Ghosts of Utopia

 
It wasn’t like she was an extravert. Nor an introvert. She was more like hovering between those things. Aella wasn’t an outdoors person, especially not in Valyria. But rotting in her home wasn’t her favorite choice either.

That was why she just exited Archeon. Because, honestly, why the hell did she choose to live in this horrible place? If she thought she could hide here, she was wrong, maybe it was just asking for drastic measures. But seriously, she had to get out of there sooner or later, before they even noticed something off with her.
It was a fun two years, yeah. Now it’s time to go somewhere else. Falkreath, perhaps? No, that would be too cold, even for her own black soul and personality. She would feel it in her fingertips every day, next to her heart, right.

She rolled her sleeves up from her thin blouse. Valyria had the perfect temperature, despite it being a bit cold, still. It was often a bit... dry. But that would do. Aella had to admit that she was grateful for her ancestors being used to such weather. She remembered her parents living in Nymmerwel. - Where she buried a body once, surprisingly -  A great, rich, innocent family of shapeshifters. What could’ve gone wrong?

Her dark hair bounced with her movements as she made quick steps forwards, it was as if she was sure she knew where she was going. Though her eyes couldn’t divert from the black creature on the ground. A black raven, that she could recognise in a second. And of course, where there was a Kruge, there was a Kaz. When she looked back up she met with the familiar face. Next to the pilars, just out of the town. Though she didn’t let that ruin her day. Her first option was to continue walking and to accept that she would’ve crossed paths with him at least once or twice in her life.
But who was she if she didn’t at least acknowledge his presence?

”I never thought you as a ‘Valyria’ type of person. Guess people change.” Was her only response. No greeting, no ‘heeey, what a coincidence’. No, she knew who he was, he know who she was. They both would find it easy to find out how fake this tension could go.

 
She thought she could be here forever, so she moved to lean her shoulder against another pilar, a couple of steps away from the other. She had noticed some changes, of course. When years pass by, not everyone would stay the same. Let’s say he looked more mature, his hair was better, slightly longer. He had definitely more muslces, she could tell. And he had the same, adorable unamused face he wore like a loaded gun. She could almost regret her decision, almost. But it made her who she was. If she still kept with that deal she would look like a lost puppy. And she wasn’t eighteen anymore.

''I never thought you as a low, petty traitor. Yet here we are.'' Came his response. Jeez, he was still with that? It was just a deal they both agreed on. Except it gave her the whole benefit and it left him with... yeah.
''Guess they do.'’ He added, it was slightly softer than the defensive person she was used to. She could admit that it was indeed something she should’ve been ashamed of. And maybe her life would’ve seemed better if she just stayed with her loyal personality. But again, they would’ve been married by now. And that sounded different to her than when she was younger.

She still wasn’t moving. Her shoulder was leaning against the cold pilar as her eyes remained on the other’s. It was as if she was expecting something from him. Another response, maybe a lash out. After a couple of seconds her impatient look in her eyes changed into determination as she finally spoke up.
”Attaboy. It’s not the end of the world yet.” Was her comment. Because what he hell could she say? ‘I’m sorry for your loss?’ What loss?

”And what are you doing in Valyria? I don’t think it’s a smart idea to go and steal things around here. I’ve seen more guards than people.” She added, as if they were just discussing the weather at a coffee place. But she had to admit, the feeling was there as well. It was difficult to look at someone in disgust when years ago they were like stars in your eyes. And it wasn’t like she had the right to hate him. After all, she ruined this for herself, according to most people.

 
Why did she have the feeling this conversation was far from over? It wasn’t like they were just friends catching up after all these years. She decided to let her head rest on the pilar as well as she blew out the air from her cheeks. Waiting for his answer back. ''You left me bleeding out on the streets. It sure looked like that back then.'' She moved her head back up as she straightened her position. Alright, but he wasn’t dead. Surprisingly enough. ”If I stayed there we both would’ve been bleeding out on the streets. How far would we get then?” She said back almost immediately. Yeah, it might’ve been a selfish move. But it was more out of instinct. It was either fight or flight and how could she put up with a whole gang with knives and guns? Luckily she took her time to learn some good moves of self defense. And besides, sometimes you had to take the risk.

''I'm passing through. I know my stuff.'' Great, so he knew what to do with this place. At least he still had his intelligent shenanigans. He hasn’t fully changed yet. Not that it would matter. What they had all those years ago was a lost cause by now. She kind of already had a small sneak peek of how Kaz’ system worked with trust. You had to work very hard for it. And maybe when they were younger it was something easy for her to do, but after all that, some things better remained on the side.

