As the quest progressed, Ryo quickly learned he had absolutely no idea how to interact with a teenager. He was once a teen too so he thought it wouldn’t be too bad. How wrong he was. What he’d do to have someone like Leo here right now.
The girl didn’t even speak for the first day and they rode in complete silence. The only time they even interacted was at night when he fed her and it came time to sleep. They had two tents but he knew it wasn’t a smart for her to sleep on her own. Understanding it may be awkward for her to sleep in the same tent as him he offered for Nix to sleep with her. Thankfully the girl accepted and since then she got on with his palico. So that was something at least. The following days not much changed but she was becoming more responsive and answered him with words instead of weak nods and started expressing more of her personality and it no longer felt as if he was travelling with a rock. He even heard her happily conversing with Nix at night, although she was definitely struggling with the language barrier. It was very amusing.
However, whether she was growing more comfortable or breaking mentally the last few days have been unbearable. The attitude came, and she proved herself to be a true teenage girl. It reminded him of Amara when they were younger and just like then he wanted to kill her. It was always small, petty things and it was driving him mad.
As night fell they set up camp near the base of the mountain range which split schrade. Ryo planned to then travel through the mountains and to a small village called Metapettato on the edge of the jungle and central lake. He’d then travel through the central frontier specifically the marshlands. If he was being honest the marshlands is the last place he wanted to go but in the essence of time it was their best pathway to Dundorma. And then all this would be over.
Like always, Nix made them a stew. Ryo claimed the steaming bowls and handed one to the girl.
“Thanks” she said and took hold of the bowl.
“Have you still got water in your waterskin?” Ryo asked as he sat down at the campfire. She nodded. “Good”. Normally this time would be filled with silence and Ryo would eat to the sound of campfire crackling. But since Nix and their new companion began bonding they’d strike up conversations together and Ryo would now listen to Astra try to understand him.
“The stews great Nix” she stated.
‘Thank you’ Nix meowed.
“Your welcome” she replied.
‘She got one right’ Ryo thought.
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“Where did you learn?” she then asked.
‘The hunter academy’ Nix replied with another meow.
“Your parents?” the girl queried.
“The hunter academy” Ryo corrected as he finished off his stew.
Her brows creased “Are you sure?”.
“Pretty certain” Ryo replied, while washing out his bowl. She turned to Nix and when the palico nodded the girl’s shoulders sagged.
“Just when I thought I was getting it” she mumbled.
“You’ll get there. We all did” Ryo told her.
“I hope so. I’d love to have a proper conversation with him. He’s a lot more fun than Lucy” she said, putting aside her bowl and ruffling the palico’s fur.
He stood from his seat. “I’d get some sleep soon girl. We leave at first light” Ryo said.
A scowl grew on her face instantly and Ryo quickly foresaw the incoming mood swing. ‘Damn’.
“Astra” she snapped. Ryo grumbled. “Not girl my name is Astra. How would you like it if people called you hunter”.
“People do call me hunter. Quite common for my career” Ryo pointed out. The girls face went blank as she quickly realised she’d used a poor example.
Ryo watched her face crease and grow red, suddenly his past snuck up on him. He sighed. “But I get what you mean. I’m sorry, Astra” Ryo said.
Her expression softened “Thank you” Astra mumbled. Like many times during their journey a strange expression began to plague her face. She looked lost and he was quickly reminded on the girls situation. Ryo sat back down and stared into the flames that danced up into the night air.
“What would you an Amara chat about at night” Ryo asked gently.
Astra shrugged. “Anything we wanted to” she told him. She then looked up at him with worried eyes “Do you think she’ll be alright?” Astra asked.
“Definitely” Ryo reassured. “She’s suffered way worse than a poisoned blade. You should be more worried about her ego than anything, the hunters back at the Citadel will have a blast when they hear about it”. Astra let out a small laugh, the first one he’d heard. It was a nice laugh.
“You’ve known her a while right?” Astra asked him.
“Yes, we met back at the academy and she’s not left me alone since” Ryo informed her.
“Have you got any good stories?”.
“Plenty” Ryo stated. Instantly a glimmer of excitement could be seen in the girls eyes. “Let’s see, back in our first year, there was a Bow user in our group of friends. One day we borrowed his weapon and had a competition between ourselves to see who the best archer would be. Well, when it came to Amara’s turn she completely missed the target and then on her second shot somehow managed to … shoot herself in the leg”, a grin shone on Astra’s face, “She was put on bed rest for a week and swore to only ever wield her Longsword” Ryo said. Astra’s grin transformed to laughter.
“How did she manage to shoot herself” Astra questioned.
“Honestly I have no idea. I was too busy laughing at her first shot, next thing I knew she was on the floor with a big ass arrow in her leg” Ryo told her, “It was a good minute before any of us where composed enough to help her”. Astra’s laughter grew.
“What else happened when you were younger” Astra pried excitedly. For the first time in a good while a smile spawned on Ryo’s face. He continued to tell stories and embarrass his old friend.
Eventually the camp’s flames began to die and Ryo became aware of the time. “It’s getting late. I’ll tell you more a different time. You two head to bed, I’ll sort the camp out”. Without any resistance, Astra nodded and rose from her seat. Along with Nix she vanished into their tent.
“Good night” she said.
“Good night Ryo responded.