The Weight of the World

Chapter 2: Ochre

An irritating blue elf was squaring up to him, and Ochre wasn't entirely sure how they had ended up like this. He'd only meant to go for a mindless stroll but had felt strangely inclined to go to the woods. It had been an oddly peaceful morning for once, yet that had urged him even more to get away. This forest had been named forbidden, one of those peculiar rumours which started in small towns and nobody ever knew why. The Village of Mauve had made this particular tale up, and judging by how he was dressed, he supposed Viridian was from there too.

The elf wore a shadowy cloak which covered almost his whole body. However, it was far too big on him and the sleeves drooped ridiculously from his arms. Like his boots, the robes were faded, splattered with specks of mud. Fingerless gloves rode up his hands and if he'd had the hood on, the only colour on him would have been from his fingertips. He had wispy Prussian blue hair which fell over his face and teal-coloured skin. His eyes glared up at Ochre in a menacing sea foam shade yet his smile was wide and insulting.

It would have been fitting for the two to shake hands, but it seemed a bit too late for such formalities now. Of course, that would have gone unheard of for Ochre back at home, but there was something exciting about the elf not knowing who he was. As a matter of fact, he was quite fascinated by how the Mauvean was treating Ochre as one of his own.

"You don't think these woods are dangerous?" Ochre asked. He was curious to see what someone from one of the lower villages thought of this forest.

Viridian sighed as if he often got agitated by this question. "Like I told ya," he answered, and had started munching on some bread he had found Ochre feared to think where. "I betcha it's a lotta bleedin' crap."

He shrugged, subtly edging away from the elf. Maybe talking to other villages' folk wasn't the best idea. That's what his parents said at least. "Well everyone seems to believe they're dodgy. There're stories, y'know?"

"Bunch o' tosh," Viridian replied at once. He didn't even bother swallow.

"I suppose," Ochre lied. It was hard to believe otherwise anyway; 'forbidden' was what everyone said back at home. The elf hadn't seemed to buy the fib but stayed silent, staring at him sceptically whilst in mid-chew. He watched for a second until the bread had been fully demolished, before trying again. "So, those from your village are allowed here?"

Viridian scowled. "Lay off it, would ya?"

It was pointless- the conversation wasn't getting anywhere. The elf was simply aggravating and it was a wonder Ochre hadn't struck his face yet. But he couldn't, that was the worst part. It wouldn't do for it to get out he'd been not only in the woods but also punching neighbouring villagers. "You're bloody infuriating, has anyone ever told you that?"

"Go home, y' toff," Viridian jeered. He had his fists balled and they strangely appeared to be smoking.

Ochre couldn't take his eyes away from the elf's hands. "You first..." he trailed off suddenly distracted. There surely was some type of silvery vapour, he was certain of it.

The other boy followed where he was looking. He immediately hid his hands behind his back and spat at the ground. "Alright, stuff it," he murmured and spun on his heel, stomping away.

Ochre paused for a second, trying to think back to when a stranger had last treated him like that. He clicked his tongue, annoyed at finding nothing. "Don't get lost on your way back, sweetheart!" he called after him. Viridian didn't bother turn around, rather threw up two fingers and slung the hood of his cloak over his head. He watched as the elf's figure disappeared into merely a shadow, mingling with the trees and obscurity.

The soft gush of flowing water interrupted his brooding. Close to where he stood was a narrow stream, broadening as it winded through the moss and rocks. There seemed to be something alluring about it, paired with an inclination to see where it went. Ochre trailed along its edge, blinking furiously as if he might wake up from whatever dream had conceived an interaction with someone as odd as Viridian. He turned around, just in case the elf might still be there, and he wasn't sure whether to be relieved or disappointed when no one appeared. He hadn't ever met someone so insolent, and it was weirdly thrilling albeit shocking.