Barefoot, no socks or shoes to protect her feet as Paisley trudged her way towards the wall surrounding Iron Keep. She already knew Stellan and Roland had been pestering her to wear 'proper' boots, and now she had no choice. The worst part of it all being how she was going to explain what happened to them. Should she be honest? Declare she threw one of them at a boar to protect her precious bow? Stellan would understand, or so she thought, but what about Roland?
Then to top it off her socks, discarded with the stench of skunk permanently soaked into their fabric. "Best to test the waters with Stellan" she thought, knowing eventually she would have to report to Roland about the Templar she had encountered on her failed 'hunting trip'. As she made her way through towards Stellan's tent Paisley ignored the eyes baring down on her. At least she wasn't injured, and despite her lack of footwear didn't look half bad.
This did not stop the whispers and laughs though as she passed, and Paisley found it almost impossible to keep her own opinions to herself. Rather proud for not completely destroying another Legionnaire verbally Paisley pushed back the opening to Stellan's tent, stepping in as she looked around for him.
"Stellan?" Paisley had not really even talked to Stellan since they arrived, only seeing him passing by a few times and giving a friendly wave. It was clear that he was not there, an eerie silence falling after she called his name. Setting her bow and quiver down Paisley walked around the tent, taking in the sights of Stellan's latest projects. He truly was talented, something she clearly saw when he repaired her bow.
Even still Paisley considered what he had done for her the most memorable act of kindness ever displayed towards her. Not only did he fix her bow, but he improved it. Not with beautiful and expensive details, but with the heart of his father's bow. And then to top it all off he personalized it, carving a symbol of her catchy nickname into it along with every arrow she now carried. Paisley knew none of this was necessary as Stellan could have easily saved himself time by handing her the basic bow most of the scouts carried.
"Rothsfeild?" another voice breaking the silence as Paisley turned around. It was Private Bricker, the renowned sleepwalker from her old unit.
"He seems to be out" she laughed, scratching the back of her head as she stood embarrassed with no boots.
Bricker's eyes trailed down Paisley's body before resting on the very thing she was so embarrassed about. "I won't even ask"
"Best not to."
An awkward silence fell between them as they lacked any real connection outside of being tent mates not so long ago. Paisley could never look at him the same way after the night she awoke to him sitting on his matt shoving horse feed down his throat as if it were dinner. In an attempt to break the silence Paisley finally spoke up...
"Anything interesting happen while I was away?" By this time she had begun to make her way towards the stool that always seemed to be in Stellan's tent.
"The Mordecai Grand Master came! It was quite exciting! There was even an attack while she was here. It all ended rather quickly though, long before most of us could come to the Commander's aid. She ended up leaving the next day... don't know what will come of all of it."
Paisley's brow raised at the statement, this truly being a significant detail indeed. "And the Commander? Is he okay?"
"Seems to be" it was clear Bricker was ill informed on the subject, something she herself would probably look into later. As of right now, Roland was alive and that was all she really needed to know.
"I will tell Rothsfield you stopped by." Her words clearly stating that she didn't want Bricker to stick around any longer. Thankfully, he got the hint and left with a nod.
Once again alone Paisley sat on the stool staring at everything inside the tent, already growing quite bored with the loneliness she demanded. "Maybe Bricker should have stayed..."
Work always seemed to be piling up, no matter what he did. Stellan of course took everything in stride and when things needed to be replaced, people came to him, when they needed repairs, they came to him. When there were supplies and objects that could help replenish their stores, they came to him, and he filled the orders and helped old Cyrus deal with it all.
He didn't have to fight with the infantry anymore. He didn't have to in order to be useful. His hand might be gone, but he was capable enough to do something far more important. And being here in Vermillion, he worked to help integrate the city into his every day planning. For there were now more people to feed, and people that could help supply in return.
Nothing in life was free after all.
So he'd been out exploring the city with a few other Legionnaires to help bring stock and collect from vendors throughout the merchant district that allowed him to keep track of who did what and where and when and why. He had his clipboard, charcoal and when they made their way back to the keep it was with a wagon full of goods.
So one might imagine his surprise when he found Paisley sitting on that stool and he jumped, dropping his collection of papers and watching them spill all over the tent floor. "Lieutenant Maika! You scared me. How long have you been waiting here?" he asked, laughing as he worked to pick them up with one hand. And as he bent down, he saw that she had no shoes.
"What's wrong with your feet?"
Of course, she didn't say anything when he entered the tent, merely sitting there with a dumbfounded expression on her face. However, when Stellan dropped all of his papers Paisley got up as she made an attempt to help collect them.
"Umm..." of course he would notice her lack of shoes, and so she would have to explain everything to him. Stellan deserved the truth, or so she thought and so she began.
"You see I was out hunting for boar. I figured I could bring some meat back to camp as a treat for our recent victory. However, some idiot tripped my nets and we both found ourselves dangling in them from the trees."
Paisley laughed it off as she picked up the last of the papers, tapping the bottom of them on the ground in an effort to straighten them out before handing them back to Stellan. "I dropped everything including my bow and quiver." Her eyes then shot across the tent towards her even more precious bow as it leaned against the edge of the tent. "That stupid boar came back and was about to start gnawing on my bow! So I had no choice... I took off my boot and threw it at it. The stupid thing then took off with it!"
Despite how ridiculous her story sounded it was all true, unfortunately. "Once I was able to get down one thing led to another which then lead up to me being chased by a skunk. Stupid thing sprayed my legs, hence the lack of stockings as well." Motioning to her bare legs Paisley walked back over to the stool, her demeanor changing from laughing about a joke to pure embarrassment.
"So not only did I lose my boots and stockings but I also came back empty handed." Her sentence becoming more muffled as she buried her face in her hands, clearly mortified by her own actions.
With her face still buried Paisley mumbled again "I have things to report to Roland and I cannot go walking in there like this." Finally lifting her head Paisley pleaded with Stellan to help her out. "Please tell me you finished my gear or at least have a set of boots for me."
It was quite a story and by the end of it, Stellan was staring at her wide-eyed. He then gasped a little and snickered. That much was all to difficult to hold back and he had his papers set up to place on his desk. He shifted around toward the knick-knacks he had on the table, fixing himself a small cup of tea and offering her some.
"Well, I'm sorry you had such a sorry adventure with nothing to show for it, but it just so happens that I have exactly what it is that you're looking for," he murmured, grinning. Stellan dropped a spot of whiskey into the tea - for kick, and offered her some as well.
"Okay wait here. I was going to summon you. But it's actually more convenient you came here, than me having to track you down." And he disappeared into the other partition of the tent. Stellan came out with a sack filled with heavy objects that he'd strewn out onto the desk and opened it up for her to look through.
Even as he snickered Paisley remained desperate, refusing to give in to her inner self that was agitated by his 'entertainment'. However, his offer of tea with a spike of whiskey quickly pulled her out of it. It seemed he really did understand and most importantly believed her. "I knew he would understand" she thought as she lifted the cup to her lips.
