Beginnings - NYOLA

[Iola Walker]

-bathes in spring, hears a noise and turns-

[Nyle Atwell]

Nyle had made sure to stay out of sight as he had followed the cloaked figure in to the cave. It was only after he had pulled his wand out and pointed it in front of himself that he made the mistake of kicking a small stone. The echo of this small movement bounced off the walls of the cave. He held his breath, his wand pointing at... the naked chest of the woman in front of him. He stood still not willing to make the first move.

[Iola Walker]

Iola's wand was too far away, so she could only stare at the man in front of her with his wand pointed directly at her heart. One stunner is all it would take. She raises her arms slowly.

"May I dress?"

[Nyle Atwell]

Nyle watches her carefully, she didn't seem dangerous but was he willing to risk it? With just one clear look at her face, he slowly lowers his wand. This is the opposite of what his training taught him. He gives her a small nod.

[Iola Walker]

Iola never takes her eyes off of him as she slowly makes her way to her cot, her arms still raised. She bends down and grabs her robes, throwing them on loosely. Heat rushed to her face as she realized this very handsome wizard just saw her in all her glory.

"How did you find me?"

Did he see her form?

[Nyle Atwell]

He keeps his eyes on her and he can fell his heart racing as she turns away from him. He has to force himself to look away while she puts her robes on as if he didn’t just see all of her. He still clutches on to his wand but it’s pointed at the floor.

“Are you hiding from someone?” He doesn’t answer her question.

[Iola Walker]

He doesn't answer her question, but she had a sneaking suspicion she already knew the answer. He followed her from the village. Who was he?

"Yes."

[Nyle Atwell]

He finally looks at her face again raising the wand slightly but doesn’t point it straight at her.

“Do you need help?” He can’t think of any reason why a girl like her would be hiding in a cave unless she was in trouble.

[Iola Walker]

Her startling gaze remains fixed on him. She takes a small step forward, her hands raised slightly as she glanced at his wand.

"And if I did? If I told you my story would you listen?"

He's not a Death Eater, that much she knew for certain.

[Nyle Atwell]

Notices her glancing at the wand and he lowers it again. He’s usually not this indecisive about his actions.

“I’m willing to listen. If someone is after you and you need help, I can help you. That’s my job.”

[Iola Walker]

She considers that for a moment, watching him carefully. His eyes were kind, but with a glint of steel. Something about him makes her feel safe.

"My name is Iola. Iola Walker." Did he see her faded tattoo, nothing more than a faint scar upon her arm? "I'm running from Death Eaters."

[Nyle Atwell]

Honestly, Nyle was looking at anywhere but her faded tattoo. His eyes couldn’t help but search her pretty face.

“Iola Walker,” he nods, never having heard that name before. He raises his eyebrows at the mention of Death Eaters. “My name is Nyle, I work at the ministry. We can help you. Why are they after you? For how long?”

[Iola Walker]

Iola casts her gaze to the ground, feeling the heat crawl up her neck. She liked the way he said her name. Iola considers what to do next, he works for the ministry - is he an auror? Her eyes find his and she feels herself melt.

"Nyle," she repeated. "They're after me because I was one - six years ago." She averts her gaze again. "I left after they attacked my home and killed my Muggle father."

[Nyle Atwell]

Nyle clenches his jaw as she reveals part of her story. Well, shit. It’s one thing to offer help to a witch in need, it was another to get involved with a former Death Eater. His whole career revolved around capturing them. Even so, he doesn’t raise his wand at her again.

“How long have you been here? Are you here alone?”

[Iola Walker]

She notices him clenching her jaw and her stomach twisted.

"I've been here for four months, on the run for six years. Yes, I'm alone."