Beyond One's Strength

[Leo]

"S-so...c-cold..." Leo stuttered through his teeth, not that he came unprepared for the famously rumored arctic climate in Tenka, but he has to hold metal in the exceedingly cold weather...without any gloves.

He wears a thick chocolate-brown jacket, with a hood that goes and cover his head a bit from the fallen snow, but his black bangs are everywhere on his forehead. The artist then suddenly sneezes, pauses every muscle of his body for a quick second, before sniffing his nose and coughed a bit by his annoyingly low endurance against the wintry atmosphere.

What is he doing here in the first place?
Well, he was building a machinery. And apparently, that said machinery is needed to be sharply exact in measurement and elements and finally, the bolts must, with no excuses, be closely constrained...or Leo has to pay the downfall of his creation with his life.
He's building a bomb, in the simplest manner of term.
Though, unlike any other of his bombs, this one can be easily activated with even the tiniest source of heat.
Thus is why he's in Tenka, the coldest country in range.

It did took him literally a whole week to even reach the Arctic Mountains, and finding this spot as one of the coldest area in the whole Tenka took him 5 full days. Then having to build an explosion device from scratch took at least a fortnight of his precious time, forcing him to seek refuge and spent many nights at a nearby temple a few walks away.

"Unh..." Without even realizing he had overexert himself, Leo found himself falling to the side, and landed on the soft white snow. The freezing texture of the snow didn't help at all, as it only made him wince when it stings half his face. Worst, the artisan can't push himself up, and only coughed violently, till the smallest speck of blood escaped his throat.

[Tag Rayl]

[Rayl]

Rayl is done visiting the temple, and does she do that? No, Rayl isn't a religious people; which is obvious, she doesn't believe in Gods or any almighty. But, however, her thoughts still has that acknowledgment about how God have given them a unique place in this world. So dramatic, eh?

The temple in Quazmrl has been a home to her, both her parents were a believer; thus making them try to let Rayl be too. But she never was, and yet she acknowledge there is someone almighty. She sighed as snow falls down on the snowy ground, she was on the way at the city; trying to check if something unharmed the people.

Being heroic, ne? She is secretly doing missions again, because rumors have said that there is a multimillionaire who is forcing the people to work even in the midst of the night. She looked skeptically at her clothing that consists of what she usually wear in assassination. A black ninja suit that also covers her nose down to her chin.

But, as she strides her way at the city, she saw something lying on the snowy ground; making her frowned as she walked closely at it. It is a man, but what surprises her; for all people that the man who lied on the ground is none other than Leo.

She pulled down her mask, quickly aiding Leo's aid; she looked worriedly as she saw something red, blood. "L-Leo!!" she checked his body if something hit the man, but luckily she was thankful that nothing have harm the guy; but only the cold weather.

[Leo]

Leo's eyebrows crinkled down when he heard something, or someone. He tried to open his eyes, but he didn't even have the energy to do just that, much less even move any of his limbs. Though, through all the frost in the air, he managed to smell his own blood, since it's such a familiar scent to him. With that, he imagined he might probably have coughed out so much blood unconsciously that it stained the pure white snow like a blot of paint.

Even when temporary blind at the moment, he definitely recognizes this aura near him. "..Hi..Rayl.." he wheezed out in between his breath, smiling slightly at her. Right after he spoke that, he could feel pain at his chest and throat that he coughed again. A thin line of blood trailed down at the side of his lips and Leo recoiled slightly by the metallic taste of his blood in his mouth.

He would ask her something about his unfinished bomb right beside him, but then his jaw decided not to work starting that moment. So Leo just sighed and tries to breath normally before he coughed again.

[Rayl]

Rayl didn't much have time to even noticed the bomb beside her friend. And why would she? A friend of hers is in danger, coughing violently with blood. Though, she winces at the sight of it. It makes her remember how she was horrible in making people's life short.

She sighed as she side glanced, finally noticing some gadget that Leo brings. "I-... I'm going to aid you, don't worry...." she let out, her eyes softens as she let Leo's arm around her shoulders. "I'll bring you at my place near the city. In that way, we could be able to warm you up." albeit being weak at the fire, she urges to help her. Like a good samaritan, aiding someone. But... Leo is not just someone; he is a special one, but she constantly denying it.

