Rhyn turned, shooting a glance at the villagers that had gathered. They were not truly phased by the dragon havnig landed in their village, since they knew him. As he took off once more, they looked at her. "I go to hunt." She growled, and smoothed her fur down as she stalked off into the woods. "Will bring you a buck." She knew that they woudl likely throw a feast with the animal, unless their stores were low.
Her anger fueled her as she began searching the area for prey.
"Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
He barked a laugh at her joke - pet dragon. If only she knew how close to the truth she was. Sadly he knew he'd do anything for her - including letting her fight. He sighed at the thought. He'd seen her with a bow, and he was adept at those... if she fought from a distance she could be safer... a compromise perhaps? Teach her how to sneak, to stalk... perhaps Rhyn could help with that.
Afraid of losing them? The idea was preposterous- ahhh... Aileen. His heart thumped painfully. "Aileen was my wife. The daughter of the first man who came to my village after I rebuilt it. I watched her grow up, married her... a tad... creepy I believe the term is, really." He chortled. "But she refused anyone else but me. She didn't even run when I shifted before her and her father." There was admiration in his voice. "That was nearly 90 years ago."
He continued to walk as the night was now frigid and he didn't want Soneya to freeze on his back. He'd arched his neck and head though, to take the blunt of the wind and so she was pressed into his hair, keeping her warmer. He smelled Rhyn and her wrath, not too far off, and avoided her for the moment. She'd need time to... cool off.
As for Soneya... he took her home and dropped her off before managing a wry smile. "I may need some help - just for balance. Don't worry though, okay?" Forcing himself past the pains of the day, and further past the shifting pains, Kaevad managed to make it to nearly human before swaying, gasping. When Soneya appeared he wrapped an arm over her shoulders and leaned slightly into her, careful not to put too much weight on her and let her lead him back into his room, his wings trailing like a cloak.
"Cabin's not big enough to fit your pet, sorry love." He rumbled as he flopped on the bed and looked up at her warmly. He shifted in bed a bit, until he was situated before looking up at her. "I can almost hear those mice in the wheels of your mind, love. What're you thinking about?"
Afraid of losing them? The idea was preposterous- ahhh... Aileen. His heart thumped painfully. "Aileen was my wife. The daughter of the first man who came to my village after I rebuilt it. I watched her grow up, married her... a tad... creepy I believe the term is, really." He chortled. "But she refused anyone else but me. She didn't even run when I shifted before her and her father." There was admiration in his voice. "That was nearly 90 years ago."
He continued to walk as the night was now frigid and he didn't want Soneya to freeze on his back. He'd arched his neck and head though, to take the blunt of the wind and so she was pressed into his hair, keeping her warmer. He smelled Rhyn and her wrath, not too far off, and avoided her for the moment. She'd need time to... cool off.
As for Soneya... he took her home and dropped her off before managing a wry smile. "I may need some help - just for balance. Don't worry though, okay?" Forcing himself past the pains of the day, and further past the shifting pains, Kaevad managed to make it to nearly human before swaying, gasping. When Soneya appeared he wrapped an arm over her shoulders and leaned slightly into her, careful not to put too much weight on her and let her lead him back into his room, his wings trailing like a cloak.
"Cabin's not big enough to fit your pet, sorry love." He rumbled as he flopped on the bed and looked up at her warmly. He shifted in bed a bit, until he was situated before looking up at her. "I can almost hear those mice in the wheels of your mind, love. What're you thinking about?"
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Oddly enough and much to her own embarrassment, Soneya felt a pang when Kaevad explained who Aileen was. Of course, she had figured it to be something along those lines considering the way he talked about her when he did mention her and in which situations this occurred. To hear it stated the way it was still felt a little unsettling however, but she brushed past the moment as though it hadn’t happened. She must have been quite something to leave such an impression.
The way home was longer than the young woman had remembered somehow but that may just be because she was starting to feel really cold. When they arrived, there was no sign of Rhyn though. She wondered whether the catwoman still needed a bit of time to cool off and had just gone off so as not to have to face the dragon; she really had been angry at Kaevad.
When the latter asked for her not to worry however, Soneya turned her attention back to him and smiled sadly. “You telling me not to worry is just as futile as me telling you not to worry.” Nevertheless, she tried not to worry, instead catching him when he stumbled and tried to carry his weight as best as possible as they manoeuvred their way into the cabin. It had once again been a long day and the girl was glad as well to be able to see her bed again soon.
