Men & Monsters

Swipe & Thorn

Thankfully for Eira, Cecile didn't venture back into the woods after that morning. In fact, she was the only one Eira's age that stuck around, under the guise of 'helping her cope'. Still, it was a very nice thing of her to do, Eira thought as the two conversed for much of the day. As they worked on one chore after another together, from laundry to gardening, even feeding the goats and chickens, Cecile was constantly asking her friend how she was feeling, taking her hand to see if she was trembling whenever she questioned her short responses. That was simply her way, Eira figured, never the one to gossip like the other girls, or take part in witty banter. She herself enjoyed watching the others whenever they did it, after all, there wasn't much of an opinion she had on a lot of things. Today, however, it bugged Cecile to no end.

Eira never told her the story. At least not in its truest form. She didn't want to mess this relationship up either. Instead, she entertained Cecile's most important thoughts. Namely, men. As young, unmarried boys returned from their daily hunting trips, Some with rabbits, foxes, and other animals hung over their shoulders, the two giggled at possible suitors. Sure it was childish, Eira thought, but enjoyable no less. Perhaps that was why Cecile was so fun to be around, Eira thought, as she seemed so innocent and yet was too afraid to act upon her words, not unlike her.

Today was different, however. Cecile was certainly working upon her interests. Whenever she conversed with young men returning from the forest, she cocked her head to the side in a flirtatious manner as she spoke to them, when she twisted locks of her hair with a finger for added effect. Eira knew too well of what was to come. Folk men only followed her from those moments, each wishing to make Cecile their wife. Still, the dark-haired girl loved the attention, taking it all in with but a giggle here and there.

Eira sat by herself some ways away. Her hands played with the various pouches on her satchel, fiddling with each pocket on the side with a playful flick. She could only hear the sound of Cecile laughing as men complimented her and other Folk couples reunited, giving one another their dearest words before returning to their homes and chores for the day.

She looked up. Men were beginning to pile wood up into a great bonfire. Children tended to the stones surrounded it, making sure they were aligned just right, hindering any chance of the fire escaping. Laughter soon filled the air as the boys began to roughhouse, as they tend to do. They chased one another around and around, losing themselves in their games until one ran into a young man returning from the hunt. Oblivious to the world, the boy stumbled off his feet when his friends ran to help him up. When they looked at the man, their eyes widened.

"Zaines!" One of them cried out. It prompted many others to turn with a welcoming smile. Tall and fit, Zaines looked down at the boys with a confident chuckle. He cradled a massive fish in his arms, making it impossible to playfully shuffle the boy's hair like he so often did. A few other Folk men followed him as he made his way into the heart of the village, struggling to keep the fish in his grip. Whether it was the thick coat of slime enveloping the fish or simply its colossal size, the muscular young man had a difficult time with it when he finally dropped it with a wet flop onto the ground. There it only hopped from one side to another, its gaping mouth gasping for air.

Just as interested as the other Green Folk, Eira stood up and joined the others as they surrounded Zaines. He placed his fists on his hips as he took a deep breath before laughing, his green wardrobe stained with ooze.

"Pulling this one out was like pulling a bear out. And look, it's still going!" Sure enough, the catfish, with its glossy eyes and long, winding whiskers, continued to gap with its wide mouth. "We caught it miles back!"

"That's impossible," one Folk remarked as he studied the fish closer. "One might think it to be enchanted."

"Well believe it. I thought it was dead once or twice, but nope, here it is, still kicking about." Zaines retorted when he chuckled again.