Night Watch I: Eliza, Ward of Andrew

*Andrew's POV*

Eliza and I successfully avoided attention as we made our way to the path that led to my shelter. It was a fair walk, so I decided I would try and get to know my new charge. "If I let go of your hand, will you try and escape?” No response, though I felt Eliza tense.

I tried again. “Will you run away?"

She didn't look at me as she spoke. "No. You have my word. I am a woman of my word."

That made me smile at the irony. "Honor in a criminal? Why should I believe you?"

Eliza stopped walking. "Then don't. Hold my hand, at all times. When I'm taking a piss. When I wank." She raised an eyebrow at me and started walking again, forcing me to keep up with her.

She was right, of course. Short of physically restraining her, I'd have to believe she wouldn't take off, if I was supposed to 'integrate her into society.' I released her hand with a frown. "So what did you do?"

She paused and scowled at me, biting her lips into a thin white line, narrowing her eyes. Then she just turned and kept walking!

I walked more quickly to catch up. "Eliza, please-"

She stopped once again and turned to face me up close. I realized then that, though she was shorter than me, like most Fae were, she was a lot taller than the average woman. She also, clearly, was emotionally unstable, and definitely in my personal space. While still reeking rather delightfully like a dying animal, no less. "Andrew, I don't know you from shit! I've just lost everything! My family, my friends, everything! Maybe I'll tell you someday, if you turn out not to be an asshole, but not today." And then she just stared evenly at me, waiting. I shifted, uncomfortable, but she didn’t waver.

I decided to let it go, just the once, and dropped my eyes briefly. "Uhm, sure. Let's just get you to my place, ok? You can wash up, and I can patch you up as well as I can, alright?" She grunted affirmatively, turned, and kept walking.

I walked after Eliza, wondering how long I’d be stuck with such a wretched woman. I found my eyes on the rhythmic movement of her substantial buttocks for a moment; I figured I was checking her for a limp. She didn't appear to have one.

Notes

anyone curious why she was exiled? ;)

updated character list a bit too.