“No, it’s a bit small for that indeed,” Soneya replied but her thoughts had already began to wonder off. There were quite a few things she had to think about. The last two days – or was it three?! – had been quite eventful and she needed to digest the information she had received, especially that of Kaevad having been married. Of course he would have been married... but that was ninety years ago... ninety! How...
Her thoughts were interrupted when Kaevad suddenly spoke to her and when she looked at him, seeing him comfortable sprawled on the bed and gazing at her intently, calling her love, something in her mind took a wrong turn somewhere and she blushed furiously. After all, he wasn’t bad to look at in the first place and now that he was lying on the bed like that... no no, she had to stop these ridiculous thoughts!
“I.. was just.. I.. well..,” clearing her throat, Soneya tried to look anywhere but at his body or his quizzical eyes. “I should go to bed,” she murmured, bending her head in hot embarrassment and making to run out of the room.
The way home was longer than the young woman had remembered somehow but that may just be because she was starting to feel really cold. When they arrived, there was no sign of Rhyn though. She wondered whether the catwoman still needed a bit of time to cool off and had just gone off so as not to have to face the dragon; she really had been angry at Kaevad.
When the latter asked for her not to worry however, Soneya turned her attention back to him and smiled sadly. “You telling me not to worry is just as futile as me telling you not to worry.” Nevertheless, she tried not to worry, instead catching him when he stumbled and tried to carry his weight as best as possible as they manoeuvred their way into the cabin. It had once again been a long day and the girl was glad as well to be able to see her bed again soon.
“No, it’s a bit small for that indeed,” Soneya replied but her thoughts had already began to wonder off. There were quite a few things she had to think about. The last two days – or was it three?! – had been quite eventful and she needed to digest the information she had received, especially that of Kaevad having been married. Of course he would have been married... but that was ninety years ago... ninety! How...
Her thoughts were interrupted when Kaevad suddenly spoke to her and when she looked at him, seeing him comfortable sprawled on the bed and gazing at her intently, calling her love, something in her mind took a wrong turn somewhere and she blushed furiously. After all, he wasn’t bad to look at in the first place and now that he was lying on the bed like that... no no, she had to stop these ridiculous thoughts!
“I.. was just.. I.. well..,” clearing her throat, Soneya tried to look anywhere but at his body or his quizzical eyes. “I should go to bed,” she murmured, bending her head in hot embarrassment and making to run out of the room.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Rhyn spent the rest of that day tracking down prey, catching a brace of rabbits, three pheasants, and finally, at long last, a deer. She dragged the lot back too the village without butchering it. She would leave that to the villagers herself. The women would be happy to have a nearly whole deer hide. It was punctured only where she had bit its throat. Her return with blood splashed over her cheek and on her teeth was politely avoided, even as the wealth of food she caught was celebrated and taken off of her hands. She handed it over gladly as one of the women informed her that Kaevad and Soneya had returned not long ago.
With a nod, the cat woman headed down to the well for a moment, bringing up a bucket of water so that she could splash her face as rinse the blood out of her fur. Simply because she had no problem with being bloody... she didn't want to scare or startle the young woman that was in the joint care of her and the dragon shifter.
After the taste of blood was rinsed from her teeth, she made her way through the village, which was indeed preparing for a feast and party on the morrow, towards the cabin that they had been given to stay in. The door opened all but silently, and she flicked her ears back and forth, listening for a moment.
With a nod, the cat woman headed down to the well for a moment, bringing up a bucket of water so that she could splash her face as rinse the blood out of her fur. Simply because she had no problem with being bloody... she didn't want to scare or startle the young woman that was in the joint care of her and the dragon shifter.
After the taste of blood was rinsed from her teeth, she made her way through the village, which was indeed preparing for a feast and party on the morrow, towards the cabin that they had been given to stay in. The door opened all but silently, and she flicked her ears back and forth, listening for a moment.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
He chortled at her reaction. "Sleep well little Soneya." He rumbled as he watched her go. He'd wanted to ask her to stay, wanted to hold her and keep her warm - in an innocent way of course. But that would be bad for them both. He closed his eyes and dozed. Aileen had been the same, shy but very outspoken when it came to it. Tears gathered and were pushed back. He still missed her, but they'd both known he's outlive her by many, many years. Silently he wondered if he could ever do the marriage thing again, knowing that even if he married a young woman, he'd still watch her grow old, shrivel up and die while he still looked 20.
