So I'm not dead...theres that. And theres another chapter!

Enjoy!

I'm not entirely sure if we actually spoke about the fact that I seemed to enjoy holding his hand all the time considering we were so focused on getting the Graphorn out of my bag and into his case. It was hard work, to actually transport a beast that was frightened and angry at the same time. This meant that conversation was rather tense, and the muggle travel method was long, but the silence that endured wasn't out of the norm.

The silence wasn't all that bad, I guess. Almost peaceful as we traveled along the country via a slew of trains and planes until we landed our way onto a cramped box cart with three Indian women that were all so very interested in Newt with his light hair and freckled face. The cows pulling our cart were leading us out to a rather remote village that couldn't be reached as easily by foot, and frankly I was happy to be off my feet for once.

The close quarters wasn't all that bothersome with Newt and his case but it was with the other women. They smelled odd to me, earthy but spicy, and Newt was entirely too red-cheeked for my liking. I guess it was mainly that his appearance was being so appreciated along with his accent that bothered me, they didn't even know him. I did...

Okay, now I'm acting a little crazy and I need to calm down. These are just people, he doesn't even fancy me in that way. I'm a troublesome but probably sort of a good partner to take out on excursions...probably good. I mean, I think I'm okay. Merlin, the insecurity is flowing stronger than usual today.

"Ara?" I blinked several times before I realized Newt was on his way out of the odd carriage and that we'd come to a stop. Peering eyes were set on me as I took a moment to compose myself. I'd spent only a little over a month with this man and suddenly I was losing my marbles over him. Goodness.

"Yeah." I nodded to myself as I tried to push my thoughts away. Looking around him, I spotted the three females we'd traveled with. I think they were rather high up on the hierarchical scale here, socially speaking, but I wasn't all that sure at the same time.

"Here...I go." I whispered to myself as I climbed out of the cart with numb legs. I found it difficult to stand up properly, trying to find an odd barrel to lean on while my legs had some more blood flow. It seemed that my difficulty was obvious than I wanted it to be to Newt as he moved his hand to float just near the crook of my arm.

I began to shake one leg after another, leaving each one with a tingly feeling, like I'd been pricked by a dozen needles at once. The girls gave me an odd stare while they waited for Newt's attention to drift back towards them. I got several more odd looks from several of the villagers going on about their business around us, the two out of place people.

I thought we'd find some sort of establishment here that allowed us to rest for the nights we'd need here but found it might not be that easy. My eyes darted around, past the people to the traditional looking mud and wood houses and quickly figured out there was no such thing here. I had a feeling these were all muggles as well, judging by the dirt lined paths and expansive gardens surrounding each home. Everything was manual here, hard labour and driven by the village as a whole.

These girls were seriously starting to bother me, I'd been separated from Newt thanks to them. He stayed at another hut, courtesy of twiddle dee and twiddle dum, while I stayed at another with another family. I was happy for the hospitality but at the same time, I felt quite alone and lost. I didn't understand the language here, and the jungle that surrounded this lonely village was quite choking in a way.

Another round of giggles and disapproving looks were thrown my way as I sat near the fire outside their home. I shifted uncomfortably and pulled my pants legs farther down to cover up the pale skin that surrounded my ankles. Even in the civilized society of London I felt more comfortable in my own skin than I did now. I kept wondering about my Niffler, if Newt had kept him safe and sound so far or if I should possibly start searching for the little guy.

"British, yes?" I glanced up from the fire to meet eyes with a man. He was young enough but time under the sun and the dirt on his cheek told me he'd possibly aged prematurely. It was hot here, hot and humid and the fire was the only thing that seemed to keep the flying pests away from me right now.

"I'm actually Irish." I replied slowly, noting the way his eyes darted around my person to land back on my eyes. This may be the first English speaker I'd seen...or just the first person to bother speaking English to me.

"Ah, yes. I heard a bit about that place." He nodded with a half smile, his teeth seemed to be in a better condition than I was expecting from such a rural area.

"What have you heard?" I tilted my head and tried to play this curiosity off as playfulness.

"We hear a bit when we travel towards the cities. British troops like to talk." He shrugged this time, taking a bowl of food that had been handed to him by what I assumed to be his sister. I wasn't honestly sure at this point and I wasn't about to ask.

"We?" I raised a brow, probing a little into this isolated world of theirs.

"My father, brother, and I. We go to trade goods." He explained, motioning towards the elderly looking man across from me and another young man that looked to be in his 20s.

"Oh, I see." I nodded, looking back down to my feet. I wasn't entirely sure what to say right now, I was a witch and I grew up with two healers for parents. The lack of common ground I had with this man was phenomenal.

"Ara?" A hesitant but searching voice forced my head to pop up like a soldier standing at attention. I'd been hoping he'd turn up eventually.

