Drowning Fear [Aria]

[Sima Oratio]

Sima had found himself exploring the area. It wasn't for any particular reason other then his own curious mind. Sima would not regular head to an area near the docks, however, he could not smell, hear, or see, water. Despite his extreme fear of drowning his senses told him that he was safe. So Sima explored, not able to smell much of anything. The smells were so pungent and mixed in heavily. Sima's nose was so sensitive it was almost intoxicating. It was so heavy he was having a hard time keeping his bearing of north. The buildings he was exploring was of keen interest, and architect style of which he did know. He was so absent minded he didn't even notice the change of his footing. From cobblestone ground to wooden plank. Sima could still however see no water. "What am I doing here?" Sima thought, despite subconsciously knowing the answer. What other answer could their be for someone who was stuck in a new world alone? It was obvious, Sima was just trying to pass the time. It was like having all the free time in the world, and not understanding anything around you, you would want to go learn would you not? 

Sima had been walking for a while, and the docks seemed to turn into some sort of maze. "Anyone here?" He called. Despite his odd surroundings he was mostly at peace. He couldn't sense anything here, and Sima\s senses were always extremely accurate. He took a step forward, making a few turns in the maze of dock buildings. He then found his way making a right where his eyes laid upon open water. His eyes open wide with fear as his heart almost skipped a beat. His eyes tracked to the ground, where he soon realized he had been walking over water this entire time. He dropped to the floor in his fear. Sima's powers were always linked to his emotions, and this was no exception. He couldn't stop the red sparks from jumping off of his body. He closed his eyes as he thought. "It's ok Sima, your safe, just turn around" He took a deep breath in, and then out, but this time it was only filled with the smell of water, and damp wood. He opened his eyes, and when he did the buildings behind him were gone. Sima was left with nothing but open water. This of course, was all in his head. His hands trembled as he gripped the wood with fear. His body was exerting energy, increasing in strength, without Sima's permission. Sima could feel his muscles becoming tired, despite not even being in the water. 

He looked behind him, and a figure stood at the boardwalk. This person seemed to be blocking the one path to a somewhat safe point. "You're a monster," It spoke so calmly, and confidently. Sima couldn't help but well up in tears at the familiar voice. And with that, despite welling up in fear, and sadness, he became angry. With a burst of anger his powers came to light only for a brief moment. His strength, speed, all had returned. He jumped forward at the person he had seen, but what nothing but a representation of his fear. And when Sima attempted to lash back at this figure, the wooden walkway was unable to handle the pressure of strength he was putting under it. Sima tumbled under the walkway. "Your wrong!" He yelled, However, despite however he fell in the real world, it all played out the same in his mind. Someone was holding him under the water. Of course, this was not true, he was simply unable to swim, and had fallen into the water. His body thrashed in the water, his voice echoing through off the buildings. It was not hard to hear him, in fact, it was a scary sound to hear. His voice was more demonic then human as it desperately attempted to get out of the water. 

[Deleted]

The sounds were dampened by the thick fog that came every morning around the docks. Gulls cried there morning calls but even those sounds were muffled. Aria for one was thankful for the fog despite the dampness it caused on her skin so early in the cold winters morning. She tried to breath threw her mouth; the stench was horrific down in these parts. The water was polluted with waste; by her time they had at least found a way to divert such slug from entering the port…..unfortunately that’s how the swamps had been created in her time….it reeked just as bad as this.
Her eyes scanned the docks as her newly bought wool lined boots treaded softly on the planks. Her long wild dark red hair was left untamed as the gentle sea breezes caught and tousled it. Her cloths were fairly simple, a white wool dress came down to her ankles topped by a fawn brown tunic. Vines however wrapped around her waist forming a belt; around her shoulders wrapped a dark brown woolen shawl. It was sufficient enough to keep out most of the morning nip. She clutched it around her a bit more as she traveled along the deserted docks.
As she rounded a corner she noticed an individual frozen in fear; she was about to approach him to see if he was alright when he suddenly began to spark. She held her ground for a moment to see what he would do….he ended up attacking thin air and crashing through the wooden dock. Aria quickly went over to the edge dropping down on her belly as she got closer to the break. Her eyes peaked out over the edge to see a flailing man...one that showed the signs of not being able to swim…and one that showed all rational thought was gone in a full blaze of panic.
Aria untangled the vines from her waist and her hands glowed with her orange gold fire that was her magic. The vines shot down into the water tangling up the man in a quick weave. When she was sure she got a hold of him she slowly dragged him out of the water and on to the docks. It was quite the effort as her boots slipped on the slick docks…not to mention he was likely to be struggling against the vines. If the vines did managed to be broken more just replaced it as her magic continued to make them grow. Once he was top side Aria kept her vines on him and approached.