He peered at the ceiling blearily. How many more women would he love? How many times would he almost all but die of heartbreak when they die? He'd harden for a century or two... but then... well even an ageless heart had to fall in love again. Changers, how long would he live!? Forever... assuming you aren't stupid and get yourself killed. Kaevad closed his eyes in pain at the thought. Forever was a very, very long time indeed.
But the stories you can tell! He snorted. To whom? Who would believe, in thousands of years to come, that I am a dragon man who drank a potion? That silenced the human for a bit, the dragon chortled. If you'd stop hiding... And risk you eating everyone? Now, now, no need to be harsh, I've behaved. Its voice was laced with wicked humor. Kaevad growled, unamused, his discontent pumping adrenaline through his veins. He moved to get up, grunting, unaware that hours had passed. Certainly he felt more rested...
You call the bandits behaving? You summoned me. Was the pointed response. Kaevad grunted. "Not the first time." He rumbled to himself out loud, unaware he'd taken to vocalizing his side of the conversation. No, you didn't... but its better than seeing your women's eyes widen in terror- an image of Kyla's terrified and dead gaze stared him in the eye as the ghost of a heart slid down his throat. He snarled, less quietly than he'd have liked, and managed to get out the door before swearing violently at the dragon.
"That was your fault, you fucking bastard!" He hissed, a dragon stalking around him in his mind's eye. You chose life "Not eternal damnation - and I said 'I don't want to die'!" He snarled, his voice growing louder as he exited the village. Fury pumped through his veins, filling him with energy. Boulders, he needed boulders... or trees. The villagers could probably use firewood. And so he stalked into the woods. It was still your choice. "I didn't know what I was getting into! I was just a boy damnit!" He snarled as he found a tree. It looked dead.
That's no excuse - your father warned you. Your mother too. Their dead and terrified faces floated up before him. He couldn't stop the pained howl, headbutting the tree, his horns blunting the damage. "They should have left me alone." It was a pained moan. Another headbutt had the dead leaves rattling overhead, a couple falling to the ground. But they didn't, and they tasted so lovely. Two more ghost hearts slid down his throat and he howled in agony, slamming his fist into the tree, leaving a sizable dent. He punched it over and over until, with a groan and a series of cracks, it began to fall away from him.
It crashed to the ground as he fell to his knees, sobbing outright. If he loved again, he could lose them within a heart beat - the heartbeat it took to slide down his throat. Hunched over, his face in his hands, Kaevad mourned the loos of those gone and those to come.
He peered at the ceiling blearily. How many more women would he love? How many times would he almost all but die of heartbreak when they die? He'd harden for a century or two... but then... well even an ageless heart had to fall in love again. Changers, how long would he live!? Forever... assuming you aren't stupid and get yourself killed. Kaevad closed his eyes in pain at the thought. Forever was a very, very long time indeed.
But the stories you can tell! He snorted. To whom? Who would believe, in thousands of years to come, that I am a dragon man who drank a potion? That silenced the human for a bit, the dragon chortled. If you'd stop hiding... And risk you eating everyone? Now, now, no need to be harsh, I've behaved. Its voice was laced with wicked humor. Kaevad growled, unamused, his discontent pumping adrenaline through his veins. He moved to get up, grunting, unaware that hours had passed. Certainly he felt more rested...
You call the bandits behaving? You summoned me. Was the pointed response. Kaevad grunted. "Not the first time." He rumbled to himself out loud, unaware he'd taken to vocalizing his side of the conversation. No, you didn't... but its better than seeing your women's eyes widen in terror- an image of Kyla's terrified and dead gaze stared him in the eye as the ghost of a heart slid down his throat. He snarled, less quietly than he'd have liked, and managed to get out the door before swearing violently at the dragon.
"That was your fault, you fucking bastard!" He hissed, a dragon stalking around him in his mind's eye. You chose life "Not eternal damnation - and I said 'I don't want to die'!" He snarled, his voice growing louder as he exited the village. Fury pumped through his veins, filling him with energy. Boulders, he needed boulders... or trees. The villagers could probably use firewood. And so he stalked into the woods. It was still your choice. "I didn't know what I was getting into! I was just a boy damnit!" He snarled as he found a tree. It looked dead.
