Duck Lake so i started courting kate mccannon

and then he left. truthfully, aria should have followed him. but... she wasn't sure he wanted her to. something about the way he just left made it seem like this was suddenly an independent mission, though aria could've sworn that he wanted her to hunt with him. he had asked, after all. but she supposed it didn't matter. secretly, aria kind of liked being treated like some sort of dainty princess who couldn't catch her own food. yes, thorn, please, good sir, catch me a whole fucking deer all by yourself.  inwardly, aria snickered. 

she watched the broad man go, giving him a good look down. she wondered if she really minded how entirely misogynistic this felt -- she was not a prize, after all. but she certainly did like being won. 

and then, she herself turned and left. back towards the creek, wondering if he would turn up again.