Of Blades & Buttercups

Chapter 9: Scars

Moments passed as they stared on into eye others eyes. Ciri couldn't help but furrow her brow when it didn't run. It didn't attack. In all honesty, it looked terrified. She did what she thought to be the dumbest thing, and spoke.
"Hello again." Her voice wavered a bit. "I- remember me?" She questioned, unknowing if the beast could actually respond. He gave a slight nod and let out a low whine. "You can understand me then?" Another nod. "Can you.." she paused. "Can you speak?" Silence. the shock slowly subsided as she started a conversation with the towns alleged 'monster.' "I am Ciri. Do you have a name?" A loud rumble that resembled thunder, broke through the deafening silence. The monster winced and doubled over. "You're hungry?" It looked up at her and nodded, his eyes going wide in a puppy like manner, as if he were begging. Ciri reached for her satchel of breakfast she had yet to touch. Almost instantly, the beast shot up, closing the distance between them as he crawled across the stream and started to sniff her bag. The teen yelped and moved away quickly. He now stood up, still hunched over, his long forelimbs falling almost limply at his front. He whimpered. "If you want it...sit." It growled, sensing her panic. He did as told and got to his knees still whimpering. "Good." The princess opened her bag, the scent flowing out, making the beast ravenous. He continued to let out begging whimpers. Ciri now held a fat chunk of what looked to be steak, wrapped in strips of pork. "Shh, calm down." She got to her knees and tossed the meat towards the creature, taken aback as it leapt forward, taking the steak between it razored fangs and stripping it from the bone. In less than a minute the meat was gone. It got up, stood at about 6 feet, and sniffed for more. Ciri stepped back when it got to close. She reached in the bag again, pulling out a lump of bread and tossed it his way again. This time, she took the opportunity to snatch a few of the flowers growing nearby whilst it was distracted. The thing took longer eating the bread, taking the time to actually savor its bland flavor. Ciri took a deep breath and went over to the beast. With an unsteady hand, she reached out and traced a long thick scar going down the things back. It's so cold... she continued to pet at the beasts back, felt as it's ribs and spine nearly ripped through the skin. It's skin was almost translucent, she could see thin veins hide shyly beneath the surface. She took the time to look over all of its scars. Some long and thick, some short and thin. Some old and white, some new and red with anger and irritation. Some were still bleeding. She noticed it had gone quite. With a gulp, she turned her head to be met with those same eyes, staring back at her. They didn't look scared. The creature gave a small hum as she rubbed a finger over its spine. Another breath, she reached with her other hand and started to scratch behind its ear like one would do with a dog. It's eyes closed and it almost sounded as if it were purring. "What are you?" She whispered, Not really asking, more amazed. She moved her hand from its ear to under its chin, it gave what looked to be a small smile at the kind gesture. "You aren't a monster at all, are you?" It eyes opened, a pleading look. "Not what everyone says. You're scared and hungry is all. Right?" It whimpered. "Right."  The thing stood back up, dominating her in height. "Wow, you're tall." She tilted her head with a gulp. It's eyes went wide as it dropped back down to her height. "No its alright." She pet at its neck, along another scar, this one thick and pink. "I'm not scared." She felt the thing give a low groan deep within its throat. Beneath her fingertips, she could feel a slow pulse. Proof that this thing was actually alive. It bowed its head down to sniff at her satchel. "I haven't anymore food, I'm sorry." It made a strangled noise, tears welling to its pale eyes. "Hey now." She stroked its cold cheek. "I'll bring some more soon, okay?" It's eyes brightened. Her hand tensed as it wrapped long, cold fingers around her wrist, nails slightly sliding across her skin. Small trails of blood beaded to the surface. She knew it was an accident. And that's how they stayed for about five minutes. It looked as though it was about to fall asleep at the small comforting gesture.
"Ciri!?" A woman yelled through the trees.
"Shit." The beast went tense. "Calm down okay? You need to get out of here. Now. I'll come back as soon as possible." She stood up. "Go, run. You can't get caught!" She whispered before the creature fled into the brush disappearing into the dark.
"I'm alright!" She ran towards the witch.
"Are you sure? Did you get the flowers?"
"Yes I did. Let's get back, I'm freezing." Then the girls left the woods. Any fear she may have felt was gone the moment she felt that things fear. It was actually scared of Her at first? She couldn't believe the events that just took place, it all felt so surreal, and yet... she thinks she made a friend. And she's excited to see him again, what ever he may be.