Return to Me

JP with Voah and Gonyaul:

Gonyaul blushed, looked down at himself and smirked. Yes, it was hot and he did look out of season; a fashion mistake. He removed the hooded winter cloak and placed it off to the side. He stopped there though thinking that was the only thing she was referring to. These were the only viable clothes he had at the moment to be in the presence of another.

He gently began moving around her larger wound areas, cleaning them carefully and being mindful of her reactions.

“Voah? I see hurts. They better faster than I think so?” He was thinking back to the slash from the Luger and how long that took to heal properly with daily treatment. He had seen some of the more nasty looking injuries she sustained earlier in the tunnel, they appeared serious then but not as serious anymore.

It took a moment for Voah to understand what he meant. He was realizing that her wounds were healing at fast pace.

“Yes. I heal quickly… A blessing from the Pillars.” She attributed her miraculous ability to her Gods. The truth was that she didn’t know if the silent Gods had truly granted her some kind of boon or if she healed because she believed it to be true.

“Interesting … and helping.” He leaned down and examined one of her healing wounds with more intensity. He was hoping to see it miraculously mend itself right before his very eyes. That would have been exciting to see in action.

His body was riddled with bruises from the last several weeks. Many fading and several lovely new ones, like he was painted with purple and blue paints. This included his throat; however, his voice was close to being back to its natural state.

Gonyaul was confused, how was this managed. “Does Pillar come and do this to you during battle? I no see any of them. And I was looking.”

Oh boy… was she going to regret this? Voah wasn’t sure where to even begin. True that the Gods were mysterious, but not only did Gonyaul know nothing of their domains but he didn’t even seem understand the concept of the absent entities who watched over humanity.

“We… have a lot to talk about.”

Gonyaul finished tending to her back and signaled by helping to bring the fur back up and around her shoulders. He did so slowly, as if someone climbing higher in order to catch more of a beautiful sunset disappearing below the horizon line.

He began collecting all the things used for washing, including the bucket of now dirty water. He rose and moved to the tent entrance.

“Many new things I need to know.” He smiled humbly.

Whichever wave of energy he was experiencing, from the cold bucket bath, was fading and he could only imagine how tired she must be. He didn’t want to encroach upon her need for rest by having her feel obligated to stay awake on his account.

“Anything else need? get you some food? Water?”

She may have noticed that he left his winter cloak on the floor of the tent where he folded it. Either he had forgotten about it, or was planning on coming back for it.

It was a shame her body was so bruised, beaten, and exhausted. Tonight she would have to settle for rest, maybe a little more talk if she had anything left in her to stay awake.

“Take care of yourself and whatever you can manage without trouble, I will gladly accept. As long as you return to me.”

While Gonyaul was away, Voah found her traveling pack and removed some correspondence paper, ink, and a quill. Then she began writing words of requital while they were fresh on her mind and there was a little light left to do so.

Gonyaul felt warm affection wash over his spirit when Voah mentioned returning to her. He exited and properly disposed of the dirty water, rung out the washcloth, and brought all the unclean bandages to Nicolaus to find out what should be done with them.

He next went back to the well to draw more water to drink. While there he ended up volunteering to do the manual labor of pulling up and filling waterskins for a few of the survivors that had been there. He next spent time bringing drinking water to Alexis. It was enough for her, Tarmen, and one other person in quantity. He also had opened up the spelunking supplies and brought Alexis a little bite to eat of nuts and jerky should she wish to accept it.

Gonyaul finally content that everyone he had run into was helped, started filling waterskins and gathering a small bite to eat for Voah and himself. He informed Alexis where he would be and then eagerly headed back to the tent.

He announced himself and waited for an invitation to enter.

“Voah? I return.” He said and then waited patiently.

Under furs and on the edge of sleep, Voah was startled awake by the sudden voice of Gonyaul. Sadly this was a behavior she was becoming accustomed to due to the fractured sleep patterns she was subjected to in Ypogeios.

“Nnn?! Oh, please come in.” she said sleepily.

Gonyaul entered and moved over to Voah. The sight of her in the furs about to sleep radiated an aura of peace.

“I bring water and food.” He said as he offered over the waterskin to her, as well as produced the meager meal of nuts and jerky. After the long day she would need to rehydrate and replenish nutrients.

He took a seated position next to her, in the confined area, without invading her sleeping space.