Go Away.

From how rudely he had been spoken to, Gray was expecting some haggard old woman to be the one behind the door. Much to his non-emoted surprise, the woman who opened the door looked to be close to his age, though her emotions were very clearly written on her face. 

“It’s not my fault this forest is old as hell and the path is covered up now. No one really goes through and clears the road, so it’s easy to get lost.” Gray huffed and crossed his arms over his chest. “Just show me the way to the path and I’ll be sure not to wander off of it again.” As long as it kept him from dealing with this lady again, he’d pay extra close attention to the path. 

Raeger paused, brows furrowed as he pondered her question— thrown for a loop for a moment by his own tendency to give others the benefit of the doubt beyond what might, in this case, be reasonable. Was he in the wrong, here, for not having more money on him? Who doesn’t travel with money? Here’s a better question— who charges more than 100G for a phone call? he mused silently, his thoughts feeling a bit more snippy than usual. He bit his tongue, however, choosing a more polite response to say out loud. 

“I— hadn’t really intended to travel much further than the fringes of my own town, if I’m being honest,” he said, looking down at the meager sum of G in his hand. He slipped it back into his pocket, sheepish. “I was only meant to be on a short walk. I just— don’t get out much, I guess.”

“Indebted,” he repeated, eyes flicking back up to her— a little incredulous. He’d have to put his good faith aside for a moment. Keep your wits about you with this one, he told himself - then nodded. “I’ll— owe you one, sure.”

“That’s not my problem,” she mumbled. If he wandered off the path and got lost, then why must she help him? People approached her like she was obligated to get them out of the forest when they were encroaching on her territory. They didn’t see her getting lost in their towns and asking for help or favors. Couldn’t they have the same courtesy...

“Ah, that’s great! I’m glad we can agree!” Within seconds, the Witch Princess had changed her twisted expression into a smile. It was great — and expected — that the situation had played in her favor. “Sooo,” she looked him over, still standing in the doorway. “What did you need again?”

Go away? 

Gray could understand wanting to be a recluse living in the woods, but there was no need to be such a rude person. Weren’t woodsy people supposed to meditate with nature and be nicer? Gray couldn’t understand nature folks…

“Listen, I just can’t find the path. Help me out really quick and I’ll be out of your hair for good. Otherwise, you’re just gonna hear me wandering around like a dumbass out here.”

The traveler didn’t know when to quit. Perhaps it was time to put that hex over the forest that she had been contemplating for years but never had a need for.

“Wander quietly and you won’t bother me like you are now.” The conversation was still being held through a closed door, but after a long moment of silence, she could still feel his presence outside of it. Idiot.

“Uh—”

Raeger blinked, taken aback by how suddenly she agreed. Somehow he hadn’t expected that. “I was— I mean, I was kidding about the check— I only have a few G on me, if I’m being honest. And I don’t carry my checkbook” He laughed awkwardly, but there wasn’t much mirth in it. The stranger was smiling now, so maybe they were both in on the humor of the situation? Somehow he wasn’t too sure about that, as much as he tried to convince himself of it. “I don’t usually— hike with much cash— um.”

He fished out what bills he did have on him, going through them to count them. 100G in total. Raeger bit his lip nervously, flashing them to her. “This is all I have on me— will that be enough? Short of that— I don’t know— I can cook?”

The Witch Princess’ expression fell and she narrowed her eyes at him. The audacity! He came to her asking for help, then offering money with nothing to show for it. He lied to her. And she didn’t handle liars very well  — ironically, when she was one of the best.

“What good is that little bit? And who doesn’t travel with money?” The blonde rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, showing that she was clearly unhappy with the turn of events. She was hoping to get paid for a basic, good deed. 

“R— ‘return’?”

Raeger’s mouth fell open in surprise. What a blunt question— one he’s never been asked directly like this, and one he doesn’t have an answer for right away. He doesn’t suppose that his grandfather’s old oft-repeated adage of when you put good into the universe, the universe gives you good back is going to work in this situation. He didn’t bother to repeat it out loud for this stranger lest it sound sarcastic.

Compensation, huh? “Um… hold on…” He patted his back pocket while thinking through whatever he had on him to offer her— then pulled out his wallet hesitantly. Surely, this wasn’t going to work. Was money even what she wanted? Still, it didn’t hurt to offer.

“I could— I have some cash on me— I could write you a check, too, maybe—? How much… how much is the going rate for a phone call?” He attempted an chuckle in order to lighten the mood, as little a way as it went toward doing so.

The Witch Princess yawned at his offer. Money was the easiest way for any mortal to weasel their way out of the situation they were in. Did he really think he could buy her help? She had no need for money when she created everything she could have ever wanted or needed.

Yet —

[Upon seeing the woman open the door, Wayne’s eyes soften and a smile accompanies his features.] Pardon me, miss. I should have known to be more respectful of a lady’s property. ‘Specially one as lovely as yourself. ♪

[He holds the box up with both arms, as if to gesture to it.]

Got a delivery for this address. No return label on it though and it’s addressed to a Miss “W. Princess”. [Nods his chin towards the stranger.] I presume you’re said princess, yeah? 

The Witch Princess rolled her eyes at his attempt in flattery. In the presence of a witch, it went nowhere. Sweet words, a soft smile - it was revolting.

“I’m the one at the address, what do you think?”

She took the box from the postman with a frown decorating her features.

“Why are you still here?”

Well. This certainly wasn’t what he was expecting whoever lived in a place like this to look like. Raeger was caught off guard for a moment, faltering— before finding his voice.

“Uh— sorry to bother you, miss— you wouldn’t happen to know which direction Oak Tree Town is?” He tried on a charming smile, knowing full well that all the charming smiles in the world wouldn’t make this scenario any less awkward. “Or maybe— have a phone that I might borrow?”