As she waited for Stellan to return Paisley continued to sip on the tea with a kick, happy to have any form of liquor no matter how small. When he returned Paisley slid off of the stool, setting her half-empty cup in the seat before making her way towards the table.
Staring on in awe she took in the sight of her new gear and deep down was already bursting at the seams to try it all on. "You made all this? Just from measuring me that one time?" Reaching down she picked up a garment and held it out in front of her, a dark grayish shirt she assumed to go under the bits of armor she could see in the pile.
"Seriously Stellan. First, you fixed my bow and now all of this... I can never repay you for all you have done for me." The entire time she avoided eye contact and instead collected everything in her arms. Her mood then quickly shifted as she made her way across the tent "I shall try it all on right now!" she declared as she walked towards Stellan's personal section of the tent. She wouldn't even wait for his permission before closing the flap behind her, tying it shut.
A few minutes passed before Paisley emerged wearing the new gear. Overall it was much better, less adolescent girl and more fitting for her age and status. Paisley was a member of Red Legion and now she finally looked like it. Everything seemed to fit quite nicely, and Paisley even went as far as pulling her hair down, still having bits of it braided back out of her face but the majority now flat on her neck and back.
Even the boots seemed to be a perfect fit and it was comforting knowing they were well enough made to survive whatever trials she would put them through in the future.
"So what do you think?" Paisley turned to show off the uniform in its entirety to Stellan. No longer did she appear the poor commoner with a bow but now reflected the very essence of a Legionnaire.
Oh he knew his teasing would set her on edge. And it was a personal little triumph he saw flash in her eyes when he snickered at her. She couldn't conceal every reaction, but for now he was content to let glee over come her instead and when she gathered up all that stuff in the sack, he rolled up onto the balls of his feet and gauged her blush.
She couldn't meet his gaze, but he could very well meet hers, or so he hoped. And the fact that he yet again felt the need to want to repay him for all of this? Repay him for doing his job? Oh he'd never tolerate such nonsense.
So instead he waved her off. "Roland told me to get your gear set up for you, so I did. I hope I got everything right. Took some time to gather up, scrape together, but I hope it fits." Aaaand then she was gone and making herself at home in his side of the tent. "STRING BEAN! WHAT are you..doing!?"
Fuck.
Then she was ready and he turned around amidst scratching his head. His eyes shot wide and he backed up a little. "Whoa! Look who's ready to kick some ass!" he laughed, but it was from glee rather than from trying to tease her. He clapped his hand against his forearm. "How does it feel? Y'know having all that gear on?"
Turning on the balls of her feet Paisley did her best to get a feel for the uniform. It was different for sure, but loose fitting enough to be comfortable even with the added armor. Without words she moved across the tent and picked up her bow, pulling the bowstring back in a mock stance as she gauged how well it moved with her most natural action.
"It's a bit heavier than I am used to, but just as I have with this bow I will adapt."
Slowly she let the bowstring lax before setting her weapon back down. "Overall I think it is quite nice. Your skill and adaptability is one to be commended Stellan."
Finding herself back at the stool with the cup of spiked tea in hand Paisley took another sip. "I heard that the Mordecai Grand Master came while I was away. Bricker stopped by looking for you and told me about it. However, he seemed very ill informed. Anything you think I should know before I go and give a report to Roland?"
"Did I mention the idiot who tripped my trap and caused the loss of my boots was a Templar?"
Stellan wasn't going to lie to himself and say he didn't like the sight of her all decked out in that armor. It was rather not as shiny as she might have liked. In fact it being too shiny might have been detrimental to the very fact that she was a scout. Hiding in the bushes, then a brief gleam of sunlight passes over you, and that's it, you're done for.
He put that into consideration when he went about collecting all the pieces and making sure they would fit her just right. It wasn't an overbearing set with a cuirass and padding and mail underneath. She also had half-greaves just over her new boots, and even a convenient slot for a knife to be hidden away inside it.
Stellan was perhaps a little bit more focused on her than what she was talking about. Until he blinked at the mentioning of Roland, the Grand Master Mordecai and Templar.
Oh right, how she lost her boots.
"You didn't mention that. And well, Bricker might be an idiot, but even a broken clock is right twice a day," Stellan murmured, sipping his spiked tea and letting the gentle burn of whiskey course through his veins. "But there's truth to it. The Grandmaster Mordecai was here. She came with a full continent of soldiers. I didn't get to see them, but I know Roland had some negotiation with her in some form or another. They left just yesterday. Roland's been pretty much isolated as far I know."
Stellan walked around her and he gestured to her legs. "Sorry about your boots, but these ones will last you much longer," he guaranteed. "So tell me about this Templar? Aren't those those fancy members of the Church? Belong to some religious order or something."
"I heard of an attack, but Bricker assured me Roland seemed well enough. I wonder why he has been isolated." Paisley set the now empty cup down and tapped a finger to her chin as she was clearly deep in thought.
"Clearly he is just lost without his favorite Legionnaire around to keep things interesting." Paisley then winked, fully aware of how conceded she must have sounded. It was a joke, well as far as she was concerned. Even she knew that if anything ever happened to her that life would move on, the world would continue on its path of self-destruction.
At Stellan's movement around her Paisley fell silent, only tilting her head slightly when he apologized for her previous pair of boots. "I think it is safe to say we all knew they would fail me eventually. Except, I think in this case it was I who failed them. I am sure this pair will serve me well, especially if they were made by you."
"As far as the Templar is concerned he was truly something." Crossing one leg over the other in the stool Paisley recalled the day in its entirety. "Most disrespectful man I have ever met. So ungrateful and full of himself..." she trailed off, lost for words on how she truly felt about him. "From what I got out of him he was essentially a footman for the church. He was allegedly attacked by some rebels and was on his way to report it. Couldn't get much more out of him than that."
"You should have seen me Stellan, he had no idea I was Red Legion. I assume he thought me nothing more than just some hunter in the woods and so started blabbing away." Lifting a hand she made a mocking motion of someone who talks too much, touching her fingers to her thumb to simulate rapidly moving mouth.
Stellan snorted at her hand motion. Because whether she realized it or not, she too was chattering away nonstop. Of course, he wasn't going to be an ass and tell her that she was talking too much. After not seeing her for some time, he wasn't going to just tell her to shut up. He kinda missed the little chatterbox. Who else was he going to call String Bean?
She had a rep to carry on after all.
"Oh, I think I can use my imagination," Stellan laughed. Oh man, how long had it been since he had a casual conversation with someone? The moment the Legion stepped foot into Vermillion, the work was non stop. So even if Paisley was in a hurry, he really didn't want her to leave. Stellan wasn't in any rush to get anything done. If he saved it for a few minutes, the work would still be there.
"You know Paisley, I kinda envy you. Not that you had to deal with some stuffy errand boy for the Church, but that you got to step outside," he murmured. "I've been stuck in this tent and the city proper ever since we got here. It's starting to feel very stifling."
At Stellan's mention of envy, Paisley grew confused. "Well next time I go hunting I shall take you with me then." Her expression softened at the thought of having someone like Stellan around to keep her smart. He seemed to have a knack for keeping her level-headed in even the most intense situations.
