Jo knelt down next to Ella, squeezing her hand in return. The flirting tone had made her blush, but the seriousness of the second half of the statement puzzled her. Was she not used to speaking about her feelings? Come to think of it, Jo wasn't that great at it either. She stared at the flames, trying to put her most recent thought into the right words.

"I... I missed you," she finally murmured, blush returning and looking down. "I know we only spoke for a bit, and had one dance, but when you left, no one really caught me the same way. I couldn't stop thinking of you when I went back to Eerie, either." She was babbling now, she knew it, and tried to stop. Instead, she started chewing on her lip, and her one free hand plucked at a loose strand on her dress.

Ella watched Jo's face a moment and simply held her hand gently. As the other woman spoke she couldn't help but feel warmth fill her undead chest. She couldn't help but lean forward and decide to give a simple, straight forward answer. She kissed Jo's cheek with her ale lips ever so softly before she gazed forward to look at the fire. There was more to it then just returning Jo's feelings however.

"You... kept me sane. I spent most of the last few weeks covered in blood, a temptation for any Rusalka to lose herself. Remembering that dance kept me from giving in" She finally confessed in a soft, distant voice. She wondered what Jo would think of this confession. It was simple, straightforward, true, but also rather dark.

I did that? Just by dancing with her? The confession stunned Jo, and that was the only thing in her mind for a moment. She didn't know what to make of it, really. She continued staring at the fire, eventually trying to goad her brain into working again. There must have been some enchantment at the ball, to help people find love. It certainly sounded like something that the Fae would do.

"I, I'm glad," she managed to say. Part of her was still stunned, but she was trying to think past that. She remembered the dance, and blushed from embarrassment. "Though with me stepping on your toes and almost falling half the time, I'm a bit surprised there was enough good to remember about it." The self-degrading remark was out of her mouth before she'd fully thought it through, and she wished she could take it back. Ella didn't need to hear that.

"A gentle heart can mean the world, besides... You didn't step on my feet and catching you was alot of fun." She remarked with that same flirtatiousness as before. She glanced back to Jo and smiled, that warm playfulness over her delicate features as her seriousness seemed to disappear. She buried the emotion again, focusing on the warm, soft body next to her instead. That would wait until morning, right now all that mattered was Jo.

"Do you need to unpack anything?" She asked gently. She hadn't seen if anything had been unpacked while she was tending to the fire and things. She was never sure if she was keeping the temperature correct for the living... as literally an animated corpse she simply didn't feel things the same way as the living. Still surely Jo would tell her if it was too cold or too hot so she could tend to those needs, wouldn't she?

"Well, I thought I was stepping on your toes, or at least coming close," she replied, relaxing now that Ella had. her blush remained, though. For being such a graceful creature in the sky, she could be surprisingly clumsy on her feet. She tried putting it out of her mind as she thought about the question.

"Well, I just looked around, and it would be nice, but I don't have to unless you're expecting it to pour suddenly," she said after a moment's thought. She tucked her feet more firmly under her, noticing that her own toes were a tad chilled. Poor circulation ran in her mother's family. "Though I should probably get at least a pair of slippers on if we're going."

"the rain is unpredictable here so it may be wise to unpack" Ella said thoughtfully as the other blushed. She'd almost forgotten how easy it was to make the other girl blush. She playfully drew her finger across Jo's cheek and remarked 'so cute'. She would then stand with a chuckle before tossing a few more pieces of wood on the fire since Jo seemed a little cold. Perhaps the other should stay here and she bring everything inside? The shack was very warm, at least that much was true.

"I can bring everything in and you can put it away." She suggested softly before she'd release Jo's hand and head outside. She wouldn't look through anything as she brought it in. If it looked delicate she'd put it on the bed, otherwise she'd put it in the corner. She didn't really pay attention to what anything was, figuring it was not her business.

"Alright," she said as Ella traced her cheek, drawing away just a fraction of an inch. It wasn't that she didn't want to be touched, quite the opposite, in fact. It was that she was unused to people touching her that way. She watched Ells stand, noting how fluid the movement looked, and nodded at her second comment. "Thank you. There are tent stakes that you can use to tack down the ropes with, so it doesn't blow away," she offered, standing so she didn't put her feet to sleep. "And if you would take the harness in?"

