WARNINGS
Vomiting
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Her throat felt thirsty . She hated when that happened , it won't go away even if she drank a whole jug of water . It was so annoying .
You shouldn't have jumped in the water then . I told you it was a bad idea . Meany .
Would you rather have gone hungry then ?
The adults would have handled it , and they did . There wasn't a reason to take more risks than necessary .
But …
Iva , would you rather we be exposed ? You know what they would do if they found out what we are . Just because our parents were desperate enough to keep us doesn't mean others are .
Our parents were not desperate ! They love us !
Iva , no sane mortal would keep our kind alive , child or no were monsters to them . A monster is all they are going to see …
The big sister won't do that …
She would . At best she and the rest would just kick us out to wander the forest dooming us to an almost certain death . Or maybe she would kill us both and let her brother devour our corpse as pseglav are rumored to do .
A cold chill went down her spine at the idea of their death . She knows it was only a question of time deep in her , but if she becomes her brother then who is going to take him out of whatever emotional hole he dug himself this time .
Or maybe they would try to "fix" us . If that happens I might not be able to stay with you anymore . And with the koldun here I might even end up hurting … Just promise me to be on guard , please .
I … I promise .
Thank you Iva , truly thank you . The sincere emotion speaking louder than the words , and yet the words themself too were strong .
However , always using emotion to win those types of arguments . Cheater !
Ivana , is there anything ? - The soft , only slightly scarred hand on her shoulder was enough to startle her a little . The quick release of his hand at the miniature movements of Ivana shaking telling his own surprise . Nope ! Just thinking !- Better to play the "innocent" card now , otherwise it might turn out to be too late or a game over before they knew it . The look on his face however spoke a different story .
Iva he isn't buying it .
And of course like always Ivan is right , curse him and his [Detective] Class !
The concerned look he was throwing at her sent the old chills down her spine .
Same look as "mother" eh ? This guy is bad news .
She let her face go into "that" smile , the one practiced so much it became natural . The pull on muscles in her mouth up until it starts to sting a little , closing her eyes just enough to look like they were truly closed but leaving enough room to clearly see if need be and of course stretching enough to mimic natural joy without showing her teeth . The mask should be enough to fool anyone .
Anyone but him apparently . Iva switch with me .
No . If he is even half as perceptive as were taking him as the change would be obvious , not to mention your [Liar] level is a lot lower . And also … I have the feeling we can trust him .
Iva … I'm going to be honest . I don't really trust your gut at the moment .
I know . But if were gambling either way it is better to bet on my guts than your logic , especially if they know and are ruled by emotion .
The face he has been giving her for quite a while now doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon . Then he started opening his mouth and iva could only pray to Chernobog her lies will not be seen through so much it becomes fatal .
Slavica , can you come here for a moment ? - The girl in question took a few steps and another and another with the big brothers making some gestures telling her to continue , until she was directly before Ivana . - Great ! Now , can you put your forehead to hers ? - She gave a slightly questioning look but did as requested . A cold head touched Ivana , it made the fog that had been following her all day in her mind a little clearer .She's a little warm . - Came from Slavica's lips . There was an emotion underlying in her tone , too alien for Ivana to decipher , at least for now . The questioning look she was given as if asking for specification caused Slavica to once again answer . - She's warmer than she is supposed to be ,Probably a cold then . Let's hope it's not too serious - His voice was soft and reassuring , like a lilibay . The way it made her at ease probably similar to the zagovar sometimes used on them in one place . It should have made her want to break out yet her gut was practically screaming of him being an ally . Was it a bond hastily made because they were both not human enough for this world ? She didn't know , and in all honesty it scared her a little even now . But she trusted her gut like she trusted her brother , so she listened . - Now let's go and forage a little then ! Call me if you find something or are not sure what it might be .
Wait , he's letting them run wild ?!?
Unsure on how to fully process this Ivana took to picking some mushrooms and a few pretty flowers . Yet the soft feeling of eyes on her back never left her . What his plan was she didnt know , but it was taking a lot of time to happen . Then what was all that about ? Was he playing a mind game ?
He is definitely playing a mind game .
Nope , he isn't .
He is .
No he isn't .
Now you're lying . So why pick a fight ? There was a fondness in his emotion . Let me guess you're bored ?
…
I'm right , aren't I ?
Yes … Stupid Ivan and his stupid deduction skills . Always using emotion to help him in his arguments .
She was rather bored , so what ? It's not like it's gonna turn into something more fun . Like meeting someone from beyond Rod's creations . Maybe even someone from something like another world even . Like in a fairy tale .
Fortunately Ivana's hopes for "exciting" adventures were unanswered , at least for now . They did however forage a lot of goods including many different types of mushrooms , wild vegetables and quite a few herbs . With the break herb specifically allowing them to view a snake outsmarting a stone wall . It was entertaining enough to alleviate at least some of the boredom , for now at least .
After having taken their sweet time to forage they finally took back to the presumably at least not dusty anymore house . The house was still standing , which is more than either she or Ivan expected in all honesty . But like the lack of bloodbath they continued to surprise them with their somehow effective continued group survival .
Just in time then … - The big brother uttered those words just as they stepped inside , then it suddenly started raining harder than a waterfall .