Scooting to the edge of the stool Paisley grew excited even thinking about it. Of course, wherever the Red Legion was she would call home, but part of her would always want to go off on her own from time to time.
However, Paisley did still have a report to make and the longer she waited the worse it could look on her. The last thing she wanted was Roland thinking her priorities were in question. "But for now all I can offer is just to get you out of this tent. Would you like to go with me to report to Roland? Of course, it would be greatly appreciated if you kept my loss of gear between the two of us."
Paisley then realized that other Legionnaires had seen her enter camp in such a state, no doubt at least one of them telling Roland of what had become of 'String Bean'.
"What do ya say? Please don't make me go alone."
An opportunity to leave his tent was an opportunity to get a breath of fresh air at last. And moments like that couldn't be squandered. So at her invitation, Stellan shrugged, waving his arms around like a flustered bird and he chuckled. "All right then, let me at least get my coat," he replied. The jacket fell over his shoulders nicely and he shrugged into it.
Once they were off walking away from his tent, Stellan went about tying it off at the base with a firm coil knot and heading toward the Iron Keep. Once there, they were directed toward Roland's office where Darius showed them the way.
As ever Darius kept his nose to the air and he knocked on the ajar door softly. "My Lord," he murmured. "Ahem, Lieutenant Maika and Lieutenant Rothsfield are here to see you."
Roland had been sitting at his desk, warm from the whiskey he'd been drinking since that morning. And although he wouldn't call himself drunk, he was finely buzzed and he rolled his head upward to view at Paisley and Stellan stepping inside.
Clapping her hands together Paisley slid off the stool and made her way out of the tent, looking over her shoulder to assure that Stellan was following. Once inside the Iron Keep Paisley grew ever so impatient as she waited for Darius to announce them to Roland. The formality of it seeming like nothing more than a waste of time to someone like her.
Stepping past him and into the door Paisley was almost taken away with what she saw. "Roland..." she said, stopping herself once her eyes found the mark on his neck. "What in Ansgar's name is that!?"
Taking another step forwards she placed her hands at the edge of his desk, leaning in to get a closer look at the 'wound'. "Were you bitten by something? Did someone try to strangle you!?" Squinting her eyes she tried to make sense of his neck and after a few minutes realized exactly what it was.
Taking a step back now beside Stellan she looked up at her friend, her eyes displaying that she was on the brink of falling to the floor in laughter. That action, being one that would surely sour her commander's mood. So instead, though she did not realize it, she continued to stare at Stellan for a few seconds, his presence reminding her that perhaps it is best to not always say what is first in your mind.
Slowly she turned her attention back to Roland, clearly biting her tongue as she withheld saying anything too out of place. "It seems that more than the Iron Keep was attacked while I was away."
Tilting her head to the side a bit she smirked, clearly proud of herself for not saying more. She was going to remember this moment for the rest of her days and by God, she would make sure Roland remembered it as well.
"Well I came to give you a report but clearly it seems you have plenty on your ne- I mean plate as it is."
Oh was Paisley ever the most scrutinizing inspector of detail. Upon first glance Stellan would have noticed the open flask in front of Roland and the fact that he glared at the pair of them with tired, lazy eyes. Or rather they were quickly turning moody at Paisley's closed up inspection. Roland didn't move, however, although he could have boxed her ears and been right for it.
Roland instead pulled his boots off his desk and stood up, pocketing the flask. "All right, what is your report, Maika?" he murmured, trying to keep his temper in check.
"Speak before I lose my patience," he said and sighed, rubbing at the sore still present on his neck.
Her eyes locked on the flask as it fell into his pocket. Again Paisley found herself piecing together the information before her and from what she had gathered... something was up. Roland did not seem himself, he was tired but it wasn't just physical exertion. Something was weighing heavily on his mind.
"While I was hunting I ran into a Templar" She did not hesitate to get to the point, now feeling completely awful for prodding at him like she had. Another classic moment where Paisley spoke before thinking, even if she had thought she was filtering her words at first.
"I pointed him in the opposite direction and sent him on his way. He was searching for a church to give report. He said he was attacked by rebels and based on how he looked I believed it."
"I just thought you should know" The certainty in her voice all but gone.
No, Roland most likely wasn't himself, but it definitely was not Paisley's place to say so the fact that she cut right to the chase certainly made Roland feel considerably better. And kept her from getting scowled at. Once he had a second to clear his head, Roland turned to her and leaned against the desk, half-sitting on it.
"A Templar? One of those Church errand boys from the Order of St. Agratha?" he murmured, tilting his head. He hadn't meant for his tone to seem mocking because it wasn't, but it was however certainly curious. There wasn't any point in repeating what she said back to her, although he'd done just that. So instead Roland chuckled and saluted his hand across her chest.
"So you were hmm, funneling information out of this Templar then? It's a good thing you were away. Assassins came and assaulted the Keep, and I'm glad to see that you're in one piece, Maika. Truly." Those words at least were sober enough to be genuine.
"Anything you need to report? Did the Templar manage to find the church he was looking for? His kind don't usually just drop in on any chapel. They all tend to belong to the same order."
While smiling Paisley nodded, reassuring Roland that he was indeed correct. While Paisley may have been heavily underestimated most of the time she knew how to use this to her advantage. Kentamin suspected nothing of her, nothing more than a woman off hunting in the woods. She was sure that if he had known the truth their conversations would have been much different. But since he did not, he opened up to her and told her everything she needed to know.
"I have no idea if he found the church. As I said we parted ways, but I just thought you should know he was passing through our territory."
Now that she had gotten all of that out of the way Paisley then began prodding about the information Roland himself had just given her. Both Bricker and Stellan had confirmed that Iron Keep was attacked while she was away and now Roland could be added to that count. Everyone says she was lucky to be gone, while Paisley only scowled at the thought of missing such an opportunity.
"Yes, I was told. I was also told the Mordecai Grand Master was here. Anything come of it? Should we prepare for retaliation for taking Falkenrath?"
It was only then that Paisley looked back at Stellan whom was standing oh so quietly in the back. If a battle was looming she knew his already heavy workload would most likely become unbearable. Poor Stellan....
"We'll keep an eye out for him then. Or any others of his kind. Those Templars are a little bit too cautious for their own good. And I'd like to keep track of any guests within our borders if at all possible," he said, bowing his head to Paisley.
Roland took another sip of his flask, mulling over her question. Stellan meanwhile kept where he was, hand and wrist secured behind his back. When he met Paisley's gaze he bowed his head and mouthed to her that he would be waiting back in his tent. Truly there'd be no place for him here, not when it came to a conversation like this.
And gently closed the door behind him.
Roland watched the Quartermaster's assistant go and he straightened. "Something may come, and that is what we must prepare for. I was able to...soothe her wrath before she left, but heaven will only know just how long that will last. She will make her report to Calent, tell him that he lost a faithful ally. But trust me, Maika, Falkenrath is in much better hands."