”Blue eyes look at me…and only me”

Her voice was commanding but soothing; one that expected orders to be fallowed. It had an even steady tone which she used when she dealt with animals frightened out of their wits.

”You’re on dry ground laddy; I need you to fallow me…keep your eyes on me understand?”

She talked slowly and deliberately as the vines loosened and returned to her waist, her hand outstretched to the man. She needed to lead him to spot where the deck wasn’t so weak.

[Sima Oratio]

Sima could feel arms trying to force him to drown. Sima was crying, although thankfully for him the water hid this fact. His fear for drowning was directly derived from a past event, one that he couldn't escape, at least not without confronting. Sima could feel the water falling off of him, as his body slid on the hard wooden surface. This was not safe enough for him, it was far too close to the water. This is when Sima heard voice, she was lucky, he was so much in panic it was difficult for him to hear anything. "Blue eyes" Sima didn't know why that was so soothing. Sima attempted to grab onto anything to make him feel more secure. The only thing he could really grab was the vines that ensnared him. He gripped the vines desperately grabbing onto them, but refusing to move any further. Sima was simply trying to get his bearings. He was breathing heavily trying to catch his breath. He gripped the wooden planks hard enough for his hands to get splinters, attempting to keep his body still so that he could attempt to relax. 

Sima's eyes, although filled mostly with fear, were also filled with determination. When she spoke he listened to the commanding tone. Sima looked her in the eyes, but he did not move. Sima wanted to move, but he just couldn't handle falling in once again. He was having a hard time keeping himself calm too. Sima kept his hands on the boards of the dock as his eyes gazed around making observations, but always made their way back to the person that had pulled him from the water. Sima released his hand slowly, and raised it out to her. Sima was not moving, not without insurance anyways. This was not him thinking this way, this was just subconscious at this point. He stretched his hand out farther to her, trying his best to keep his hand steady, although it did shake quite often. "Thi-s is not ground" Sima tried his best to mend words legibly. 

[Deleted]

Aria kept her gaze on the man; and his gaze kept finding her…which was good…even in his panicked state he was at least focusing on something. Well sort of his eyes kept drifting. Her eyes didn’t drift from his, right now it was important to keep his attention on something solid. When he finally began to stretch his hand out to her Aria met him half way, taking hold of his large hand with her small but strong grip. This was better, it meant he was coming to; at last words seem to come from his mouth. A chuckle escaping her throat. Her blue green eyes twinkling with some amusement.

”No I suppose it isn’t; but let’s get you to real ground yes? Now only look at me and nowhere else, ok? You’re going to put one foot in front of the other; you will not fall.”

At that Aria slowly began to walk him back towards the third district. She kept eye contact with him the whole time. At the same time she needed him to keep talking; the more distracted he was the better.

”Now Blue eyes, can you tell me your name?”

[Sima Oratio]

Sima took hold of her hand, and he noted what she was saying, but kept his responses until he was on solid ground. Sima slowly followed her to solid ground, and when they finally got their Sima let go of her hand to sit on the ground and re-collect himself. He sighed deeply realizing stress and anxiety. He sat against the ground and gripped his chest with his hand. He tightly gripped it trying to get calmed down as quickly as possible. Sima rested his against a wall, sliding his body back against it. "It's Sima" He responded casually. The wind gradually moved his hair, and it was comforting, however the smell of the area was still not very good. "Thankyou" Sima spoke calmly and clearly. "I wasn't expecting that when I woke up this morning.." He scratched his head nervously. Now that he was away from most of the water his confidence rose rather quickly, and he was more or less in all control of himself. 

