and personal story, sure you can relate there. After that, we were separated and for four years I searched for her, while doing so I picked up...various jobs you could say, and then I eventually came to a small town of Atlum a month ago, and while there I ran into this lot....And they decided to join me on my adventure to look for my sister, which evident-ally we have. And then, well, we wound up running into you. Many thanks, Miss Dezantro."

She said as she gave the woman in question another nod and a small smile as she turned back to the road ahead of them. If Josephine was keen on learning more, she'd further question her, if not the conversation would end there, and Aetrius knew that, therefore she left the majority of the information left to be desired, if it was so.

Aetrius listened as Josephine commented on what she was told, and even commended her for sticking through all of her events and life changes, she silently nodded as the prior continued talking, and when the question of what was holding her to the group arose, she paused yet again. She never thought she had to speak of her relationship, not like this exactly. After a moment Aetrius cleared her throat, "Thank you for the kind words, Miss Dezantro. Things have been, interesting. Only way to truly talk about them and listen is over a few hard drinks, if I am to be honest. Plenty of adventures of tell, like how I got the scar on my face." she gave a chuckle and then a sigh, and looked back up as a shot of phantom pain went through her face, where the scar resided on her face, even speaking of it could bring back how it felt when she received said scar.

She looked back up and spoke with a sincere tone as she kept her eyes on the way ahead of them and gently held one of Linde's hands with her right hand as her left held the reins, "If I were to be honest, Miss Dezantro. I was all alone until I came to Atlum a month ago. I had my fair share of...relationships to say. But...Something about this one..It's something else. Aside from Linde here, this group is made of good people, trust worthy people...People I, people I would easily lay my life down for." she said softly as she gave Linde's hand a gentle squeeze, then looked back up at Josephine.

"I don't think that anyone would have ever expected such an at times heartless, brutal and rather renknown Bounty Hunter such as me to ever have such a change of heart. I know I wouldn't have. Only because I stayed when I was injured back in Atlum did any of this happen."