He scratched at the mark on his neck, trying to pulling the collar of his shirt over it.
In regards to Stellan Paisley nodded before turning her attention back towards Roland. So it was true that in the future things could get a little tense. Hopefully though for all their sakes, it waits until all of them recovered. Not just the Red Legion, but the people they were working so hard towards helping.
"I am sure when that day does come we will be ready."
"I do have a minor request Roland... well two." Paisley looked back over her shoulder at the closed door.
"It seems that Rothsfield and the Quartermaster have a lot on their plate. Since I am merely a scout I have nothing more to do with my time. Do you think it plausible I lend a helping hand in their direction? Perhaps go out more on supply runs so that they have more equipment to work with?"
"My second request being that I take Rothsfield out and away from Iron Keep before he loses his mind. You did see him right? I don't think he has taken a moment to relax since we arrived."
Paisley even managed to give a cheesy smile at her request, a horrible example of Paisley trying to suck up. There was a purpose behind her requests though. In truth other than the information about Kentamin Paisley had been feeling quite useless lately. Everyone was so busy making Falkenrath better while she was doing nothing more but failing at hunting. The reasoning behind asking to help the Quartermaster obvious. However, her reasoning for taking Stellan away probably the most important. What good was someone as good as him if they were burnt out?
"Please?"
"You're asking for furlough?" Roland countered, tilting his head and feeling more than a little piqued. Because she was still new after all, and she was asking for leave? Time to do what exactly?
"Hmm, I suppose you do have a point. Stellan is an invaluable member of the Keep," he chuckled. "Who will take up the extra work that will be piling up? Hmm, I guess I'll just have to find someone else. Because...as much as I hate to admit it. You're right. Rothsfield has been working hard, maybe a little bit too much."
Roland was about to take another sip of the flask before he growled and grumbled something before pocketing it. "Very well. You may take a week of leave. And no more! Keep him safe. And vice versa. I'm not losing all I've invested in either of you. You are dismissed, Maika."
Half wincing at the way he reacted Paisley lowered her gaze, fully expecting the rest of his answer to be a solid denial. However, when he began mentioning how she may be right she perked back up.
"Thank you!" she chirped before slipping out the door, not wanting to push her luck by hugging him or something absurd like that. Pausing outside the door Paisley smiled, turning back to look at the solid wood now behind her. Roland may have been trying to act like a dead set commander, but Paisley was beginning to see something more behind it. He really did care for his soldiers, otherwise, he would have flat out told her no.
Immediately she began preparing and within half an hour was standing outside of Stellan's tent with two horses packed with the minimalistic needs of camping. Tying the horses up she skipped towards his tent and as usual pushed open the door flap without announcing herself.
"Stellan! Come... we are leaving." Paisley then turned back around and went back out the tent, skipping back up to the horses and standing in front of them as she waited for him to come out. As soon as he would he would see her standing there, presenting the horses like a grand prize.
"You are to come with me camping. We have one week.... Roland's orders."
What... What the hell was going on?
Stellan had been organizing the paperwork that went with figuring out which suppliers were better, and based on what they would require, etc. It was all very taxing, and as much as he was the Cyrus' assistant, he began to think he needed an assistant of his own! Besides getting everything they needed would just be another headache entirely.
So when Paisley showed up with horses outside of his tent with their packs all set up, he did come out, with a piece of charcoal and that damn clipboard pressed against his left forearm. "Uhhh, what? That can't be right. I've got a lot of work to do, Maika. I can't be away that long. It'll all just be piling up," Stellan chuckled, thinking this clearly was a joke.
His lack of excitement on the matter was a damper on her mood. Again Paisley walked away from the horses and up to Stellan with arms crossed.
"It is all taken care of. And you have no say in the matter. As I said before.... Roland's orders."
Paisley then closed the distance between the two and reached for the board in his hand. With a quick motion, she took it and watched in glory as it flung through the air with papers falling in all sorts of different directions.
After it was all said and done she crossed her arms once more with a brow raised.
"Roland wouldn't order such a foolish thing! Not when there's - HEY!"
She snatched that clipboard out of his hand faster than he could react and he dropped the charcoal piece as she tossed it. And when she glanced back at him, his entire face was beet red with both shock and growing rage and he immediately scampered after them, trying to collect them all before they were dampened from the puddles between the cobblestones.
"Fucking hell, String Bean. I need those!" Stellan growled as he picked them up and scowled when most of the papers were ruined and disorganized and some of them kicked away by passing Legionnaires.
"Rothsfield!" Cyrus rumbled through the area, red-faced and his bald-head sunburned. The short man was every picture of a grumpy old man, and unlike Stellan he had both hands and he still seemed to be fumbling with a set of sheathes and their respective blades. He stomped into Stellan's tent and dumped the items onto his workbench and stomped right out. "Assign those blades immediately! And get me the goddamned list of the suppliers! You have one goddamn hand, but I swear it was on your dick and your head was up your ass."
"Sir! I had the papers right here! I..well, I had most of them," Stellan began when Cyrus reared his ugly head toward him.
"I need all Rothsfield! YESTERDAY! You're fucking useless." And stomped off.
Stellan watched him, jaw agape. And that's when he dropped the papers and turned to Paisley. He met her gaze momentarily before crossing toward the horses and mounted the pinto one. "Well, you just gonna stand there, or are you we going camping?"
Perhaps anyone else would have felt bad, but Paisley was trying to make a point. So as Stellan stumbled around trying to collect them she merely watched on, completely entertained as she waited for him to admit defeat.
It was then that Cyrus made his entrance, going about screaming at Stellan like he was a dog. Oh how badly she wanted to say something in his defense, but even she knew that may hurt him more than help in the long run. Again another instance where Paisley at least attempted to think before opening her mouth.
Completely dumbstruck with the way the old ass spoke to Stellan she watched him storm off with an open mouth. She didn't even see Stellan mount the horse until he was telling her he was ready to go.
"That is more like it" she laughed before running to the other horse and mounting it quickly. From there she kicked at its side and clicked her tongue to make it take off in a hurry, not wanting to waste any time should Stellan change his mind.
After they were well on their way towards Athervaan lake Paisley let off the reins a bit, causing her horse to slow to a more casual trot. "So are you still mad at me for throwing your papers? Or are you ready to admit that perhaps 'String Bean' has a good idea every now and then?"
As they were riding along, Stellan gripped the reins in his hand and rested his hand on the pommel of the saddle, and hated that he felt like he was sulking over nothing at all. It wasn't like Cyrus to get so pissed off at him, and he felt like he wouldn't have gotten yelled at had he just had left that damn clipboard inside the tent.
He blinked, glancing at Paisley when she spoke. Oh, but he couldn't stay upset with her. Cyrus was an old codger that would have taken his wrath out of anyone, let alone him. It was nothing personal.
"Yeah, yeah, fine. I'll admit it! You had a good idea. Even if I didn't want to admit it. So damn, thanks for rescuing me," he laughed. "But....I feel like it being 'Roland's Orders' to be a bit of a stretch. How did you get him to agree to it?"
