We Two Are One

~3~ Nemo has a Hideout

With much reassurance and pepping up, I managed to get Artie to reluctantly agree to my proposal. We are to train in the woods every evening. I set the meeting spot as the mansion ground's back wall, behind which lies the woods. Thus, here I am. Waiting by the wall, as I have been doing for the past hour, waiting for my beloved brother to show up.

Artie agreed to come and he is one to go back on his word. If he got assigned extra work he may be late, but wouldn't he find a way to inform me? I look around for clues but my rising anxiety bubbles over.

Did he run into trouble? What kind of trouble? A work-related accident? Or was it bullying? Oh. Oh no. I should have remembered this! While he has been hiding his identity as Father's son, the servants who were here at our time of birth know about him. In the past, I first heard about Artie through rumors, after all. Those servants would have been prejudiced. And what of their children? I must find Artie. I shake my head. Why am I always looking for him? I remember the story of a certain fish I read in books unrelated to magic.

I take a few steps forward but come to an abrupt halt. I do not know where to look for him. He had mentioned nothing about this in our last lives. Should I wait here? He might still come... No, he will not try to ask for my help. Not yet. It has already been an hour. Any incident that may have occurred would be over by now.

If I wait, will he just show up? There were far too many scars on him for this to count as one. No, what am I thinking? Artie is different. He does not remember what he had endured in his last life. I cannot allow fresh scars to form. There is only one place Artie found respite in. The shack in the woods.

He has not told me about it in this life yet. Should I go there? Will he raise his guard if I do? Does that matter right now? Artie does not yet know how to treat his wounds properly. If the worst has happened, I might be able to prevent some of the many scars that he had in my past life.

I turn around and look at the wall. This body of mine is too heavy for my weak arms. I intended to climb it with a boost from Artie. I would then pull him over. Now, it is just me. I take a few more steps back and run. My right foot hits the wall and I push my body up. My left leg does the same. I stretch my arms out, trying to reach for the wall, but it's much too high. I slide down the height of the wall I climbed. Good thing I'm wearing a top and pants instead of the dress my maid picked for me.

I scale the vicinity for a tool that might aid me. The Wanderers, here to buy magical products, were pitching up tents. I walk towards the remnants and sneak a wooden pole away. It is flexible enough. With a running start, I vault over the wall. Uh oh, I shot too high up! My body is not strong enough to land safely! I grab a tree branch to slow my fall and manage to land with only an aching arm and some scratches.

I dust myself up and bolt towards the heart of the woods. Contrary to what I hoped, I cannot reach the shack in one sprint. Before magic training must come physical training, it seems.

   "Argh, this body!" I exclaim, frustrated.

   "Ruff?"

I stop. Ruff? The sound a curious wolf makes? Out of the corner of my eye, I see grey fur. Yep, that was a wolf. Just my luck. There will be more. Where are they? I look around. I do not have enough magic energy to survey the area yet. I take a running start, jump, and catch a branch. Huh, why is this hard? So much for a high-ground survey. With much effort, I pathetically pull myself up and onto it. A pack of wolves gathers around the tree and looks up at me, some tilting their heads. As I expected, they are simply curious. They recognize my connection to nature. Wait... How do I get down from here?

   "Young Lady...?"

Artie! Found him! His arms are black and blue. Some of the wolves turn their attention to him. One prances over and starts licking his bruises. They must be familiar with him.

   "Call me sister when we're alone," I say. "And help me down!"

   "Uh, the wolves... I think you'll be okay..."

   "Yeah, so help me down, Artie!"

   "Right. Uh, jump and I will catch you... I think."

   "You think?"

   "If I can't manage to, I will be a cushion at least."

A small smile crosses his face and I let out a laugh. Is he opening up to me? This easily? Did yesterday's words get through to him?

   "Never mind. Just get the wolves to move so I don't land on them."

   "Are you sure you can get down by yourself?"

I nod and Artie leads the wolves aside. Looking down, I am not too high up. I hold the branch tight and let myself hang from the branch before dropping down. This sends needles through my legs but I am uninjured. Well, almost.

   "How did you even get up there? Was it because of them?" he asks, looking at the wolves.

   "I... panic-climbed? My arms are a bit too weak. It was hard to lift myself onto the branch I was hanging on. If the wolves wanted to take a bite out of me, they had plenty of time."

   "There are plenty of dangerous animals here. You should not be so deep in the forest."

   "Well, neither should you," I point out.

   "This might be the safest place for me."

He is right. The animals and plants will not harm him. Though his magic is a tad weaker, he and I have the same connection to nature. With his personality, some might even protect him. The Mansion is more dangerous.

   "Yeah, I guess it is," I reply.

I look at Artie, who is now surrounded by wolves. Each one has their eyes fixed on me. A kitten protected by wolves. I want a part in this.

   "You have a whole pack. Can I join?" I ask.

I reach a hand out to a wolf, who sniffs it.

   "Wait! That might-"

Artie tries to stop me but realizes intervention is not required. The wolf nuzzles into my hand.

   "...Oh. They usually don't like people."

   "I'll take that as a yes."