[IC] AcaciaMalikov + Guess Who [1x1]

[Guess Who]

Ryan decided to accept Ace's answer, deciding that she would either tell him later or he'd ask again at a more convenient time. Most likely, what would actually happen is that he'd forget to ask again and Ace would never tell him. He'd have to accidentally figure it out on his own. He stood behind her as she collected her cold, wet clothes from the snow and followed her inside. Ryan was definitely upset with himself that he had left her door open as well as multiple cupboards and drawers. When she began to move towards the attic though, a feeling of fear suddenly struck him. Oh man, she's going to know I went through her underwear drawer. And there's nothing I can do to stop her! Argh, this is horrible.

Deciding that it was pointless to try to cover up his mistake, he sat down on Ace's couch after she gave permission for him to "make himself at home." His face was plastered with the expression of regret and guiltiness. He fully expected for Ace to come back down and confront him about his very big mistake.

[AcaciaMalikov]

Acacia 'Ace' Malikova
&
Truth

As Acacia eventually, after a small struggle, found herself up in the loft; a partial groan of disapproval would be heard as she gazed upon the mess of clothes, shirts, pants, underwear and bras all scattered upon the floor, bed and dresser. Blue eyes taking in the sight as she dropped her wet clothes off to one side of the room and moved to crouch by the largest pile finding a pair of sun-faded torn baggy jeans, another ivory white tank top, a pair of white panties with a matching bra, and a large visibly over-sized black hoodie.

Deciding Ryan was hidden well enough under the loft from her location she'd stand up placing her clothes on-top of the dresser, quickly removing his hoodie from over her head she'd toss it over the railing of the loft edge and listened as a light, 'thud' hit the floor below near the lounge area. Swift hands moved to grab the underwear as she bent over to hold them as one leg at a time slid within each hole, she'd then grab the bra and with great ease pulled the straps over her shoulders, arms reaching now behind her back as she clipped up the back. As she heard faint claws on the ground below of Truth entering the house she'd lightly call out, "No need to hurt him, Truth. Go lay down."

The regular sized faint timber pelted wold would huff a gentle breath, pink slither of flesh lapping over her velveteen nasal before she wandered to lay upon a pile of shredded blankets in the corner of the room, obviously where she slept at night. Acacia would smile upon hearing the unhappy creatures huff and returning to sliding herself into the over-sized jeans followed by the tank top and zip-up hoodie, though she didn't quite zip it up at this point.

Glancing around at the mess she'd then move over to the loft railing and lean upon it looking down towards the human. "If you're wanting something to eat I'm happy to make something, but I guess I'll make my supply run early and take you back to town," she'd say lightly, she was planning on going tomorrow, though it seemed she would have to reschedule it to accommodate the young man. After barely waiting for a response she'd head back down the ladder almost slipping once or twice under the pressure needing to be placed on her punctured ankle, and the audible complaint from herself as she cussed under her breath at it could quite easily be heard.

She stood at the base of the ladder for a short moment once down, leaning against it as support while looking over the damage to her ankle, It should be healing by now, so why isn't it feeling any better yet? she'd ask herself, she didn't know silver made wounds that didn't heal properly and she hadn't been paying enough attention to realize the trap she'd gotten into was made of exactly that material, silver.

[Guess Who]

Not realizing how much danger he was in until Ace shouted for Truth to not hurt him, Ryan had had his hand held out to pet the wolf as it slowly approached. Now that he knew she wasn't as friendly as he thought she would be after saving her master, Ryan tensed up and slid a bit farther away from the animal. "You've, uh, got a very nice looking dog, Ace," he complimented. I wonder what breed she is. With no idea what to do while waiting for Ace to dress herself, Ryan's eyes began to wander around the room and take in the surroundings. The main thing he noticed was the broken television. I wonder what happened to that TV.

Hearing Ace's voice snapped Ryan out of his wild imagination as he thought of ideas of how the television cracked. "Oh, uh, I don't have any money sooooo... you'd have to buy," he said with a hint of embarrassment. Oh man, where am I going to sleep. I can't afford a motel room. Should I ask her? It that rude to ask to spend the night?

[AcaciaMalikov]

Acacia 'Ace' Malikova
&
Truth

As she listened to Ryan compliment her 'dog', she'd chuckle lightly while slowly heading for the kitchen that joined in to the living and dining rooms with no walls. "She's not a dog," she'd start off with while moving to open the fridge, she would spot some cooked venison steaks still sitting on a plate from a recent meal her and Truth had not finished.