That's no excuse - your father warned you. Your mother too. Their dead and terrified faces floated up before him. He couldn't stop the pained howl, headbutting the tree, his horns blunting the damage. "They should have left me alone." It was a pained moan. Another headbutt had the dead leaves rattling overhead, a couple falling to the ground. But they didn't, and they tasted so lovely. Two more ghost hearts slid down his throat and he howled in agony, slamming his fist into the tree, leaving a sizable dent. He punched it over and over until, with a groan and a series of cracks, it began to fall away from him.
It crashed to the ground as he fell to his knees, sobbing outright. If he loved again, he could lose them within a heart beat - the heartbeat it took to slide down his throat. Hunched over, his face in his hands, Kaevad mourned the loos of those gone and those to come.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Nodding, Soneya hurried out of the room, too embarrassed to even reply to Kaevad before she hastily closed the door behind her and went to hide under her own covers. As much as she had to think about, she was quite happy to just let herself dive into sleep without having to consider what had just happened. She didn’t even hear Rhyn come into the cabin anymore.
Once again, the young woman woke with a start as a sound drifted through to her. A sound she had come to know quite well, namely Kaevad’s snarl. Was something wrong? Throwing back the covers, Soneya got out of bed, not needing to get dressed as she had never bothered to get undressed before she went to hide under her blanket. What was happening? Tiptoeing towards the door, she opened it a crack, just in time to see Kaevad rush outside, looking very angry. The stream of courses he let go once he was outside may not have been loud enough for her to distinguish every single word, but it was loud enough for her to get the general gist of it.
Hurrying over to where Rhyn slept, Soneya lightly touched her on the shoulder, then took back her hand in case the shifter jumped up. Though more likely, she had already heard the commotion anyway and was already awake. “Rhyn, something’s wrong with Kaevad. Shouldn’t we go after him? See if everything is alright? Maybe we can help?”
Without waiting for a reply, Soneya hurried outside and followed Kaevad, trying to stay far enough away not to startle him. The whole thing was strange and she could only guess what the problem was but he was talking to someone. A shiver ran down her spine when she realised that there was no one with him but he was clearly replying to someone he was not very happy talking to. It took her a few bits of conversation more before she understood who he might actually be talking to, and the thought almost made her freeze in her steps.
”They should have left me alone.”
Was he talking about her and Rhyn? The thought was painful and Soneya stopped, watching him silently, tears slowly pushing to the surface. He didn’t really want to have them around? He didn’t really want to be with them? Then why did he keep acting as though he did? What had they done that he despised them so?
She wanted to turn away but when Kaevad started crying, she couldn’t. She just couldn’t let him be that way without at least trying to help him, no matter how much he wanted to be left alone. It was not in her nature to leave someone who needed help.
Carefully stepping closer to the sobbing man, she gently called out to him before she reached him. “Kaevad?” She hadn’t wanted to startle him although she wanted to do nothing more than throw her arms around his neck and hug him and tell him that everything would be alright. But she also knew that it would be a lie.
Once again, the young woman woke with a start as a sound drifted through to her. A sound she had come to know quite well, namely Kaevad’s snarl. Was something wrong? Throwing back the covers, Soneya got out of bed, not needing to get dressed as she had never bothered to get undressed before she went to hide under her blanket. What was happening? Tiptoeing towards the door, she opened it a crack, just in time to see Kaevad rush outside, looking very angry. The stream of courses he let go once he was outside may not have been loud enough for her to distinguish every single word, but it was loud enough for her to get the general gist of it.
Hurrying over to where Rhyn slept, Soneya lightly touched her on the shoulder, then took back her hand in case the shifter jumped up. Though more likely, she had already heard the commotion anyway and was already awake. “Rhyn, something’s wrong with Kaevad. Shouldn’t we go after him? See if everything is alright? Maybe we can help?”
Without waiting for a reply, Soneya hurried outside and followed Kaevad, trying to stay far enough away not to startle him. The whole thing was strange and she could only guess what the problem was but he was talking to someone. A shiver ran down her spine when she realised that there was no one with him but he was clearly replying to someone he was not very happy talking to. It took her a few bits of conversation more before she understood who he might actually be talking to, and the thought almost made her freeze in her steps.
”They should have left me alone.”
Was he talking about her and Rhyn? The thought was painful and Soneya stopped, watching him silently, tears slowly pushing to the surface. He didn’t really want to have them around? He didn’t really want to be with them? Then why did he keep acting as though he did? What had they done that he despised them so?
