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Ana considered this for a long moment, silence stretching in the air between them. - “I… will give it some thought,” he said finally, his voice quieter now, though firm enough to show he was serious. - On one hand, the idea of leaving was intoxicating. Anastasia could practically feel the weight lifting from his shoulders at the mere thought of walking away from Yamiire. To have one knife, one map, one outfit, some coin, and the entire world unfurling before him—an open road filled with freedom and discovery. It sounded like the kind of dream he’d whispered to himself in the dark corners of his mind for years. - He could imagine it so vividly: slipping away from the suffocating grip of civilization, hopping from town to town, living on instinct and luck like a true runaway. And Josephine... The thought of sharing such a life with her made his heart quicken. He could spend a lifetime studying the nuances of her expressions, every flicker of emotion behind her guarded eyes, every quiet smirk that spoke volumes. She was the kind of person who left you endlessly fascinated, endlessly yearning for more, and Anastasia knew deep down that he could never tire of her company. The very idea of exploring the world at her side sent a thrill through him, one so strong it almost drowned out the doubts clawing at the back of his mind. - But then there was the other side of the coin, the side that tethered him to Yamiire like an anchor. He loved Vincent and Quartz with a fierce loyalty that went beyond words. They weren’t just friends—they were family. Vince might come with him; his parents likely wouldn’t notice or care about his absence. But Vince loved the thrill of his life here, the routines he’d built in Razaviv, the calculated chaos of his schemes. This city was his playground, and he thrived in its shadows. - Quartz, though—Quartz was rooted in place. A family man through and through, his ties to his loved ones ran deep, and Ana couldn’t imagine him willingly leaving them behind, not even for a fresh start. To leave Yamiire would mean leaving them both behind, and the thought of it twisted something in Anastasia’s chest. - And then there was the danger. He couldn’t forget that. Running away wouldn’t be a clean break. His father wouldn’t let him go so easily. Anastasia was a keystone of the king’s power, a linchpin in his carefully balanced web of control. Losing him would be unthinkable, and whoever his father sent to track him down would be relentless. - The thought of being hunted didn’t scare Anastasia. He’d faced worse, and the prospect of risking his life for freedom was something he could accept. But Josephine? The idea of her being caught because of him, of her suffering because she’d chosen to stand at his side... That sent an icy chill down his spine. - He shook his head sharply, as if dispelling the fear with sheer willpower. Enough. There was no point in agonizing over it now. - “I think we can prepare to leave, then,” he said aloud, his tone decisive, almost as if he needed to hear himself say the words to make them real. - Without waiting for her response, he stepped fully into the cave, his movements precise and deliberate. He grabbed a knife from the rack, tucking it securely into his clothing, and strode back out into the main chamber. - “Daytime, friends,” Anastasia called, his voice cutting through the stillness like the first rays of dawn. He strode toward the tunnel entrance, tugging at the tangled roots until sunlight poured into the space in warm, golden streams. - With a practiced motion, he snatched a blanket from the pile and hurled it at Vincent’s head. “Up!” - Vincent groaned in protest, burying himself deeper beneath the covers as if trying to block out the world. - Quartz stirred nearby, sitting up with a yawn. He glanced at Vincent’s lumped form before draping the blanket back over him with a wry shake of his head. - “Did she decide where we’re going?” Quartz asked, already moving toward the corner where he kept his belongings. He rummaged through the pile, plucking out a dark tunic and changing quickly. - “We’ll wander around until we find somewhere that doesn’t have food that tastes like muck,” Anastasia replied, his lips quirking into the faintest hint of a smile. - Quartz chuckled softly, nodding in agreement. “A good choice.” He gathered his discarded clothes, folding them neatly before tucking them into the pile. - Then he turned back to the others, his gaze lingering on Vincent, who was still sprawled lazily across the blankets. - “Vince, you getting up?” Quartz asked, his tone a blend of amusement and exasperation. - “Noh,” Vincent mumbled, his voice muffled by the covers. - Quartz glanced at Anastasia, raising a brow as if to say, Well? - Ana just shrugged, his expression calm. |
