Arya sat still in utter disbelief. Klaus came in the nick of time.. but why? She rose slowly, about to voice her thanks, but he ruined the moment with his first set of words. An angry look captured her features and she couldn't calm the irritated twitch of her eye. For a moment, she made the mistake of thinking there was some sort of redeeming quality about the men they traveled with.
"You know! This is starting to get really annoying having to come and save everyone all the time. I should be getting paid for this, speaking of which! You think I am going to let you die when you are in debt to me. Sorry, love, but it ain't going to happen, you will do your debt in full!"
Debt? That's all? I'm such an idiot! You and Jalen are just so despicable! How did we get caught up with guys like you!?She wanted to waltz over there and slap the hell out of him, but right now there was a rogue, overgrown reptile running a muck in the cave. They needed the cave's protection from the elements so it was becoming a growing problem. She seen the creature make quick work of Diana's crutch, she didn't want to imagine just how easy she'd break in the creature's horrid clutches. Setting her emotions aside she just blew some of her bangs out of her face and remained quiet. She had nothing good to say, and she feared if she opened her mouth she'd never stop yelling.
"Well it isn't exactly our fault. We needed someone to go after Jalen, and I can barely walk. Putting Arya and Jalen together is like adding gasoline to a fire. Really? I'm sure she plans to pay you back and all, but right now I believe we have a Gorgon on our hands. She fled deep into the cave during your shouting..."
She frowned to Diana who while sticking up for them, also remained pretty neutral. She wasn't truly siding with anyone but herself. In Arya's eyes, this group was Boys vs. Girls. She didn't trust either one of these men. There was always some sort of catch when it came to receiving aid from Jalen or Klaus. Though Klaus's help was always more costly. She crinkled her nose, still a little tempted to refuse his help. I'm going to owe him the playboy mansion at this rate. She kept glancing over to Diana and eventually caved, taking the girl's arm and supporting her weak side. She couldn't watch the girl use that poor excuse for a stick as support any longer.
"Disgusting things."
"Snakes are quite useful.."
"I'm sorry, that's one thing I have to agree on with Loan shark over there. Snakes are among the scum of the earth." She frowned to the ground, making sure that none crossed her path. She was still in her leather heeled boots, glad that for once she wasn't in an open toed shoe. If she felt a snake run across her skin she'd flip shit. She didn't catch on to Klaus's change like Diana, she did notice something. With every hour that passed, something in Klaus seemed to shift. She wasn't sure what it was, or maybe it was always there.. but she was growing more aware that he wasn't just the "Nice but severely sarcastic" guy she first thought him to be. There was something more to him, more dangerous than her ex boyfriend Lucan could ever hope to become. Something about him sent pure shivers down her spine.
She noticed Diana seemed to be struggling with something, so she just assumed for the sake of things that she should keep the charade and continue to call the dark haired girl, Wynter. She supposed Diana would tell Klaus when she was ready, or maybe she just never will want him to know the truth period. It wasn't her business to tell the girl's secret, however small it was. She highly doubted the name Stirling was relevant in this wacky upside down world they were currently stuck in.
"Should I come save you guys or do you have everything all handled? But then, that depends on you."
Finally Arya could no longer hold her thoughts to herself. She opened her mouth to let out a fiery retort, but was beat to the punch once again. She was growing irritated, but it was then that she noticed just how good of a heart Diana truly had. She wasn't out for her own gain, she was primarily concerned for the group as a whole. Even she was guilty of wishing one of the men would fall and break their neck now and then, but Diana was truly looking out for everyone.
"Save is a strong word.. I like assist better. You need this cave just as much as we do. Whether we like it or not, we're a team Klaus. A team doesn't keep score on who owes whom.. Everything a team does is for mutual benefit and this cave is beneficial to all of us last I checked. So unless you've suddenly become immune to sickness due to one of these messed up powers that everyone else seems to be getting, I think you can work with us on this.."
Arya was a bit moved by her speech, but just kicked at the dirt uncomfortably. She'd never been much of a team player. She wasn't sure how well she'd be able to work with everyone, especially considering the way Klaus was constantly expecting compensation for his efforts. This was all a little overwhelming. She had never even once ventured off into the woods before now, not even for a nature hike. Now she was expected to survive in them?
"If we keep this up, this time next week we'll all be dead. I'm not Arya, or Jalen. I'm not afraid. I'm not scared to speak up. I'm a Stirling and I'm tired of being pushed around. NO I don't need you to 'save me again', but I would highly appreciate your help, both of you. Three heads are better than one. Are we clear? If we can show the damn thing her reflection somehow I'm fairly certain we can turn her into stone instead of dying here tonight."
"I'm not sca- Forget it.." Her frown turned into a smile, and her insulted tone calmed as she stopped herself from furthering the conflict, "Do we have a mirror? Any way we can make her look into water?" She asked, throwing her ideas out there. Arya wasn't exactly an intellectualist. She barely passed in school. She spent more of her time fighting with the boys. Fighting she knew. Hunting, strategy, and survival were all beyond her. Though it was then that she noticed the aura glowing around Diana. She nearly jumped back and dropped the woman entirely, but something about it.. something about the way it made her feel.. She felt safe. It was a warm and inviting feeling. What exactly was the other girl's power? Arya found her mind buzzing with questions but they received so little answers. Who brought them here?
"Same here. You can be pretty useful sometimes.. I guess." Arya mumbled defiantly in Klaus's direction. She didn't really want to make eye contact after everything that had happened. Him carrying her to the old couple's home, her leaning on him while they hid from the villagers, the strange woman he seemed to know, and then not to mention the IOU.. She didn't want to get caught up in any of it. She was going to keep her distance as much as possible. Emotionally and physically she planned to avoid Klaus. It only complicated things the more she decided to believe in him. Though it wasn't easy. Both of their male companions were aesthetically pleasing despite their bad attitudes.