1 Snow and Fire

WARNING. THIS CHAPTER DEPICTS AN ATTEMPTED SUICIDE. READER DIGRESSION IS ADVISED.

Snowflakes fell though the trees' skeletal branches landing on the frozen ground, making a thick layer of soft powder. Oribella Rossi lays in on the forest floor, the delicate snow surrounding her and slowly covering her.

"Soon," she thinks to herself. "I'll fall asleep soon."

Oribella watched the the midday winter sky, all white and sunless. Clouds, clouds, and clouds overwheming the horizon in all directions. Those clouds shedding the snow that would soon be the blanket to Oribella's deathbed.

"I'm starting to feel numb..." Oribella thought, "This was the best choice. I won't shed any blood, it won't even hurt. I'll just get warm... and then fall asleep."

Oribella's white night gown blended into the snow, as well as her pale skin. Her dark brown eyes and vibrant golden hair where the only things separating her from becoming completely lost in the snow. When she closed her eyes to await for death's warm embrace, her hair was the only thing left that could be seen... And her golden hair was, for better or worse, seen.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Oribella slowly awoke nestled in a fur blanket, a small fire burning near the mouth of the cave she found herself in.

"What?" Oribella spoke aloud to not only to herself but to the world, "Where... Hello!?" she called out, unsure of who or what may respond.

Oribella wasn't sure if she should be thankful. Her instincts were grateful to live another day, however her heart had lead her to the decision to take her own life. And her heart was still bruised and broken.

"Hello!?" Oribella called louder this time, "Who brought me into this cave!?" . . . No response.

Confused, and desparate for more information, she carefully made her way twords the month of the cave. The snowbed glistened in the fire's light. The sky was clear and Oribella could see a vast black-blue sky full of stars.

"How far did I wander before laying down?" Orbella said to herself, "this is like something out of a nature documentary! Sure, I was in the forest but I was still too close to the city for there to be this many stars..."

"You're awake!" a stranger's voice called from further up the mountain, "I was worried you may not make it!"

Oribella took in all the details of this man that her brain could process. The first being that he was wearing fewer clothes than she was. Although Oribella's nightgown was quite sheer, it al least covered her arms and legs. This person however was dressed like a cartoonish caveman.

The vast majority of his rich terracotta-like skin was exposed to the air, nothing to even cover his feet. (Although in that regard He and Oribella where the same, as She had abandoned her winter coat, and and snow boots early into her march though the woods.)

The two things even remotely similar to clothing the man wore included a white fur shawl covering his neck and shoulders, and a long animal hide loincloth. With nearly his entire body exposed, Oribella could also see his sturdy, muscular, physique.

Carrying such a large clay pot with one arm was clearly an easy task for him. Oribella being so distracted by this strong man's lacking winter attire she failed to notice the round furry ears amongst his messy mop of dark brown hair.

"What were you doing alone in the woods?" The man asked as he neared the cave. "I'm so glad I found you before... before..." His voice was deep, but soft. Oribella could tell a kind man had saved her, and she was thankful for that.

"Please, come into the cave." The man said. "There is some... That is, I have something to ask of you."

The man stood at the mouth of the cave and gestured for Oribella to enter first, she nodded in acknowledgement and stepped inside.

Feeling returned to her (thankfully not frostbitten) feet, Oribella savored the warmth from the fire on her toes before sitting on the fur she had awoken in.

"So, um... My name is Poppy." Large in stature, but seemingly far more nervous than Oribella, Poppy sunk into himself, "you probably guessed, but I found you in the snow." Oribella got the feeling Poppy did not want to intimidate her. "So I carried you to a cave I knew about..."

Poppy blushed and sat up staight. Becoming more formal and far more serious. "I would like to become your spouse. I saved you from freezing to death," Oribella blushed and Poppy blushed harder. He slowly sank back again as he spoke "and that is... if you want me to... I don't want-I mean I DO want to be your spouse but I don't want to FORCE you to do anything and I... I-I think tha-"

Oribella cut off Poppy's rammbling, "I suppose.. I suppose I wouldn't give you a firm 'yes' OR 'no.' Since I've only just met you," trying to hide her own blushing face with her hands, "shouldn't we get to know eachother first?" Poppy smiled, he had a chance with her yet.

