They walked atop the snow, Aneska hiding the sound of her footfalls out of habit, whereas Ruth used no magic, but still barely made a sound or track she was so light-footed.
Aneska detoured when realised she had forgotten the towels and clothes the Chief had asked her to grab at the beginning of the meeting. The twins had distracted her too many times now.
"I've just to quickly grab our things" she apologised before quietly dashing into the cabin. She felt poor for Ruth having to wait outside in the cold, but the Chief acted strange when she mentioned Aneska's room was with the young ones. It was best to not let her in. Besides, Ruth didn't seem to mind. She stood in the thick of snow, but did not shiver, or put her hands in her pockets. She continued to stare ahead where Aneska disappeared into the cabin.
"Is that where the little ones sleep?" Ruth asked her upon her return.
"Yes" Aneska responded coolly.
"How many children are in the village?" Ruth questioned again, standing still as a statue in the winter evening while Aneska began to shiver.
"Why do you ask?" Aneska replied, beginning to walk towards the bathhouse. Ruth made no move to follow her, instead her eyes were locked on the childrens cabin.
"The numbers are dwindling" Ruth whispered, but loud enough for Aneska to hear. Ruth followed behind Aneska and they walked in silence through the slight whip of winter wind.
'Maybe she's a bit slow.' Aneska thought, watching Ruth as they undressed for the baths.
Their bathhouse in winter were hot springs clustered in the snow towards the north of the village, which included a shanty wooden lean-to for privacy.
Ruths clothes practically fell off her they were so loose on her bone thin frame, and she walked straight in until she was completely submerged.
Aneska hurried in herself to sit in the shallow end, feeling a rush of warm relief to be out of the cold night air. Ruth emerged in the middle of the spring, then slowly swam back to Aneska with the same distant expression.
"I will need you to cut my hair and clean my back, Aneska."
The young girl was stunned for a second at the raspiness of Ruths voice she had not noticed before, but obliged.
"I'd be delighted. I can cut your hair back at the barn, but come here and I'll clean you up."
The strangeness of the situation only intensified as Ruth sat in the shallows of the spring while Aneska scrubbed her down. She started on her back, but once she finished and Ruth made no moves to continue to clean herself, she continued to wash her arms, face and legs. A pool of dirt and grime started to float around the two women as Aneska scrubbed until her hands turned red. The layers of filth were a second skin, and as rough as she was Aneska never heard a sound from Ruth. It was almost like washing a child, if any of the young ones were as compliant as Ruth was. Underneath the grime Aneska could see just how thin Ruths skin was, and the pale blue veins that laced around her wispy arms. She realised early on that Ruth didn't care if she stared at her. Her mind was clearly preoccupied, her black eyes sat deep in their sockets staring up at the stars. Even the brightest stars only reflected dimly in Ruth's eyes, Aneska realised, almost like they were swallowing the light.
At the barn they sat wrapped in furs and blankets as Aneska sheared at Ruth's hair.
"Do you-" Ayala cut herself short, as she realised Ruth wouldn't care how her hair was cut. Anything was an improvement.
She must have grazed the scissors across Ruth's skin, no harm done but the woman turned sharply.
"My apologies", Aneska spoke absentmindedly, mostly on reflex.
"Don't cut me" Ruth returned, quiet but with an unexpected authority Aneska paled at.