She let Ella bring the bags in, but she started opening and sorting them almost as soon as she put them down. This bag went into the work room, this went to the bedroom, this was what was left of the food she'd brought for the journey, and the wrapped rectangle was the painting she'd brought with. She fished a pair of slipper like shoes out of one bag, leaving the rest of her clothing to be unpacked later, and carried the painting over to the fireplace, setting it against the wall far enough away to ensure it wouldn't catch fire. She wanted to show her what Eerie looked like at it's best.

Ella showed no sign of noticing her draw away but she had. She hadn't been sure how to proceed once Jo had made it clear she'd come for her. She was normally a confident lover with no issue's simply touching the one she was with whenever she felt like it. It seemed clear to her that such behavior would just drive Jo away. It had been so long since she was like Jo that she'd forgotten what it was like. She shook her head a moment and sighed but quickly continued to bring things in. She brought in the harness as requested and would soon have the basket staked down. She flipped it over before she did so, as not to make it a rain catcher that would end up with its bottom rotting out.

"You remembered the painting" she stated softly, a note of surprise in her tone. She remembered the conversation about the beauty of Eerie well. She couldn't help but walk over to t and crouch in front of it to look at it. It really was as pretty as Jo had said. She didn't say anything more, however, simply gazing at it in thought.

((Now I really need to make that picture!))

Jo nodded, one hand brushing the frame it was in. "I had to buy it when I got home, um, back to Eerie, but I had plenty of jewelry to barter," she said, stumbling over 'home'. It would take a little time for her to refer to this as home, Eerie had been the only home she knew. "It's from the cliff to the south at sunset, the time and angle the city looks best at." She took the moment to look at Ella again, watching how her hair moved and the way it caught the light from the fire.

She stood again, looking around the room for the right place to hang it. Maybe next to the door? No, how about right above the fireplace? As long as they didn't burn down the building, it should be fine... "Where do you think we should hang it?" she asked.

Ella looked at the picture a moment longer, unaware of the other woman's study of her. She was thinking of Eerie and how the other woman spoke of Eerie... as home. She had taken Jo from so much it seemed. Would she really be happy here? She pushed away the thought, however, as she was asked about the painting. She would have put it above the head board honestly but she always had quirky decorating taste and tastes in decor that weren't always the best so she would leave it to the other girl.

"that sounds like a good place... above the fire place. Unless you want it in your workshop?" She responded as she gave her a warm smile. She turned to get the hammer and nails she'd been using to build, doing everything herself. It was therapeutic really... almost made her feel alive. She would return with a single nail and the hammer and smile slightly at Jo. If she said no to wanting it in the workshop she would put it above the fireplace. She half hoped she'd want it in the main room where they would both see it but it was Jo who had the right to decide.

"Not my work room, I would get too wrapped up in making things to appreciate it. I want to put it somewhere people can see it," she said, smiling as Ella got the hammer and nail. "And above the fireplace is a kinda logical choice... Right?" She trailed off, wondering what else she could decorate the place with. It was really too bad that the inside wasn't quite big enough for her gryphon form to stretch out, with the fireplace.. She'd have to do that outside, where she wouldn't risk setting her feathers ablaze. If it had been big enough, she'd have found a way to have a pile of cushions made from a sturdy fabric.

She wiggled her toes in the slippers, finally fully warm again. Though, that thought made her remember something... "I don't have anything truly warm to wear, do you have something I can borrow until we get something for me?" She hoped the other woman had something, even if additions to her wardrobe would be among the first things she bought.

Ella nodded and soon the picture was hung with perfect care. She wasn't so good at decorating and flower arranging and such, despite her mother's attempt when she was alive to teach her such things as a 'true lady', but she was a hell of a handyman or rather handywoman. She nodded to herself when it was complete and stepped back. She smiled at the question, oh yes she had warm clothing... She walked over to the wardrobe and threw the doors open.

