all I want is one more chance; astray

[Vi]

All I want is one more chance to be young and wild and free

“Yes, really.” She can’t help but chuckle again at the sudden excitement that passes over his dark face. It’s still funny to her to think of someone getting excited over her, of all people. She’s so ordinary - a nobody. Her only claim to fame is that she’s the last daughter of a former Amazonian Queen … but Scorch has been gone so long that she doubts anyone remembers her name.

But Astray doesn’t know any of that anyway, has no way of knowing. He’d seen her, in all her boring, normal ‘glory,’ and had picked her. And for god knows what reason, is clearly still feeling a bit shy around her.

And despite her shame at having returned without Sette and the overwhelming sense of failure that still has it’s grip on her heart, she can’t help but be a little tickled. No one has ever really found her impressive enough to feel awkward around her.

“Gemstone Ridge …” She pauses, thinking back. She’s heard the name before, probably in relation to some lesson Lagertha had given Sette. “Near the Valley, right?” A little closer to the Jungle than she would have preferred but … there’s no way Lagertha would think to look for her there. It’ll have to do. “It sounds lovely. Lead the way!”
__________________________

The trip to the Ridge is longer than she had expected, but when they finally do arrive, she’s glad that she’d accepted Astray’s offer.

The territory is stunning, in the wild way that such untouched places have. The long crest of the ridge is covered with thick, luscious grass, studded here and there with beautiful wildflowers. Ancient trees dot the land, providing cover to a pair of deer that she can see peering out suspiciously at the newcomers. And the cliffs - tumbling down below them are intimidating walls of sheer dark rock, making the land inaccessible to all but those that know the way in. The gemstones that give the territory its name occasionally catch the shifting light, winking up at her as she stares down at them from on high.

It’s beautiful place - private and wild. The perfect sort of place for someone wanting to get away from the world.

She takes a few steps towards Astray to catch up, wearing genuine smile for the first time in years. “It’s lovely Astray. However did you find it?”

@[Astray]