"I am more observant than one may think." A smile on her lips as she thought of all the times someone thought she wasn't paying attention. She could tell from the moment she laid eyes on him earlier he was tired, clearly having been busy from the moment they arrived at the Iron Keep.
Another observation being that Stellan was a selfless person. Of course, he would do whatever he could to make the people they were trying to help lives easier. It was all evident from the moment he showed her how much detail he had put into her bow. It was all funny now looking back, how at first she thought him just another mindless brute looking down on her.
"I simply pointed out how hard you have been working." Paisley laughed as she thought of her next point, clearly feeling like she was moving the final piece on a chess board. "I did say I would repay you for all the favors you have done for me anyways."
With that she turned her head towards him, his horse walking right alongside hers. "I mean... what is the point in working so hard if you forget to live? Sometimes you should just take a step back and enjoy the little things."
Leaning forwards Paisley patted her horse's neck. "Less you forget what it is we are all fighting so hard for to begin with."
As much as he hated to admit it, she did have a rather clever point about it. Stellan, after all, had been the one to tell her that he'd been working and hadn't even so much as seen the outside or spoken wih another person in a casual setting since arriving in Vermillion. As much as the city was beautiful and filled with such history, he hadn't a chance to see or experience really any of it.
"I haven't forgotten," he said. "It's just that I've been so busy. So, thanks Paisley. Really I appreciate it. I just do have one question though. Why camping? After all you went through the last few days with that Templar, I would have though you'd have had enough of the outdoors?"
If she looked at him now, she'd see that he was smirking, and more or less trying to keep his laughter to himself. He could afford her that courtesy.
Sitting back up on the saddle Paisley pondered on Stellan's question. It was a valid one at that... Why camping? Well in truth Paisley had never been one to be bested by something so easily (so she would like to believe). So in an instance where she so terribly suffered through she figured why not try again.
It looked like the one Stellan was giving her now that made her feel more determined than ever to get it right the second time around.
"I have been wanting to go fishing." A half lie at her true intentions. But at the very thought of partaking in such an activity made her realize that Stellan would most likely witness the one thing she was worse at than sparring.
For one, Paisley was not a patient person. Secondly, the urge to pull out her bow and shoot a target seemed more plausible than hoping a creature would nibble at some bread on a string. But maybe, just maybe she could pull off the charade of actually knowing what she was doing.
"I bet I catch more fish than you." Her words a dare as she clicked at her horse, causing it to speed up a bit.
"Fishing huh? Now there's something I can dig my proverbial teeth into," he laughed. Because the thought of her trying to wrangle a massive bass out of the lake was bloody hilarious! But then she had to go on and say a little thing like that.
"That sounds like a challenge to me. But I dunno. I'm pretty handy with a rod," he chuckled, nudging his horse to go a little faster than hers.
"Okay, you're on. What's the bet then? We've got to keep it interesting."
A glance at her and Stellan cackled. "Because you might be good with a bow, but the water is an entirely different animal altogether."
When he laughed Paisley couldn't help but wonder what he was finding so entertaining. Was it the thrill of fishing, or the thrill of watching her fail? Paisley knew she was horrible at the game, yet she had to go and open her big mouth without thinking... as usual.
"A bet?" Oh, the things she could wager on this, so many possibilities. Raising a brow she looked over her shoulder at him, contemplating the best prize to the winner who undoubtedly would be him. So the real question being what was Paisley willing to lose.
Thinking on it deeply Paisley contemplated her actual chances. Maybe, just maybe Stellan was lying and she had a chance. "This is all a game. He wants me to think he is good at fishing just so I give up! I'll show you Stellan Rothsfield!"
"I wager loser must swim in the lake at night when the water is coldest.." she paused for dramatic effect as she clicked her tongue for the horse to move faster. Kicking her heels into its side the stallion took off in a sprint and Paisley's words would reach Stellan's ears as she created more distance between them.
"... Naked!" she yelled as she continued to push her horse forwards. "Even if I do lose at least it will be dark" a secret backup plan already forming in her mind.
If she was looking to make a challenge of it, Stellan definitely was game. And why not? Paisley proved to be a constant source of entertainment. But furthermore, she was good company, and he'd like to see her in a competitive setting where no real bloodshed was involved, except for the fish, of course.
It wasn't that he necessarily wanted her to lose, he figured they both had enough of the odds against them that it'd be more than fair. She had two hands, and maybe not quite as much skill. He had a little more practice in the art, but only one hand. This was definitely going to be interesting.
Until she laid down her wager and Stellan's jaw dropped. Naked? Swimming? At night?
And then it turned sly. "You're on!" he gripped and even nudged his pinto horse to canter a little faster, and then a gallop. And then he began to pass her up. "I'll beat you to the camp site and then you'll see what eating my dust tastes like!" And then began to gallop down the path.
The racing had been brief, but there was enough time enjoy the scenery and Stellan slowed down long enough to let his horse rest, dropping from the saddle once they reached a clearing closer to the water. "Oh, man I've nearly forgotten how nice it is to be in the wilderness..."
True to Stellan's words his horse seemed to move faster than hers, and Paisley was left to watch the hind end of the Pinto as it galloped ahead of her.
Once the clearing was reached Paisley watched as Stellan dropped from his saddle and took in the scenery. Following suit Paisley dismounted and then walked up beside him, crossing her arms as she took in the scenery beside him.
"Seems the lake is one of the few places not affected by the war."
Turning back she began unstrapping bags and supplies from the saddles quickly making work of the things she had packed for their trip. Of course, she only brought the necessities and figured the rest they could figure out as they went on. Paisley even managed to sneak her old clothing from Stellan's tent in case she needed it.
"There is still plenty of daylight left." She stated as she began fumbling through one of the bags for the fishing supplies. Thank goodness she thought to pack it, knowing the lake would be a great source of food for the duration of their trip.
"So are you ready to lose?"
Stellan helped her unpack as best he could. And when everything was just about set up he smacked a mallet into the ground to fortify the tent just before he used a string to jerryrig it up into a properer stand. It was knotted between two branches just across from one another and the flaps fell into place flawlessly.
"Oh, we're staring now, huh? All right, just gimme a second. I don't wanna have to bother trying to take off my boots in case I do actually lose," he laughed, sitting down on a log at the water's edge and slowly working his feet out of his boots along with his stockings.
Stellan rolled his pant legs up and finally maneuvered toward the water.
"All right, ready! Do you even know how to fish? Just so this is a fair competition?"
"Of course I know how to fish!" Paisley by now was slipping her own boots and stockings off and making her way down towards the water. Picking up a decent stick on the way Paisley tied fishing line to the end accompanied with a hook and some dried meat.
"What kind of girl do you think I am? A Duchy?" Of course Paisley would resort to belittling those in station above her.
"The real question here is how well can you swim? Because clearly, you are going to be in that lake by nightfall."
After that Paisley was all serious, daring to throw the line in the water and wait.
"A duchy? You're an entire piece of land? Well, butter my biscuits and call me Samson. I've never met a walking duchy before," he laughed, baiting his own line with a little more effort than her.
