The two begin to walk in the woods. As Theodore looks around, he spots something in the distance that takes his attention.
T: Eleanor! Do you see that?
Theodore says, as he points towards it. Eleanor turns her head to see what Theodore means and spots what he was referring to.
E: (Giggly)What is it, Theodore? I don't see anything.
T: Oversized mushrooms! We can gather them and bring them back for the group to eat.
Theodore says, with a smile on his face.
E: How exciting!
Eleanor responds, before walking along the side of Theodore, as the two continue along the trail, approaching the mushrooms.
E: (Bouncy in the excitement) Wow! Are these safe to eat?
T: I'll be sure to do some research on them to make sure they are safe for consumption before we share any. Don't want to get anyone sick, now do we?
Theodore says, with a laugh. Suddenly, Theodore stops in his tracks and points out something in the distance again.
T: Eleanor, look! (Theo says, while pointing.)
E: What do you see now!? (Looking in the direction Theodore indicated)
T: A rabbit! I've never seen one up close before. (Theodore whispers to Eleanor. )...Should we get a little closer for a better look? He asks Eleanor.
E: Yeah! I wanna get a closer look as well. (Eleanor responds, excitedly. )
Without hesitation, the two begin moving towards the rabbit, careful not to make any noise or sudden movement, as the rabbit's ears prick up and its head turns slightly towards the two. However, no further movement from the rabbit is made, and the two are able to successfully approach the rabbit slowly and capture it.
E: (Whispering) Theodore... I hear something...
Eleanor points to the left, where the sounds of crunching leaves, faint breaths, and the occasional twig snapping are heard
T: I hear it too. Something or someone is out there.
Theodore says, as he puts his hand out in caution, trying to stop Eleanor from moving any closer.
E: Wait. What should we do? Eleanor asks.
E: (Whispers) Maybe it's another rabbit!?
More audible crunching
Another twig snaps
Something or someone is getting close.
T: It's not a chipmunk.
(Theodore says in a low tone, before quietly turning back to Eleanor, with a look on his face that says, )
T: we need to be cautious.
The sound of cracking branches and footsteps come closer. The two hold their breaths, quietly.
E: (Gasp) Theodore... I think... I think it's...
A large, shadowy figure stands nearby, watching them.
Crunching
More leaves are stepped on.
E: (Panicked and in a panic) Okay, okay!
Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.
A twig snaps under the shadowy figures's boot
The shadowy figure stops moving.
Something whispers, "Hello..."
Theodore's eyes widen, as he whispers,
T: hello... Is someone there...?
As Theodore says this, he feels his heart begin to race, as Eleanor grips his shirt tightly in panic. After a few seconds, the shadowy figure begins walking away from Theodore and Eleanor, breaking a branch on the way. Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.
T: It's leaving
Theodore murmurs, in a relieved tone, still gripping Eleanor's arm, before beginning to slowly walk away from the area, still keeping his eye out for whoever or whatever the shadowy figure was.
E: Did... Did you hear what it said, Theodore!?
(Panicking and trying to keep her voice down)
Another twig is snapped under the mysterious figure's boot.
Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.
Something whispers back,
...: Hello, Eleanor.
Theodore tenses up, and his eyes widen,
T: It said Eleanor?
he whispers.
T: Why would... or how would it know your name?
Theodore says, before clutching his arm around Eleanor tightly, and slowly backing away, while still looking at the mysterious figure, keeping Eleanor behind him.
E: I-I don't know! Why would it know my name?
Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.
Another twig snaps underneath the mysterious figure's boot, bringing it closer and closer, every second.
More crunches, every step closer.
Something whispers to Eleanor, again,
...: Hello, Eleanor.
T: Don't move."
Theodore whispers to Eleanor, before turning to face the mysterious figure and stepping in front of Eleanor at the same time.
Theodore locks eye contact with the shadowy figure, watching it for a few seconds, before he says to it, in a stern voice,
T: Who are you?
Theodore does not move from his spot, watching the figure intently as if waiting for its response.
E: (Terrified)
The mysterious figure doesn't move. No response.
Another twig snaps underneath the mysterious figure's boot, as it gets closer to Theodore and Eleanor.
Theodore lets out a low growl as soon as the shadowy figure's finger touches Eleanor's face. Theodore pulls Eleanor closer to him for safety, as he continues to stare down the shadowy figure. Theodore tightens his grip on his hatchet as he says in a stern voice,
T: Stay away from her!