Sima closed his eyes and began listening to the wind. It was soothing. "That was a close one huh?" He wasn't really talking to her, but it would certainly seem like it. Sima rubbed his eyes, trying to sooth them a bit, they were irritated from the water, and probably looked a little red. He then raised his hand upward towards the light to look at his fingers, and make sure that anything important on his hand was still there. "Blue eyes?" He thought out loud, and couldn't help but wonder what her thought process of nicknames was like. Sima's muscles were sore, he had almost completely lost control of his powers. Sima was wottied about that, had he lost full control then he would be easily recognized as a demon. "What's your name..?" He yawned, keeping his eyes on her as she requested. 

Sima wasn't quite sure if he should be thanking her, after all, this was not his world, it wasn't that big of a loss, maybe he would just wake up back there again. He gripped his hands angry at himself, realizing he should not forget his resolve and do what he promised. Their was one question he was curious about however, what was his actual lifespan here? Sima was immortal in his previous world, which, he felt was more of a curse then a blessing. "Thankyou" He repeated twice not realizing it. 

[Deleted]

Aria watched the man carefully, once he was on solid ground he seemed to be slowly but surely collecting himself. When he was finally able to give her his name she smiled. He enlisted a chuckle from her otherwise rather silent vigil when he commented about her nick name for him.

”You got water in your eyes don’t ya? Plus they are blue….would seem pretty obvious”

To Aria he seemed alright but he had obviously been given quite a scare. It would also seem he hadn’t breathed in any water that was good. However it was in the middle of winter and the man was now soaked. Aria took off her shawl and wrapped it around the man, allowing her gift of fire to lock in the heat of the wool shawl.

”My name is Aria Wurud; and don’t fret too much about the thanks….now how are you feeling? Are you able to breath fine? No bumps to the head?”

The red head was concerned; the temperature of the water during this season was enough to send most people into shock. Even she would think twice before diving in; especially if it was the ocean water. It never really was warm to begin. Her voice had lost the commanding tone to it and was just replaced with concern.

”You should get into something dry, are you ok to walk?”

[Sima Oratio]

Sima didn't realize how cold he was until he saw his own breath. "I can't explain what I was doing out there" It sounded slightly like she thought he was insane, walking out there and somehow falling into the freezing waters. "I guess blue eyes make sense," Sima chuckled slightly, he was still rather cold, but he was much better than earlier. Sima was ok to walk of course, a small smile engrossed his face as he smelled the shawl that was put on him. The shawl was lined with the scent of roses and it was quite the calming scent. "This smells much better now," He commented as he wrapped himself in the warm shawl. He was shivering quite often before the shawl was put on, and now he was much more comforted. The smell on the shawl was much closer to his body, and drowned his nose with the scent instead. He couldn't help but wrap himself around the blanket like a dog that enjoyed the scent. 

Sima smiled with confidence as he got up from the ground. He shivered slightly, however, the shawl was quite comfortable. Other then the wet clothes Sima was feeling much better. Sima didn't realize the scent he was smelling on the shawl was Aria's scent, he was just glad that it was more comforting then the docks. "Don't worry, I'll survive this" Sima smiled with confidence, being reminded of a similar instance of this situation. Sima wanted to be that tall proud man that was the 'poster' child of adventure, but in order to do that he would have to return her shawl, and he was rather comfortable with it at the moment. "Yeah, I suppose a warm pair of clothes would be the best choice. 

"Oh, my name is Sima Oratio" Sima felt that he should share his last name too, since she was so forth coming. Of course, he did wonder why she was so kind of an individual, it was breath taking in a way. Sima felt guilty when she seemed so innocent, he helped others because he felt like he needed to find a way to atone for his own crimes. This only strengthened the fact that he was more monstrous than human. Maybe this woman was someone he needed to learn from, or maybe, Sima was just selfish. He shivered under these thoughts, disgusted in himself, this wasn't what he should be thinking about

[Deleted]

”Everyone has the right to wander, and this place is a maze. More so if you’re new, do you happen to be fated?”

It was true, she wandered quite a bit herself. In fact she had no particular reason for going to the harbor that morning. Like him she was just wandering and going where her feet would take her. Good thing to otherwise the fellow probably would have sunk to the bottom of the harbor. Her sharp eyes watched as his shivering slowed slightly, and he snuggled more into her wool shawl. Amusement lighting in her eyes as he buried his nose into it…it was good to know she didn’t stink….how embarrassing that would have been. Aria laughed when he commented it smelt much better.

