keep your teeth sharp 
Everything was starting to feel normal. It was beginning to feel likethe vast majority of his existence prior to when Ethel walked into it. The wilds of the lands he had visited and even those that he had called home had always felt more welcoming than to stand at the egress of his own front door. ' 'Home' had become something of ajail, a cage of memories so pleasant it was torture, a constant remainder of his failings, a never ending deluge of consequences from his actions. He couldn't wait to bring Yggdra here, the place she was meant to be raised once the war was over and he and his wife were permitted to return to their normal lives. Their daughter would have played with the other children in Sanctuary, she would have spent idle days dancing and spinning with her mother in her dance studio, mimicking the fluent motions she instructed with a cIumbsy charm only befitting a child's intent. 

But that wouldn't come true.
And that would only ever be get another 'what if'.

He'd avoided town for the most part, staying in the wilds for both the safety of those who lived there from questioning about his whereabouts. Just as much as it wasfor his own sake. The haunting notions of what could have, and should have, been were unpleasant ones to say the least. Today, however, he had chosen to venture in, unable to keep goods from those of less fortune. He knew manyof those who once prowled the forest paths in search of game were yet to return from the capitol, and as such, their families were to make due with what meager supplies they were left with or that a soldier's earnings could afford. With the looming threat of war, however, trips for trades were also quite rare as well.

So fresh cuts of red meat lingered in a bag, wrapped in skins and parchment alike, kept cool for the trip by the chilling waters of the river wild. Likewise, salted pelts clung to his shoulders, necessities provided for the swiftly approaching mountain winters. It wouldn't be long now before the first flakes of snow made their appearances at this elevation. The butcher was his first visit, the once familiar and bright features of the woman left bereft of her former vitality, the wrinkles of her brow now more pronounced than before. Despite the cover of his helm, recognition lit in her dark umber eyes, and accented her vocals as she spoke, "Been awhile. Most obliged, sir."

keep your teeth sharp 
The woman spoke lightly, her voice soft, holding a light edge to it that he couldn't quite identify. She was accustomed to his silence, and to the awkward words that he did mutter in reply to any inquiries she possessed. He didn't like the way her haggard gaze appraised him, unlike all of the other similarities, it wasn't the same as before. She'd always held a friendly air, but this was something else. However, her stare shortly became distracted as she was presented with the forest's bounty for appraisal. Her features became a bit crestfallen, as she separated the cuts into differing piles. "I can't pay you for anything more than this." She finally vocalized a source of her suddenly sullen behavior. "Business hasn't been too good since... well."

His weight shifted, his crown tilting slightly. "I don't need coin. People need to eat." He spoke the words simply. He knew that many and more were ruled by their greed for currency, and for many of those here, it wasn't mere useless need. It was becoming the mirror image of life and death. One that had his jaw forcefully clenched. The shop keep hesitated, her mouth opening and slowly closing before she went to speak, a faint trill of her vocals suddenly cut short as the door opened with the soft chime of the bell. “I’ve got that salve for you miss—” The stranger would also halt speaking as her basket slipped from her arm.

The contents spilled across the floor boards, fruits and vegetables rolling along the planks with audible commotion. “My apologies,” she hastily murmured. “I can come back after another round the block,” she would add as her fingertips pulled forward the cover of her cloak. Her skin was a deep, rich, midnight blue, illuminated faintly by the glow of markings that made their home among her forearms that were plainly visible with the motion. Quite outlandish. Easily marking her as an outsider in this town. A sensation he was familiar with despite his own distance being mostly self imposed. It was no secret, after all, that most of those who lived here were possessed by a fear of those not mortal as they were. This was supposed to be a hidden paradise for them. But nothing could ever remain so. The address of war had discovered them none the less in the king's jurisdiction.

He would bend, picking up the waxy peel of an apple, followed by whatever else lay close at hand. The action continued until he was close enough to offer the contents back to the basket where they rightfully belonged. "I was just leaving." He offered in objection to her own suggestion for her to return later. He did still have to leave the furs and hides with the tanners. He also still needed to ensure that Ethel would have wood for the chill of the evenings. A notion that stirred recollection, along with the scent of herbs that seemed to linger upon this woman and her whicker weave. "Are you a healer?" He would inquire, his voice lower as he straightened, hands now empty.