Stellan tossed the line in and watched it fly out away from the bank's edge. "I think you mean duchess. A duchess might not know how to fish. You're welcome," he said, keeping his eyes forward so that he could watch her reflection in the water instead.
He knew his arm would get tired just holding the rod itself, so he turned and shifted around so he could position the stick between a heavy rock and the log he'd been sitting on.
"So how many fish you plan on catching, Duchess?"
Immediately Paisley felt like a fool for using the wrong term and of course, Stellan had picked up on it. Narrowing her eyes her grip only tightened on her pole as she restrained from using too harsh a words on the man.
"Well, Samson..." smirking Paisley felt she had made a small jab at him, however stupid it may have been. "I plan on catching at least one more than you." Again she smirked before turning her attention back to the pole within her hands.
She stared it down with as much force as the strongest enemy, preparing herself for when it may strike. It was then that Paisley recalled something her father had told her about fishing. "Jerk the pole Paisley, the fish will attack the bait thinking it is an injured fish."
And so she did...
Paisley jerked the pole a bit and however dimwitted it made her look she felt it really was helping. Especially when she felt the weight at the end of her line. Immediately her determined features turned to that of pure joy and she began jumping up and down as she pulled the line in.
"Already got one!" she screamed as she set the pole down and began pulling on the line with her hands. "It's a big one!" the sheer weight insinuating that Paisley had already won this competition. However... this was not the case.
Paisley's smile very quickly turned down as she pulled the boot onto the bank, her cheeks flushing red with embarrassment. She couldn't even bring herself to look at Stellan, or the boot for that matter as she felt like the world's biggest joke. Eventually, though she allowed her eyes to look at the prize she had just pulled in and her jaw dropped.
"My boot!"
Stellan was prepared to just let the bait and line do the work. Constantly gauging whether or not the pole was going to do anything was exhausting. His one hand was better set to tying a string of reeds together with his fingers. Well sorta. The knot eventually came loose when he heard Paisley's commotion.
"Holy shit! You're actually catching something." His own voice was filled to the brim with surprise. And just a little indignation. Ten minutes in and already she was one fish up on him.
Until...he saw it was a boot.
Her boot.
Then Stellan jumped over the log and in front of her. "What do you think you're doing? It's a boot! The lake claimed it! It's hers now."
Immediately Paisley ducked past Stellan and towards her boot, picking it up to cradle in her arms like a newborn child. "Technically the Boar claimed it, and then somehow it ended up here."
"It was clearly fated Stellan. Ansgar himself probably had a hand in this divine intervention." Her eyes were serious as she then extended her arms towards Stellan with the boot in hand. "This boot ended up here so that you can fix it for me! And then all will be right in the world once more!"
Okay, so maybe she wasn't as serious as she was letting on. Was this Paisley finally having a way to push at Stellan's buttons? Even she knew how much he despised her precious footwear from the first time he measured her. She had even noted the pure joy in his eyes when she finally was forced to wear 'proper' boots, made by him of course.
"I bet it still fits perfectly!"
It was a rather foul boot. Horrible. Deserved to be filled with rocks and thrown back into that lake. But for all the sentimentality she had for it, Stellan could step back at least for a short time and let her admire what it was that she'd lost. Nostalgia for nostalgia's sake. And for all he knew that was something she fashioned herself. Much like the bow she'd broken.
Until she suggested he fix it for her. "No. NO! NO-nonononononono!" he said abruptly. "That is NOT happening, Paisley. Not in a million years. Not on your life. Not even if you gave me my left hand back."
And he stuck his tongue out at her, snatched her boot in his good hand and cast it back into the waters! "Go fish!'
His reaction at first was to be expected, and so Paisley barely even flinched when he began denying her joke of a request. However, when he called her by her first name it threw her off a bit. It had been a while since anyone addressed her as anyone other than Private Maika or Lieutenant Maika. It was almost refreshing in a way.
Her reaction was only more thrown off when he stuck his tongue out at her, causing her to almost giggle at the silliness of it. That too was refreshing, all of it was honestly. Paisley hadn't seen Stellan this relaxed since well... ever. That smile though quickly turned dumbstruck as he snatched the boot and flung it into the lake.
Standing there she stood with her arms outstretched towards the water, her jaw wide open as she choked on the sight of watching the bubbles signal her boots untimely descent into the water. "He didn't"
"Stellan!" she finally managed to get out, already beginning the process of sliding off her bracers. "When I get that boot back I am going to wear it until it falls apart at the seams! Just to burst your bubble!"
Someone who didn't know Paisley may have thought she was actually mad about it. But as Stellan should have known by seeing Paisley actually mad before, she was still joking around. After her bracers, Paisley slid off her bow and quiver before gently setting them down on the ground. After that, she removed the shoulder armor and chain mail along with the greenish shirt she wore under them.
Standing in only her undergarments and breeches Paisley then pulled her hair back, tying it back behind her head with a leather strap. All of this took place over a matter of seconds, and by the time she was done her clothing lay in a small pile next to the boots Stellan had made for her. She wasn't shy about her current attire, in fact, she hadn't even fully processed the fact she was standing very underdressed in front of a man.
In an instant, Paisley was then running towards the water, at first stepping off the bank before fully submerging herself as she swam in the direction of the bubbles. She was under for what may have seemed an eternity as she searched beneath the water's surface for her boot only to come up empty-handed.
"PAISLEY MAIKA! I'M TELLING ROLAND!" Yet despite it all, it was much too late. Stellan stood on the edge of the water as she waded deeper and deeper from the embankment. What in the actual fuck!?
"MAIKA!" Stellan wasn't about to go in after her. No. Not on her life! Except what was taking her so long to come back up? He waited with baited breath, hitching it and was about to wade into the water when she resurfaced.
"Paisley! Get back here this instant! Now! Come on! We have a fishing competition to finish," he said and pointed to his fishing line. And how it was wriggling against the rock and the log. Oh shit! Stellan scrambled toward the pole, and pulled back on it, with all the might he could muster.
"All right, this better be a big one! Maika! OUT OF THE WATER! THIS IS IS!" He laughed and stepped back, holding the pole with his left arm, tucking it in against his body and pulling it back with his right arm. And a fat bass emerged from the water. "AW HELL YEAH!"
As Stellan pointed, Paisley stared. That fucker had gotten a fish before her and now she was one behind! Still, in the water, she watched on in disbelief as he pulled in the large bass. "Dammit, Stellan!" There wasn't even really a reason she was cursing at him other than the fact she was now pissed she was losing the competition that she wagered on.
Slowly she swam until her feet could touch, and then waded to the water's edge. Climbing out she stood as the beads of water slipped down her skin. Still completely drenched she turned towards him and placed a hand on each hip with a brow raised.
"So not only did I lose my boot because of you but I lost that fish!" Directing a hand to point at the fish Paisley hinted that it was his fault the fish did not bite on her own line. "If you had not thrown it into the water like that then I probably would have been the one to get the bite."
