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The sun already hung low on the horizon by the time Priscilla and Alexandria wandered back into Avianhurst, the younger sister’s pockets stocked full of chamomile, ginger root, feverfew, and whatever else she could get her hands on before the forest became too dark to see in, her emergency crossbow strapped securely to her back. The sisters were chatting idly as they walked, but their footsteps seemed rushed, the looming danger of night following them nearly every step of the way.
Alex tried to hurry at least a little, for the sake of her sister if nothing else, but her pace slowed as the two came across a peculiar sight.
Zoyander Thornbury having a leisurely little walk, heading straight out of town.
Alex and Pris looked at each other with slightly narrowed eyes, the same thought running through both their heads.
What the hell was this guy doing?
They kept their eyes on him as they crossed paths, and Alex simply couldn’t let him peacefully walk past.
“Oi! What are you doing out in the dark, isn’t it a little late for a walk?” She came to a complete halt, leaning on her good leg as she picked up her cane and stood with arms crossed, eyeing the man with her suspicion and a slight hint of amusement fully on display.
Alexandria felt her sister go still next to her, and though she couldn’t see her exactly, she knew Pris was taking up a similar stance.
Zoyander seemed taken aback by the interruption, head turning as if to pretend it was aimed at someone else, but the man composed himself quickly, slowing his pace and placing a hand on his hip,
“Just… out to look for owls. You know, the nocturnal birds. And you can call me by my name, not ‘oi’” he replied, gesturing slightly with his other hand.
Once again, the sisters looked at each other with quirked brows, Alex giggling a little under her breath. Sure, the excuse was believable enough, but neither of them seemed keen to trust it coming out of Zoyander’s mouth.
The younger of the two smirked, placing her cane back on the cobbled path,
“Oh, but won’t you have trouble seeing in the dark? I mean, it’s getting really late and I’ve heard albinism causes some of the absolute worst sight issues.” Alex said, their tone seeping with over-exaggerated sympathy, “Well, I guess you’ve never complained about your eyesight, seems to be the best in town from what I’d noticed” they snarked, and they could already hear Pris let out the quietest snort.
The white-haired man furrowed his eyebrows, clearly becoming more suspicious of what the two were on about,
“And what are you implying exactly? That just because I have a certain mutation I’m not allowed to… see properly?” Zoyander huffed, looking at the sisters with growing frustration.
“Nothing like that, honest.” Alex raised her hands in mock surrender, but her sister chimed in almost immediately,
“I suppose we’re just a little curious about the specifics of your condition” Pris suggested, placing a hand on Alex’s shoulder.
“Exactly! I mean, as far as I remember albinism doesn’t cause pointed ears.” Alex gestured little points to her own ears with a grin, looking straight at the unusual appendages of the pale man. She nearly burst out laughing when he huffed like a horse and crossed his arms at them both with the funniest pout known to man.
“Well, it's a special kind of albinism! Only a few people have it. And it’s not like you’d know anything about it, pharmacist.” Zoyander snapped back, a smug smile forming on his lips.
Rightfully so, because he didn’t know how sensitive the nerve he hit was.
Alexandria’s laugh died down nearly immediately, eyes widening at the white-haired man with something akin to pure hatred, and as the bottom of her cane hit the ground with a loud thud, Priscilla’s grip on her shoulder tightened.
She knew what to do, and her words came out smooth and still full of teasing, sarcastic amusement, “Of course, you’re just the specialest boy ever, aren’t you?” she giggled.
“Well, yes, I am.” Thornbury’s reply seemed absolutely serious for all of five seconds.
All three townies broke out in a laugh, even Alex. Getting into an actually heated argument was of no use, especially when being underestimated was something she should be used to by now.
Their giggles died down slowly… leaving a moment of silence as the three just looked at each other, unsure of what to do next.
Finally, Pris piped up again, her cadence much more nervous as she spoke once more,
“But… actually, what are you doing out here Zoyander? You genuinely won’t see anything out there at this point…” she was non-accusatory in her words, curious but suspicious, and an excuse of owl searching wouldn’t work anymore, that was certain.
Zoyander seemed to notice that at least, because through a nearly equally nervous tone, he placed his hands on his hips again and laughed, “Well, guess you guys caught me. I was going to hunt and I didn’t want to worry anyone. We’re running low on meat… and stuff” the man looked ready to just speed walk away, his voice getting quieter with each word.
Alex raised a brow, but a small smile played on her face, “How about I go help out? It’s dangerous out there with all the ghouls and monsters” they waved their hands for dramatic effect, already checking if she had enough arrows with her for a hunt.
Thornbury’s eyes widened with near-panic, and he shook his head, “There’s really no need, I can handle myself, plus I wouldn’t want you to hurt yourself, I’ll be okay” he rambled, already backing away a few steps.
Alex’s smile simply widened, “Oh please, I know how to hunt, it’s not like I’m going to be in close-quarters combat. Let me help you out” they insisted, doing one last check of the strap of their crossbow before firmly gripping their cane with incessant determination.