She wanted to turn away but when Kaevad started crying, she couldn’t. She just couldn’t let him be that way without at least trying to help him, no matter how much he wanted to be left alone. It was not in her nature to leave someone who needed help.
Carefully stepping closer to the sobbing man, she gently called out to him before she reached him. “Kaevad?” She hadn’t wanted to startle him although she wanted to do nothing more than throw her arms around his neck and hug him and tell him that everything would be alright. But she also knew that it would be a lie.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Her ears flicked one way, then the other. Kaevad and Soneya were in separate rooms. Soneya's breathing was slowing, but she could tell it had been quicker before. Kaevad... was hard to read. As usual. Without commenting though, Rhyn moved to the cloak that was in front of the fire, stoke the fire, and curled up in front of it. She stared into the flames, having shifted into full leopard form. It was more comfortable to sleep on the floor that way, and she would not wake with aching joints and muscles. Her head rested upon her paws, the black tip of her tail tapping, she fell into a trance like state, watching the flames.
She had dared to confront a dragon that day. While she knew that Kaevad, himself, was a gentle soul, every gentle soul had a breaking point. For the large man, it actually manifested itself as separate from the man. You are a fool yourself, Rhyn'aura, for having confronted him when he may have well been violent. Not that it truly mattered. When it came to it, she knew that Kaevad would be able to take care of himself, but she didn't care how old he was. Foolishness on the trail was foolishness, no matter how old one was. She would not tolerated it. Soneya was a kitten when it came to knowing the world outside of Marn. She needed protection, yes, but also guidance, so that she could grow and become the wildcat that would be able to travel on her own one day.
After a time, Rhyn fell into a light doze, waking at Kaevad's voice in the other room. Speaking to himself... He stormed out past her heavy footsteps shaking her body. But she stayed where she was. Let him run off his temper.
But Soneya approached her, and even as the girl touched her shoulder, she raised her head. With a sigh, Rhyn nodded. Good that the girl didn't wish to leave unaccompanied. Leaving her things in a pile, the woman walked from the cabin at Soneya's heels. Her paws were silent on the ground, but her coat shone in the moonlight, silver-grey. She followed Kaevad's scent from the village, and they came upon the man just outside of it. Tuning into his conversation with...himself, she let Soneya be the one to step forward.
As she had been for the last week, she was the shadow that stood guard, ever watchful.
She had dared to confront a dragon that day. While she knew that Kaevad, himself, was a gentle soul, every gentle soul had a breaking point. For the large man, it actually manifested itself as separate from the man. You are a fool yourself, Rhyn'aura, for having confronted him when he may have well been violent. Not that it truly mattered. When it came to it, she knew that Kaevad would be able to take care of himself, but she didn't care how old he was. Foolishness on the trail was foolishness, no matter how old one was. She would not tolerated it. Soneya was a kitten when it came to knowing the world outside of Marn. She needed protection, yes, but also guidance, so that she could grow and become the wildcat that would be able to travel on her own one day.
After a time, Rhyn fell into a light doze, waking at Kaevad's voice in the other room. Speaking to himself... He stormed out past her heavy footsteps shaking her body. But she stayed where she was. Let him run off his temper.
But Soneya approached her, and even as the girl touched her shoulder, she raised her head. With a sigh, Rhyn nodded. Good that the girl didn't wish to leave unaccompanied. Leaving her things in a pile, the woman walked from the cabin at Soneya's heels. Her paws were silent on the ground, but her coat shone in the moonlight, silver-grey. She followed Kaevad's scent from the village, and they came upon the man just outside of it. Tuning into his conversation with...himself, she let Soneya be the one to step forward.
As she had been for the last week, she was the shadow that stood guard, ever watchful.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
"Kaevad?" Her voice... he glanced over, she was moving gracefully to him. So much like Aileen... But so different. He moved slowly as well as she approached, reaching over and tugging her into his arms so he could hold her as tight as he dared. His claws he made sure touch only himself, his scales would not cut into her flesh. He knew she'd heard him.
"My parents." He explained, his voice wavering. "They were the first to die by my hand that night. They shouldn't have come." He couldn't explain why holding her to his chest felt so right, why it made him feel as though everything would be alright, because he'd never had that experience before. He just had to remember not to crush her.