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Josephine waited patiently for his response, the silence telling her all she needed to know. It was a big decision, one she didn't expect him to make at the flip of a coin. He had people who actually cared about him, and while she'd be more than happy to see Vince and Quartz with them, she knew that wouldn't happen. They had lives, but Josephine couldn't leave without having offered him to join her. "That's all I could ask for." She said softly, her voice sincere as to show she wouldn't grow upset over his decision. Josephine couldn't imagine a better life than exploring the world with Ana. Sharing an experience such as that was a rare opportunity, but she could envision it as though they were on their journey then and there. Sitting somewhere off the beaten path around a fire she could see herself peeking at Anastasia over a book while he carved one of his figurines. She could almost see the concentration splashing across his features. Then she remembered how gently and genuinely he'd looked at her the previous night... She could spend eternity just watching him. But it wasn't that simple. Leaving had been too easy for Josephine. She ran without a second thought. Without so much as a goodbye to anyone she cared for. Granted, Nuala was the only one she truly felt for, but even then the other woman always fueled her thoughts of escaping rather than deterring them. Nuala couldn't leave, but she always knew that when the day came that her Lady decided to leave, she'd fight tooth and nail to see it happen. And in a way, she did. The rest was now up to her. There would be dangers ahead, as Geralt wouldn't stop looking until he found her. Hell, there was probably search teams sent out in every direction by now. With any luck, no one will have made it to Razaviv, but she'd have to keep her eye out for the royal guard's insignia regardless. She knew she could avoid them, but at the same time she wanted to soak up all the time with Ana that she could. At his word, Josephine straightened up and ensured that she was presentable enough before following him into the larger cave. She had changed into the clothes she brought early that morning, her wardrobe now consisting of dark, earthy shades of green compared to the feminine pastel shades she'd worn the previous night. Her waterfall curls were pulled back into a low resting ponytail with a piece of ribbon, which she had tied off into a bow. With any luck, she wouldn't stand out nearly as bad. Josephine entered the cave with a quirked brow as she looked to Vincent, determined to keep his sleep. There was a faintly amused smile playing across her lips and a fondness sparkling in her eyes. What a card. She strode over to the others, wondering what it would take to convince Vincent to get up. The memory of him so passionately telling his story last night flashed through her mind. The earliest memory that she had of the three before she'd even known who they were.. "Someone's not much for the morning I see," Josephine pointed out, a gentleness to her tone. "It's truly a pity he doesn't want to get up. I looked forward to asking about whatever tale it was that he was telling last night before I'd have to depart," she feigned disappointment muse-fully, her lips pursing into a playful pout for a split second. Josephine didn't know Vincent well enough to convince him to get a move on, but she did know how passionate (and drunk) he'd appeared while speaking about his experiences. Whether they were tall tales or truth, she had a feeling that Vincent could tell her things that would rival the fantasies in her books. |
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[ My apologies for the length - I didn't have many ideas for this one. ] ~ Ana let out a quiet, thoughtful "hm" as his gaze shifted back toward Vincent’s unmoving form. - “We could leave him,” he said, his voice carrying an edge of dry humor. “He likely won’t want to go anywhere, anyway.” - From his heap of blankets, Vincent let out a muffled hum of agreement, not bothering to move or even open his eyes. - Quartz chuckled softly, a warm smile touching his lips. “I suppose that’s settled, then.” - With that, Quartz turned away, his movements deliberate as he prepared to climb. Ana followed suit, stepping into position and lifting his hands. Quartz approached, grabbing onto the bottom edge of the tunnel with practiced ease. He placed a boot in Ana’s waiting hands and, with a heave, pushed himself upward, disappearing into the sunlight filtering through the narrow opening above. - Anastasia turned to Josephine, his voice calm but instructive. “There are small divots in the stone at the bottom,” he said, gesturing toward the uneven surface near the tunnel’s base. - He crouched slightly, running his fingers over the rough, outward-jutting stones as he spoke. “Grab onto these,” he explained, his tone steady. “Once you have a good hold, I can lift you up the rest of the way.” - He stepped back slightly, giving her room to maneuver while watching her closely, ready to assist. His sharp gaze softened briefly as it rested on her, a flicker of unspoken concern and quiet determination passing through his eyes. Whatever doubts lingered in his mind about their journey, he didn’t let them show now. He had resolved to move forward, and for Josephine, he would make sure every step was as steady as possible. |
