Stone's Throw

[Charon Tethras]

"Exhausted." He winces. "I didn't think I was in this bad shape."

[Aveline Vallen]

"Well..." Aveline gave him another pat to sweeten the words to follow. "Painting and such might be mentally and emotionally taxing, but it's not exercise."

[Charon Tethras]

"I walk everywhere I go, to ensure I get a proper level of exercise," he protests, managing Dreas' whiny tone almost correctly. He'd noticed that, of course -- Dreas didn't use a carriage any of the times he showed up to meet him. 

[Aveline Vallen]

"Which is why we haven't insisted on a regular training routine," Aveline agreed easily. "But that's not nearly enough to keep you really fit."

[Charon Tethras]

"I suppose not," he says ruefully, glancing down at the vomit. There goes a perfectly good meal. Well, could have used more meat, I suppose. 

[Aveline Vallen]

"Well, let's give lifting a go, then we'll get you something to eat. Sound good?"

[Charon Tethras]

He nods. "Alright," he says meekly. Maybe they'll have some leftover fish.

[Aveline Vallen]

Lifting turned out to include not just dead lifting some weights, but also squatting with a backpack filled with metal bars, holding a sword (that was swiftly swapped for a dagger) upright, and throwing some fist-sized rocks. Finally, tired and sore, Charon is helped back inside.

"Have a seat, drink some chilled juice and eat another meat bun. Just one for now, you don't want to be sick again," Aveline ordered him. "I'll get a hot bath ready to soak your muscles, then you can have some more food."

[Charon Tethras]

Meat! Trying not to drool, he nods, plopping bonelessly into the seat. Being Andreas might not be too bad after all.

[Aveline Vallen]

Food was quickly provided, then Aveline vanished into the rest of the house. Charon can hear her moving around, speaking once but to softly to understand, then she called out, "did you want to stay for dinner? Carver is supposed to be getting a lamb joint on his way home."

[Charon Tethras]

"Yeah, that sounds great, thanks Auntie."

[Aveline Vallen]

"Family feeds family, you know that," Aveline called back, though it's clear she's pleased by his appreciation. There's more faint noises made in the back of the house, though not enough that it should have masked someone's approach. Especially one as large as...

A whine, soft and pleading, is heard from next to Charon. A whine that came from a beautiful tawny coloured canine that probably weight as much or more than Charon himself. The dog stares up at Charon with big, warm eyes and a strand of drool coming from the corner of her mouth. Well. Stares up at the meatpie in his hand really.

[Charon Tethras]

"Gah!" he calls, jumping up to hold the bun above his head. "Bad dog, shoo! My meat bun!"

[Aveline Vallen]

The canine gave a heartbroken look at his use of a slur against her. Her ears went back flat against her head and she moaned a mournful wail at his unfathomable betrayal. 

"You alright in there?"

[Charon Tethras]

"Yes, sorry, the dog snuck up on me."