"Yes that's right Paisley. Make him think he owes you that fish."
She probably looked ridiculous at this point. Soaking wet, her breeches weighted down by the water entrapped within the fabric, hair sticking to the sides of her face and shoulders as it fell out of the leather she pulled it back with.
"It doesn't count!"
Stellen cackled, throwing his head with a wild toss of hair as he unhooked the moment it was finished squirming on the line. That one there was dinner! And he'd have to catch another to just make sure he stayed in the lead. There wasn't any way in hell he was going to let his balls shrivel up inside him in that cold icy lake.
"But you were more focused on the boot than the fish, darling!" he laughed again, already readying his line with more bait, and plastering it between the rock and log, securing it into place. He put his stump and hand on his hips in a heroic thrusting of his chest. "That's how we great hunters fish! Bite that!"
And he threw a rock out to where her line was, never mind the fact that she was dripping wet...sopping with water, and her hair all drenched out, the blonde now darkened and mottled. His eyes caught her a moment, and he flashed her a curious smile. And then flicked back to the quiet of the lake.
Paisley watched in disbelief as Stellan set up his line again and threw it into the water. Her frustration then began to build as he flaunted his 'hunting skills'. Then to top it all off he threw a rock into the water where her bait set, no doubt scaring away any fish that may have been tempted to take it.
She was so angry at him, yet deep down knew all of this way a game. Was he testing her? Trying to see how much he could push her buttons before she snapped? Or maybe he was trying to teach her to take a joke? It didn't matter as Paisley was not having any part of it.
Angrily she stomped off without so much as a word, her pants sloshing as she moved away. Before long she returned with bow and an arrow in hand. "I'll show you a great hunter!" she shouted as she notched the arrow in and very quickly shot at the water where a fish had just splashed.
Unfortunately, her attempt at hitting the fish was a failure as many things had been that day. Paisley stood there with bow still in hand as she stared at the water in disbelief, her eyes skimming back and forth as she hoped it was perhaps a delayed moment and the fish would float up at any moment.
After it was clear there would be no fish Paisley quietly set the bow down and walked over to her pole and sat beside it as she pulled her knees into her chest. Now she was just embarrassed, the color of her face reflecting the magnitude of it. She would sit there without saying a single word as she stared at the line disappearing into the water for as long as it took.
Hours passed without so much as a bump on her line. Not to mention a single sound coming from her mouth. This was probably the quietest as Paisley had been in, well forever. Her anger towards Stellan had already subsided but the embarrassment still remained. The reason for her silence due to the intense amount of concentration she was pouring into the hope that at least one fish would take a bite... but nothing.
Still, half dressed Paisley sat with her knees still tucked against her chest as she attempted to mentally prepare herself for the inevitable. "Why did I ever make this bet!?" she groaned to herself as she placed her forehead on her knees. She already knew Stellan would never let her live this down and if any of the Legionnaires ever caught wind of this she would be more of a joke than she already thought she was to them.
However, Paisley then felt a jerk on her pole that was sitting next to her legs. Snapping her head up she looked down at the pole which was now slowly jerking towards the water. "No way!" she screeched as she uncurled herself and lunged for the pole, grasping it like the lifeline it was.
At this point, Paisley's frown quickly turned into the widest smile as she pulled in her catch and perhaps she was delusional with what she saw. "Look at it Stellan! I did it! I caught a fish!"
As she ran over to him with fish and line in hand she proudly flaunted the 4-inch long baby catfish in front of him.
Stellan just watched her quietly, observing that deep brooding look she had over being unable to nab a proper catch. In those quiet hours, he took the large bass he'd caught and let his line do the work for him (although he caught nothing either).
He cleaned and skinned the fish, chopping the meat as thinly as he could and carefully roasting it in the fire. He didn't say anything because it seemed that Paisley was capable of punishing herself enough for the both of them. He couldn't understand why, though. She was a perfectly fine hunter, and had no need to prove anything to him.
The need seemed to stem from something more personal, evidently. And in the midst of all that, he fixed the fillets out on a wooden slab and carried them over to where she'd been sitting until...
"HOLY CATFISH!" It was tiny. So so very wee and tiny and small but... It was a fish! "Aw man. Now we're neck and neck," he said with a cackle and gestured her over with his stubby arm.
"But before you celebrate, I made dinner. For you. I hope you like it!"
It was obvious that Paisley was over excited by this small catch. Its size did not matter to her at all actually, it was just the fact that she finally caught something. Paisley had always been her worst critic, and failure was not something she took with stride. So this fish, no matter how small it may be, was a sign that through her perseverance she prevailed.
However, when Stellan presented her with the fish on a wooden slab her eyes widened further. "That looks delightful!" she chirped, throwing the fish down and taking the wooden slab instead.
Sitting in the grass beside where Stellan's pole sat Paisley began picking at the fish, placing small bits in her mouth as she savored the flavor. "So you can make excellent armor, magnificent weapons, can fish, and also cook... Is there anything you can't do Stellan?"
"I can't wield a polearm," he said with a snort. Oh, she was praising him now? Even after all the sulking and burning rage she'd had for him only hours earlier. She'd just needed a little bit of cooling off it seemed. And after losing to him with one fish, she was clearly more level-headed with her own little catch. Better that than having her completely miserable on this trip!
"I also can only make rowboats go in circles," he said with a nod. It was affirmative, that with his missing hand it really only would go in circles. By the end of it he was snorting loudly and rolling backwards, havin to catch himself before he hit the ground. "But other than that, I'm only really good for taking notes and making sure all the equipment ends up with the right people. You know that's what I did right? I just ordered your gear and the smith actually fashioned it for you. The arrows though, I stamped the little bean right on there."
Laughing with him the two found humor in Stellan's handicap. He really was a good sport about it, even able to make himself the butt of his own jokes.
But then Stellan started explaining to her the truth behind her gear. He hadn't made it, that part she could guess. She couldn't even imagine how difficult it would be for him to thread a needle, much less stitch an entire uniform. Stellan though was cutting himself short, leaving out the most important bit of information.
No longer laughing Paisley fell serious as she placed another bit of fish in her mouth. "And my bow? You made that did you not?" It was a rhetorical question of course... Paisley knew the real answer.
"Was it not you who carved the delicate arms and merged your father's weapon with mine? Was it not you who took the time to make sure it remained the same but was entirely different? I'm sorry Stellan but I think if anyone else had touched my bow they would have ruined it. Don't cut yourself short like that."
There it was again, that importance that relfected in her eyes when she mentioned that bow. it wasn't that hard to see, however. Considering how she chewed him out when he laugehd about it before, and now the gratefulness in her vision made him feel...well, blushing.
His face felt like it was on fire.
"That... the bow, yeah I made that. Myself. I honestly didn't trust anyone else to handle it with as much care as I did. Because i wanted to make sure that what you got was the best and most functional piece of equipment you could ever own. And my father's bow...was given new life. I know how much it meant to you," he nodded, digging into his own plate of fish.