”Have a sensitive nose do you? Well perhaps we should move away from the waters then…..someone really should go see the mages about redirecting the waist that is dumped in this water…. But if the smell is bothering you in the city, grab a bit of mint leaf and rub its oils just under your nose. Masks some of the smell.”

She nodded when he agreed that it would be wise to get some warm clothes. However if he was fated she had to question…did he have other clothes?

”It’s a pleasure to meet you Mr Oratio; despite the circumstances….Do you have some place you can go? Also how are your hands?”

[Sima Oratio]

Sima froze when he heard her first question. Was he fated? Sima wasn't sure how to respond to this question. Sima wanted his past to stay in the past, so saying that he was not fated would certainly be the best choice right? Sima couldn't help but wonder, if she knew a lot then he would just look like an imbecile. Sima had a feeling she could tell that he was not of this world already. Sima decided to not speak on the fact of if he was fated or not, by not choosing to reply she could either be pushy and ask again, or forget about the question. Sima nodded to her. "Yeah, I guess mint leaves would be okay" Sima wasn't too sold on the fact of the mint scent being right under his nose, mint itself was a bold scent. Mint didn't smell bad, yet it would be very strong and overpower everything else. Sima's nose was almost his radar, because of it he knew his heading, he knew the wind direction, and he could even tell what someone ate for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, all the scents linger, of course he wasn't always completely accurate, and some people covered their scents up nicely.

"I don't really have a place to go to," Sima didn't need really need a house yet. It was true his dream was to open a restaurant, but he didn't need a place to stay in the mean time. Sima needed to figure out the best place for his restaurant, so staying still wasn't an option, at least until he found that perfect spot. Sima was a traveler. Going from one place to another, although occasionally renting inns for a periods of time, getting work, quests, and other valuable ways to make money. Then he would bank his earnings, and then continue to the next town. It was a simple way to gain a lot of money while worrying only on the essentials while trying to collect the money for his store. Sima looked down at his hands when she mentioned them. It was a good thing she did, because although his left was cold, his right was freezing. This was because of his engagement ring no doubt. 'Metal' had good conduction, and it carried both cold and heat easily through contact. Sima's ring helped cool his hand down tremendously. Sima was scared to remove, although it was true in all sense his relationships with anyone from his previous world was cut short, he couldn't bare losing the memento. He used his left hand to engulf the ring in an attempt to warm it, so that it would is his right hand.

"It's fine," He lied easily about it. Sima realized by now, she may worry about his living conditions. "If we get to a fire i'm sure I will be fine," Sima tried to re-assure her. It had been a long time since anyone had concern for him, although he couldn't help but think there might be a reason for her concern, something that made it fake concern. Sima didn't mean to think this way, but he had been lied to many a time. The thought of mages swirled in his minds, she spoke of them as a group, although Sima tried his best to tell himself that mages were individuals, he often grouped them as one too.

[Deleted]

Aria noticed with curiosity her first question was evaded….. She always could spot an evasion, her father was famous for it. Frankly he did a lot better than this fellow by distracting her until she forgot. Aria nodded when he said he didn’t have a place to go, if he was fated that made sense…mainly cause he didn’t really look like he spent most of his time on the streets. But that also meant he probably didn’t have a change of clothes…..or any place dry are warm to go to. She watched as he attempted to warm up his hands; she was more worried about the splinters the wood might have given him.

”No splinters? I would imagine anything that is near this port getting under your skin can be anything but healthy to leave in there.”

When it said it would be fine as long as they got to a fire it would be fine. She really wasn’t too concerned that he had nowhere to go, it just meant they were in the same boat.

”Very well then, fallow me. Might as well get those clothes dried off to but it’s a bit of a hike to get anywhere near warm enough to do so. Are you familiar with the hot springs? ”

Despite her only warm covering was currently being used as a way to warm the other man, Aria showed little care to the cold breeze that nipped her. The ability to lock in a layer of warmth around one skin was an invaluable skill that she had learned over the years. She only wished she had learned it much earlier…it would have made her child hood so much easier. However it was interesting maintaining the spell in two separate locations. One around herself and another around her shawl. The spell was good for warmth, however in extreme conditions it drained her much more. If they were to get a blizzard this season…well she would need to think of something.

”So what brings you to Nova?”