"Is venison okay?" she'd quickly ask while pulling the plate out of the fridge and placing it on the small bench before grabbing some eggs as well, "I could do some eggs as well," she'd add on before hearing him mention he had no money. What? What am I supposed to do with that answer, she'd think to herself before glancing at him and the tiny two person couch he was on, "That's the only spare bed I got," she'd point out.

"You're welcome to stay till morning, but this place isn't really designed for having guests," she'd continue on while starting to wash the pan she'd used for breakfast this morning and placed it on the now heating stove, she'd figure the human would want something warm to eat and so she would heat the venison once the pan was warm enough. While it sat there she would move to wash the only plates she had and placed them to one side.

Feeling the venison for a short moment she'd nod and place them onto the two separate plates, quickly moving she'd crack the eggs into the pan having only three in total she'd continue listening to anything the human may have said, "One or two eggs?" she would quickly ask as she prepared to place them upon the plate with the venison. Truth produced a light vocal at Acacia's speaking as she'd moved from her bed to the edge of the kitchen. The routine of making food caused the wolves mouth to water expecting the meal for herself and not the human as she awaited the prize.

[Guess Who]

Not a dog? What is she then? Wait, what'd she say? Oh, yeah. "I've never had venison before, but I'm willing to try it." When Ace mentioned that the couch he was currently sleeping on was the only spare "bed" she had, he gave a shrug and replied, "That's fine, I've had worse. And thank you for the offer. I was a bit worried about where I'd be able to sleep. I promise to get out of your hair as soon as humanly possible." He gave a thankful smile as he made his way to the kitchen where Ace was preparing food. "Two eggs would be nice, thank you."

[AcaciaMalikov]

Acacia 'Ace' Malikova
&
Truth

Would listen to Ryan speaking as she began sliding the eggs onto the plates, the yolk still runny though the white properly cooked as she'd place a fork and knife upon each and then grasped both plates before move towards the table. As she done this Truth would quickly move towards the table as well, tail swaying side to side as she made excited vocals before watching with disbelief as Acacia placed both plates on opposite sides of the small table in front of the two seating places.

"I'm sorry Truth, but I'm going to have to share some of mine today," she'd say as she slid into the chair by the plate with one egg. Gusturing to the table she'd let Ryan sit, "I hope it's cooked alright," she'd offer in light apologies when she remembered they were a bit rare on the inside though appeared a tad burnt on the outside, she didn't exactly have picky eaters in the household consider the wolf woofed down anything and everything she put in front of her.

As Truth watched the male approaching what should have been her meal she'd offer bared teeth and a very deeply chested rumble of disapproval. If he moved towards the chair and plate further she'd snap lightly at the air, standing close to the table as she seemed to be defending what she considered hers and not his. Acacia could only mutter lightly under her breath at the animal. "Truth, leave him alone," she'd say before quickly tossing a piece of venison she'd cut from her own across the room. The wolf quickly taking after it and forgetting the meal on the table for that short period.

[Guess Who]

Ryan sat down at the table as Ace placed the plate for him down, ready to hungrily wolf down the venison and eggs. He was a bit shocked when he saw the eggs, though. He had been expecting scrambled eggs as those are how eggs had usually been made for him, so the sight of over easy eggs was a bit confusing. So that's why cartoons always made eggs look like this. Well, eggs are eggs. Deciding on the more familiar item on his plate, he used his fork to cut a piece off and eat it. "Mmm, nice and tasty," he replied. Next, he scraped off some of the burnt parts of the venison before cutting off a piece as he had done with one of the eggs. Turning towards the cook of his fine meal, he smiled and finished chewing before saying, "Always good to try something new. It's definitely more than alright." Ryan didn't notice how badly Truth seemed to want the food he was eating, or how Ace was giving part of her food to the pet wolf.

After sitting in silence eating, Ryan decided to break the silence by making more small talk. "So have you got any relatives? I myself only have my mom and dad. Both of them were an only child and their parents, my grandparents, past away before I was born or when I was really young."

[AcaciaMalikov]

Acacia 'Ace' Malikova
&
Truth

Acacia ate quietly opposite the young man, every now and then tossing pieces of her meal down to the hungry beast she called Truth. Smiling lightly when he mentions that the meal is perfectly fine she'd nod, "That is good, I don't cook for others that often." Chewing small mouthfuls she'd seem fairly uncertain about what to do with a guest at a meal.