''It surprises me you're not in jail yet. Have you really stayed here after... everything?'' It was quite clear they were both acting on a passive aggressive manner. Maybe just because they both wanted a peaceful evening. Even Aella wasn’t up for a fight at the moment. And especially not with the man she was supposed to marry.

”I’ve got my sources.” She said with a shrug following. As if it really didn’t matter wether she got in jail or not. ”And yeah, Valyria is not the best place to hide. But I think we can both agree that they don’t really find any motivation to look for me if I rarely show my face around here.”

 
She looked up at the sky as she let him answer her again. Her eyes blinking slowly before looking back at the man a few steps away from her. ''Partners don't bail on each other.'' She moved her brown eyes to the side, just to avoid eye contact for a while before looking back up into his eyes. ”No they don’t.” Was her easy response. ”That’s why I didn’t bail on you. If I had the chance I would’ve rescued your helpless ass out of that mess.” She moved her arms to fold them as she leaned against the pilar again. Aella looked down at Kruge. Who was just staring at her with those black eyes. Only speaking in movement.

'’You've always been a clever fox, or coyote, whatever.'' He added. Which made her look back up into his eyes. She made a wild guess that this conversation would last forever if they both went into the pointless statements and facts. She honestly thought she could’ve got something useful out of this. But all she got from this crap was the pain she had kept for so long. Who knew such a familiar face could make it all come back?
”And I see you didn’t get rid of Kruge, yet?” She asked calmly as she looked at the crow. It wasn’t like she hated him. Of course not. It was one of her favorite animals. Was. Because now it looked like he despised her as well. Though who was she to decide what a summoning was feeling? But it wasn’t like they were best friends either.

'So your telling me, that all these years you didn't steal a thing? I hope you realize I find that very hard to believe.'' That was the whole point of someone knowing who she was. It was almost like Kaz knew how she changed and what that could bring. As if he knew her more than she knew herself.

”You’ve got a part right. I am still my pesky self.” She answered with a forced smile. A smile that was already saying enough that this definitely wasn’t some British tea lunch or whatever they called it back in those days. ”And yes, I’m still doing my usual work as a thief. But even you must be smart enough to know that this damn place isn’t the type to be robbed. That’s why I was planning on going out of this hellhole.” Until you suddenly appeared here.  

don't
come
back
alone

---

She wasn't stupid. She knew very well what she did and what impact it could give on someone. That was usually why she did what she did. But it was never her intention to leave him there. It was just a last minute move. She had no other choice but survive. And maybe she could admit that her pride could conquer something. And regardless to say that she was someone who would rather have everything in her own manners, have control. And so was Kaz. It didn't took long for her to find out that that wouldn't exactly fit in a commitment. Something had to go.

''You didn't even look for me. You just left.'' He hissed at her. Aella wasn't really surprised of the fact that he, indeed, didn't really let go of the humility that had happened years ago. But who could blame him? The love of his life leaving him to die. That's something she'd like to read on the newspapers. But it wasn't something funny, at the moment. Now she thought about it. It was a more serious topic now it came to the light. She was older, he was older. They both grew up and moved on. Or so she thought.
She had noticed the change of tone in those last few words. And just, because of that, she completely forgot what she had to say. She didn't take too long to just point out at the winged creature and say that he still wasn't able to get rid of it. Just for the sake of the tension between the two.

''You know very well that I can't.'' Was his response to when she asked him about Kruge. And yes, she knew that he couldn't get rid of the crow. Her brown eyes were still looking at the animal when Kaz gave it a poke with his cane. The female just crossed her arms once again. She still didn't have many words left. Except that it could make it worse, probably. Aella knew how he could be. In many ways, even. But that was yet... Rather irrelevant. Because who knew that years later she would be standing next to him, still arguing about who could have died and who couldn't. And to be frank, she thought that he wouldn't have survived that night. And just the thought of that gave her some strange feeling that she should've checked on him that day afterwards. Maybe things would've been different. But she was young, and... Well yeah. Afraid. That was why she went to Valyria. A stupid decision. But she was so put up with the haste of running away, she just chose the worst place to stay. But let's say the sun did well on her.

''Do you ever think back to it'?" Came from a sudden corner. Filling up the empty space in the conversation. And Aella had no idea wether to take it seriously or not. But it was either the walls up, or crushing her pride. And the latter seemed less appealing. Because she wasn't a lost, little girl anymore. But it was true that there was indeed more than a spark between them, years ago.

