Work Text:
Content Warnings
None :) this is a pretty fun fluffy chapter.
Royoma sat on a small stool overlooking a still pond. He was drawing various plants and animals that he found interesting. He was focusing on a small blue dragonfly. He sketched the careful pattern of its wings, watching as it flitted about the pond. Carefully, he guided his brush to form the border of each cell. Royoma looked away to refill his brush in a pot of jet black ink. When he turned back around the dragonfly had darted away. He groaned and set the sketch aside to dry, not noticing the rustling coming from the reed grass to his left. Royoma selected a new canvas and subject. He chose to focus his attention onto a distant waterfowl and began sketching the contours of its form. Without warning, a figure pounced from the grass and onto the artist. He was knocked to the ground staring up at the figure of a furred assailant. She had the head of a large fluffy cat and was pinning Royoma’s hands to the ground. “You should take more care of your surroundings. A real hunter would have noticed my approach.” Artemia chided with a smug grin on her face. She bent down and planted a kiss on Royoma’s lips, lingering only slightly. “I was not expecting to be ambushed by my wild wife while I was drawing” He quipped back. Using his feet Royoma sprang up to his feet taking Artemia with him. It’s mouth opened in surprise before she adopted a look of annoyance. “I wasn't going to hurt you. I just merely wanted to have some fun. I see you there and I just want to pounce.” she whined kicking their feet in the dust. Royoma chuckled at its honesty. The pair had been married for about 2 years now. In that time he had learned much about their habits and romantic intentions. She deeply cared for him in its own way and the pouncing was their way of showing affection. “So what now? I was enjoying my time drawing. Perhaps you would like to be my subject for today?” Royoma asked. Artemia shook their head “sounds boring, I'll bring you subjects.” Before he could reply she took off into the forest. He sat down and looked over his collection of finished drawings.
So far he had finished 5 of his sketches. There was a small red flower that had captured his attention. He was glad the piece was finished before Artemia ate the subject. A further 2 were studies of water fowl upon the lake. The birds had not been scared off by Artemia’s wild running and hunting. Royoma sat down again on his stool and began to think on what subject his wife would bring him. He hoped it would not be like that time they brought him a mouse. He shuddered at the recollection of what happened to the poor creature. Artemia came bounding back into view. She was carrying a bleach white bone. She deposited it at his feet. “This is a good piece, yes? It is white and has been picked clean of the marrow.” She informed. Royoma studied the bone. It was long and thin, perhaps some type of rib. He placed the bone on a small stand and began to sketch its jagged edges. “Did you find anything else interesting in your forest trek?” Royoma asked, hoping to hold his wife’s attention for a bit.
“Yes. I found a circle of flowers and a couple small prey. The forest is less active this year and I have yet to see bigger prey… or a predator.”
“Maybe it’s because you stalk the forest once a week. Animals tend to stay away from a predator.”
“Hah, I can still sneak up on mice and eat them. They don't stay away hard enough.”
“Are you back to eating small animals in the forest again? You know you should at least cook them.”
“I know how to gut my prey. I can eat my meat raw if I so choose.”
“I know you can. I’m just saying cooked food is good too.”
“Hmmm… I know cooked and spiced food is good. I have eaten many such meals. It will never be the same to me as the taste of a fresh kill.”
“Oh I know. Why do you prefer your meat raw?”
“It is the hunt. I prefer the taste of meat I killed with my own hands or tools. It is that simple.”
“Such a skilled hunter as you are indeed. There I have finished my drawing. What do you think?” Royoma stated holding up his finished piece. Artemia studied the piece closely making occasional hums and hahs over it. It was lovingly crafted, the line work laid down like a fortress. The many intricate details off the marrow and the space beyond rendered perfectly. Such a piece could easily be displayed as a finished artwork. “It is good. You have skill with drawing and your art is very good. I did not enjoy art until I saw yours. Why do you want to draw? You can see everything with your eyes.” Artemia said dismissively, waving her hand. Royoma blinked at the bluntness of its question. He didn't expect them to question why he enjoyed art. He sighed heavily before placing his drawing back on the easel. “I like drawing because you can capture the beauty of things for other people. It’s a way to share your experience with other people, to bring them into your world. I prefer drawing because I like to capture my subjects as realistically as I can. If I can say nothing else I can share my perspective with you. Show you why I enjoy nature and why I enjoy our outings in it so much.” Royoma explained, causing Artemia to smile. She leaned forward and kissed him on the lips, leaning into him slightly. He wrapped his arms loosely around their waist. “I love how you want to share your world with me hun. I truly appreciate the depth for which you care. Could I perhaps show you what I see when I stalk the forests? I promise you won't need to hunt.” Artemia begged, putting on her best puppy dog eyes. Royoma considered its offer, she was so cute like this he couldn’t help but smile. “Of course hun. I would love to go with you into the forest.