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(That's okay, I've came up short myself. Brain fog >~<) Josephine released a quiet amused breath, having assumed the poor fellow wouldn't want to go anywhere anyways. He'd been quite inebriated the previous night and likely had a hangover from hell. She knew she would have. Moving away from the sleeping heap of a man, Josephine turned to follow Ana and Quartz. She had wondered for a moment how she'd get back out of the den, but watching the way Quartz had gotten out gave her the answer. She could feel herself growing with unease she dared not show. She had to remind herself that Ana would help her and wouldn't let her get hurt, which helped to ease her mind some. She scanned the stone where the divots laid, giving a singular nod of understanding. "Alright, sounds easy enough," she remarked, stepping forward once he'd made room for her to situate herself. Josephine grabbed onto the divots, her smaller hands stretching out as she adjusted her grip. Her soft skin objected to the contrast of the rough stone, but she didn't let it stop her. She had reminded herself that to survive out there, alone or not, she'd have to completely abandon her expectations of living in luxury as she had in the palace. Once she was ready, she looked over at him, a familiar, slightly nervous look flashing in her eyes. However, when she was met with that soft look she felt it easing away once more. "I've got a good grip. Ready when you are," she told him, remembering she had to speak after staring at him for a moment too long. It was becoming increasingly easy to get lost in his eyes. She found herself wondering what he was thinking behind that calm exterior and whether or not he'd remain a mystery to her. She had a feeling, though, she'd know with in time exactly what he'd be to her. |
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Anastasia leaned down, his rough hands gently cupping the bottoms of Josephine's feet. His grip was firm but careful, ensuring she felt secure as he gave her the necessary boost to ascend through the narrow, earthen tunnel. With a slight grunt of effort, he pushed upward, allowing her to scramble higher. Above, Quartz leaned down further, his strong hands gripping her sides with practiced ease, lifting her the rest of the way out, and Josephine landed lightly on the grass beside him. - "Got you," Quartz muttered with a small, reassuring nod, his gaze lingering on her for only a moment before scanning the forest around them. - Anastasia lingered at the base of the tunnel for a moment longer, his sharp eyes following their progress until Josephine was safely out. Satisfied, he turned and moved purposefully back into the shadows of the underground den. With deliberate care, he extinguished the lanterns one by one, their warm, flickering light replaced by the cool darkness of the cave. The metallic click of the lantern hoods closing echoed softly in the confined space, followed by the faint scrape of his boots on the uneven stone floor. - Above ground, the forest stretched out in all its wintery splendor. Daylight poured through the skeletal branches of tall trees, illuminating the clearing in a soft, golden glow. A light dusting of snow had fallen overnight, blanketing the ground in a thin, sparkling layer. The powder crunched faintly underfoot with each movement, but the snow was too shallow to fully obscure the earth and moss beneath it. The air was crisp and cold, but the bright sun overhead tempered the chill, casting a fleeting warmth over the scene. - Quartz stood silently for a moment, taking it all in. He inhaled deeply, the sharp tang of pine and the faint smokiness of distant woodfires filling his lungs. He glanced sideways at Josephine, his pale eyes curious but guarded. Quartz considered her briefly, but true to his nature, he didn’t ask the questions stirring in his mind. Anyone Anastasia trusted, Quartz trusted by default—that was enough for him. - It wasn’t long before Anastasia reappeared, emerging from the tunnel with an easy yet practiced movement. His tall frame navigated the narrow space