"Just.. hang on, Leo?" she uttered out, suddenly remembering the time when they were at Evnae. He have helped her for the sake of their friendship. And she will helped him as well.

[Leo]

Safe to say, Leo was glad that somebody found him here, and he's even more glad that this is Rayl who found him. Somehow, her mere presence assured him that everything is going to turn out fine. As much as he wants to die and leave this world, he would never allow himself to leave entirely when he's in the middle of something.

He can't see her, nor speak to her, but he can hear her voice, and that's enough for him to know that he's safe in her care. The artist could only nod very slightly as a reply to her barely audible utter. He can hardly move any of his limbs, but he's certain he can at least stand up and drag himself if Rayl supported him.

"Mmn.." He hummed through his cracked lips in response of her order, that being the only way to show that he's listening to her.

'I am so sorry, Rayl...'

[Rayl]

Rayl heard his soft grunt, she didn't worry of the gadget he have brought in this place, nor bringing it with them. A thought make her ignored the said gadget for it might make them in danger. She grunted as she brought Leo up, taking his bag on hers and started to walk to where her place was.

The weather in this place has never been so well, since this is the arctic side of the world; there are blizzard and snow storms everywhere. But of course, this time is no exception; a snow storm is occurring at the said place. Making it harder for Rayl, no... Rayl is immune to cold. It makes harder for Rayl to think what is she going to do to aid Leo's condition.

She is not a normal human, she and Leo knows it, she only lives in place like this. But Leo can't. Normal people were not used at such weather condition. She sighed almost gravely as the place were all white, and yet; she could feel the presence of where she lives.

She glanced at Leo, "W-We're closer now at my place, please be still..." she let out as she strides their way at a big house. Yes, it's Rayl's place, the two-storey house with a fireplace/chimney; but she haven't used it.

"We're here at my place... it will be alright now," she opens the door as she let the two of them inside the house. She quickly haste herself to put Leo on the big comfortable couch, laying the bag beside him so he need not to worry at his bag.

Once finished, she look down at his almost helpless state; she looked at the open kitchen area and quickly strides her way to the thermos and pour some hot water on a basin. She found a clean towel and placed it there. She winces as she feels the hot water burning her hand, but she paid no mind as she pour some hot water on the cup and make a coffee.

She then glanced at Leo worriedly, he needed to be aided, but she was not used and doing this. She nodded to herself once she haven't feel hurt or hot at the water in the basin. She went beside Leo and put the basin just beside the couch. She squish the remaining water on the towel as she gently wipes it on Leo's face.

[Leo]

Leo almost slipped into unconsciousness as Rayl half-dragged him through the wild blizzard and into the blankness of the snow. He can't even see where he's going, but this makes it easier for the artist to focus on trying to move his legs and let his friend guide him to wherever she's planning to.

Once in a while, he almost tripped, being awkward to walk through the thickening snow-covered road. Or actually, he didn't even know if what he's walking on is a road anymore. His one arm around Rayl's shoulder is starting to freeze, and he was so close to fainting so many times all the way when he walked, since he can't even open his eyes, and the darkness is slowly consuming him.

His head snapped up slightly the moment he could hear Rayl's voice, getting back some of his senses since he almost dozed off from the weather. His feet almost slipped a bit by the sudden change of footing upon stepping on something solid.

Next thing he knew, he felt that he had settled onto something soft, and his body immediately fell sideways again into the couch once Rayl's touch left him. Leo could only breath, trying not to trick his mind that he could die in this state anytime soon. His arm automatically reached out weakly, searching for his bag, and after a moment, he finally found his precious item, so his arm just draped over the couch and on his bag like that weakly.

He was half-asleep by the time Rayl arrived with the basin-filled with water, so that sudden warmth of the wet towel on his face certainly frightens him awake. By instinct, his hands grabbed hold of Rayl's wrist that holds the towel tightly, as if clinging for his life.

The tips of his fingers are already a bit bluish, frostbitten slightly.

[Rayl]

Rayl found herself dumbfounded as Leo's hand covered her wrist, the one with the warm towel. She sighed, though she was flushed at the moment. She take Leo's hand by her left to continue wiping his face with the warm towel.