He knew ? Knowers were truly something else , to predict when it will rain with such accuracy .
Hey , want to help make some lunch ? - She heard the black haired big sister ask to them all . But why ? Maybe to impart some knowledge she can ? Weird way to cope with the probability of losing one's life , but whatever works for her is her business .
So she takes a seat closer to the furnace and tries to hear and learn as much as she could . The smell of tasty food takes away any concentration she had at around half-way and also making her unable to have her attention on anything else . She must be hungrier than she thought . But it won't be for long with how ready it looks to be , even and if her head hates the light at the moment .
And she was right with having been given a big bowl of the food , with even extra meat ! Tasty !
They heard the wooden door opening . On the entrance stood two tall intimidating figures , only able to be seen by the occasional lightning flashing for a moment to show their silhouette . They took slow and deliberate steps inside . Coming closer and closer to the fire and her .
Until the fire hit them showing … the big sister and her brother ? And wet to the bone . In a quick and sudden motion the both of them sat with the fire behind their back . The big sister took something from her belt . A comb ? She then made a hand gesture and seemed to have observed her brother followed .
What Ivana saw follow would have made her giggle if not for the pain in her head and the coldness she felt in her whole body . But what parts she saw were truly a comedy . A big pseglav man getting his mane combed like one would comb a dog . At some point having done her part the big sister gives him the comb and turns around signaling her turn . And to Ivana and probably everyone's surprise he combed it so gently and with such practice it's just steamed years of practice . He even began to braid her hair in one long braid , then as if searching for something on his right he faltered for a moment , then continued as if everything was okay .
D-did she lose a lover ?
Must be . Why else would they both hesitate as if something was missing when he braided ? Only one thing is added to this hairstyle and flowers aren't it .
You're right . Should we ?
No , let's leave them to mourn in peace . She didn't want to leave them alone but if it's Ivan suggesting it , it must be true .
So she continued with eating her food .
Time continued to move as Chislobog's watches spun their arms around in a never ending dance with time itself , and so Zorya's first stars started going out to graze and with them night started to come .
Having only worsened the headache made Ivana try and sleep , hoping it will be gone by tomorrow . Yet turning and twisting , no matter what pose she couldn't find herself comfortable . Her right side didn't feel right , her left side felt even worse , being on her back was somehow even worse and yet in comparison to being on her stomach it was better . Neither her nor Ivan knew for long they had been trying to sleep , a hand or two already ? And the light of the fire was only making the hurt in her head worse . The smell of the food that not even a hand time away smelled delicious now made her gag . The smells to stagnant , to overpowering , to deep and just to much in every sense and way . And the water she had drank earlier didn't seem to stay where it was supposed to be . Making her feel like she might hurl at the slightest provocation .
So she stood from the bed and made her way to the outside , to hopefully less light , less noise , less smell , less everything . Hopefully a little time out would set her tummy right . She made her way to the wooden door . The noise of the wood on the floor she heard was not only from herself but also someone else too . But with going out being the only thing on her mind she didn't look back to see who it was .
Having finally come to it she opened the door and took another step outside . And she had to give it to the leshy he had a beautiful forest , even while it rained at night it was still like a page of Nada's picture books .
Croak
A frog ? Where !
Having let her eyes roam , Ivana finally saw the frog . It was close to the steps on the basic porch . Letting her head drop a little to look better she suddenly felt a surge of something from deep in her climbing up at a lightning fast speed . Abruptly she felt a flood exiting from her mouth . She heard some noise from behind herself with the only thing in her mind being her inability to breathe , he didn't give the sound too much of her attention and by the time she had the attention to spare it was done and gone . Then suddenly …
Here , it's water . - To her side a charcoal black hand was holding a cup with a liquid inside . Just as she took it in her hands he continued . - Take a small mouthful , move it around and then spit it out . It will help clear the taste . It will help , I can guarantee with personal experience . - She did as told . - Good . Feeling better ? - She shook her head . Her head no longer felt like a wood being shopped apart with a blunt axe . - Good . And any complaints ?It's cold . - He gave her a gentle smile and started to clean her face with a wet rag .Heh . Figures . Want to get back to the fire after drinking a little more ? - The way he asked was so … warm and gentle , she would have had problems saying no to anything he says in this tone . Was he part Sirin perhaps ? He doesn't seem to have wings or feathers but he could just be hiding them . Like she and Iva do with their teeth . Whatever the case she shook her head in agreement to going back to the warm and soft bed inside . So she drank a little more and walked back inside . There waiting for her was her part of the bed . And next to it a deep old but still not fully broken pot .
Were they concerned she would throw up again ? Maybe she would have cared if not for how tired and sleepy she felt . So she snuggled herself in , closed her eyes and let her mind wander with a satisfaction .
I guess he isn't too bad …
Told you !
Rubbing it in , eh ?
Hehehehe !
Youre lucky youre adorable . The familiar quiet and clear voice of emotion washed over her .
Oh ? heh ! Her bright and bubbly happiness must passed through him . And he's calling her adorable , like he isn't cuter than a bunny .
His own calmer happiness washed over her , like every night they continue with their little ritual .
Good night Iva .
Good night to you to Iva .