Glancing up at him when he began small talk she'd listen, "Oh, I don't know where my family is now. I never met my father and I haven't seen my mother or sister for a few years, I've been here for a while," she'd begin saying, her 'sister', was actually a 'step-sister', but those were just minor details in her opinion.

"Solitary life seems to suit me a bit better," she'd return to saying, "And as for before... In the woods, I don't usually do that," she'd finish off. She wasn't really sure what he'd made of that situation, after all, what kind of idiot runs around in the middle of the snow bare butt naked.

[Guess Who]

After finishing his meal, Ryan walked his plate and fork over to the sink and washed them by hand. Not knowing where to put them since he had seen Ace pull them out of the sink, he placed them back where she had grabbed them from. He then strode over to the couch he had previously been sitting on and laid down across it, his legs hanging off the side thanks to his tall frame. While staring at the ceiling, he brought up another question for Ace, this one much less personal. "So what should we do now, Miss Ace? Did you have any plans for the rest of the day that I could tag along with?" Ryan propped himself up with his elbows so he could look at Ace when she answered.

[AcaciaMalikov]

Acacia 'Ace' Malikova

Acacia watched as Truth found her way back out the open front door and wandered off into the forest like she usually did of her own accord. Upon watching Ryan finish his meal and wander into the kitchen to wash it she herself would rise to follow behind, once he was finished she'd move to the sink and began washing her plate and utensils. She then collected the plates and placed them in a cupboard that sat above the benches, stove and fridge, she'd move on to the utensils and placed them into the very top draw of a 4 draw column in the bench.

As she listened to Ryan now sitting upon the couch and asking if there was anything they could do she'd wash the pan and spatula she had used for their meal. "I normally go out walking or jogging, but it may prove a challenge at this point," she'd say in response to the injury upon her ankle, which reminded her he had one of her nice shirts around his head with an injury of his own, "I may have something to clean that up with, if not warm water and a rag should work."

With that she'd place the pan into another cupboard, this one down beside the stove before wandering to the bathroom and finding an old facecloth. Moving into the kitchen again she'd fill a small bowl with warm water and wander towards the human, "Do you want some help cleaning it or will you be fine?" she'd ask, by the tone of her words she wanted to help, but she also sounded unsure at being so near to the stranger.

[Guess Who]

At this point, the pain had mostly disappeared and the shirt had been on his head for so long that he had almost forgotten all about the injury on his head. "Oh, uh, yeah help would be appreciated. Could you help? I don't know much about dealing with injuries like this and I've got no idea if I'm at risk for infection, but it'd probably be best to clean it." he said. As she got closer to him, facecloth and water-filled bowl in hand, Ryan couldn't help but get a little excited and nervous. Goosebumps began to rise on his skin and a chill ran up his back. This was the closest he had ever really gotten to a girl before, he would be sad to admit, especially one this pretty. Careful there Ryan, you're falling for this stranger. He couldn't help it though, there was something about this girl that he found extremely appealing. Was it the mystery of how little he knew about her? Maybe it was how kind she had been to him so far? Heck, for all he knew he just found her Russian accent and red hair similar to his childhood crush on the fictional comic book hero Black Widow.

A sudden thought crossed his mind as his own words sunk in. "That trap your leg was caught in probably wasn't the most cleanest thing to draw blood. You're probably more at risk for infection than I am. Maybe we should get something for it. I think putting alcohol on it is supposed to clean it, though I'll admit that I only know that from watching movies and those aren't always the most accurate sources of information."

[AcaciaMalikov]

Acacia 'Ace' Malikova

Knowing Truth was no longer around to make a fuss over Acacia and the distance between the man she'd move closer and sit on the arm of the couch. Placing the bowl of warm liquid on the table she'd nod as she dipped the cloth in the water and then wrung it out so it wasn't dripping water. Using her other hand she'd peel back part of the ivory now stained crimson shirt, since parts had seemingly attached to the drying wound, and began dabbing away with the wet cloth at the crusted body fluid upon his forehead. "Just let me know if I hurt you, okay?" she'd ask lightly while continuing to dab, and every now and then scrape at some dried parts refusing to come off.

His words filled her ears as he mentioned her injury and she smiled partially, "We'll focus on your injury first, it's been there longer after all," she'd speak lightly in response. Every now and then she'd dip the cloth back into the bowl, washing off whatever it absorbed before wringing it out again and returning to cleaning the injury, the clear liquid slowly taking on a reddened appearance.

