~The thorns that still remained on the stem in my hand dug into my skin sharply, like they were a reminder of what I had lost. I was uncharacteristically angry. I rarely got so entirely worked up, but for some reason the wolf creature completely infuriated me. Every aspect of his personality scraped at my tolerance until it was raw, and I couldn't stand him anymore.

Having nowhere else to go I made my way back to the entrance of the village, and I had half a mind to simply follow my father and disregard all of the balance nonsense that everyone here seemed to believe in so completely. But looking at the small piece of stem in my hand I knew that it would be wrong of me to leave.

As I walked amongst the Aryan's I could feel their stares on me, as if they were somehow leaving a physical impression on me. I felt extremely out of place and Jooheon's words echoed in my ears.

"You will never belong here."

It wasn't as if I harboured any desire to fit in amongst these strange people, but it was true that I felt uncomfortable being a spectacle.

Children, playing amongst the trees stopped their games to look at me as I passed, and those that walked with their parents blatantly asked questions about me in a language that I both could and couldn't understand.

They feared me, the outsider, the Stone Dweller, as Jooheon had called me. I had no idea how to convey to them that I meant no harm, and the best I could come up with was simply going about my business with a bright smile on my face- but still they kept their distance.

Getting slightly annoyed with the situation, I decided that I would make for an area outside of town where I could attempt to plant the rose stem again in peace.

On the border of the village, on the opposite side of the cave where Jooheon had emerged from, I saw what appeared to be a fertile field with a number of woolen looking animals grazing peacefully.

I figured that they must have been sheep, since the material of some of their coats had been freshly shaven- I could only assume to make the warm clothing that would be needed when winter arrived.

I was so engrossed in my thoughts and my task that I didn't hear anyone approach until a throat cleared directly above me. I was startled, and my head snapped to look at who the source of the noise was, although thankfully I was certain it wasn't the wolf.

The noise was far too docile to belong to him.

What greeted me was a man, who looked to be little older than me. He had a gentle face, with silver eyes and dark hair that curled ever so slightly around his ears.

He was clothed in the same way as the rest of the Aryan's, with little other than a pair of leather pants, though he wore a satchel over his left shoulder that I noticed was stuffed with strange looking plants.

His feet were bare, and in his hand he carried what appeared to be a long staff that was slightly curved at the top.

"Greetings Miss," he said, in a kind voice. I couldn't help but smile at him, since he seemed to have no reservations about approaching me like the rest of his people.

"Hello," I answered simply, and then with a little effort I got to my feet to address him properly.

"May I ask what you're doing in my field?" He said, though more curious than angry.

"Oh, I was looking for a place to plant this rose stem, and this place seemed a likely spot to dig. I'm sorry if I disturbed anything," I said, hoping I hadn't begun another balance issue that I'd need to work on repairing. Perhaps shifting a few blades of grass would cause the whole wilds to collapse, though if it did I couldn't say I'd be very sorry about it at present.

The man nodded slowly, his movement slow and concise. He was incredibly relaxing to be around and I found myself becoming more and more at ease in his presence.

"You'll need to water it then. The stem will not grow without consistent attention, and even then I should think it would be difficult. Roses are fickle flowers. The only one who has managed to grow them here is Jooheon.

I would recommend you try and grow them close to where his are, since I'm sure the conditions are good, but I have a feeling that you chose this spot because it's the furthest place away from him you can get, while still remaining inside the boundary." He chuckled a little, and I thought instantly that he knew a lot more than he let on.

 I wondered if news of my imprisonment in the village had reached many ears yet, though it wouldn't have surprised me if it had in a small place like this.

Besides, I had a feeling that most everything the wolf did was subject to intense scrutiny from the other Aryan's, whether it was because he was their leader or an enigma I was unsure.

"I won't deny there is some truth to that. My name is Rose, and it is a pleasure to meet someone who doesn't seem to be afraid of me here," I said gratefully.

"I am Kyungsoo the Sheppard. I spent a little time talking to your father, and he seemed to be a good enough man. But you two are the first Stone Dwellers most of us have seen. We have heard many tales of your kind, and none of them too pleasant. You must forgive the others for their fear, but I think that in time, they will come to accept you." He seemed to be quite sure of that fact, and I hoped that he was right, if only so I could prove wrong.

"Your father was interested in my sheep, and he spent a lot of time here with me, asking questions. Is it true that you've never seen one before?" He wondered.

"No, I haven't. But we get wool from faraway places to wear as clothing. It's expensive though."

Kyungsoo nodded, as if he understood, though I wasn't sure whether he did or not.

He smiled at me, and gestured for me to follow him towards the animal closest to us.

The sheep's eyes followed me as I got closer, and for a moment I worried it would run away.

However, after Kyungsoo whispered a few, comforting words to the creature it seemed to relax, allowing me to get close enough to feel its thick coat of wool.

"We shear them mostly in spring, though it takes a lot of time and I've saved some to have fresh wool for fall. The older woman make the warmest coats you'll ever find from their wool."

I ran my fingers across the sheep's back, allowing them to get caught in the wool as I tested how it felt to the touch.

It was dirty, for certain, and had a slightly sticky f