Andy’s POV

As I made my regular journey back to the site where (Y/N)’s offerings were made, I contemplated what I had brought with me in my bag. A few more grapes (so I could see the reflection of her smile), some twine, and a small portion of fabric taken from the thinner of the two blankets I had for my cot. I figured that having cold toes for a while would be worth it, if I could fashion it, somehow, into a blindfold.

Honestly, I had no idea how exactly I would be able to get close enough to (Y/N)’s head to work on such a project. So much of her serpentine hair seemed to always be in a foul mood, and I had no idea if their bite was poisonous, though it seemed likely. I had read that it was for the other Gorgons. Perhaps if I fed them grapes their tempers would be soothed?

As I came towards the end of my short jaunt, I lifted my shield at the ready, and kept my eyes to the ground, just in case (Y/N) was already there. Once I reached the clearing, I turned around and walked, very slowly, backwards, feeling with my left hand for statues to steady myself and looking at the scene behind me in my shield.

Once I was before the altar, I found my usual spot, now cleared of leaves and debris. I sat down, facing towards the direction I had come. I smiled to myself as I called out, “(Y/N), it’s Andy, are you-“

Her smooth voice drifted out from behind me, “-I’m right here, I was just staying behind a boulder until you were safely settled.” I heard (Y/N) slithering towards me, and eventually caught the reflection of just the top of her head as she looked at me over the stone plinth.

I closed my eyes and set my shield down, taking off my pack and bringing it around. By feel, I removed the grapes, twine, and cloth and held them in my lap. “I brought more grapes and some materials to help make a scarf of some sort for your eyes. My own eyes are closed if you want to come get them from me.” The truth, so deep-seated I would never have acknowledged it, was that I just wanted some reason to feel (Y/N)’s touch, to have her close to me.

She clucked her tongue at me. “That’s very dangerous-“

I interrupted her, “-Just as you trust me, so I trust you. My eyes will stay fully sealed until you say.”

Excitement stirred in my veins as I heard the sound of (Y/N) approaching, slowly, behind me. “Keep them shut fast, Andy.”

I heard the sound of her scales rustling against the ground and each other, just to the left of me. I could also just barely hear the snakes of her hair sliding against one another. Abruptly, I felt the heat of another living body beside me, where I sat. Suppressing the strong urge to look was difficult, but I managed it.

A tremor ran thought me when I felt cold metal against my arm. “Wait!” I said, impulsively. (Y/N) froze, the snakes on her head included. “May I hold one of your hands? They are so beautiful and bright in my shield…” I trailed off when (Y/N) didn’t immediately move or respond.

It occurred to me that, in that moment, if I displeased her, it would not matter if my eyes were closed. Surely a single bite from any of the snakes adorning her head would be the end of me.

Before I could say ‘please,’ I felt the chilly metal moving, changing as though it were living. (Y/N)’s cool, smooth hand loosely gripped mine. After a moment she said quietly, “Are you repulsed? They are made of brass.”

Concentrating on keeping my eyes closed, I shook my head. “No. Are they not cold? Would you like me to buy you some gloves?”

(Y/N) was so near I could hear her breathing, hear her swallow before she replied, “They are all I have ever known. I suppose they are a bit cool, but I don’t think they feel as you imagine they must.”

I smiled. “They are like living art.” My words failed me as I found myself thinking things I did not want to say out loud. I felt (Y/N) release my hand and lift the grapes, cloth, and twine from my arms.

I listened silently as she slid along the ground, back to behind the dais. “You can open you eyes now, just don’t forget to keep them on your shield.”

Feeling giddy and excited, I opened my eyes. “What say you? Do you reckon you could fashion yourself a blindfold? I admit I wish to avoid irritating your hair.”

(Y/N) chuckled. “I have thought on this myself. I have some cloth of my own as well. Together with yours, I will fashion some manner of durable bag.” She paused. “There’s actually something that I puzzle over more than that.”

I heard the sound of (Y/N) removing grapes from their stems and popping a few in her mouth. I imagined them bursting, releasing their juices within her perfect lips, and got a chill. “I have many things stored in my caves, but I have no way of knowing what has value. I don’t know how to safely guide you there.”

I raised my eyebrows. “You would trust me, looking through your things?”

She laughed, a hearty laugh, “I had better, if I intend to let you lead me about by the hand with a sack over my head.”

I grinned, and just then little Damica came trotting up. She was uncharacteristically forward, shoving her tiny, wet snout into the palm of my free hand. It gave me an idea. “Perhaps Damica would lead me there, if you asked her?”

---

And so it was that Andy was led into the Gorgon’s den by a wily, elderly vixen who knew exactly what sort of plans they were hatching. There, he found many wonders. Ancient weapons and armor covered with rust, mixed with ones less so outdated, heaps upon heaps of rotting clothes and footwear, walking sticks and satchels of all kinds. But what made his jaw drop was the shear volume of currency.

Andy had never seen so much money in his life, was only vaguely capable of conceptualizing that there was so much in existence in the world. And there were so many kinds and colors!

Andy was the only son of a vintner, so he new the fundamentals regarding how to tell if something was genuine. What he knew how to recognize most easily was gold, and (Y/N) had stacks and stacks, enough to buy her own village, with an army to guard it for her.

Quickly, Andy resolved never to speak of this to anyone. (Y/N) was already feared, but no one knew she harbored such riches. If this were discovered, it would put quite the price on her head, any magickal properties her head had aside.

What Andy didn’t know was the cost of advice from a seer. He thought, though, that it couldn’t possibly be beyond the reach of an ordinary man; the seer would starve if no one could pay for his services.

Thus, Andy selected five gold coins that his teeth sank into easily, leaving the rest untouched. With that, he returned to the village, telling (Y/N) that he planned to begin the trip North to meet with the seer the very next day.

Notes

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