with surprising grace, his boots finding purchase in the divots along the walls as he angled his body sideways to crawl upward. When he reached the surface, he rolled onto the grass with the agility of someone who had done this countless times before. Without missing a beat, he set to work concealing the entrance. - With skilled hands, Anastasia reached for the roots around the tunnel’s opening, pulling and twisting them until they tangled together seamlessly. He adjusted the patch of moss with precision, flipping it back into place until the concealed den looked as untouched as the surrounding forest. In the daylight, the camouflaged entrance was slightly more discernible, but to an untrained eye, it remained well hidden. - Anastasia straightened to his full height, brushing bits of dirt from his thick wool coat. His dark hair gleamed faintly in the sunlight, and his expression was focused but calm as he turned his attention to Josephine. - “You ready?” he asked, his deep voice carrying easily in the quiet of the forest. His tone was straightforward, but there was a glimmer of something softer in his eyes—an unspoken assurance that she could take her time if needed. - Quartz shifted slightly beside Josephine, glancing between her and Anastasia before tilting his head toward the path ahead. |
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(I am so sorry. I thought I'd posted this last night.) Once she was given a boost, she used it as leverage to climb higher, reaching out to Quartz when she saw that he was going to grab her. She grasped his upper arms lightly, letting go once she felt herself on the plush grass. "Thank you," she murmured, returning his nod with one of her own. Josephine righted herself on her feet, dusting her hands off onto the back of her clothes as she averted her gaze for a moment as not to stare. Glancing back to the cave entrance, Josephine heard the faint clinks and tinkering, unlit lanterns darkening the place once more. As she returned her attention to the outside world, the surrounding landscape resembled an early winter wonderland in her mind. Sprigs of grass and winter flowers still popped out from the dusting of snow, their early morning dew making the blades and petals glisten. Birds sang and squirrels played in the trees, jumping from limb to limb to warm their weary bones. Josephine watched them with a fondness in her storm grey eyes, her soft breathing joining the chorus of sounds with faint puffs of white. The chittering above echoed through the quiet forest as one of the furry creatures leapt off a branch, sending a small flurry of powdered snow raining from the pine needles down towards them, dusting them with its glitter. Snow was so very gorgeous, and no matter how much she hated the cold, she'd always put up with the chill in exchange for a view of shimmering white. No matter how little.
A moment later her gaze had returned to Quartz, studying him a distant expression as she succumbed to her thoughts. He'd been a man of few words around her, but she already had a feeling he was someone with a good heart. Having seen him with Vince was enough, with each movement having been caring and considerate. His willingness to trust Anastasia into bringing a strange woman into their safe place only added to it. Trust was everything. Ana's swift emergence stole her out of those thoughts, her expression seeming to soften a fraction as she watched the way his careful hands rearranged roots and moss. How very talented those hands were... She could have watched him work forever had she not been on borrowed time. He always moved so gracefully and with purpose, making each task seem as simple as breathing. It only added to the things that kept him snared inside of her mind. Even if he did not leave with her, she knew that Anastasia would always be with her in the back of her mind. The thought of someone like him wouldn't leave her so easily, and for that she was thankful. As he turned to her, Josephine held a similar calm expression, though faint bouts of wonder peeked through to anyone who watched her well enough. It could have been the cold, but the deep rumble of his voice elicited chills down her spine, momentarily stunning her as she peered into his eyes, softened just for her. "Yes. Guide and I shall follow," she answered before the moment had lingered too long, that same small smile dragging at the corners of her lips. Ana had forever altered her. It was as though he'd reminded her that not all situations required brash coldness to protect one's self. He'd given her a sense of hope that left her breathless all in the manner of one look. Worlds forever change when eyes meet. |
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Fall 
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