The shadowy figure begins to slowly walk towards Theodore, before Theodore walks towards it, as if to confront the figure.
Eleanor's eyes are locked on Theodore and the shadowy figure, as she grips Theodore's shirt tightly out of fear and panic.
The figure's shadow is now standing by Theodore and Eleanor, revealing more of its large, hulking figure.
Holding onto Theodore for dear life
The shadowy figure walks a little closer to Theodore, before stopping, again. It looks up towards Theodore, examining him with it's deep and dark eyes.
Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.
More crunches as the shadowy figure takes another step towards Theodore and Eleanor, still examining Theodore, curiously.
Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.
Theodore looks at the shadowy figure with a stern and serious gaze, before saying to it,
T: W-What do you want? Talk!
Theodore's other hand firmly grips his hatchet, as he is ready to attack, if need be. Eleanor's eyes begin to water out of fear and panic, as she continues to hold on to Theodore's shirt tightly, too petrified to move from fear.
She watches the shadowy figure, as it closely examines Theodore with its deep and dark eyes with uncertainty.
She watches as the shadowy figure continues to crunch up the leaves around it with every step.
Suddenly, the shadowy figure reaches out, touching Theodore's face with a finger. Eleanor clings onto Theodore even tighter out of fear.
The figure looks deeply, intently at Theodore and Eleanor as it says, in a gentle voice,
...: Hello, Eleanor and Theodore.
Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.
Eleanor is frozen in fear, eyes locked on Theodore and the shadowy figure, in anticipation for whatever happens next.
Theodore's eyes light up in surprise as the shadowy figure suddenly touches his face with its finger, before speaking to him and Eleanor with a gentle voice. Eleanor's eyes begin to water even more, while she grips Theodore's shirt tighter. Eleanor starts to shake in fear, as she continues to watch Theodore and the shadowy figure with fearful anticipation. Theodore continues to stare at the shadowy figure in confusion, fear, and curiosity, before saying to it,
T: H-How... do you know our names?"
in a puzzled tone.
The shadowy figure doesn't move, instead examining Theodore closely, seeming to be interested in his features. Eleanor is paralyzed by fear and holds onto Theodore, unable to breathe or say anything, eyes locked on Theodore and the shadowy figure.
Another twig snaps beneath the shadowy figure's boot, as the figure comes closer to Theodore and Eleanor, staring at Theodore intently.
The figure turns its head and whispers to Eleanor,
...: Eleanor... You're lovely, Eleanor...
Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.
Theodore's eyebrows raise as the shadowy figure examines him closely, before whispering to Eleanor it's complement. Eleanor starts to breathe heavy, as she grips Theodore tighter, out of fear. Theodore turns to look at Eleanor with a worried look on his face, as he pulls her closer. He looks back at the shadowy figure and says, in a serious tone,
T: Enough with the compliments. Who are you, and why are you here?
The two continue to watch the shadowy figure closely as it crunches closer and closer, towards Theodore and Eleanor.
Terrified as the shadowy figure comes closer
The figure seems to be examining Theodore's face still, with a gentle expression. As the figure grows closer, Eleanor is too terrified to say anything. She holds tightly onto Theodore with both her hands, shaking and crying out of fear.
Another twig snaps under the shadowy figure's boot, making it only a few feet away, as it crunches closer, with every step.
The shadowy figure looks at Theodore again with a curious expression as it stops in front of him, almost face-to-face.
Theodore tenses up as the shadowy figure gets closer, now directly in front of him. With Eleanor gripping his shirt tightly out of fear, Theodore tightens the grip of his hatchet. He glares at the shadowy figure and says to it, in a stern tone,
T: What do you want?
The two remain locked in eye contact as the shadowy figure continues to stare directly at Theodore with a curious expression, with it standing so close to him. Eleanor watches the two closely, as her eyes grow even more terrified out of fear and curiosity.
The shadowy figure crouches down a little bit in front of Theodore and Eleanor, to bring itself down to Eleanor's height.
The figure reaches out to take Eleanor's hand in their hand.
More twig crunching... Getting closer... Closer... Until the shadowy figure takes Eleanor's hand, holding the other, while their faces are at the same height.
Crunch. Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.
Eleanor is frozen in terror and fear, grip of hers as she stares at the shadowy figure, face to face.