"Take your pick Love." She said with a bit of a mischievous grin. Why was soon apparent. She had just about every type of clothing in every color imaginable as well as a few different sizes. She had limited shape-shifting abilities, able to become various types of female human forms, and used the clothing with this ability to look as needed during her investigations. There were many small villages and large towns that she had to investigate so taking many roles was useful, though ironically the one nearest her home base didn't tend to need it. They knew of her so few would dare commit murder and even when one did the people of the town tended to take care of it as they were an independent people who prefered to handle their own business.... and they knew she'd handle it her own way if they did not.

((Ok, um, quick question, about what time period is this? It was never fully specified in the ball, I think it was modern? How I put my next post together depends on it!))

((Well I figured begining of the industrial era/ early 1900s honestly but I think the ball was modern so it's really up to which you prefer))

((Modern is more fmailiar to me that early 1900's... I'll add my post in a moment!))

((Okay dear XD))

Jo followed Ella to the wardrobe, gasping when she flung it open. So many things, and in so many colors! She hung back, trying to see what looked warm, but not too much so. She eventually stepped closer, hands running over the various fabrics before pulling out a burgundy coat that looked light enough to wear today. Maybe she really didn't need to amend her own wardrobe too much, if Ella was willing to let her borrow clothing when needed.

"Thank you," she said, pulling the coat on to see how it fit. A little tight across the shoulders, but if she wasn't going to be doing anything strenuous, it should be fine. She spun once to show her, smiling as she did. "Do these colors look alright together?" She asked because she wasn't the best at picking clothing that matched, and when she did it was either patterns that didn't match or a monochrome color scheme.

[b]"You look beautiful as always"[b] Ella responded with a flirtatious wink though she honestly felt she did look good. She could do better with color coordination but she could help with that. Despite her decoration failure, for her job she had learned everything about fashion. it was simply too useful for her work to ignore. She smiled a moment then after a moment's thought got out a thin decorative scarf that matched Jo's pants.

"This might balance the colors better" She said softly and approached. Gently she looped around the other womans neck and shoulder, careful to make sure it wasn't at all tight or uncomfortable. Her touch was feather light despite her profession usually requiring so much strength. She smiled at Jo then and smiled softly at her.

"there... perfect"

((What pants? O.o She's wearing a dress...))

"Thank you again," Jo said, blushing just a little and playing with one end of the scarf. "Do you think I should bring anything with?" she asked, suddenly nervous about meeting the people in town. Her way were probably so different from theirs, having lived her whole life in a different society. She didn't know what was normal here, or what was completely unacceptable.

The nervousness showed on her face, and she started shifting her weight from one foot to the other. She looked down at her feet, worried that they would dislike her, or even outright hate her, on sight. She knew people could be like that, they were like that everywhere. Oh, for the self-confidence that Ella displayed!

((Um skirt >.> yeah... I meant skirt. I tottaaaaalllly did NOT have a blond moment also i'm going to make it nearing sunset simply to give a time reference xD.))

"Your wonderful self will be enough i'm sure... but it's probably a bit late to head into town. Approaching anywhere this close to sunset or after dark is a bad idea. Do you have everything put away? is there anything you need me to do? ... If you would prefer i can sleep in the river until I can get something else in here for me to sleep in. As a Rusalka it's natural for me to sleep in the river anyway..." ella responded after a moments thought. She smiled towards the other woman but inwardly was uncertain. Normally she'd be alright snuggling next to another woman but Jo didn't seem like she would be.

Ella was less confident then she seemed for once... simply because she was so unsure of what the other girl would be comfortable with. She'd have to be slow and gentle, that much she knew. She gazed at the other curiously, no sign of her thoughts in her face. She simply kept that warm smile on her face.

Jo glanced out the window as Ella started speaking, both relieved and upset that it had gotten too late to go today. She gave a small sigh, but as Ella continued speaking, became a little anxious. "I can unpack just fine, but having you around would be nice," she said in response to part of what seemed like a lot to think about.

She started toward the bedroom, then paused. "Do I put my clothing in with yours?" she asked, starting to fidget with the scarf again. She didn't want to think too hard about what would happen later tonight. There was plenty of time later to figure it out. Though the thought of Ella next to her was a pleasing one. She blushed again, pushing the thought aside to focus on unpacking. "Help to figure out where everything is going to go would be nice. We can figure out how we're sleeping after that."

