The young plague doctor wandered the wood his "beak" in his sketchbook. His dark brown slightly curled hair swayed in the slight dusk breeze. The mask he wore was black with green lenses for him to see out of. He was 19 years old, this being the first time he went into the forest since he was 5.
It was quite beautiful in his opinion but since he was sketching as he walked he didn't see the approaching cliff, until he tripped falling down and over the ledge and plunging below.
The young plague doctor braced himself for a rocky landing only finding that he landed in water. Ice cold yet not that deep. The young plague doctor quickly swam, breaching the waters surface gasping for air under his mask. He quickly grabbed his floating wide-brimed hat and swam to shore.
He walked into a cave shivering when he saw the elf struggling with magic. He watched in wonder and he shivered still being soaked. The elf was male had pale skin and red hair tied back with white and golden streaks and golden round glasses.
The elf turns around seeing him, with one eyebrow raised in surprise.
"Well this is an interesting turn in events.".
Zeltron gasped quietly seeing as how he'd been spotted and turned to run out however, because of the caves smooth floor and the fact Zeltron was soaked, he slipped and fell. The elf rushed over, grabbing his arm after he hit the ground, pulling him up.
"Are you okay? Are you hurt?".
Zeltron swallowed and shook his head, his eyes wide with fear under the green lenses of his plague doctor mask.
"I-I'm fine.".
The elf helps him up slowly, still keeping a firm, yet gentle grasp on his arm.
"Well it's certainly a bad idea to be exploring a cave, especially when you're completely soaked. Do you have shelter?"
"Yeah...it's about a 10 minute walk from here....why do you ask?".
Zeltron said nervously. He lets go of his arm, brushing the small tufts of hair sticking out from his hat.
"Well, seeing as you're cold and wet, I don't think you'd be able to make it home like that. You can stay with me for the night if you feel comfortable doing so."
Zeltron shivered when the elf moved wet hair out of his cover face.
"Thank you...".
"No problem." He smiles warmly "My name is Carneilian, but you can call me Carne. What's yours?".
"Zeltron. Everyone in my village calls me Zel though.".
He said rubbing the back of his neck, a nervous chuckle escaping his lips.
"Nice to meet you Zel."
He chuckles softly. Looking back, he sees his sketchbook still floating on the surface of the water
"Oh, looks like your sketchbook fell in. Is it important?"
He points to the book, a worried expression on his face. Zeltron whipped around and ran over grabbing his sketchbook. A sad look crossed over his green lensed eyes and he sighed
"That was good art too...".
Carnelian lets out a sigh of relief.
"Here, let me take a look." He inspects the sketchbook, his eyes scanning every page intently
"Wow, you're really talented." He flips through the pages "Are these people you know or just random faces?"
He looks up at you, Zeltron, amber eyes shining withrough amazment.
"Half are people I know...the other half is just random faces". He said before taking it gently. "My sister gave me this before she passed....".
Carnelian's eyebrows furrow at the mention of his sister's death.
"I'm so sorry to hear that. I can't imagine how difficult that must be for you."
He gently turns the page, glancing at Zeltron while trying to ignore the water stains on the pages "Do you sketch everyday?"
"I try to. But my doctoring gets in the way sometimes...okay all the time. So really I can't sketch unless it's night.". Zeltron said as he laughed a little.
He chuckles, turning the page once again "That must be hard then. But your art is really impressive." Suddenly, he looks up from the sketchbook, noticing Zeltron's wet clothes.
"How about you get changed into something that's dry?" His tone softens, as if he was trying to be as polite as possible.
"Yes please.".
Zeltron said as he walked with his new friend to his home. They seemed to have quite a lot in common. They both loved art, and reading romance. They both took walks in the forest when they found they needed it, and the both loved pumpkin bread quite a lot.
Carne laughs, walking alongside him. Even though Zeltron was still dripping wet, he couldn't help but notice how attractive he was. His cheeks turn a light pink as he quickly pushes away the thought, trying to focus on other things.
"You mentioned you're a doctor, right?" He glances at him "What exactly do you do?".
"Oh, I usually prescribe medicine and look at injuries. Very rarely do I get to do a surgical procedure but, I love my job, and my patients seem to like me so..".
Zeltron said smiling under his mask as they walked.
He smiles warmly as he walks alongside Zeltron. Suddenly, he remembers something: his guest is still wet and cold
"Oh right, I completely forgot. Come inside, you can take a hot shower if you want."
He gestures towards a cottage, the moon light shining on the flowers growing by the side of the wooden building.
Zeltron thanks him as he hold the door stepping inside and going to change. Of course seeing as how there was few clothes that would fit, Zeltron put on baggy pajamas and a scarlet housecoat and came out of the room.
The two had quite a lovely discussion over dinner and of course when it was time to get some rest, Zeltron pulled out his now dry sketchbook and opened to a fresh page beginning to sketch the elf that had helped him.
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