They stayed there, for a little while, as Kaevad slowly calmed down. It was about then he noticed Soneya dozing, her lids heavy from the looks of things. Eyes soft he pressed his lips to the top of her head before gathering her up in his arms and lifting her. It was then he noticed Rhyn. He shifted his weight before moving to her. "Thank you." He murmured, knowing she'd understand.
Exhaustion began to set in once again as he made his way back to the cabin, and he was all but stumbling when he finally made it in. He set Soneya on her bed, giving her one last kiss on the fore-head before moving off to go back to his bed, his wings drooping.
"My parents." He explained, his voice wavering. "They were the first to die by my hand that night. They shouldn't have come." He couldn't explain why holding her to his chest felt so right, why it made him feel as though everything would be alright, because he'd never had that experience before. He just had to remember not to crush her.
They stayed there, for a little while, as Kaevad slowly calmed down. It was about then he noticed Soneya dozing, her lids heavy from the looks of things. Eyes soft he pressed his lips to the top of her head before gathering her up in his arms and lifting her. It was then he noticed Rhyn. He shifted his weight before moving to her. "Thank you." He murmured, knowing she'd understand.
Exhaustion began to set in once again as he made his way back to the cabin, and he was all but stumbling when he finally made it in. He set Soneya on her bed, giving her one last kiss on the fore-head before moving off to go back to his bed, his wings drooping.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
A weight fell off her heart when she saw Kaevad finally react to her voice, his eyes haunted but his. For a moment, she had thought he might not even hear her at all and if she had gotten too close then with the dragon in control, it might have been dangerous, if not fatal, for her. But it would have been worth the risk. He needed to know that people still cared about him, and after the way she had acted towards him the last couple of days, it was only right that she showed him that she would not turn away from him merely because he had a darker side.
When he draw her into his arms, she willingly obliged. Her eyes briefly flickered to Rhyn, relief plainly written on her face, and smiled at the shifter, before she buried her face against Kaevad. It felt like an eternity almost and before she knew it, all of her emotions dissolved back into exhaustion and she fell asleep in his arms without even realising it.
Waking up the next morning, Soneya felt oddly alone. The last thing she remembered had been to be enveloped in Kaevad’s arms, and he had certainly brought her back to put her into her bed, but now he was gone. A surprisingly cold shiver snaked down her spine and she quickly tightened the blanket around her in an attempt to comfort and warm herself. Why was she so upset about this? Wasn’t it the most normal thing that he would see her safely returned to her bed before going off to sleep in his own? She was being silly. Once again.
When he draw her into his arms, she willingly obliged. Her eyes briefly flickered to Rhyn, relief plainly written on her face, and smiled at the shifter, before she buried her face against Kaevad. It felt like an eternity almost and before she knew it, all of her emotions dissolved back into exhaustion and she fell asleep in his arms without even realising it.
Waking up the next morning, Soneya felt oddly alone. The last thing she remembered had been to be enveloped in Kaevad’s arms, and he had certainly brought her back to put her into her bed, but now he was gone. A surprisingly cold shiver snaked down her spine and she quickly tightened the blanket around her in an attempt to comfort and warm herself. Why was she so upset about this? Wasn’t it the most normal thing that he would see her safely returned to her bed before going off to sleep in his own? She was being silly. Once again.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Rhyn stood watch, keeping an eye out for any threats. Thankfully there were none. As Kaevad finally rose, Soneya in his arms. His thanking her received only the smallest of nods and and ear-flick in response. She dipped her head before falling into step behind him. They reached the cabin, and she stood in the main room as he placed the young woman into bed. Pale eyes watched him step into his own room and all but collapse on the bed.
Assured that all was well for now, the cat curled up on her cloak once more, slipping gently into sleep.
Assured that all was well for now, the cat curled up on her cloak once more, slipping gently into sleep.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
He slept well, surprisingly, just one or two none-too-vivid nightmares. Not that he was complaining, he could happily use the sleep.he could've done without the ache in his chest and coldness of his body. Changers damn him and his still somehow human heart. He rolled out of bed in a fluid motion with a grunt. Time to start the day right. He slipped out of his room, padding silently to the kitchen, intent on cooking. Nothing was in the icebox, much to his amusement. Looks like he'd have to hunt- rather loud knocking had him skittering to the door as quickly and quietly as possible. Bloody idiot was bound to wake up Soneya and Rhyn!