Zoyander held back a grimace, but the white-haired man quickly gathered how little he could do to get the teenager off his back, and collected himself nearly immediately, simply meeting the younger girl’s eyes with a reluctant smile.
“Fine, I guess two pairs of hands are better than one. If that’s alright with you, Pris” he tried, holding on to one last hope of a protective sister.
But the older Madison simply smiled at the man, “She could use a way to let out her energy.” she laughed, shooing Zoyander off, “Just a word, though” she turned to her sister, gripping her hand with impressive strength. Alex nearly winced.
“You will be alright, right? I won’t have to go looking for your body?” her eyes stared into Alex with incredible intensity, her voice a frantic whisper-yell.
Alex rolled her eyes a bit, gently tugging out of the death-grip, “I’ll be fine. It’s not like he’ll do anything to me, especially if you’re seeing us go.”
Pris didn’t seem fully satisfied, but she let go without too much fight, “Alright, alright. Be back before midnight. I’m going out there to find you if you don’t… You’re sure you’ll be alright, though?” she stressed, tone evening out just slightly.
“I’ll be back, and yeah, I’m fine. Now go, he’s getting antsy” the younger laughed, waving Pris off and turning back to the increasingly impatient Zoyander.
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The pair walked slowly, the thud of Alexandria’s cane unmistakable yet as quiet as she could make it, but their progress was surprisingly quick. Each was pleasantly surprised by the competence of the other, and even though they worked in almost stifling silence, the hours ran by fast, and soon the thump of arrows and slash of knives was an almost peaceful ambiance for the two hunters.
Though, Alex’s gaze never quite left the white-haired man. Not only due to his incredibly easily noticeable features (especially in the pitch black dark, wow) but more as if she was trying to suss him out, figure out what exactly it was that bothered her so much about him. Apart from the incredibly stupid lie about his albinism.
The howl of wolves became more apparent the deeper they went into the woods, ringing deep and loud in Alex’s head, and the girl came to a sudden halt, gripping the pair of rabbits she was carrying along with her firmly by the feet.
Zoyander seemed to notice the lack of footsteps nearly immediately, and the young pharmacist’s eyes just narrowed further.
This time, she decided not to mention it.
“I think we should head back, I don’t like this part of the woods” she hummed, turning around immediately and walking back in the town’s direction.
It wasn’t hard for Zoyander to catch up with her and they walked in another long while of silent company. It was anything but comfortable, especially when the Madison sister radiated with tense energy. It was almost as if she turned into an angrier Pris for a second.
After a far too long stretch of uncomfortable silence, she heard the older man speak up,
“You know, I didn’t expect you to be any good with hunting. You’re quite young after all” he chirped in a clear attempt at conversation.
Alex raised a single eyebrow. A weird thing to say, if you asked her, wasn’t this guy barely a few years older than her?
It bugged her, but she shrugged it off, letting her face stretch into a smug grin instead.
“You’re not so bad yourself, especially for a pompous ass” she snickered, but continued before the man could explode with his own insults at her, “I’m just curious why you wouldn’t wait for morning to hunt. The ratio of monsters to actual edible animals we killed today is like, five to one” she waved around the loaded crossbow in her hand, exasperated, her gesticulations stunted by its heavy weight.
Zoyander seemed to tense up a bit once more, “As I said, I didn't want to rope anyone in and… maybe do something nice for the town and have food ready in the morning…?” Alex couldn’t shake the feeling that he was making shit up on the spot.
They shrugged, motioning to the rabbits she clutched, “Well, maybe we could go to one of our houses and prepare this, then. Didn’t think you out of all people would want to get your hands dirty and cook for others” the teen laughed, shoulders evening out as they slowly exited the forest grounds.
The man’s eyes seemed to widen momentarily, and he gestured wildly with his hands, “You know, on second thought, we didn’t catch enough for the whole town. And you’re right, I don’t want to cook for anyone, just myself. I’ll just take my share and go, you take yours and make sure you and Pris are fed. Anyways, won’t she be worried if you’re out this long? I mean she doesn’t seem to trust me in the slightest” he faltered with a nervous laugh, and Alex raised an eyebrow once more.
“Whatever you say, I guess. We do have enough for just two nights… and you’re right, I should be back by now” she hummed, brows furrowing slightly, “Well, we can always repeat this, you’re efficient enough” they elbowed him with a grin, unconcerned for her force.
Zoyander clutched his arm and gave a strained, yet seemingly relieved smile to Alexandria.
Soon enough, they were back in town, their catch divided between them proportionately, Zoy for himself, and Alex for her and Priscilla.
Alexandria hauled up everything she needed, giving Zoyander one last look-over and small salute, “Pleasure, Thornbury. Though I still don’t believe your bullshit albinism” the teen grinned, flat-out ignoring the older man’s frustrated huffs as she entered her home.