Falls

He was not surprised when she hit back with a sharp retort - she seemed the type who's bite was equally as savage as their bark - he hoped to never be on the receiving end of her bite. He had enough scars.

"I'm Asche." he half-chuckled, his tone rich and hushed as he slowly stepped back from her to cast his eyes towards the ripples the wind swept across the shallows of the pool. "It's . . ." he paused to think, choosing his words carefully. 'Nice' to meet her didn't seem adequate, 'a pleasure' it hadn't quite been - "needed. Meeting you here." he said sincerely, not daring to meet her gaze. "I've been travelling for quite some time and it's been a while since I've been in the company of, well, anyone."

He did not expect to be so vulnerable, to let his self assured facade down, but he allowed it of himself and prayed he had not misjudged the woman in front of him. She seemed harsh - yes, but often those with the appearance strength were the most accepting of those with fragilities. Then suddenly, insecurity crept back in, and he pulled himself further from her, turning his face to the wind.

"I should leave you to your solitude. I'm sorry." he dipped his head respectfully, and just as she had crept up on him with such a pace, he vanished into the distance, until he was just a pale speck on the horizon.