Rin furrowed her brow, tossing and turning in her sleep. She could see the hands trying to grasp at her but the arms had no owners. In the depths of the dark Rin felt absolute fear. Waking suddenly, Rin heaved in a breath. Her forehead was starting to sweat as she felt like she was back in the inn. Trying to look around her vision was still dim but she could hear the soft breathing of a man near her. She could only guess it was Leon as she climbed out of her bed and felt her way over to the noise. Hearing it right next to her she started poking the source with her finger. A light grunt was made and a groan followed as she heared the man shifting over.
"Rin, you are awake" Leon said, from his perspective however he was staring directly into Rin's face. It seemed losing her sight was true as he could almost feel her breath on him. Leon gazed at Rin's milky white eyes, which didn't depreciate from the rest of her stunning face. Truly waking up this way was not good for his heart.
"Truthfully my bed was too cold" Rin said with a slight smile on her face. Leon was glad Rin couldn't see him as he was already blushing furiously at her.
"I'll get up, but Rin. We're going to need to talk" Leon said with a serious tone. It was one of the rare times that Leon had taken a serious note at her and Rin could feel herself shiver his tone. Leon had quickly changed into his usual hunting gear as he left his bow and arrows alone in the corner of the room. Sitting down on the bed, Leon clasped his hands together as his gaze was chilling to look at. Rin couldn't see this but she could feel the intensity of being looked at.
"Rin, do you know why I am angry" Leon said in a calm tone.
"Because I was reckless" Rin said in a soft tone. She kept her head down as the guilt was beginning to wash over.
"Reckless. Reckless?! Let alone you, you brought another person along. If I hadn't been there you bouth would've crossing the ancestoral river. What good is my care then. What about the girl's family. Do you even understand how much danger you were in?" Leon said as his tone was almost at shouting levels. Rin winced as the words although truthful sliced away at her without remorse. The young girl had taken good care of her and yet she only repaid it back with danger.
"I wasn't planning to stay her for long, but now I'll have to cut our plans short. I'll look around for something more suitable in the meantime we'll have to visit an old friend" Leon said as he was beginning to calm down again. The last bit perked Rin's ears up.
Who was the friend?
Leon quickly gave thanks to the innkeepers and gave some extra coin to placate them over the events. The innkeeper was thankful at having his daughter rescued. Pushing away the coins as without Leon, their daughter might never have come home again. Leon walked Rin out as she held onto him again, walking through the streets Rin felt it was done with a purpose but she couldn't tell.
"You still won't tell me where we are going?" Rin said pestering Leon while holding onto him. Leon could feel Rin pressing up to him tighter. Oh such a vixen, if only I could confront you openly Leon thought.
"You'll see when we get there" Leon stated matter of factly. The response wasn't up to Rin's expectations so she pouted a bit as she could only hold onto Leon's arm as they made way through the town. After a quarter of an hour passed, Leon halted outside a shop.
"Is this the place?" Rin said. She could smell something familiar with the shop but Leon led his way over before she could digest on her thoughts. Pushing the door open, a little bell above the door jangled to signal a customer had come through.
"Ahh, my benefactor. It truly hasn't been too long since we have seen you. What brings you here today." A voice shouted in joy. Rin may have been blind but she was not deaf. It was Ernesto!
"Unfortunately I have trouble you so soon after our last meeting: Leon said in a gratifying tone.
"Nonsense, a benefactor to this merchant is a friend for life. Come in, have some tea as we talk business" Ernesto said while letting out a roaring laugh. Although he walked away stiffly as he was still using the cast Rin had made for him while hold his cane. Leon and Rin followed Ernesto inside as they then sat down. Bertha came out serving some cool refreshments as they quietend down.
"So my friends, what brings you to Ernesto's shop today?" Ernesto said in earnest, his arms spread wide in a welcoming gesture.
"I'm looking to find a house on the outskirts of the town" Leon said. A look of determination came across his face for a brief moment that Ernesto had almost missed.
"Oh, well is there any requirements for the two of you?" Ernesto said curiously. Leon thought for amoment and then turned to nudge Rin. Rin was listening but the last question left her in thought as Leon snapped her out of her daze.
"I'd prefer somewhere where it is wooded area, generally a lot of gardens is grown preferably. Also it should be a two houses built" Rin said rattling off the top of her head. As much as they had 'bonded' over the last couple of weeks Rin still wasn't eager to share a bed with Leon.
"Of course, I believe I have a few that you would both find satisfactory. Give a moment" Ernesto said as he hobbled over to a shelf pulling out a number of sheets of paper each with some rough descriptions drawings and prices. Scattering them on the small table between them, Ernesto picked a couple.
"I believe these would be to your liking" Ernesto said handing a small pile of the papers to Leon. Leon shuffled through them as glanced over them quickly. After a little shuffling he picked one.