Theodore holds his hatchet with a tight grip, as his heart begins to race, his eyes locked on the shadowy figure that is right in front of him. Eleanor's grip on his shirt is tighter than ever, as she watches what is unfolding right infront of her. Eleanor cannot say anything, as she watches her hand being gently grabbed and held by the shadowy figure, while she watches the shadowy figure's face. Eleanor's face begins to turn red out of embarrassment, fear, and surprise. Theodore feels his heart race at the shadowy figure now facing him and Eleanor, holding Eleanor's hand.
The shadowy figure crouches down even more, bringing their face so close to Eleanor's face that their noses are almost touching.
Eleanor's grip on Theodore's shirt grips tighter.
The shadowy figure whispers,
...: Eleanor... Your face is very lovely and pink, Eleanor.
Crunch. Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.
Theodore watches in confusion and fear as the shadowy figure crouches down even more to where their faces are almost touching, holding Eleanor's hand.
Theodore feels his heartbeat getting faster as the shadowy figure tells Eleanor that her face is "very lovely", while still holding Eleanor's hand.
Eleanor holds even tighter onto Theodore's shirt, while her face turns even redder out of fear and surprise, as she watches the shadowy figure, it's face still so close to hers.
The crunching of leaves gets louder, as the shadowy figure's breath can be felt on Eleanor's face.
The shadowy figure whispers, close to Eleanor's ear,
...: Your eyes are so lovely and big, Eleanor.
More crunching leaves as the shadowy figure's breath is felt on Eleanor's face.
Eleanor's hand grips tighter around Theodore's shirt as she clings closer to him.
More whisper by the shadowy figure,
...: I like your hair, Eleanor.
Eleanor's face begins to turn even more red out of embarrassment, fear, and surprise, as the feeling of the shadowy figure's breath on her face increases the fear and surprise more.
Theodore's free hand grips his hatchet even tighter as he watches the shadowy figure closely while it whispers compliments to Eleanor, her grip on Theodore's shirt still being tight. The crunching of leaves gets even louder, as it is closer to Eleanor's ear. Eleanor's face is now completely red, as she watches the shadowy figure's face, it's breath, and it's complementing of her.
The shadowy figure whispers, close to Eleanor's ear,
...: Your nose is very cute, Eleanor."
More crunchy leaves as the shadowy figure's breath is felt on Eleanor's face.
Eleanor's grip on Theodore's shirt is even tighter as her face is bright red, with her looking at the shadowy figure, right in front of her, with it's breath blowing her short hair against her face.
Theodore watches the shadowy figure whisper
...: Your nose is very cute
compliments to Eleanor, all while the dark figure remains directly in front of Theodore, still holding her hand.
Eleanor's face is bright red, with her hair being slightly blown by the shadowy figure's breath, while Eleanor continues to look directly at it, with her eyes becoming wider.
Eleanor's grip on Theodore's shirt is still tight, as Theodore grips his hatchet even tighter.
The shadowy figure's breath is still felt on Eleanor's face, as the two remain still in front of each other.
The shadowy figure whispers, close to Eleanor's ear,
...: Your lips are really soft, Eleanor.
More crunching leaves and heavy breathing on Eleanor's ear as the shadowy figure stares right into Eleanor's eyes.
Theodore watches in confusion, surprise, and fear as the shadowy figure speaks to Eleanor, it's voice now sounding deeper and more masculine, as it says words of compliment that a child would never say.
Theodore gets slightly nervous at the shadowy figure's compliment to Eleanor's lips, and grabs his hatchet even tighter.
Eleanor grips Theodore's shirt more closely, as she leans against his chest slightly.
Theodore feels the shadowy figure's breath hit him as well, as he watches the shadowy figure look directly at Eleanor.
The leaves crunch more loudly now, as the shadowy figure's breath is felt on Eleanor's face still.
Eleanor's face is red, flustered and trembling.
Her grip now grips the front of Theodore's shirt, now leaning against him slightly.
More crunching of leaves as the shadowy figure's breath is felt on the soft skin on Eleanor's cheeks.
More crunching of leaves as the shadowy figure's eyes remain locked on Eleanor's face, smiling at her lovingly and sweetly.
Eleanor clings even tighter to Theodore, holding onto his front shirt, trembling and breathing fast and heavy in his shoulder.
More whispering compliments, now from this deeper and more masculine voice,
...: Your skin is so soft, Eleanor.
