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.

Jahi

[quote="Matthias" pid='1967' dateline='1704246349']

Matthias Cyprian

Her gaze met his, a soft flush to her pale cheeks. She didn’t speak, only nodded that she’d trusted him. He tried to ignore the slight thrill to his pulse, and the sick sensation that churned in his gut. She was quickly distracted though, her gaze dropping to where his cane rested against the tree. ”That - does seem useful,” she replied to the use of his shadows, bracing his fractured limb. As always her mind seemed to be spinning over the possibilities again. It had been rather useful, he almost hated telling someone about it, more for the revealing of himself then anything. The limp and the pain in his limb were real, the sharp shooting agony that he bore was relieved by the shadows, holding the limb in place, bearing his weight easily. It could be exhausting though. The can as well had become a bit of a disguise in a way. He was often underestimated when others saw him using it. It put him at an advantage, he thought.

Her head leaned against his chest lightly, ripping him from his thoughts and back to the present. The cool touch of her skin searing a warm current through him. Every muscle went rigid, his posture stiffening slightly. He didn’t let go though, if anything perhaps he gripped her a little tighter, fingers splayed in the dip of her back. ”Yeah” she replied, squeezing his hand tightly as he broke the connection between them with some regret, taking the next step down. ” I trust you.” He looked back up at her, the hint of a blush painted across her features. A slight smile curved his lips, ”Good girl,” he spoke softly in reply, his gaze dropping to the next step, ignoring the path his mind was trying to wander down.

Slowly making their way towards the bottom of the tree, he heard her squeal slightly as she stumbled. He and his shadows both moved as one to brace her if needed, but she’d already righted herself, taking the next step down to meet him. ”I owe you a drink after this,” she spoke through a nervous laugh. ”If we both survive this, I’ll take you up on that,” he joked, a rare thing. He surprised himself even.

With the next few steps he landed easily on the forest floor. He looked up at her, reaching his arms out to brace her as she made the rest of the way down.

ooc: it's like a scene from Bridgerton. lmao

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.

Jahi

Matthias Cyprian

“Way to sound so certain we will,” she shot back, her eyes darting down to meet his He felt the tug of a smile as he watched her turn away and focus on following the same path down that he’d taken. ”It was a treacherous path you decided to take,” he quipped back, peering up briefly into the height of the tree once more. A sudden drop in temperature drew his gaze sharply back to her. She hadn’t moved, her gaze turned away from him, her breathing slow and steady like she was steadying herself for the final few steps. He watched as frost crept eerily along the branches, small icicles dripping beneath them. He took one silent step closer, ready to brace her if she needed. Perhaps his tone had been harsher then he’d intended… Did it matter? Another part of him seemed to snap. He tried to push those thoughts far away into his shadows, avoiding whatever meaning they held.

As she reached another step down she began to turn for him, reaching out to steady herself. He moved forward, spotting too late as her hand closed around the ice covered part of the branch. She fell forward, eyes going wide in shock. He lunged forward, his shadows moving to brace and help his weakened limb as his arms came up around her lithe frame, pulling her tightly against him. ”Ah—ah shit, I’m sorry! Matt -- Gods above, are you alright?!” She looked up at him, a well of tears forming in the depths of her eyes. A strange sort of ache settled in his chest at the sight of her concern.

Slowly he lowered her body against his until her feet touched lightly back onto the ground, still wrapped in the embrace of his arms. He wanted to be sure she was steady on her feet before letting her go. ”I’m fine, don’t worry. Are you okay?” He looked her over quickly, the sapphire depths of her gaze, the pale column of her throat that dipped to her clavicle. Her hands pressed against his chest, always assessing. She seemed whole and unharmed, and with a reluctance he was afraid to acknowledge he slowly let his arms drop away, taking a cautious step back to give her some space.

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?”

Jahi

Matthias Cyprian

”Sometimes the most dangerous paths have the most valuable prizes,” she huffed, following his footsteps carefully. He smiled behind her, watching closely as she moved. ”Wisely stated Doc,” he said with only a slightly mocking tone. ”And what valuable treasure did you find up there?” His gaze swept briefly over the treetops, taking in the thick green foliage and its abundance of budding blooms. He pondered over the uses she must have known for them, and what made them so worth the risk for her to brave the climb.

Watching as she recovered from her sudden fall, her gaze darted up the length of him until she met his own. He was shocked to find her eyes filling with tears. The sight of it sent a sharp burst through him, causing him to take a protective step forward, one hand reaching out to offer support should she need it. He’d thought he’d caught her in time before she could injure herself but perhaps she’d twisted her ankle in the process. He’d questioned if she was okay, noting the slight stammer in her answer.

Are you sur-” he tried to question her further, watching as she blinked back the tears in her eyes. His words were cut off by his own surprise as she wrapped herself around him, squeezing lightly. The closeness of her, drowning in the smell of winter and evergreen… There was only a slight hesitation before he found himself wrapping his own arms around her, pulling her against him gently. ”Thanks… for that.” She spoke, quickly pulling away from him, cheeks flushed red as holly. She busied herself with her satchel, fumbling with it’s contents as she began to put away her gems from her climb. ”Anytime,” he answered, tone more serious than the rhythmic banter they’d found earlier, still fumbling through a dizzying wave of emotion.

