---

While trying to keep herself up right, she was also trying to keep her own magic in check. Ekosha knew she had her own faults just as anyone else. She was only human. Maybe with a touch of magic. The last thing she wanted to do, was to accidentally turn Matt into a frozen sculpture. Trust me? Her own glacial eyes blinked as she would turn her head to look at him, wondering if this man was the same one who poked fun at her even on his more… taxing days. I’ve got you, Her cheeks flushed and she felt an unusual flutter in her heart that felt foreign to her. Words were unable to form for her to reply and instead, she simply nodded.

This didn’t lessen the concern for his leg noticing his cane was abandoned at the base of the tree. It’s fine. His assurance came once more. I can brace it with my shadows a bit, makes it almost useful. She made a face of interest, her curiosity briefly piqued. “That— does seem useful.” She murmured just enough for him hear. Ekosha rested her head against his chest, listening to the thrum of his own beating heart and the steady motion of his breath. Her shoulders seemed to ease then as she found a sturdy purchase upon the branch they now shared.

Now, let’s get you down from here. I’ll step down, you follow my path. I won’t let you go alright? “Yeah,” was her only reply. Her grip briefly tightened around his hand as the space between them stretched slightly. Why did that feel wrong? Her jaw tightened. Was it just the heat of the moment? “I trust you.” she relented in a single breath.

Her gaze settled on him as he began their decent. Upon doing so, did she feel the ebbing rise of guilt and shame begin to surface. Was it the lack of sleep? It’d only been a few nights maybe. It was long than that. She knew she’d been in far more trialing circumstances before, what was any different today? In front of Matthias of all people? The tips of her ears reddened again. What did that have to do with any of this? What the hell Eko, She bit the inside of her cheek reaching for his hand, following his steps following a startled girlish squeak. “I owe you a drink after this.” she chuffed nervously.

---

If there was anything she noticed, it was that he hardly ever mentioned or complained about his leg. She never did bother to pry on the subject though in his defense, he never did ask. Of course, Ekosha was limited in her field despite her studies so there was no guarantee there could even be a fix. It would be a lie, though if she said she wasn’t the slightest intrigued by his use of such dangerous magics. Clever, at that too. Another time to discuss if they made it down safely from this titan.

Trusting him seemed like the only viable option she had. Not that she even asked for his help. He’d voluntold himself, is what she was trying to persuade her own thoughts. There was a slew of questions piling in her head to which she had to bite her tongue for in the meantime. Her grip gently tightening around his as they’d already made their decent. She took in a shallow breath, trying to dismiss the tone in his alleged appraisal as her sights would settle on the movement of his shadows and their cooperation and aide in their make-way down the large tree. Her stomach felt it was twisting itself in knots and she didn’t entirely know how to dismiss the sudden shift that seemed to form with him.

If we both survive this, I’ll take you up on that, His humor retaliated her own as she tried to distract herself all the same. “Way to sound so certain we will.” She would fire back in the nervous teasing. Glacial sights watched as he finally found the earth beneath his feet. A wash of relief came over her upon his safety then.

It was her turn and she felt her heart sink into her stomach. Don’t be so childish, Eko. she mentally scolded herself. Her eyes closed as she took in a breath trying to find her resolve. Frost forming where she stood, exposing the evidence of her anxiety. At the same time she was trying to shove such feelings deep, deep down in the trenches of her core.

Finally, Ekosha went to reach for Matthias, it was just another step or two down which was far less of a threat than where she was originally. Eko took her step and the ice proved to be against her as she slipped Icy gaze widened as she started to fall forward rather gracelessly into Matt’s embrace. “Ah—ah shit, I’m sorry! Matt -- Gods above, are you alright?!” She felt the stinging threat of tears begin to form in her eyes, panicking of any harm that may’ve become of him.

---

Upon his quip only did her tongue click against the roof of her mouth. “Sometimes the most dangerous paths have the most valuable prizes.” she huffed. All the same her focus remained on the path at hand and following Matthias down to the sanctuary of the surface below. Eko paid no mind to the forming frost stretching along the surface of the tree from where she stood. It was either that, or she was ignoring the issue altogether in hopes it would just disappear on its own. A distraction made as she went to step only to lose her footing upon the branch.

The fall felt as if it was going in slow motion and far too quickly at the same time like a tarnished cinematic reel. Fear sank into the pit of her stomach in worry that the full of her weight may have brought further harm to the cripple of his limb and panic rushed her words in an anxious breath. She knew he could manipulate the tendrils of shadows though never did his concern once mentioned that they often possessed a mind of their own. Bright glacial sights widened with the evidence of concern as tears gushed almost immediately certain she’d caused more harm than good.