Theodore looks at the shadowy figure smiling sweetly at Eleanor, as her grip on his shirt tightens and she trembles in fear.
Theodore tries to protect Eleanor from whatever this shadowy figure is with her behind him, as his hatchet grips even tighter.
The shadowy figure turns to Theodore and says to him, in a deeper and more masculine voice,
...: Your skin is so soft, Eleanor
which prompts Theodore to get even more protective of Eleanor.
Theodore feels the shadowy figure's eyes and breath on his shoulder, as his free arm hugs Eleanor back.
The figure turns to Eleanor again, it's masculine voice getting higher again and speaking in the childlike voice she had heard beforehand, as it says to her, "I love your hair, Eleanor."
Eleanor clings onto Theodore tighter, trembling heavily, while her breath is shallow and fast.
More crunch of leaves, as the figure speaks to Theodore,
...: Thank you for bringing Eleanor here with you, Theodore, you are both very lovely.
The figure looks at Theodore for a moment, then looks back at Eleanor, smiling.
Theodore looks at the shadowy figure speaking in a childish voice now, before speaking in a deeper, masculine voice again, as it compliments Eleanor's hair.
Theodore feels Eleanor trembling in fear behind him as she grips his shirt even tighter.
The shadowy figure speaks to Theodore again, saying
...: Thank you for bringing Eleanore here with you
with Theodore and Eleanor both being considered "both very lovely" in the shadowy figure's eyes, still with the leaves crunching underneath the shadowy figure with every move it makes.
Eleanor clings to Theodore, trembling and shaking slightly. She closes her eyes, trying to calm herself down as she takes deep breathes.
Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.
The shadowy figure leans against a tree, speaking in a much deeper and more masculine voice,
...: Eleanor, you're so kind and pretty and soft and lovely and..."
Another crunchy leaf, as the figure turns back to take a look at Theodore,
...: Can I give you both a hug?
It says in the deep voice.
Eleanor closes her eyes and takes deep breaths, trying to calm herself down with Theodore's hand on her shoulder and chest.
Theodore puts his free arm around Eleanor and pulls her closer with his hatchet. Theodore looks at the shadowy figure before quickly answering, in a friendly tone,
T: No. You cannot.
Theodore remains firm and stern in his answer, not sure what the shadowy figure's intentions are.
Eleanor tightens her hug on Theodore, as she hides her face in his chest, shaking slightly and trembling, while holding Theodore's shirt even tigher.
Eleanor clings to Theodore, trying to make herself as small and invisible as she can, trembling and shaking as she holds even tighter onto his shirt.
More crunching leaves as the shadowy figure remains still for a second, then says,
...: Can I at least give a little hug to Eleanor?
It says with a kind and sweet childish voice.
Theodore continues to hold Eleanor tightly, as she hides in his chest.
Theodore speaks to the shadowy figure with his calm and friendly tone,
T: N-No I'm afraid she does not want a hug either.
The shadowy figure smiles and leaves. Eleanor continues to watch the shadowy figure as it walks away in the distance, before eventually closing her eyes as she clutches Theodore to her chest.
Theodore continues to protect Eleanor, as he watches the shadowy figure walk away.
Eleanor eventually calms down and opens her eyes, as she opens her cheeks, and takes a deep breath, with the crunching of leaves now gone.
Eleanor holds onto Theodore, taking deep breathes and calming down.
She closes her eyes, with her face still flushed and red. Eleanor leans up against Theodore's chest, as her breath is fast and heavy.
She lets some tears fall onto Theodore's shirt, before burying her face into his chest again, still holding onto him tight.
She shivers and trembles slightly, having a small panic attack from having to confront a shadow figure like that.
Eleanor eventually calms down and smiles, before looking at Theodore with her blushing red face still pressed up against his chest and shirt.
Eleanor reaches out to wipe her tears away, before looking up at Theodore and saying to him, in a serious and somewhat shaky tone,
E: T-Thank you, Theodore.
Theodore pats Eleanor on the head and smiles at her, before saying,
T: No problem, Eleanor.
Theodore then looks forward, as he smiles to himself. Eleanor then speaks up again after a few moments, before saying,
E: Ya know, for a healer, you were very brave.
Theodore giggles a bit as Eleanor gives him a kiss on the cheek. Eleanor then playfully punches Theodore in the arm after saying
E: Thank you...but don't tell the others
T: okay
to which Theodore smiles and giggles back at Eleanor.
The walk back was something else.