"Feel free. The storage in this shack is mainly for you anyway..." Ella admitted quietly as she approached. She smirked a little as she saw the blush, unable to keep from finding it cute. She followed the other woman into the bedroom, debating if she should get another wardrobe sometime... Her way of organizing was simple so she didn't worry about Jo finding where to put what but she did wonder if the other woman would want one.

"I don't mind sharing but if you want a wardrobe for yourself, or anything really, just let me know. I can pick up some in town eventually." She added with a shrug. She would then open the wardrobe. She pointed out each place where everything went, certain drawers holding accessories for example and another for jewelry. She only bothered to organize so it was quick to grab and wrinkling was minimized...

((She's naturally very disorganized, isn't she? She only organizes so that it's all convenient.))

Jo grabbed the closest bag, opening it and starting to unpack it. This one happened to be mostly tops, all looser fit and lightweight material. A couple were close to sheer, and Jo tried putting those away as fast as possible. Everything she did around Ella felt awkward, and she couldn't for the life of her figure out why. Her only other relationship hadn't felt anything like this.

"Um, I don't need much in the way of space for clothing, it's more of my other things that will likely need more space. I couldn't resist bringing some of the art that my friends had made, and a few pictures of people long gone," she said, turning to look at the other woman. "I had though of building a shed for the basket, though, to keep it out of the elements as much as possible." One with double doors would work best, she thought. It didn't even have to be much bigger than the basket itself. "And maybe a garden, to grow some of our own food, if you don't already have one."

Was mentioning a garden too much? She didn't want to flaunt the fact that she was living, and Ella wasn't. But a garden would help alleviate the amount of food she'd need to buy... And her hunting would as well. Thinking of that... "Does anyone in the town hunt? I wouldn't want to accidentally blunder into a trap, or scare someone into shooting me."

((Yyup ^.^ sorry for not replying earlier. I haven't quite been mentally together... my anxiety disorder got all mean >.< and now they have me on a new med. It's made my anxiety disorder stop giving me panic attacks almost daily buuuut it makes me want to sleep all day. xD But i'm a try to get back to normal. Thank you so much for being patient with me draki!))


"i'm sure they'll brighten up the place. I've never been very good at decorating... but now I have you to do that for me. I've never been good with plants so you'll have to do the gardening too. I can build the shed though" She teased lightly before becoming serious as she came up behind Jo and wrapped her arms around her shoulders briefly. She leaned forward a little, barely resisting the urge to kiss the other woman on the cheek. Instead she leaned her head against the other, watching her movements a moment before she spoke again. Jo seemed so nervous and bashful.

"why so nervous love? I don't bite and I won't do anything you don't want me to do." She said softly, her tone reassuring. She kissed the other woman's cheek then, a simple soft touch. She gave the other woman's shoulders a gentle squeeze then before releasing her. She walked towards the door of the room then, leaning her shoulder on the door frame and looking at Jo again. Once Jo answered she figured she could go start the shed after she helped her with what was bothering her if she could.

She'd been nervous at the ball too but had relaxed eventually... Was it really just Ella's presence? She had been mainly involved with her 'sister' rasulka or other immortals to the point she had forgotten what it was like to be involved with someone less experienced then she was.

"I'm not really the best at decorating, either," Jo said, tensing as Ella wrapper her arms around, then relaxing into the embrace. "I do have good luck with plants, though." Ella's body so close to her own felt good, even if it made her blush again. All of this was just so... new, and she liked it. But part of her was continually asking if it was right.

She shifted uncomfortably at the question. How to put this into words? "It's... it's because, well, um... I know you won't do anything I don't want, but..." She groaned quietly, nothing was coming out quite right. She was nervous because she was, and always had been. Shy by nature, she'd never gone out to get the experience that would be helpful now. "Because I've only been in one relationship before, and it was short-lived and ended badly," she finally said, offering more of an excuse than explanation. Ho did she explain something so ambiguous as just being a shy and socially inept person?