I’m fine, don’t worry. Are you okay?  Pale brows creased, such a question felt foreign to hear when it was not she who was asking the well-being of another.  Ekosha blinked back the tears that had threatened to form as she searched his own icy gaze that found hers. Eko suddenly felt the warmth of a rather strengthened embrace, and the closeness that they suddenly shared.  Her cheeks darkened and the tips of her ears reddening. “Y-yeah.”

No sooner though, did she feel the relinquish of his arms, freeing her once her feet finally found a steadiness to their liking of balance. Her gaze shifted to look behind him then where she noticed her abandoned satchel left propped against the very tree she had climbed.

Without thinking, Ekosha went to wrap her arms around him then following a light squeeze. “Thanks… for that.” she bit the inside of her cheek though quickly broke away if he’d even accepted the embrace and cleared her throat. Her cheeks were redder than apples, unable to bring herself to look at him so suddenly. She made the excuse to reach for her satchel and lazily shift through it to pretend her heart wasn’t pounding anxiously against her chest. “S-so that drink I owe you?” She asked, reaching through her pockets to retrieve the saplings she nearly killed herself over. “Do you want that now or later?”

---

Immediately and albeit rather clumsily, Ekosha would straighten her garb, brushing away any loose debris that may have decided stake its claim upon her. Glacial sights were downcast and the tips of her ears colored in scarlet. As her thanks fell soberly from her lips following the quick embrace. It was there she felt the sting of improper etiquette. There was a slight pause after hearing his regard. Already was she scolding herself for her carelessness. At the same time there was that invigorating rush of adrenaline earlier whilst climbing up the large pine. The sense of danger and excitement all the same that she often felt ignite when she was diving into catacombs or uncharted tombs when adventuring for artifacts.

“Pinecone blossoms.” She finally answered his previous question as to what would even draw her to such feats. “Sounds ridiculous, but they’re more potent in their earlier stages.” she shoved them into her satchel if she hadn’t already. “They stimulate cellular immune response to aid the increase of a body’s production of antibodies.” She spoke so casually when it came to anything regarding her work, assuming anyone sharing verses with her would already understand. “Yeah, I could just get any regular pinecone off the ground, but these are fresh from the treetops.” He was a friend but he was also a patient of hers, she needed to remind herself. She couldn’t help but notice the tug in her chest and would desperately admonish, if that were even possible.

Instead, she redirected to the offered spirits she’d promised him, shoving her hands in her pockets as she finally turned her freckled features to him. How ‘bout now? We can head back to my bar if you’re okay with that side of town. Her tongue clicked against the roof of her mouth and offered a half-hearted shrug. “It’s on me, so whatever works.” Hardly phased of the location he stationed his craft. Sights casually trailed watching as he drew the stallion closer and Eko gave very little restraint as she reached her hand out with care towards the horse. “Oh who’s the most handsomest stallion in all of Klewyth? Hm?” She offered a careful pat upon the equines snout, her gaze softening and shoulders dropping, a little more relaxed.

Do you ride? Eko perked slightly as she studied the horse for a moment. “I don’t have a horse myself,” She admitted almost embarrassed of the thought. “Hardly have time to give the right care for one when I have my clinic going.”

---

Your dedication is admirable then. If you need help collecting them, or anything really, I’m always happy to help, His words came to a surprise. So much so that her pale cheeks reddened beneath her freckles. She wasn’t the one to go out of her way to ask for help, nor did she privy herself to burden another either. “Oh,” she offered a nervous laugh. “Thanks,” was all she could say and yet there was a brief moment of awkward tension looming overhead like an angry thundercloud.

The equines approach was a gracious one, Ekosha eager to greet the steed with warm affection as she stroked his nose and offered praising dotes. I think Shadow agrees, Matthias’ laugh coaxed one of her own, “But of course,” she would add.

There was little complaint in her tone in the mentions of owning a horse of her own as she knew she hardly had time even for herself if at all. It wouldn’t have been fair to either herself or any animal at that given her style of work. It did not keep her from admiring them when given the opportunity, and even a sliver of envy despite the reality of animal ownership was a feat on its own. Shadow and I shall teach you then, hm? her bright glacial eyes lit up at the thought. He won’t mind. I’m sorry I did not put a saddle on him today.. “Well, they don’t wear them in the wild do they?” she offered a light tease.

Come, put your left foot in my hands here and I’ll boost you up. Her expression drew into a blank stare then, as if the words that fell from the mans mouth were of foreign tongue. He just had to carry her down the tree and now he wished to aid in lifting her atop this grand beast?! For a moment she would glance to Shadow then back to his own. “Alright...If you are certain,” she steeled herself, reaching for the equines side, Eko then lifted her left foot to step upon the palms Matthias offered.