[Sima Oratio]

Sima became slightly irritated, he was not a good liar in any means. "I'm fine," He spoke harshly for a moment. Sima was perfectly capable for fending himself, as long as he didn't fall in water that is. Sima has been under extreme situations, and has always been able to survive. This wasn't any different for him, he knew what he must do, and how to execute his plans. However, Sima was alone. Sima knew that this cold wouldn't kill him, he could warm his body through other methods, especially with the shawl on. Sima both hid in his loneliest, he saw it as a precaution to protect the people around him, however, Sima hated being alone, so often many times he decided to spend time with other people, leaving when he felt he was endangering them. "A few splinters, but I can remove them myself just fine" Sima spoke whilst trying to do just that. Sima of course lied once again, the hand that gripped the dock was covered in thick deep splinters, some of which were bleeding. However, pulling this splinters out wasn't that bad of a task. 

Sima recalled much worst damage he had sustained, splinters wee small things and not  be too worried about. However, Sima was in the mind set of immortal body, which no longer immortal, he had never once had to worry about mortal sickness. So in a sense the splinters were more dangerous then he knew, but he still removed them one by one hidden underneath the shawl. Sima made sure not to get his blood on the shawl. "You seem to notice everything.." Sima said casually, he both thought it was interesting how much she actually picked up in a short time, and found it slightly irritating. He was not angered, but he just wanted to keep her away from worrying about a demon, because that was dangerous. 

"Hot springs? I can't say I'm familiar with them." Sima responded to her question. Sima couldn't tell much about the woman near him. Aria, he wondered. He wanted to sniff the air, and pick off more information about her. It was easy to tell if she was nervous by the small traces of sweat under a persons perfume, or other natural odors, however, Sima's nose was runny, and he couldn't smell anything for the time being. 

"Well, I want to start my own restaurant.." Sima wondered if that was enough information. "I'm just looking for the perfect spit I guess" Sima sounded slightly confused. 

[Deleted]

At the irritated tone Aria chuckled, clearly un-phased by it. Really she was more then use to irritating people and now that he was, Aria felt as though she was on more familiar ground. Aria shoved her hands in her pockets that were sewn into the dress, a large grin taking up her face. Aria’s amused look changed to one of surprise then thoughtfulness when he commented about her ability to notice things.

”….I don’t even realize I’m doing it half the time; when I was younger a boy who use to take care of me use to quiz me on noticing things…like if I was in the market place. If I was able to accurately recall how many nobles or beggers were on the streets then he would give me a sweet. The game turned into more of a habit...However it’s the things that I don’t notice that always seem to come up and bite me in the ass if I miss them”

When he mentioned not knowing the springs Aria grinned.

”Well then that’s a sight you can’t miss! Plus it’s warm! ”

At that Aria began to stroll into the third district streets, heading away from the city.

”The springs are located out in the forest, you can take the main road out to them, however that’s the long way round. It’s easier just to cut through the forest; they are a good network of pools, most of them not to deep either. They give off enough steam that the area around its warm and the snow is melted in that area as well.”

When he mentioned wanting to open a restaurant Aria seemed genuinely interested.

”You like to cook? Frankly that is something I should probably improve on….. I don’t think I’m very good at it. Have you thought about applying to one of the local inns or taverns? Or even the castle as a cook. What do you like to cook?”

She was a chatty thing when she wasn’t concerned, he seemed to be fine for the time being.

[Sima Oratio]

Sima looked at her. curiously asking. "You must have an interesting past" Sima didn't imply anything more then that, this was because he didn't want to pushy, nor did he want to share too much about his past either. "To be honest, cooking alone is boring" Sima sighed slightly depressed. "I don't want to cook in someone else's tavern, or inn, because then it's not going to be what i envisioned." Perhaps Sima was saying too much, but he was passionate about this dream of his, and he often showed it. "I like cooking, baking, creating almost anything, but it's not fun for me when I have no one to cook for" Sima laughed slightly nervous. "I mean, I want to create a home like environment, i want to be able to see the expression on their faces when they bite into something amazing." Sima twiddled his fingers under the shawl nervously. "So lately I have not done much cooking, It's not fun to cook for myself" Sima spoke honestly.

"The springs certainly sound interesting," Sima yawned, he was much warmer, however he felt selfish for stealing her shawl. Sima was wondering if he should return it by now. "Do you want your shawl back?" Sima asked slightly concerned. "I'm fine with giving it back," Sima spoke with not so much anticipation, this was because he really liked the shawl, and he was comfortable with giving it back, but he just didn't want to. "So these springs, are they usually really busy?" Sima was also curious how they would enter the springs. "So how do we enter the springs?" Sima probably sounded a bit confused, and that he was. Sima would obviously have to remove his clothes, and he wasn't too sure on how he felt about that.

