“I know what this looks like.” The First Son of Heaven sounded defensive as he stood there, all his clothes, armour and weapons scattered around him. He was only wearing a loincloth.
The Crystal Maiden didn’t know what this looked like and she surely didn’t know why Mars would be defensive about it. She truly wondered what this was about. It was evident that he didn’t like to be seen like this. “You should’ve found a spot more hidden if you didn’t want anyone to stumble upon you. I wasn’t even searching for you.”
The First Son scratched his head and grimaced. “Yeah, well, hiding never works for me.”
He was probably right about that. He was too big and too flashy, his whole presence was a constant in-your-face kind of thing. Rylai had felt him before she had seen him, and then she had seen his red hair as if it was burning through the forest. If the First Sone of Heaven wanted to hide he’d probably have to cover himself up completely.
Not wanting to embarrass him any further, the Maiden didn’t ask, though she was itching with curiosity. She loved secrets. Not to prattle about them, but simply to know them. She might be a little smug that she knew as many secrets as she did about all her friends and acquaintances.
Instead, she asked now: “Can I help you?”
“Why, yes, that is a wonderful idea!” Mars pointed at the things lying at his feet. “Help me get clothed again.”
“You can’t dress on your own?”
“I can but I’m the First Son of Heaven, I don’t want to.”
Rylai snorted. Then she moved closer, leaned her staff against a tree and took the first thing from the ground. “Oh mighty Mars, please hold your arm out so I can put this bracer around it.”
“Beautiful Maiden, I will do everything you ask of me.” Mars grinned while Rylai strapped the bracer onto his arm.
“How about dressing on your own?” She asked with raised brows.
“Yeah, maybe not that.”
Laughing, the Crystal Maiden took the second bracer. “You shouldn’t get undressed then, if you don’t want to get dressed on your own.” Not that she minded, Mars was always nice and sometimes funny, and this was more like a game than him actually ordering her around. If he had ordered her, she wouldn’t have complied, which he knew quite well, she supposed.
The First Son sighed. “That is very good advice.” But otherwise he didn’t comment. How disappointing, it seemed Rylai wouldn’t find out today why she had found Mars almost naked and why he was embarrassed about it.
Fully clothed again (it hadn’t taken very long, the First Son of Heaven wasn’t wearing that much clothes), Mars grinned down at Rylai. “Thank you very much, little mage.”
Rylai grinned right back. “You owe me one.” Mars groaned, aware that Rylai always collected her favours, but the Maiden laughed. “Only a little favour. Maybe dressing me when I’m too lazy to do so.”
“That I would do gladly.” The First Son of Heaven winked.
Amused, the Crystal Maiden took her staff. “That I am sure of.”