The Forêt Woods

"I will need to get some of my things to travel with if you are willing to wait here for a time... More suitable clothing, I fear velvet and silk is just not sensible." She gave a wry smile, then would give him a chance to reply before anything... If he agreed (if disagreed, disregard), she made haste home to collect a pack full of essentials: food, her bag of holding that she kept her medicines in, a bed roll and an extra quilt, along with different tools such as mortar and pestle, pretty much whatever could be used to cook, stir, serve, and eat with, her stash of gold, warm, durable clothing and extra boots, and a few toiletries.

She returned later than she had wanted... Hood hiding her swollen face so none in the city could see that she'd had a sound beating for having been gone without "permission" or escort. She'd even been locked in her room and had to climb out the window, which would explain the breeches she wore. It was probable about dawn by the time she reached the bridge, panting as she slowed from the near run she had taken to get there and the fact her ribs were bruised. A look of defiance crossed her face, remembering the last thing her father had said to her... "Mon dieu, wench! I had him in the palm of my hand, champing at the bit to see you, and you were off on some fool errand for hours. When? When are you going to stop this nonsense and get your head out of the clouds? You are of no use to me unless you obey me! You brought this all upon yourself. Now, you are not to leave this room until your face heals, do you understand?!" He was shaking her until it felt as though her teeth rattled, and he raised the back of his hand up when she didn't reply immediately. She did not flinch, merely stared at a point over his shoulder as she felt the blood trickle from her split lip. He had never beaten her before... She didn't even recognize the greedy man before her, who now stood with face mottled and red, and hand raised, primed to strike.

Her expression stopped the action, however, and he stormed out, slamming the door shut and locking it behind him. She had already gathered her things before the encounter, so it was easy to get things together. Belle sat down heavily, using the arm that look the least amount of defense hits and easing the pack from her back. She pulled out the bag of holding and rummaged with the same hand until she found a healing potion, opened the vial and downed the bitter contents so she could rid herself of physical pain. The potion would not work immediately, and it wouldn't heal her wounds right off.. But it would speed up the process.

"My father..." she said, flatly, a dark expression crossing her face. "It doesn't matter, though... I am sorry that he caused my return to be delayed, he locked me in my bed chamber and I had to climb out the window from the third story. My ribs are bruised, so I had to take my time climbing down." At least she could say she had guts if she ever was a braggart... But she wasn't... She was just stating truth is all and acted like it was just something everybody does.

Belle corked the empty bottle and stashed it in her bag for later cleaning and re-use, then stood and righted herself, pulling the hood back so she could see better since one eye swelled shut. The worst of the bruising was on the side of her face by her left ear, but it looked like bones were at least spared from being broken... Which was probably deliberate since her father relied on her face for that marriage. "I just wish to be away from here... Just in case he gathers the hounds and hunts me down." Also said matter-of-factly...

It bothered her... But she didn't say it. She was well rid of the man who would sell her like some prized filly. She followed, pressing her lips together as the brisk movement, in tandem with the weight of her pack, caused it to be hard to breathe. She didn't whine or complain, however, she merely tried to keep pace with the fae, letting him lead her deeper into the forest and further away from human kind... She hoped.

After a time, she said breathily, "So... We go where the wind blows?"

She did as he bade. her good eye drifting shut as she focused on his hand. She wasn't exactly sure what she was supposed to feel as she tried to let the earth do the talking. She'd no idea whatever his idea was on making her more comfortable, she didn't figure it mattered to him... Hopefully he wasn't just going to knock her out and carry her all barbarian style... She put her trust in the sidhe.

She could feel a lot of good things... A closer bond with the earth and the hurts seeping from her like poison being drawn out. When his face came into view again, she looked at him with a surprised, but soft expression. "Yes, thank you..." Belle sighed from the relief it brought, for her belongings didn't feel weighed down anymore and she could draw in a full breath without seeing stars. "Is it possible for someone like me to learn how to do that? I know how to do a few spells but have never reached that far in..." She would wait for him to start moving again, then would walk.

"Perhaps we shall find one on this journey," said Belle as she walked close but not too close to him. "I respect the earth very much... I rely on her plants to make medicine for the sick... I never take more than I have to if I know the plant is rare... Like the flower I picked yesterday... Two years is a long time for a plant to grow, and the flower is more rare because of it. There are those who pick the flower without reserving the seeds to grow more, and they know nothing of what the plant does; they pick wild flowers for lovers or mothers, or simply for ornamental purposes only for them to wilt and be cast aside as rubbish, with nowhere for the seeds to take root." She was starting to have an easier time talking now that her lip didn't hurt. "I don't just use the medicines for people, but for wounded animals too, so I have to e very careful not to take every plant I see if I don't need any of it, with the exception of those that grow extremely fast like dandilions, which draws toxins from the liver and can be used for food."