[Guess Who]

Ryan winced at the pain as Ace removed the shirt from his head and began to dab at his forehead with the wet facecloth. At least he didn't say anything like "Ow" or "Ouch." He wanted to look as strong as possible in front of the cute girl who he now couldn't lie to himself about his feelings for. It was probably weird since they had only met a couple hours ago, maybe even less, but he really liked Ace. Like, like-like her. This is why he smiled at her though, even through the obvious discomfort he was in from the cleaning of his wound. What had caused him to finally reach this mindset? Ryan had been thinking it since he first laid eyes on her, he was sure now because of her answer to his request to help her with her own wound. She was selflessly helping him instead of herself.

Oh man. Stop it. Stop it, Ryan. But she's so pretty, and she's helping me. I think she likes me. Urgh, just shut up. I don't actually know that for sure. If I'm wrong she's going to find me creepy and I'll lose my chance. Gotta be smooth and suave. Attract her that way. Ryan looked deeply into Ace's baby blue eyes as she continued cleaning his wound. "You've got really pretty eyes," he said. Nailed it.

[AcaciaMalikov]

Acacia 'Ace' Malikova

Would note the visible wincing when she began working on Ryan's injury, biting her lip partially she'd speak in an almost completely hushed tone, "I'm sorry." As she continued working she tried to focus on just the injury though those large blue eyes watching her every move made her glance down and smile slightly. She wasn't usually very social nor did she enjoy getting close to others, but at this point, she just kept reminding herself she was just helping him, that was it.

Returning her attention to the wound she'd brighten up as she looked at how nice and neat it was starting to look once more, and before long she'd find herself frozen after hearing Ryan speak, "You've got really pretty eyes," her cheeks turning a flush rosy hue as she looked down at his face instead of the gash upon his forehead.

"Uh... Th-thank you," she'd stutter lightly, Not today Acacia, not today, he's a stranger, you're just helping him so you can get rid of him, she'd think to herself, eyes still resting upon his as she forgot what she was doing for a moment. A quick gust of wind caused the front door to slowly swing shut emitting a loud 'bang', thus making Acacia jump as she stared in it's direction, heart racing as she sighed and shook her head gently.

Looking down at the bowl of reddened liquid and the stained cloth and shirt she'd stand up and move towards the kitchen, "I hope that feels a bit better now," she'd say as she started rinsing the bowl and washing the fabrics with some detergent to try and get out the crimson staining, though the white shirt was definitely a goner at this point.

[Guess Who]

The sound of the door slamming shut made Ryan jump just as much as it had Acacia, but that didn't stop him from noticing her reaction to his compliment. She blushed! And she thanked me! Did she wink at me, too? I think she winked at me. No, shut up that was just your imagination. Calm the hell down Ryan. Acacia moving from her position and heading to the kitchen pulled him out of his head and back into the real world. "Yes, it feels much better now. Thank you again," he replied. As she began to wash the shirt that he been previously been using as a bandage, he realized the big mistake he had made. "I'm really sorry for the shirt. If there's any way I can make it up to you, just say the word," he said. Now that he thought of it, how many favors does he owe her now?

Let's see, I broke into her house, so I owed her for that. Then I saved her from the trap so that'd make us even. Then she made me food, so we're back to me owing her one. Next I ruined her shirt, so that makes two. Two favors I owe her. Wait, she offered me to spend the night, that's another one. "Way I see it, I owe you three favors, if you're the kind of person to keep track of those. Whatever you want, I'll do it. So just say the word," he said. His traveled back to Acacia's still bloody leg and remembered his offer from earlier. "Maybe I could help you with you leg, now that you've finished with my injury," he said.

[AcaciaMalikov]

Acacia 'Ace' Malikova

As she finished cleaning up the ruined rags and bowl she'd glance over towards Ryan, ears focused on him as she listened to each word he spoke, thanking her for helping him out and then mentioning he'd do anything to make up for it all. Shaking her head she'd only smile further, "You don't owe me anything, I wasn't just going to let you continue bleeding," she'd offer softly, the Russian accent still clinging to her every word.

As he went on saying he owed her three favors she'd prepare to move towards him while about to talk and feeling that sharp reminder of pain through her ankle decided to just lean upon the bench by the fridge instead, as he moved on to mentioning her injury she'd nod slightly. "Actually, I may need to clean it up a bit," she'd say moving to sit on the benches surface whilst pulling her injured leg up and then rolling the pant leg up to about mid-calf.