"What do you like?" Sima asked afterward.

[Deleted]

At this Aria only offered a smile; interesting was certainly an understatement. She couldn’t help but scratch the side of her face that was scarred so badly. She however listened intently when he described cooking. He certainly seemed to have a vision for it. His passion for it made her smile, it did sound like a lovely place, if it was ever made.

”Starting off in another place would help build a reputation for you and your cooking. For example if you were to become a palace cook and your food praised there; imagine the profit for which you could turn for having the kings approval alone? Bank lenders may be more prone to lend you coin as well which might help you realize your dream. I mean it’s one thing to be good at cooking, but without the reputation or pull for people to come in the business itself would be hard to maintain. Especially at the get go….Plus it would give you someone to cook for”

All this talk of food was making her stomach growl; she looked down at the offending noise….She would have to hunt tonight. Which made her think for a bit…..when was the last time she actually had a cooked meal? Actually not since she was fated over, she had just been hunting in the woods and eating the meat raw. When the subject moved back to the springs Aria nodded.

”Certainly never a dull experience”

Aria shook her head no when he offered her shawl back.

”Keep it until you’re in something dry, as for the springs it depends on what time that you go. Most don’t like to take the hike out for the winter, others are too afraid to enter the forest to do so. As for how we enter we just walk to them. Its smack dab in the forest, it’s open for anyone to just walk up to it.”

Aria thought for a bit, what food did she like?

”….Honestly I’ll eat about anything. Although I do have a particular fondness for sweets…I get to have them once in a blue moon. OH my Grandpa brought a bunch of apple tarts over once while I was studying…..I ate so many I spazed out short story short a bunch of socks went missing, a mysterious rope swing was made and then got sick….. I think that was the last time I was allowed sweets”

[Sima Oratio]

Sima sighed. "It's not as if I have enough connections to get even get a job in the royal palace itself." Sima grumbled lowly. "Besides, I'm not sure I want to cook for an arrogant king that always eats perfection.." Sima responded stereotypicaly towards kings, not meaning to. "I don't like cooking for people who do not appreciate the effort, and love, to the food that is placed in front of them." Sima just looked at her when her stomach growled. "Of course, I could change my mind and try it regardless.."  Sima snuggled up to the shawl and groaned. "I don't cook for just anyone, and whoever said I want the restaurant to be extremely successful, It's a labor of love really, I want to do this because I like it, fame, many customers, i'm not aiming for any of that" Sima admitted to her. 

"Maybe this is an odd way of thinking.." Sima said abruptly. 

"But, if sweets are your favorite, maybe I can make you some one day" Sima implied curiously to how she would respond to this. The forest? Sima had hoped that he would be able to smell by the time they reached it, but his nose was still quite runny. "How deep our these springs by the way?" Sima could not believe he forgot to ask such a important question. "Can I stand in them?" He turned looking at her with a small desperation in his eyes. "I mean, I just almost drowned!" Sima was trying to explain himself without giving away his obvious fear of drowning. Sima was a bit worried now, this all started from drowning, so she was hear to finish the job in a more private place! This worry for her intentions was not meant to be so out front, but he couldnèt help but get these thoughts. The origin of his fears was someone close who had attempted to drown him, so he was naturally afraid of others doing the same thing. Sima realized it was a illogical assumption however. 

Sima sighed, resting his hands on his face for a brief moment, almost as if attempting to wipe these thoughts out of his mind with his hands. This was when he could thoroughly look at his hands. Noticing that his hands had actually bled from the large slivers he sighed depressingly. He had noticed that in his attempt to warm his ring, he had sullied with his blood. His hands shook at the thought of removing the ring for cleaning, at the thought of accidentally dropping it. Sima decided to clean it with another method, for now. He brought his left hand up towards his face and licked his thumb, he then pressed it around the ring removing the various amounts of grime, and particles of his own blood. He then attempted to flick debris off of his finger. 

"It's not too far of a walk is it? Do you like the springs yourself, or are you just watching out for my well being again?" Sima tried to keep his attention on her.