"Ne, Leo... cna you hear me?" she uttered, suddenly noticing the bag near him. "You really precious that bag..." Rayl couldn't help but thought out as her eyes wandered Leo's face. Her hand wipes the those reddish hues on his face, gently wiping the towel down to his neck.

She suddenly remember the blankets, "Wait, I'll go get some blankets," she stood up, but not before placing back the warm towel on the basin and placing back Leo's hand on his stomach.

She, then, hurried her way at the second floor to get some new clean blankets at the cabinets. She have brought almost 5 thick blankets and hurried her way down to where Leo was; but she suddenly forgot the clean clothes, she hurried her way back upstairs, getting some gray loose shirt and a jeans that would fit Leo.

Once finished, she made her way downstairs and look at Leo. Though contemplating when she look at his clothes then to the clothes she brought. She shrugged, placing the blanket and the clean clothes at the table. She gets the hot coffee and place it as well at the table.

"A-nou, Leo... please do drink the hot coffee. It will at least lessen the cold feeling," she let out, suddenly lifting Leo so he could sit. Once Leo could lean his back, she gets the coffee, though winces at the hot feeling. She ignored the almost pain coming from the hot temperature, just to make Leo drink it.

[Leo]

Leo grunted at Rayl's question, honestly trying to make his jaw work so his lower teeth can part, in order to make it able for him to speak. His lips slowly opens very slightly, and with a broken voice, replies. Or at least tries to. "Y...yeah.. I heard you.." His voice is carried by his breath, and hardly hearable.

He relaxed his tensed muscles from the shock earlier, and just focused to breath properly. He's freezing inside, but he's glad to at least feel the warmth of the towel and the fluid being wiped on his face. Now that he can feel his receptors working slightly, Leo slowly sighed, a cloud of vapour visible from his mouth.

When Rayl stated that she'll get the blankets, Leo's eyebrows creased since he truly didn't want to burden her, even in his state of weakness. He wished he could speak, or at least signal her that he'll be fine with the woman just being there near him. The artist sighed again, not really liking for Rayl to go around the place fetching things that could help him.

Leo could hear something was placed on a table in the darkness of his vision at the moment, with his eyelids frosted close together, he's still unable to open his eyes. Though, he tried his best to send signals to his body for the limbs to move and finally sat up with Rayl's help.

He leaned himself at the sofa and lifts his hand for the expected coffee Rayl offered him, since he can't stand all the help he's receiving and he didn't want his friend to feed it to him. His eyes are closed, but the warmth and the aroma of the coffee certainly wakes his mind.

He nodded to Rayl, as a thank you, before carefully sipping it. Now with the warmth entering his throat and into his body, he can feel his systems working again, thankfully. He swallowed the brewage very slowly, and after he's sure he had regain his voice back, the artist smiled to the lady beside him, "I have...no words to express how eternally grateful I am for this, Rayl."

Of course he still can't see her, but he could feel her presence, and that is enough for him to know that he'll live.

[Rayl]

Rayl sighed thankfully, glad that her friend have been fine from the blizzard that he went through. She looked worriedly at Leo as he tried to drink the hot coffee, though she looked down at her burned hands. The hot effect of the hot water in her thermos have greatly affect, thus burning her hand.

She then look at Leo and suddenly standing up, though she refrain if she will aid her pain hands or just watch Leo. "What am I going to do?" she thought out grimly, and sigh once again. "A-are you okay now, Leo?" she asked suddenly placing her hand above at Leo's head. "If you are fine now, just say so... so you could wear some warm clothes..."

[Leo]

The warm vapour from the coffee literally melted the frost that has been gluing his eyes close all this time, much to his pleasure. So for the first time after hours, Leo slowly opened his eyes, his blue irises seeming a little brighter than usual by the droplets of melted snow settling on his pupil.

After a few blinks, he finally cleared his vision and scanned his surrounding silently. Part of himself felt amazed at how Rayl could possibly attain this seemingly fancy house, another part of him was curious as to how this house could even exist in the middle of nowhere, and it agitated the artist as to why he himself didn't notice this house when he arrived at the temple in the first place.

Rayl standing up surprises him, since he's so immersed with his thoughts that he totally forgot his savior. "Oh, it's alright, I'm perfectly fine now, thank you.." His voice sounded slightly distracted since now his eyes traveled on the table at the said warm clothes Rayl's talking about.

