Necromancer's Descent

75 - Travel Banter

Rosalin's Point of View

It didn't take long for them to finish getting everything after Azzo went to the others.

Theodore urged me onto the small wagon that was strapped to Alger's harness, and filled with barells, bags, hay and armor, before Theodore himself got onto the seat in the front of the wagon and drove us into the forest via what seemed nothing more than a well used trail. Almost more of an animal trail than human.

I'm a little worried if the wagon can handle it...

Theodore's knights watched us ride off until we were finally out of sight, and the sunset glow is finally replaced with dusk. Silence fills the air, as I quietly watch his back.

Even if I have my suspicions, is there even a way to bring it up tactfully? I'm practically a stranger. Honestly, I've probably even been too forwards in the questions I asked Azzo...

"I don't mind answering any questions you have, but judging by the way you're looking at my back like I'm pitiful, I would say let's save the topic for when things have calmed down a bit more and we've set up camp."

I jolt, and stare at Theodore who has turned around halfway to look at me, appearing surprisingly calm, and I quickly find myself looking down into my lap, like I've been caught doing something I shouldn't.

"Instead, I suggest we use the riding time before we arrive at the battlefield to set up some cohabitation rules, now where you know my consciousness is locked inside my body, and I can move around," he starts out casually, and shifts a bit in his seat.

When I glance up, he's looking away again and somewhat nervously clears his throat.

Cohabitation rules? Probably rules on the power balance, right?

I don't mind, although, I don't feel like I have many other rules than the standard ones you'd expect.

"The 'strip' orders have to go."

Images in my mind of me ordering him to strip down at the river are blasted into my mind, as well as the following images of me physically stripping him down myself until the only thing he had on was the damn helmet.

If he remembered me dancing... then... he was inside his body at that point, being forcefully stripped.

"I'm sorry! I- I didn't know, you just needed cleaning and-"

Theodore looks over his shoulder at me, looking slightly uncomfortable, his pressed together lips squirming a bit.

"It's fine. I am aware there was a need the first time. I'm not blaming you, but I can take care of those things myself now, and I have been taking care of those things myself."

"The first time?"

Did I do it again?

Theodore looks somewhat dissatisfied with my response, as he sighs.

"You didn't even realize?"

He looks back to Alger, and then rubs his own shoulder.

"You did it at Estella's mansion too, just after she practically spilled everything. Both times you've ordered me to strip you end up staring at me really intensely, and then you give that order so bluntly and out of the blue that I feel like my dead heart is about to stop from the shock."

I stare blankly at his back for a few moments, as I begin to recall the situation at the mansion. Did I tell him to strip? I remember I need his armor off for the goblins-

"Wait- you could've just taken the armor off and on yourself at that point!"

I see him twitch.

"Certainly that was not the time for it..." he says hesitantly, trying to push the issue off.