”S-so that drink I owe you? Do you want that now or later?” He moved to collect his discarded cane, feeling steadier with the cold pommel in his hand. ”How ‘bout now? We can head back to my bar if you’re okay with that side of town.” He tried to bluff through feelings, burying them back down somewhere in his shadows. He made his way over to his horse, collecting his reins and moving back towards her. ”Do you ride?” he asked, placing a gentle hand on the stallion’s neck.

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.”

Jahi

Matthias Cyprian

”Pinecone blossoms. Sounds ridiculous, but they’re more potent in their earlier stages.” Matthias watched her carefully tuck them away into her satchel, listening as her tone switched into the one he was more familiar with. Clever and bright, her wisdom far beyond him. He loved listening though, even if he had no idea what the hell she was talking about half the time. ”They stimulate cellular immune response to aid the increase of a body’s production of antibodies. Yeah, I could just get any regular pinecone off the ground, but these are fresh from the treetops.” He tilted his head slightly, watching as she turned back to face him, the focus and intense look of her gaze settling on him again. Her hands settled nervously in her pockets. ”Your dedication is admirable then. If you need help collecting them, or anything really, I’m always happy to help,” His own words surprised him. He’d spent a long time building the shadowed walls around himself, keeping everyone out and at a careful distance. Something about the doc drew him though. She was brilliant, driven of course, but there was more to her. The more he saw the more he wanted to know. That thought alone had him breaking eye contact, awkwardly fumbling with the cane in his hand.

The tension was eased as the horse at his side bumped his shoulder eagerly, waiting for the treat that lay hidden in his pocket. He pulled the sliver of apple hidden within the pouch for him, offering a pat to his solid neck. He glanced back over to Eko, who answered with a quick, ”It’s on me, so whatever works.” He made no reply, only a slight smirk as she stepped closer to the horse, offering her hand to pat him. ”Oh who’s the most handsomest stallion in all of Klewyth? Hm? The beast seemed to quite agree, nudging his great head into her hand. ”I think Shadow agrees,” he laughed, watching her posture relax as she stroked his dark muzzle.

”I don’t have a horse myself. Hardly have time to give the right care for one when I have my clinic going.” He nodded in understanding, turning to lay the reins back across the great beast's neck. He knew she barely took care of herself with the insane hours she kept at times. How often had he stumbled to her door in the late hours only to find her still awake, wide eyed and exhausted, but willing to help him all the same. ”Shadow and I shall teach you then, hm? He won’t mind. I’m sorry I did not put a saddle on him today.. Come, put your left foot in my hands here and I’ll boost you up.” He moved to stand at the beast's shoulder, cupping his hands to form a step up for her.

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.

Jahi

Matthias Cyprian

”Oh, thanks.” A nervous laugh escaped her, fading into an awkward tension between them. He noted the bloom of rose that touched her pale face. Her deep eyes finding anything and everything interesting to avoid his own. He found himself leaning into his damaged leg, letting the pain distract from his own awkward emotions. Still, he couldn’t pull his gaze from her. He watched with fascination as her expression turned to one of delight at the thought of learning to ride. It set an ember smoking in the hollow of his chest. He took the new distraction gratefully. ”Well, they don’t wear them in the wild do they?” He peered up at her from his cupped hands, a slight smirk to his lips. ”I suppose they don’t. It may make keeping your balance a bit more difficult, but I do think it’s a better way to learn. It’s how I was taught.” Brief memories of the farm he’d grown up on filtered through his mind. His hands locked in a thick mane of a fat pony, racing his brother through their fields. His mother’s wild smile at their side.

He pulled his mind violently from them, shadows clouding his vision a moment as he lowered his gaze to focus on Eko’s foot placement. ”Alright...If you are certain.” He couldn’t speak, finding his tongue tied. Instead he could offer only a slight nod of encouragement as she placed her small foot into his palm. His shadows coiled around him, ready if needed, their cold touch a reassuring comfort and a nagging reminder all in one. ”Good, now collect the reins loosely, hold onto his mane. I’ll boost you up, but you can also use the mane to pull yourself up. It won’t hurt him.” Gingerly, he helped hoist her up onto the horse’s back.

The great beast didn’t offer to move, instead turning curiously to look back at them. ”You look natural up there,” he mused. Collecting his cane, he collapsed it down into a small baton shape, fastening it to his hip. ”Alright, I’m going to swing up behind you. Just hold his reins steady.” He reached in front of her, grabbing hold of his mane, his other hand behind her, flat to the horse's back. With grace he didn’t normally show and aid from his shadows, he vaulted up to settle behind her easily on his back. Focusing still on teaching her the basics, and not at all paying attention to how very close they were, he began. ”Now, you can hold the reins in one or two hands, whatever feels easiest. You lay them light against his neck on the opposite side for the way you want him to go, so he moves away from pressure. Like this,” he reached around to take her hands gently in his, pulling her hands and the reins lightly into the horse's neck, turning him gently. ”You touch your heels lightly and evenly into his side to move him forward. You can also turn with your legs, using one in the same manner as the reins. Light pressure until he moves off it.”