Snippet #2749854

Her initial reaction - the wiggling of the toes - told him that she wasn't really that interested in leaving the hotel room. Aaron couldn't blame her. And in all fairness, he should have bought beers before they went back to the hotel. When she sat up on the bed, he looked at her and thought for a moment. He considered going down to the bar and having a few drinks there. He was almost certain that if they sat in the bar, he wouldn't be able to shake the feeling that someone was listening in on their conversation. Hell, for all he knew, someone or something might even dare attack them. Not to mention the fact that he knew himself well enough to be sure that he might even get a little bit drunk.

"Hmm..." He drew out, a deep sound coming from somewhere within his chest. Aaron had let his eyes drift away from hers as he thought. "You know what, I'll be straight with you here." He stood up and began putting his shirt and socks on. "I'm not really super game for sitting in the bar right now. I just don't really feel safe, I suppose. So here's what I'll do: I'll nip down to the store and buy us some beers and some wine, whichever you prefer and come back and we can talk?" Aaron waited for a second but then put his shoes on. He was really not up for sitting in the bar, so this was going to be his decision and not so much an offer.

---

The temperature had cooled considerably. Or maybe it was because he had just had a long hot shower. Or probably both of those things. Aaron had put on a hoodie, and crossed the street quickly. There was a store right on the other side of the street. He went inside and closed the door behind him. It was small, packed to the brim and quiet except for a fluorescent light that buzzed above him. As he browsed the store, he briefly considered if he was in the right place. There were maps, quills, something that looked like a potion, empty vials and more things that seemed out of place. Aaron turned around and found more contemporary items. Bacardi Rum and Heineken beers.

Right. Magic.

This would take some time getting used to. It had started with the leprechauns and Aaron had a feeling that whoever owned this store wasn't exactly human either. He grabbed what he needed and slowly headed for the counter. He grabbed a couple of chocolate bars and found the money he'd calculated he would owe.

"Aaaah. Good evening, little one."

Aaron froze and looked up. From a behind a blanket that covered the way to a backroom (or so he assumed), stepped an old woman. She moved slowly, with difficult steps around the counter.

"Good evening." Aaron said in response and pushed the money toward her, eager to get out of the store.

"Fear not, little one." The woman said and lifted her gaze to look upon him. Only, she couldn't. She had no eyes. But she had lips the colour of midnight and only skin where her eyes should be. She wore something that could only best be described as a cloak, which hung in tatters to the ground off her scrawny shoulders. But despite her appearance and initial impression, she was faster than you'd think. Her hand shot out from under her robes and seized Aaron's wrist.

"Ah." A raspy sound that could be a chuckle came from her throat and her missing eyes seemed to search for something. "The winds have been howling your name." The old woman smiled still and nodded to herself, almost as if she was talking to someone in her head. She let go of his wrist.

Aaron had been too startled to resist her grip - which had been surprisingly firm. He stumbled a few steps back when she let go and rubbed his wrist. The old woman had an air about her that meant she knew more than she said. And Aaron felt as if she had taken something from him. He did not know how, but he felt as if she had been in his body or mind through the touch of skin.

"I told you not to fear me, I wish you no harm. You or your friend."

"How do you-"

The woman raised a hand in dismissal and cut Aaron off. "In time, little one. In time more will be revealed."
And she took the money and walked off with the same difficult steps as before, her brief invigoration having left her.

Aaron lingered a moment and stared. His wrist was cold where she had touched him. And he was none the wiser. She knew more about him than he did about her. Or any of this. And that was a disconcerting thought. He nearly followed her, but decided against it last minute. Instead, Aaron gathered his things and went back to Tahra.

---

The temperature in the room hit him like a blanket of heat. It was nice. Aaron had regained his composure on his way over, but was definitely going to tell Tahra about his encounter at the store. He placed the beers and the wine on the bed and took off his shoes.

"I bought a little bit of both. I'm a little indecisive." He flashed her a crooked smirk and shrugged.