That was why she tried to sound a bit... Unimpressed. As if it was a simple question. It would be a lie to say that she didn't take the time to think about what he just asked. And how much it could affect.

"Sometimes." She answered. That would say enough.

don't
come
back
alone

---

She had expected him to leave her alone. Because what they were discussing now, was a lost cause. It was something not worth discussing for. Or she just thought so because she didn't want to give the other the satisfaction that she indeed thought about her decisions and what they once had once or twice. But who was she to be all depressed over something like that? It was like dropping your ice cream on the ground. She didn't really seemed to be bothered by her ex-fiancé just taking a step forward because she didn't have the time to mourn over her damn loss.
''Sometimes? As in how I sometimes like to think about jumping off a bridge? Or as I sometimes think that my life can't get any better?'' It looked like he was taking another couple of steps forward. But that didn't make her change her position any single bit. She wasn't scared of him. Of anyone. Even if he had the chance to kill her. What could go worse? It's some pain and then it's over. It wasn't like she had something to lose. She wasn't scared of dying. Since a very long time.

"Sometimes as in me wasting my time on this conversation." Was her snappy response. Her and her big mouth, like always. But he was discussing with a woman. What did he expect from that? She didn't let herself be walked over so easily.
''You know, maybe it has been for the best that you left me bleeding out on the streets,'' he sudden spoke up. Which made her raise an eyebrow. Go on. ''Because otherwise I would have married a useless, petty, traitorous coward.'' That was a huge title, coming from a man with gloves on.
"Touché." Was her response. It would've hurt, maybe a couple of years ago. Or maybe it would hit her in the next 24 hours. But right now, the only card she pulled was the 'zero fucks to give' one. Because the feelings she once had was gone for so long, she had no idea how to use them again. She didn't have time for emotions in her own business.

''You know, if the tables were turned, if it was you on those streets, I would have done exactly the same. I wouldn't even think twice.'' Aella looked up at the sky before turning her gaze back to Kaz. It was clear she was getting bored of this conversation. She was just exhausted as he was, of course. Maybe, if she took the time to repeat those words in her head it would've hurt her one way or another. But now all she could do was shrug.
"Who am I to blame you?" She pulled her sleeves back down before just changing the subject. "Don't you have something better to do?"

don't
come
back
alone

---

She had fast responses for fast movements. But now that she was focused on getting away from this mess of a conversation she hadn't seen the next thing coming.
Her hand gripped at the man's wrist. Trying her best to get herself free with the strength she had left. But she was more brain than muscle. And someone angry wasn't easy to defeat. God, how much she wished that she had her pocket knife with her. She would've had easy access to just pull it out of her pocket and stab what she could reach. But now it was just her and her instinct to breathe. ''You were always full of bright ideas.'' He hissed at her. Her brown eyes looked up at him, her eyes sharing the same fierce passion of hate. Not just because of his actions, no, because he had the audacity to lash out at her. And maybe she had seen this coming, maybe she even asked for it. But this was beyond disrespectful and he was surely going to pay for it once she got out of this.

She almost raised her leg to just kick him to where mother nature split him. But the grip somehow got stronger. She felt his thumb pressing against her windpipe. Almost cutting off her air supply. Though when a sudden dark smoke came from his hands she felt it loosening up slightly. Which made her gasp for air. She hated this, honestly. That she had to show such vulnerability to someone she'd rather not.
Aella closed her eyes for a few seconds when he let her go. Though she managed to keep herself up. She opened them when she heard a low growl. Clearly not coming from both of them. Nor from Kruge. The female took some steps to the side until she had a clear view of the monstrosity he just created. A dark creature, quite ugly, if you'd ask her. But that didn't matter now. What did matter was that he created it.

She was surprised for the amount of patience she still had for this man, it was as if she forgot how often she got the urge to just slap the back of his head.

''Oh fuck.'' She heard next to her. Aella wanted to take the time to facepalm herself. But now it was her turn to get out of this mess.
"You fucking idiot." She spoke after a while. But she couldn't add something else, because the demon was now, obviously, focused on the two of them. And as much as she wanted to leave him to die - again - . She knew she couldn't. Because he had to bring that thing back to where it belonged. And then afterwards she could slap the living shit out of him.

Her first action was to grab the man's hand. Tugging him along as she blindly chose to go West. Far away from Archeon. And maybe in the woods, near the mountains, it would become disoriented and slightly more vulnerable.