Out in the Countryside

Left it all Behind

"Looking at you makes it harder...But I want you to move on, because I'm already gone."

~Already Gone, Sleeping at Last

The following morning, Arturia was up and about her house. She had taken note of the very foggy English hills but shrugged it off as she prepared for the day. She had a ten hour shift that day which was to start in an hour. She was already dressed, full and definitely prepared for work. Her hair easily pulled back in a pony tail and her lips pursed in their signature straight line.

She took a deep breath, knowing very well she had not slept well the previous evening; not with Lancelot's sudden appearance. She had had a lot of time to curl up on her bed and think her life over and over again.

She pulled the door open, hurrying over to her motorbike and not failing to notice the sweet smell of fresh rain and the very muddy floor.

She frowned at her—now dirty—black shoes and looked up, the fog making it very hard for her to see anything a few meters ahead, but definitely not thick enough to block the sound of an engine and car tires crunching gravel.

It was when the car was a few feet in front of her that she saw more than just the head lights, the person in the driver's seat slowly rolled the car to a halt, "Need a lift?" The smile of Diarmuid caused shivers to run down her spine.

Diarmuid had obviously rushed out of the house, his hair was damp and tossed—and yes, he did look very handsome in his uniform as well, "Pretty sure you want to preserve your work uniform."

Arturia thanked him as she entered the car, slamming the door shut after herself and gave him another thank you as he began to drive off.

"Sorry the ride was cut short; I didn't know it was going to rain." Diarmuid apologized, as the car rode through the heavy mist.

She shrugged, "It is not your fault."

The male gave a light nod, pulling up his right sleeve to scratch his arm, his hand still on the gear shift though, "Maybe we should check the weather next time."

Arturia caught unto two separate things; a mark on his right arm, as if he had hit himself or been hit. It was a light purple bruise, if one had not been keen to pay attention then one would have easily missed it. The second detail she caught about him was a much clearer one, "Next time?" She echoed.

Diarmuid let out a short chuckle, "Yeah, unless I got you scared of horses."

"No!" Arturia quickly replied, "No..." Her voice calmed, "I'm not scared of horses, never."

"Cool." He took his eyes off the road for a second to shoot her a smile.

Arturia looked about the standard car, taking in the black leather seats and the smell of fresh pine, "Why isn't Scáthach with you?"

"Oh, I take the car in the mornings, my brother takes her to school a little earlier and then she drives us home."

It wasn't long after they finished their conversation that he rolled up to the gas station.

"Thank you once again," She spoke as she prepared to exit the car and face the white blur ahead of her.

Diarmuid turned to her, "Have fun at work!" He waved and just as her foot took a step out of the car he extended a hand to hold her back, "Hey, um," he bit his lip as she turned to see him.

Arturia never really thought about these things, honestly. Her boyfriend—ex-boyfriend, she interrupted herself—was strictly business and her eyes had never once landed on his lips the way they did on Diarmuid's. What the hell Arturia he has a girlfriend? "Yes?" She gulped, already feeling guilty because she had promised Grainne that nothing was happening between them. Well, to be fair, nothing is happening between us...Nothing yet.