Artemia let out a small squeal and grabbed her husband's hand. She led him past the borders of the tall grass and into the forest. The trees stretched up into the sky shading the forest into a mix of greens and muted earths. There was no set path, so Artemia went first, trampling the underbrush into a usable path. She held up a hand and Royoma stopped behind it. “Have you seen anything in our approach? Any signs of the forest?” She questioned. Royoma shook his head. He didn’t notice much beyond the crunching of the underbrush beneath their feet. “There are many things nearby. If you listen there are the sounds of bird calls and something else moving through the forest. I have also seen the tracks of a large prey upon the ground. I think it is either a deer or a wild ox. These are the signs you must see if you want to be a skilled hunter like me” She declared, lowering her hand and continuing forward. The pair made it to a clearing in the forest where a large beast stood grazing. It was cervine in shape and had pale blue fur with large crystalline antlers. Artemia gasped and unslung her bow from her shoulder. “No sounds… no words.” She whispered urgently. Pulling out an arrow from her quiver and knocking it. Taking a deep breath in she loosed the arrow aiming at the beast’s neck. The knocked arrow went wide of her target and the deer scattered. “Hellsteeth!” Artemia swore as the deer bounded out of sight. Royoma let out a slight chuckle. “Such a skilled hunter you are. I’m honored to see you at work.” He mocked. A scowl formed on their face and she growled, baring its teeth. He held up a hand asking for calm. At this gesture their face softened and she crossed its arms. “Sometimes the hunt does not go as planned. You do not need to be rude about it.” she whined. Royoma gave them a kiss on the forehead and wrapped his arms around her waist. Artemia huffed and relaxed into his arms. “You’re lucky that you’re cute. Is there more you wish to teach me? I feel that my training is incomplete.” Royoma teased. She strode forward into the clearing and studied the prints left behind by the animal. Picking up the dirt with two fingers she sniffed it, taking in the complex scent. He cocked an eyebrow at this. Royoma was no stranger to odd things his wife did, but it seemed like this was too much. “The solkar was young, about 3 years old. She was pregnant, so it is good that my shot missed. I hesitated, so that gave her a chance to escape. I think… in the end that was the right choice.” Artemia mumbled. “You could tell all that from just the smell it left behind? I’m impressed.” Royoma lauded. He could tell they were upset by the way it carried itself. He would try to cheer them up. “It is practice… that’s all.” Artemia dismissed his words and re-slung their bow over its shoulder. Royoma sighed, they would not open up easily. He had known this about them since the day the pair met.
“Artemia… do you remember when we first met?” Royoma asked, sitting down on the forest floor. She nodded their head and chose to remain standing. “I do.” she muttered, turning her gaze towards the sky. “It was much like today. I was painting on the outskirts of the reflection pool by the palace. There had been some reports of a strange beast in the well managed woods we kept. I saw your eyes… watching me. At first I thought you were an assassin so I chased you into the woods. That was foolish I know…. You could have killed me if you wanted to. I was entranced by your beauty. I know that sounds like I'm lying but. I have seen many princesses in my time Artemia. You are the very definition of one.” Royoma declared placing an arm around their waist. She blushed a deep crimson and looked straight at its husband. He pulled it in close and she wrapped their arms around him in return. “Princess huh. You are too kind to me. I am sure that I did not look like that.” Artemia pointed out. “I was alone and starving. I had been in that forest for 4 months trying to find a way to call home. You saw me because I was risky.” Artemia divulged sitting down next to their lover. She lay its head in his lap, staring up at his large green eyes. “Were you staring at me transfixed by my beauty?” He joked. She guffawed at this, causing Royoma to smile. “No… I was debating hunting you…But you were good to look at. I am glad you came to my rescue. It is nice… to be wanted.” Artemia admitted reaching up a hand to caress his cheek. Royoma held their hand to his face and smiled. “Well.. I'm glad you didn’t. I don't think I taste too good.” He replied. Artemia grinned, showing off her sharp teeth. “There is still time enough today to test that” She quipped. The pair would lay in the forest for quite some time, reminiscing upon their first ever meeting. It was hard to believe that such a strong relationship could blossom from a chance encounter.