It was all so sudden. Be his spouse? As in get married? Oribella had always wanted a husband and children but none of the men if her life had ever thought of her in that way. Even when she gave her all to boyfriends they would either cheat on her or dump her.

For a strong looking fellow to compliment her so boldly and earnestly? Oribella couldn't remember the last time she felt so flattered!

"And," Oribella spoke trying to push down the lump in her throat, "why would you want me anyway?" her head was spinning. She was confused but comforted, yet also flattered but fearful? She was still reeling from the fact she hadn't succeeded in freezing; although she WAS happy to be alive, she hated the idea of going back to her life. She was so out of it she didn't realize that she was tearing up from the overwhelming emotions.

"I- I'm sorry," Poppy whispered as he reached out a hand, "I don't want to upset you." He placed his palm on Oribella's cheek. As he wiped away her tears with his thumb a concerned look washed over him. "You're still so cold." He repositioned himself and patted between his knees on fur he sat upon. "Sit here."

Feeling no threat from him, Oribella stood and dragged the fur blanket over to Poppy. She sat with her back to his chest and pulled the blanket over their legs. Feeling not only the warmth but the kindness of this man Oribella began quietly sobbing. Her head still racing.

"Oh no, are you hurt? I-um. I don't know much about medicine but if you're-"

"I'm not hurt," she spoke between the gasps and hiccups, "I'm just thinking too many things at once."

Poppy couldn't believe that was the full truth, and asked "is that truly the only thing causing you this much pain?"

"Well... I..." Oribella felt more at ease with Poppy than she ever had, since she was I child. "I suppose *sniff* I can't remember the last time I was treated so kindly."

Poppy hugged her, rested his head on her shoulder. "I'm sorry to hear that," he whispered, "do you want to talk about it?

"Yeah," Oribella sniffed "that would probably be helpful."

"before you do... can you tell me your name?"

"Oh, yes. I forgot to introduced myself." Oribella twisted around to look Poppy in the eye. "My name is Oribella."

Poppy nuzzled his face into Oribella's wavy golden hair and said, "that's a very pretty name."

"Thank you." Oribella let out a deep sigh, and let her body melt into Poppy's. She hadn't felt this relaxed in a long time. Even if her head was still spinning with conflicting emotions.

The two sat together in relative silence for a long time. Oribella breathed deeply and steadily, to help get her thoughts straight. After calming from the initial shock of the situation Oribella had come to the decision that she would at least see this through. Her curiosity was peaked and although she was embarrassed over it, she was feeling slightly romanced by receiving a marriage proposals from a stranger. Oribella composed herself and broke the silence.

"I guess..." Oribella was strangely nervous, "I should explain why I was laying in the woods all alone."

Poppy hugged her again, "only if you want to tell me."

"Yes. I think you deserve to know... " Oribella was nervous of what Poppy's reaction would be, "I was... I had planned on purposely freezing to death... I was trying to kill myself." Oribella's heart raced. When had she ever shown this much vulnerability before?

Poppy said nothing. But his body tenced up, Oribella could feel his arms begin to shake, "Who?" he growled.

"...'Who?'..." Oribella echoed. Poppy's arms hugged Oribella tighter, a firm protective hold, "who made you feel there was reason to take your own life?" His voice shook.

Oribella felt tears fall on her shoulder. The warm droplets soaking through her nightgown and onto her skin. She put her hands on his, he locked fingers with her.

"I will protect you from them," He choked. "Even if you won't let me be your spouce, I will make sure no one ever makes you feel that way again."

"... Thank you, Poppy." Oribella replied, squeezing his hands with hers, and leaning onto him.

Oribella stayed in Poppy's warm embrace for hours. Safe and warm, she fell asleep, curious if maybe she was already asleep and merely dreaming of this kind strong man.

Poppy, however, was already so protective of his (hopefully) future spouse that he didn't release his embrace of Oribella the entire night as the two slept by the fire's light.