i am curious.

silence falls upon me as my movements draw to a stand still. i pause outside the castle, staring at it as olive toned hands caress the side of the stables that i have taken refuge in. fear is not my thing but caution is. in my own element i may just well cause the most trouble. but here, spying out of mere curiosity, well that may in fact get me killed. a furry form brushes along my pant leg and i inhale sharply, fixing my bright gaze upon vie in irritation. she ignores the gaze that i burn into her back, pressing further and further into the stables until she reaches one without a horse. she leaps upon the bench that rests there as i watch gingerly. another leap and the graceful creature makes its way unseen along the stable wal before leaping once more upon the wooden window and up out of sight.

now i must wait

i slump down into the first stall, uncaring about the dirty hay i sit in. the hot breath of the mare that stands there finds my face and fallen whisps of black hair fly into my eyes. i smirk, allowing a small smile as i reach a slender hand up to gently stroke the bay beast. she stares at me, not a sign of fear within her gaze as i pet her face. the sound of bricks sliding together has me freeze, hand falling from the horse's face as i press my back against the stable wall. i turn slowly, fixing my sight around the side of the stall wall and looking around for the sign of the sound. my heart pounds, not in fear but in excitement. someone else is here with me. i catch sight of him before he sits down and out of sight. all it takes is that short sight of a bare shirted hard working man to take my mind away from the task at hand.

my plush lips turn upward, lifting into a sly smile.

if i am going to be waiting here for a while, why not have some fun?

my gaze flashes to where a shirt lay hanging over the side of the stall that he had ducked away into. i can hear him working, hear him oblivious to my presence and i conceal my delicate laughter. patting the horse good-bye, i move into a crouch, taking light, gentle soundless steps towards that shirt of his. he still works, bricks sliding to my relief as i draw up closely towards the shirt. i smile, biting my bottom lip gently before i reach that slender hand up and grab the shirt. slowly, quietly i take it and pressing my hands over my mouth to conceal the laughter that threatens to bubble to the surface and blow my cover, i make my way back to that stall that i once was in. i practically crawl back, slinking like a cat would until i am in the safety of my very own protector. the mare snorts, surprised at my sudden appearance but seems welcoming as she lowers her head to blow hot hair into my face.

i almost lose it, almost start laughing right then and there but instead i open the shirt, sizing it up to see if maybe it would fit. i stretch it, measuring against what i believe my father's shirt to be the size of. i am wearing it now.

it grows silent and i hear the man shuffling to his feet after a few moments. i hold my breath, clutching the shirt to my chest as if it is some form of treasure. i remain quiet, picturing him looking for it and covering my mouth with my hand to silence the short chuckle that slides past my full lips. i inhale sharply, freezing and straining to hear if he is moving around at all.

silence.