(Ahhhh, finally done with exams)
Tangled forest is thick and overgrown, not many people explored it and there was really only one solid path leading through it. Curious people got lost from time to time and it happens to be one of those occasions. Calin enjoys adventure so of course he would go off of the path. He's usually quite with directions so how he got lost is a mystery to him. "Come on, come on…" He muttered to himself, "Where's that path?" He continued walking and looking around aimlessly until he came across a cliff. Calin carefully peered over the cliff and into the lower parts of the forest below, "I had no idea I was up so high." he thought to himself. He studied the cliff a moment longer, noticing that it was incredibly smooth and that it was impossible to cling onto. He clicked his tongue and shifted his footing, getting ready to try and make his way down on a safer route. Of course, this is where everything went wrong. The bit of rock that Calin was standing on, crumbled beneath him and he began to fall. Ignoring what he had realized a moment before, he unleashed vines from his arms and trying grabbing onto the side of the cliff. The vines bounced off without grabbing on and Calin continued to fall. He fell through some trees which lightened his fall just a tiny bit and hit the ground with a thud. He laid on the ground, dazed and groaned in pain.
It had been a pretty normal day for Oliver. He had taken care of his home, cleaned it up a little bit. He had tended to his garden, making sure that his flowers, fruits, and veggies were growing well. His life had become routine now. In the early mornings, he'd let Lotus out to explore the forest while he went and took care of the garden. He'd then tend to the chickens, gather eggs and harvest ripe fruits or veggies and head back into the house to make breakfast. Then he'd clean, gather supplies if he was low, and let Lotus back inside the house. He'd often wander the forest, making sure that everything was peaceful as it can be before heading back out. But today- today had to be different, didn't it? An elf in his forest. He sighed deeply, his eyes glancing around before he moved closer to the elf. He was always hesitant, most called him a monster whenever they saw him. He didn't normally like strangers, and not to mention, he was really tall and strong- so a lot of people avoided him… and if you knew about his curse… He sighed deeply and made it to where the person was. It looked like they were in and out of consciousness. "Hello?" His voice was deep and a bit scratchy. He hadn't talked to a person in a while, unless Lotus counts as someone to talk to.
Calin flinched in pain as he slowly sat up, trying to get a good look at who had spoken. It was a human, a very strong and tall looking human. "Gah! This guy looks like he could snap me like a twig!" He was lost in thought for a few seconds before snapping out of it and responding, "Hello…sorry to um, drop in," He chuckled. He tried to stand up but his vision went black and his body protested in pain so he dropped back to his knees.
He glanced down at the elf in front of him. He was very small looking. He gazed at the other for a minute, his eyes travelling over the other to make sure he was okay. He glanced up at the cliff above them. "That's a high drop, are you-" he started a little when the other tried to stand, and lunged to gently catch him before he hit his head on a tree or something. He didn't know what to do at this point, his cloak whispering against the grass and leaves. He tried to think. His home wasn't too far, but he didn't like having strangers in his home… but at the same time this person was hurt. He could try and help but he didn't know how.
Calin breathed deeply trying to relax his body and shake away the new feeling of lightheadedness. He looked back at the human, whose arms he was now in and smiled reassuringly, "I'm fine I-" He glanced up at the height of the cliff and paled slightly before continuing, "-just took a bit of a tumble, that's all." A thought suddenly dawned on him, where was he? He had thought that coming down from the cliff would lead back to the path but the forest seemed just as thick as before.
He gazes at the other, not believing him for a second. One was not find when they fell from a cliff. He raised his brow ever so slightly as he quietly and quickly checked for anything that might be broken or injured. He didn't want to bring this stranger home unless he absolutely had to. He gently sat the elf down against a tree. "I can help… maybe." He gazes at the other. "Does anything hurt… badly?" He wasn't sure how to word it.
“Ah…my head and back hurt a bit.” He quickly reached up to his head and the sudden action caused his vision to go spotty. He covered his eyes and continued, “Very lightheaded as well…but no major pain.” He slowly looked up to the human, careful of his head, and smiled softly.
He paused before slowly picking him up. "I have a home not far from here, I can help a little bit…" He slowly carries the other to get through the water. He sighed deeply, "But that's only okay with you." He paused a little bit, "I don't want to drag you somewhere you don't want to go."
Calin blinked in surprise when he was picked up, "I-uh, yeah that's okay," He studied the other before continuing, "But don't think that you have to, we've just met after all…" He trailed as a thought came to him, "Uh, if you don't mind my asking, what is your name?"
He nods a little as he carried the other, making sure to be as gentle as possibly. "Oliver." He replies simply, easily navigating through the woods. He knew this forest like the back of his hand. They finally made it to a rather cozy looking home. It was small, with a surprisingly large garden.
