And she was to be stuck with this man. Granted, Noel was feeling decent today. He wasn't drunk, he wasn't too tired, and the rat slept so soundly that, maybe, things were finally right in the world. Until he got home, that is, because he knew what awaited him, but he had time to walk, to shop. He did so with his back straight and his head held high, the corners of his mouth twisted into an ordinary scowl. It deepened as the person in front of him began to slow. He thought of snapping at the stranger and then weaving around them like the asshole he was, but then they began sliding towards a nearby bench. He huffed as he passed by them now, shifting down to glare at the ma--
Oh, wait, that actually didn't look like a guy. His steps became hesitant as he started to pass the bench, but then he turned around and started for Aiko. He decided against leaving her alone. What kind of man would he be if he just left her there crying? Alone? In public? He swallowed the awkwardness of the situation and eased himself into the seat next to Aiko.
She reminded him of his daughter. What a terrifying thought. It hurt a bit, but it didn't keep him from reaching a hand out to take her forearm, by some prayer that this would be different. His other hand rested on her shoulder, arm draped over her back. He normally wouldn't grab at a stranger like this, but he liked to think that this was a special occasion, and would only happen once. How else would he get her off the streets?
"Dear," he began softly, looking at whatever part of Aiko's bloodless face that he could see, "You look like... you should be at home." Wow. "I can take you inside. Anywhere but this..." He ran his thumb over her wrist. "I think it'd be embarrassing to sit out here." He forced a laugh. Very helpful.
Without waiting for a response, he began tugging on her. Again, very helpful. "Come on." he sighed, "Up. Get up, sweet girl. There should be... a bakery here, somewhere. A patisserie. Do you like cake? I can... buy you a cake... Or a cookie."
Noel hadn't been feeling well the past week. He knew what was happening, but he denied it all he could. Haratel didn't have doctors. Not doctors who actually knew what they were doing, anyway. They lost the only one who did months ago.
He breathed loudly, quickly, his body slumped. He trudged through the forest, each step dragging. He could see his home in the distance, though it was some ways up the cliff, and the journey would take another ten minutes on foot. He wished he had taken his horse with him that morning. It would have saved him the trouble of walking when his body began to feel sore and heavy, and when he became disoriented in the middle of his work, patrolling the perimeter of the mountain and tending to security measures.
It still hurt. The wound in his gut had been cleaned and stitched, but it ached, still. Rest sounded better than continuing on in his feverish state, as he stumbled towards a line of trees and slumped down against the trunk of a tall conifer.
A lot of things sounded good right now. Drinking, sleeping, eating. Perhaps Maribelle was outside, but he knew it wasn't likely for her to hear him. So, he stayed. He remained underneath the tree, staring with half-closed eyes at the pine needles at his feet.