"Ah this one. It should be nice just being outside the town. I heard the last owner was an avid herb grower" Ernesto said with a slight smile. The conversation however had already perked up Rin's ears. With a bit of persuasion some of the seeds I brought might just grow again Rin thought to herself. This left Rin with a smile that surprised Leon, even the woman who made life difficult for him could still have such joy.
"How much will it be?" Leon asked as he already felt at the coin pouch on the side of his belt.
"Ten gold for the month, I've giving you a discount with this as you have helped me greatly. Truly one must pay their benefactor back a hundred times when it comes to saving a life" Ernesto said slapping his leg in joy, followed by a grunt of pain as he forgot his leg was still healing.
"You have been to kind to us Ernesto. I'm sure there will be a day where this is brought back in kind" Leon said with a smile. Ernesto roared in laughter as his lips were split in a huge smile.
"Anytime my friend. That reminds me, there was a gift I was hoping to pass onto your young miss here. " Ernesto said as he got up again, shuffling in his weird gait to the back of the shop. Rin and Leon could hear the sounds of goods being shuffled and objects following over before the merchant came back into view. Ernesto was carrying a strange looking cane. Although the shape was ordinary the wood had a strange shine and gnarled twist to it as if it was still growing.
"I had this traded at the time with a wanderer. He said it was a sapling that would continue to grow but he never mentioned where he got it from. Unfortunately not one of the people I know can tell me what kind of what it is" Ernesto said with a sigh. Placing the cane over into Rin's slowly, Rin stiffened for a moment. Although she couldn't see at that moment she could feel the rush of energy in the cane. Feeling over it with her hand she took it back for a moment in shock. The cane was definitely alive and still growing. Which meant…
Rin then took a hold of the cane and gave it a few taps on the floor as Ernesto and Leon watched on in amusement. For a moment Rin stood still as she held onto the cane.
"Leon" Rin said softly. The mention of his name caused Leon to prick up his ears in attention. Rin turned her head to face him but truthfully it shocked him with what he saw. The milky white film from Rin's eyes had retreated and Leon gazed into a pair of bright blue eyes. A colour he remembered from a stream he had passed while on his hunts. Ernesto was just as startled, however it was mostly from the tears that were beginning to stream down Rin's face. Rin tried to cover up her embrassment as she buried her face in her hands as she sobbed quietly in her hands. Leon was surprised but truthfully he became nervious about what others would begin to think.
"Ernesto" Leon said with a sharp tone, causing the merchant to straighten his back for a moment.
"I don't want you to mention this to another soul" Leon said as he kept his gaze on the young girl who was trying to pitifully wipe away her tears.
"That won't be a problem young master. As a merchant I am the soul seeker of a good deal. If I work with you in the future I am sure I'll be making a profit" Ernesto said with an all knowing wink forcing Leon to keep down a smile on his face. Rin had already sat back down as she kept gazing over the cane in her hands, rolling it around with her fingers as she stared appreciatively at the simple piece of wood. It wasn't a problem of navigating before in the forest but as soon as she held onto the cane her grip tightened as she could see colours and a dazzling array of them. Rin was still glancing around the shop as the items gleamed and shimmered from their materials and her eyes hungrily absorbed it all. Leon and Ernesto had already finished up their short conversation and so Rin and Leon were escorted out.
"You can take one of the small carriages I have, business has been quite slow at the moment so you are welcome to borrow it for a while" Ernesto said, the horse was hitched up. Leon leaned over and took a few coins, gleaming in the sunlight with a gold colour.
"For you my dear merchant. I'll purchase these from you. I'm sure we will see each other again soon" Leon said. The two readied themselves on the cart and Leon gave a short crack on the reins as trundled off to the new place. Leon had already memorised the directions and looked back as Ernesto waved the two of them off. After a while only the sound of the wheels turning and grinding could be heard as Rin stared at the cane with intensity. The new colours had given her a palate that she couldn't begin to comprehend, as they were leaving the town as well Rin could feel she could sense things again with certainty giving her a breath of relief from how stifled and dependent she had to be whilst in the town.
"There's many questions I would ask of you. This whole thing involving you seems a bit strange and we should probably keep it to ourselves. You don't have to explain yourself quite yet but I will need to know" Leon talked as he kept his gaze forward keeping an eye out for their new destination. Rin glanced up from his words, wanting to responded with her usual snark but the sight caught her breath. Although back when she was in the forest she could tell where things were it was never to the extent of details or colour. The rush of information for her was overwhelming, gazing over Leon. A mat of blonde hair mixed in with green eyes he had the look of a man finely cut from the elements. Retracting her gaze, Rin blushed for a moment and could feel the rush in her chest. Leon noticing that Rin hadn't said anything paid it no mind and hurried the horse away before the sun went down.