The moment Paisley noticed his face flush red she quickly turned her gaze back to the slab in her lap. Why was he doing that? All she did was state the truth. Even still the very thought of him being that moved by her words caused Paisley herself to blush, suddenly making the entire conversation seem somewhat awkward.
"I meant it when I said it was perfect..." she couldn't even bring herself to pick up another bit of fish as she began fiddling with her fingers. "... I will never be able to repay you for doing such a kind thing for me. I-I feel like I owe you so much more than I could ever think to give you."
Now it felt like her own face was on fire as the blood rushed beneath her skin. "What the hell is this? Why am I feeling this right now? Quick! Change the subject before you make even more of an idiot of yourself."
"Think it may rain tonight?" Immediately after the words escaped her mouth Paisley felt herself internally face palm. "Yeah Paisley that's just great. Make him think you would rather talk about a cloud in the sky than about the bow he made for you."
"I mean.... so I can put that nice cover over my bow if it does." Okay, now she was just making an idiot of herself...
It wasn't every day that he suddenly had all this praise and attention on him. One of the reasons he treasured being a quartermaster's assistant was precisely because he could still serve, still work without being noticed, without worrying about whether or not people would notice the deeds he did. It really didn't matter to him.
And other than Roland on a routine number of occasions, Paisley was the first person to actually thank him for what he did. So the blush came more naturally than he would have liked.
"Look, Paisley. I was happy to do it. Really. If you have to thank me for everything you did, we'd be out here all day trying to come up with something suitable. And you know, just being here like this. With you, is uh, really nice. Thanks for inviting me out. I needed it. And I didn't even realize," he commented.
Rain? Yeah....oh the skies did look pretty angry.
Only then did Stellan feel his line begin to bite. "Oh, oh shit! Paisley! Help me! I think it's a bit one!" he said with sudden urgency. Round up to his feet, he reached for the fishing pole just as it was dislodged from being wedged between that rock and log.
She nodded at his thanks for inviting him out. It was the least she could do as far as she was concerned. Paisley couldn't even imagine what it would be like to be stuck at camp every single day doing nothing but carrying out orders. Everyone deserved a break every once in a while.
Whatever kind of moment they were having though was halted when Stellan's pole began dislodging from its place. "Get it Stellan!" Paisley herself jumped up to try and catch the pole in time, just barely getting her hands on it before it became out of reach.
Even with the pull coming from the water below Paisley managed to hand it off to him safely. From then on she watched in anticipation as he pulled in whatever was on the other end.
"Maybe it's my boot!"
Hand it off to him? Why!?
"PAISLEY! I SAID TO HELP ME WITH THIS DAMN THING!" Stellan was howling at the top of his lungs when the jerking motion from the pole nearly sent him forward into the lake and he caught himself just in time at the top of that rock.
"PAISLEY!" he yelped and tried two wrap his arm around the base of the pole, yanking it back as hard as he could. "Grab the other end!"
Staring on in completely and totally dumbfounded the words didn't register for a few moments. "Oh!" She yelled when it finally clicked that he needed her to actually help him get it in. "Stellan! What kind of bait are you using anyways!?"
Paisley then ran up and grabbed the end of the pole while Stellan held the base. Together they pulled and Paisley did her best not to go flying into the lake with whatever monster was waiting at the end of this line.
Still, barefoot her feet slid on the wet grass beneath her and Paisley fell back into Stellan a few times, but never once released her grasp on the rod.
Together their combined strength managed to pull the rod out of the water and on the other end of it was a squirming, humngous catfish the size of Stellan's torso and then some. He fell backwards with Paisley and was panting, exhaustion setting into the arms that damn near were ripped off by that fish.
"HOLY CHEESE WHEELS!" He exclaimed and while he had the opportunity, he cackled and reached his arms around her neck and pulled her in for a deep set smooch against her lips.
After what seemed like an eternity the beauty at the end of Stellan's line finally come to the surface. With one last tug, they managed to land the oversized catfish on the bank, but Paisley had also managed to land right in Stellan's lap.
Thankfully one of the many things required at mastering the bow was upper arm strength and so pulling on a rod like that was no sweat. Okay, so maybe it was a little bit... but not near as hard for her as it was for some.
With Stellan still behind her, Paisley attempted to catch her breath while she laughed from the pure joy of landing such a large catch. She was about to agree with Stellan and his less-than-casual exclamation on cheese wheels until she felt his arms go around her neck.
Before she could even react Paisley's lips were locked with his and for a second, she actually kissed him back. That was at least until she realized what was actually happening. As if just touching his skin were the cause Paisley flushed crimson once more from head to toe as she placed a hand on each of his shoulders and pushed him back.
Without a word she then scrambled backward out of his lap and towards the large fish on the bank. Her face was twisted in confusion and anxiety as she continued pushing herself back until before she knew it Paisley was falling backward off of the bank and into the water.
Thankfully the water was only knee deep and so only Paisley's bottom, feet and one of her arms were submerged. Her other hand was on her lips, touching them as if they may have fallen off.
"Did that just happen?" Paisley touched her lips again "Did I like that?" Her hand then met the other as they covered her eyes. "I did like it didn't I!?" And if it were even possible Paisley turned even more red.
She might have shoved him off of her, and that was all right with him because Stellan was completely ecstatic with that catch. He hadn't even realized what he'd just done and he wrangled the line closer to the ground and when the fish finally finished struggling, he unhooked the line from the mouth.
"What a beauty that is," he snorted and looked back to Paisley, who was standing in the water... "Well, come on! Are you going swimming now? Let's do that! I don't care about the bet anymore. I could go for a dip myself after a haul like this!"
He stood up and yanked off his shirt, wrangling it off him as best he could and trudged over to the water, and then promptly tackled her into the water.
Still in complete shock, Paisley didn't even know how to react to Stellan tackling her into the water. Emerging from beneath the water's surface Paisley was coughing while she held a hand to her chest, strands of her hair stuck to her face.
"Stellan!" Paisley coughed again, clearing the lake water from her lungs. "Get ahold of yourself!" It was odd... Paisley being the level-headed one for once. Stellan was acting on impulse, something she was normally renowned for. If anything it made her self-reflect a bit on how perhaps it wasn't the best way to handle things.
Hoping it would help Paisley trudged through the water towards him, placing a hand on each of his shoulders her blue eyes bore down on him. Then, without any notice, she moved one of her hands and went to slap him across the face. After she remained silent, still fiercely staring him down while she waited for him to come to his senses, her cheeks still slightly flush from what happened moments before.
He was celebrating. He was having a perfectly good time and then a fish jumped up from the water and slapped him in the face! That's clearly what it was because he was pretty sure still that Paisley was still having a great time. And hadn't at all just slapped him in the face, even though she was yelling something about him getting a hold of himself.
He stepped back after that slap to the face, now actually looking at her face and blinking stupidly. "Hey, hey, now. Uhhhh. One, Ouch," he muttered and rubbed at his cheek. "What the hell was that for? I'm just...excited! I thought we both were? Sorry!" He backed away, wading back to the surface. After all that fish wasn't going to descale itself.