The punctures were slowly crusted over with dry blood, though some sections still oozed which had resulted in a small part of her pant cuff getting stained, I honestly don't think I can complain at this point, everything seems to be doomed to be red it'd seem. She wouldn't admit that she was a neat freak, considering the small cabin may have looked abandoned it was still kept in an orderly fashion and stained clothes were something that ticked her off a bit and usually ended up in the bin aftwards.

[Guess Who]

"Alright then, I'll get another rag and refill the bowl you used," he said as he made his way into the kitchen, doing exactly what he told her. After gathering those two items though, he began looking around Acacia's fridge before pulling out a bottle of vodka. Hollywood action films don't fail me now. With the three items in hand, he sat down next to Acacia and began using the new wet facecloth on her leg, wiping the majority of the blood away. With any sign Acacia showed of pain, Ryan couldn't help but feel a bit heartbroken, but it had to be done. And I haven't even gotten to the worst part yet.

Once that was done with, Ryan got the still dry portion of the cloth and dabbed it in the vodka. He handed the bottle off to Acacia before saying, "Drink enough and maybe it'll dull the pain for what comes next. This is going to hurt, a lot." Physically for you, spiritually for me. I hate seeing you in pain and I hate it even more, knowing that I'm the one causing it. But it needs to be done. Don't want you catching tetanus or something. Oh, this is going to suck. He prepared to place the alcohol covered cloth on her leg with very slow movements as he did not look forward to what her reaction would be. Probably lots of screaming.

[AcaciaMalikov]

Acacia 'Ace' Malikova

Had remained propped upon the bench, leg resting upon its surface as baby blue sights trailed after every move Ryan made. He filled a bowl, grabbed a new rag and suddenly started rummaging throw her fridge. Oh god, please don't tell me he's gonna grab the... her heart raced a moment as she watched him grab exactly what she was dreading.

"I was keeping that for special occasions," she'd throw out in protest towards Ryan, " This is not a special occasion," she'd continue on and quickly emphasizing the 'not' to a heavy degree. Her voice audibly shaky at the idea of the liquor being used upon the open wound upon her ankle.

As she continued listening and was offered the bottle part of her couldn't keep it in, "Something like this never ends well," she'd say out loud rather than saying it in her head. Slender fingers grasping the bottle neck as it was offered her way, without even questioning the idea nor the fact she was probably underage she'd press the chilled rim to her lips and her head cocked back as far as it could. Shed drink a hefty mouthful or maybe two and then gripped the bottle tightly.

Her second hand visibly grasping the benches edge as she pressed herself against the wall and nodding at the stranger and speaking with a firm tone, "Just get it over with quickly!" She was allowing a stranger to apply some form of medical help to her and her mind wandered, Why on earth am I doing this, I don't even know him.

[Guess Who]

"Sorry," Ryan whispered before moving his hand forward, the vodka-soaked cloth now touching the wound on Acacia's leg. He immediately pulled away as soon as he made contact with her flesh, not wanting to cause more pain than necessary. He was nowhere near done though, it would take several more dabs before that happened. Maybe I should have taken a sip of that stuff as well.

[AcaciaMalikov]

Acacia 'Ace' Malikova

Acacia would barely notice the hushed tones of Ryan as he apologized for what was about to happen, within a few short moments she'd look up at the roof, hands clenching whatever they held onto tightly as she make an audibly unpleasant groan while clenching her teeth together. The burn of the alcohol sinking into the open wound made her eyes water slowly as she glanced down at Ryan when he pulled away quicker than she'd expected, "You better get this over with quickly, I am not patient with pain," she'd say towards him.

Bloody hell this needs to be over with, I cannot control anything with this kind of pain, she'd think to herself, the wolf within overly sensitive to emotional changes or injury/pain and quickly causing shifts if she's unable to control it. Still holding the bottle within her hand she'd draw its rim to her lips once more and take a swig before placing it down with her palm and digits still coiled around it. She'd continue watching Ryan as she awaited the continuation of the fiery sensation causing what felt like electric volts in her leg.

You can do this Acacia, you're a big girl, it's just a little scratch, she'd cheer herself on in her head, though it wouldn't last long as she leaned back against the wall, This is going to hurt, it's going so slowly, why can't he just get it over with.