Tox's training continued, but they didn't come back to the surface for another two weeks, and then three after that. It was a hassle to get up there, what with hidden passages and doors requiring complex spells to open, leading to caves on the surface where they sat invisible so no one would find and meddle with them. Besides, it wasn't like taking a boy up was a top priority.
And the work remains boring. He hopes this isn't what all spywork is like. He thought it would be infiltration and stealth and thievery and poison and classified information. Instead they're just wandering around in the woods, marking stuff on a map. Is this actually important, or are they just telling him it is?
He also assumed the run-in was a fluke, so it's a surprise to hear her singing again. He freezes, considering his options. In truth, he had thought about their first encounter for days afterward, picking it apart in his mind. It was such a strange experience, and the way she didn't fit the stories he'd been told about surface dwellers made him curious about her. He wanted to know more, but figured he'd never see her again, so tried to put it out of his mind.
So when he hears the singing, there is the urge to give it a wide berth so he doesn't get in trouble, but what's stronger is the urge to walk toward it. The call of a siren.
He's stealthier in the woods now, and he creeps through the brush quietly to find a spot where he can see her, but she can't see him. This goes well, at first, and he watches her for a little while. She's skinning an animal, or something- so she's a hunter, then. Or maybe all her people hunt, but then why would he only be seeing her out here?
He's still astounded by how big she is, too. His people are small, thin, pale. Even Tox is a bit big compared to the other kids, and he's a foot shorter than her.
He wants to get a closer look, so he shifts, moving around the edge of the clearing to another bush. This is when he missteps and a stick cracks loudly beneath his foot.
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Date: 2025-10-24 10:33 pm (UTC)From:And the work remains boring. He hopes this isn't what all spywork is like. He thought it would be infiltration and stealth and thievery and poison and classified information. Instead they're just wandering around in the woods, marking stuff on a map. Is this actually important, or are they just telling him it is?
He also assumed the run-in was a fluke, so it's a surprise to hear her singing again. He freezes, considering his options. In truth, he had thought about their first encounter for days afterward, picking it apart in his mind. It was such a strange experience, and the way she didn't fit the stories he'd been told about surface dwellers made him curious about her. He wanted to know more, but figured he'd never see her again, so tried to put it out of his mind.
So when he hears the singing, there is the urge to give it a wide berth so he doesn't get in trouble, but what's stronger is the urge to walk toward it. The call of a siren.
He's stealthier in the woods now, and he creeps through the brush quietly to find a spot where he can see her, but she can't see him. This goes well, at first, and he watches her for a little while. She's skinning an animal, or something- so she's a hunter, then. Or maybe all her people hunt, but then why would he only be seeing her out here?
He's still astounded by how big she is, too. His people are small, thin, pale. Even Tox is a bit big compared to the other kids, and he's a foot shorter than her.
He wants to get a closer look, so he shifts, moving around the edge of the clearing to another bush. This is when he missteps and a stick cracks loudly beneath his foot.