"Oh, there you are." I peered into the dark as Newt suddenly popped down next to me.

"I am Vishnu," I looked across the flames to see the young man I'd been chatting with was now focused on Newt. "You are?" Vishnu raised a brow as he held out his hand for Newt's, standing now.

"Newton." He stood and shook the other man's hand roughly. I raised a brow at the formal tone but shook it off after Newt plopped back down next to me, his leg just touching mine.

"I believe my sisters took quite a liking to you today." Vishnu took his seat as well but looked curious, glancing between Newt and I every few seconds.

"Oh, that's nice." Newt nodded slowly. His expression appeared blank but pinched at the same time, like he was trying to remain casual but had something he really wanted to do and it didn't include talking to Vishnu.

"I actually was hoping I could steal you away for a moment, Ara." Newt trailed off as he snapped his attention onto me. I raised a brow and tried to analyze whatever he could possibly want me for right now.

"Why?" I finally asked as I came up with no answer as to why he'd want my presence at the moment.

"Uhm...our...son is acting up." He replied slowly with a noticeable wink. I was a little taken aback up until the wink that forced him to squinch up half of his face in some effort to close only one eye lid...then it was just a struggle not to start giggling.

"Of course." I nodded and stood quickly, dusting myself off in some effort to distract myself from the urge to giggle.

I followed behind Newt with about a step between us, I didn't want to get lost and feel even more alone than I already did. The path was quite dark but I didn't dare to pull out my wand for some light thanks to the dozens of muggles surrounding us.

I almost screamed when I felt something scurry past my leg, thinking it was a rat. This was before I felt it tug on my pant's leg twice, a tell-tale sign that my Niffler was hoping I'd give him a boost up.

"What's he done then?" I questioned into the darkness as I knelt for the Niffler, cupping my hands so he could find his way more safely. It didn't take long before I felt that familar squeeze on my thumb before I stood again.

"Oh, nothing actually. I just wanted to make sure we were clear on our route into the jungle." Newt surmised with what I had to assume was another quirk of his. The quirk being that he said nonsensical things simply because it was easier and people didn't question it as much with just a character as his.

"Ah, I see. Just come wake me up when you're ready for the day. I'd go to where you are but I have this unique feeling that I'm not supposed to be near the manly-man house." I grinned, trying to crack a little joke about the situation we'd somehow gotten into.

"Of course." I could see some sort of head movement in the dark but I couldn't tell what kind so I took a step closer to him.

"We'll u-uh. We will head off in search of the elusive Demiguise." Newt trailed off after stumbling over his words. I pursed my lips as my head ran through all the facts I'd recalled about the species.

"I'm sure I don't need to brush you up on those..." Oh, he wasn't sure if I got what Demiguise was or not. Thats sweet, hes trying to make sure I know he acknowledges my knowledge...well I don't know for a fact if that was what he was doing or if he just thought I was too ignorant and prideful to admit I didn't know.

"Demiguise, eastern Asian origin, size of relatively young chimpanzee, and obviously so valuable because of their pelt." I rattled off what I knew just in case he thought I was bluffing and waited to be corrected or appreciated.

"Yes, very good. We're here simply to protect and observe, however. The demiguise is generally a peaceful creature but very skittish." Newt continued, possibly nodding in the dark as I shifted the Niffler closer so he could feel some warmth.

"Of course. Also, I think he's going to have to stay with you tonight. I saw your girls swat at a rat earlier and nearly took it's head off." I snorted as I changed the subject to something that I felt was more pressing at this exact moment...and because I wanted to see his reaction.

"What girls?" Newt's utter confusion was more than communicated in just his tone, making me giggle.

"Really though? I've only got you, so what are you talking about?" Newt was matter-of-fact but still completely bamboozled by what I said, to the point I was distracted by his tone. Almost awkwardly so. I ended up calming myself down long enough to shake my head in the dark.

"Never mind, point is that you need to keep him." I snorted, trying to keep the giggles down so this conversation was less one-sided for Newt.

"But he hates staying with me, you're his favourite." Newt sounded rather put out with what I was suggesting, though he accepted it nonetheless. I knew that much simply because I felt his hands search out for mine.

"Well, he better behave." I warned as I felt his hands brush mine. They were rough, but not dreadfully so. I didn't mind them anyways, I just opened my hands enough for him to grasp the Niffler and take the wee creature back. A few moments of silence dragged on, making me think that this was my signal to leave Mr Scamander alone for the night.

"You have the oddest way with animals." His backwards compliment caught me off guard for the sole fact that he sounded like he admired this trait of mine. I wasn't sure why or how I had a way with animals, but if he thought so then there had to be something there, right?

"Thanks...I think." I replied slowly, unsure.