"What a nice name!" Calin put a hand to his chest, "My name is Calin. It's nice to meet you Oliver." His breath caught when they arrived at the house, the garden was amazing looking and seemed to be very well tended. He continued studying the plants, muttering the names under his breath when he recognized one. He was definitely distracted.
He nods a little at the other's words, silently noting the name but not saying anything. He wasn't one to chat often. The garden was bathed in a soft light, a little well resting peacefully in the middle. He hummed as he heard the other muttering names of plants, setting him on the bed near the window that looked out into the garden.
Calin studied the plants a couple moments longer before tearing his eyes away and taking in his surroundings. It was nice and cozy, a comfortable little place, similar to his childhood home. He grimaced at the thought of his parents but sighed and smiled, admiring how neat and organized everything was. He looked up at Oliver, "You have some really nice organization skills, Oli-do you mind if I call you that?" His gaze turned back to the window, "I like your garden as well."
(Sorry! I thought I replied!)
The house had no rooms except for a closet and what looked like a place to go to the bathroom. The kitchen looked rather simple, a stove, a few counters, a fire place, a place to keep food cold, and cabinets. The bed was settled a few feet from the kitchen, placed under the window that streamed in the warm sunlight and looked out into the garden. He paused and looks over at the other as he prepped some food and cool water for his guest. "Oli is fine." He shrugs as he looks out to his garden. "Thank you." He replies quietly before returning to cutting the fruits and carrying the water and plate of snacks to the bed, handing them to the other. "Eat and rest for a moment. I'll whip something up to help with the dizziness and pain."
(It's okay! I figured that's what happened!)
Calin turned from the window and took the plate and water, "Thank you." He said with a smile and set the plate down on the bed before taking a bite of a strawberry. His eyes lit up, "These are delicious! You can never go wrong with fresh fruit." He continued trying all of the fruits and other snacks that were on the plate and took a long drink of water. He glanced over to where Oliver was, "Do you live here by yourself or do you people or animals to keep you company?"
Oli nods a little. "No problem." He replies quietly. He gets back to work on making those pain relievers and what not. He nods a little at the others comment about the fresh fruit. "They were harvested this morning." He replies quietly. He paused at the questions, shrugging. "It's really just me and animals. My cat should be around here someone. Probably chasing mice in the field." He offers the herbal remedy to the other, a gentle smile flitting over his lips. "I tend to avoid people."
"Cats are a good pet to have when living in the forest." Calin remarked when Oli mentioned his cat. He accepted the remedy from the other and after studying it for a moment, he swallowed it. He pursed his lips at the bitter taste but mumbled his thanks and listened to what Oli said next, "Is there a reason you avoid people?" He asked curiously.
He nods a little bit at the cat part, he wasn't really one for words, however his guest seemed to be chatty. He paused at the question about him avoiding people, his eyes saddening a little bit. He never really liked thinking about his curse, after all, he had managed to avoid activating it more than he wanted to. He didn't use his magic… at all now. Not after he found out the truth. He shrugged a little bit, "Just anti social I suppose." He replies simply.
Calin noticed look in the others eyes and frowned slightly, he hadn't meant to bring up an uncomfortable topic. He quickly put a smile on his face and laughed quietly, "Well then, I suppose living in the forest is a good thing! You don't have to deal with people often, unless people happen to fall off cliffs often."
He snickers softly at the others words, nodding a little bit. "Just you." He hands the other some more water before settling down into a chair. It looked rather comfortable. He gave a relaxed sigh, his eyes shutting for a minute. "It's a little nice having a visitor. Rare… but nice. I can take you to the nearest village when you get back on your feet and can walk without collapsing." He offered a teasing smile.
Calin's smile widened, "I'm just special then," He said smugly while accepting the water. He listened to other talk about taking him to a village while he took a sip of water. "Dang, so you're saying you can't carry all the way to the village? What a shame." He laughed and shook his head slightly.
He chuckles quietly at the others words before shaking his head. "I'm not carrying someone who is capable of walking on their own two legs. You just have to rest a bit." He glances over at the other with a slightly raised eyebrow and a knowing look on his face. He wrapped his cloak around himself and gave a relaxed sigh.
"Okay, okay…" Calin responded with mock disappointment. He met the others glance with a smile. Something outside then caught his eye. He looked out and saw that the sun was beginning to set. Calin let out a small noise of surprise, "Wow the day passed by quickly, the sun is already setting."
He chuckles quietly at the faint disappointment before glancing out as well. "So it is." He hummed before standing slowly and moving to the fire place, quickly starting one up. "You can rest here for tonight. The forest isn't safe at night." He finished setting up the fire before quickly opening the door and letting in Lotus who sniffed curiously at Calin before settling in his lap. Oli shut the heavy door behind Lotus, securing it shut before shutting the curtains. He walks back to his chair and settles down.