He puts the coffee cup he's holding back on the table and leans back on the sofa, unconsciously rubbing his hands together to spread the warmth, then turns his attention to Rayl. He was about to said something about the clothes, but then his concentration was diverted as to how awkwardly strange his friend's hands positions are. It took him only a glance to notice anything odd, after all.

Leo's question was quickly altered, "Are you hurt? ..Come here, let me see."

[Rayl]

Rayl nodded as she looked at the warm clothes she placed on the table. Just as she was about to took off and aid her burning hands, Leo have halted her; noticing her hands. She was taken aback at how keen his eyes were. She sighed and looked at Leo, "This is okay... I-I'll just," she let out, but then paused; suddenly noticing Leo's determine eyes.

She sighed defeatedly, "You won't let me get away with this, right?" she uttered as she roll her eyes, she took a sit next to him; but not closer to him.

She spread her hands, her hands were burn but not that dangerously burn. "It's not that dangerously burn..." she said out as she looked at Leo, then to her hands. "This place suits me, but with fire nearby; or holding such hot things... it weakens me,"

[Leo]

Leo took hold of her outstretched hands gently over his palms as he inspected the different tinge of her skin in the inner surface of her hands. Her fingers are a bit cerise, and her palms are bruised.

"I don't care if it's serious or not, what matters is you're hurt." He gave Rayl his point, then pulls his bag up on the couch right beside him before ransacking it. He listened to what she said intently as he searched his bag. "If that's the case, Rayl, don't bother helping me if it hurts you. Alright?"

A deep frown crinkled on his lips when he turned his head to face the woman beside him, "I don't like seeing you harmed. ...By me, especially." His voice is secured and his eyes proved that he seriously meant that. His attention was then averted away from her a while after that, and they know focused onto a small container of sorts in his hand.

It's tiny, probably the width of three of Rayl's fingers and its wheat-colored. Leo opened the casing with ease, revealing some cream-like substance inside it. "It's peaches, with some herbs, and toothpaste." The listing of the ingredients are positively strange, but palpable enough to construct a healing lotion.

He wasted no time to spread the cream on Rayl's palms and fingers, since he used that same cream whenever he himself was caught with the same burning problem. He experimented with fire and heat quite enough times before, after all. So he's positive it won't even sting her, and instead, emits a cooling sensation that would ease the pain and heal the wound after a few hours.

He slightly smiled after he's finished, then puts the casing back on his lotion. As he does, his mind was back to the initial question he wanted to ask her. "So, you've been living here all this while?"

[Rayl]

Rayl sighed and looked down, she really don't know if she'll answer to his statement. Though, all she knows is she would help those who have been nice to her. And for once, she have trusted those who are acquainted to her. And Leo is one of them.

Though her eyes widen at his last statement. she couldn't help but weakens at the fact that he do care as well to her. She furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. She is an assassin who doesn't care or be kind to anyone. But it seems this place have greatly welcomed such a being like her.

She looked at the paste Leo is placing on her hands, it really has that cooling sensation that makes her hands comfortable. The sensation was a great satisfaction to mend her burned palm. "Thank you," she uttered as she pulled back her hands and place it on top of her lap.

She looked at Leo with a blank look then looked at her house. "Yes, though..." she trailed as she nodded to herself. "I've found this place two months ago, the owner seems to not bare the cold weather. So I now own this, but with a condition to do missions... good deeds as to what he told me. Though, I always been in the Temple this past few days." she shortly explained. "Awhile ago, before I found you... I was about to do some good deeds,"

[Leo]

Leo stared inquisitively to the ice maiden before him, his eyebrows slightly raised by her explanation. "I see..." So now the little pieces of puzzle fits together, it totally made sense. Still, the whole puzzle isn't complete yet.

"So you attained this house...by doing good deeds for the former owner of this home?" It never occurred to Leo that even non-humans could be so...benevolent. Whatever the case, Rayl is different. The artist haven't bump into many non-humans before, but this is his first time meeting a snow demon, to be honest. All the other non-humans he ever met are antromorphs scattered around Evnae.

"Why to the temple..? Do demons also believe in the divine?" That was the question that has been lingering around his mind the very moment Rayl finished the statement, and later after a moment's pause, "Before we met, what exactly...have you been doing, Rayl?"