He was opening his mouth to tell them to be quiet when a large picnic basket was shoved at him and the young girl who'd delivered it ran off to hide behind a building and stare at him from a distance. Huh... must've scared her. Waving at her in thanks, he slipped inside, missing her faint. He rummaged through the basket, unpacking it easily, missing the love-sick girl feel the whole thing had. After all, no one could like him THAT fast. Right? He stared at a heart-shaped steak and frowned. The hell? He found a note, and after a quick scan, smacked his face with his palm. Women...
He sighed and eyed the food warily. Hopefully it wasn't poisoned or something. He heard footsteps and didn't bother turning around. "Hey Rhyn, mind making sure this girl didn't poison breakfast with a love-potion or something? She was kind enough to bring us something... but I think she may have the wrong idea about me."
He was opening his mouth to tell them to be quiet when a large picnic basket was shoved at him and the young girl who'd delivered it ran off to hide behind a building and stare at him from a distance. Huh... must've scared her. Waving at her in thanks, he slipped inside, missing her faint. He rummaged through the basket, unpacking it easily, missing the love-sick girl feel the whole thing had. After all, no one could like him THAT fast. Right? He stared at a heart-shaped steak and frowned. The hell? He found a note, and after a quick scan, smacked his face with his palm. Women...
He sighed and eyed the food warily. Hopefully it wasn't poisoned or something. He heard footsteps and didn't bother turning around. "Hey Rhyn, mind making sure this girl didn't poison breakfast with a love-potion or something? She was kind enough to bring us something... but I think she may have the wrong idea about me."
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Hearing the knock, Soneya grunted slightly and turned her back on the door. When she heard Kaevad and Rhyn shuffle around however, any thought of trying to get back to sleep was out of the question. Not that she was tired anymore anyways.
Sighing, she once again got out of bed still fully dressed – at least Kaevad hadn’t undressed her last night, how horribly embarrassing would that have been?! – and padded towards the kitchen where the voices had sounded from.
“Love potion?” she enquired with a grin. As she glimpsed the food Kaevad had unpacked from the basket he was holding, her grin broadened, though there was a pang somewhere in her chest. “Now there’s a nice way to have breakfast arranged.” Winking at him, she added: “Looks like you’ve found yourself an admirer. Would this by any chance be a young girl with incredibly long brown hair?” It could explain why the girl had looked at her almost like she wanted to stab her or Rhyn, or even both, when they had visited the village the day before to get acquainted with the place.
At least the girl had brought enough food to not only made Kaevad’s tummy happy but Rhyn’s and hers as well, which was kind enough, considering that she had seemed a little bit jealous. But maybe it was an entirely different girl altogether? He really seemed to have quite an impact on women, she thought as she contemplated him herself.
Snapping out of it though, she looked at Rhyn with a smile. “Did you sleep well? Thank you for carrying me back to my bed, by the way, Kaevad.” She didn’t quite dare look into his face at the words but she did her best not to try and avoid his gaze.
Sighing, she once again got out of bed still fully dressed – at least Kaevad hadn’t undressed her last night, how horribly embarrassing would that have been?! – and padded towards the kitchen where the voices had sounded from.
“Love potion?” she enquired with a grin. As she glimpsed the food Kaevad had unpacked from the basket he was holding, her grin broadened, though there was a pang somewhere in her chest. “Now there’s a nice way to have breakfast arranged.” Winking at him, she added: “Looks like you’ve found yourself an admirer. Would this by any chance be a young girl with incredibly long brown hair?” It could explain why the girl had looked at her almost like she wanted to stab her or Rhyn, or even both, when they had visited the village the day before to get acquainted with the place.
At least the girl had brought enough food to not only made Kaevad’s tummy happy but Rhyn’s and hers as well, which was kind enough, considering that she had seemed a little bit jealous. But maybe it was an entirely different girl altogether? He really seemed to have quite an impact on women, she thought as she contemplated him herself.
Snapping out of it though, she looked at Rhyn with a smile. “Did you sleep well? Thank you for carrying me back to my bed, by the way, Kaevad.” She didn’t quite dare look into his face at the words but she did her best not to try and avoid his gaze.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Rhyn slept deeply, warmed by the slowly dying fire and its coals. Her thick coat held the heat in, causing her to almost over heat. When Kaevad came from his room, the snow leopard was stretched out, stomach stretched to the ceiling, tail flipped down, and away from her body. Her front paws curled over her chest as a cats are wont to do. She remained sleeping soundly, until the knock came at the front door. Instantly she rolled onto her paws, eyes searching the main room for what was going on.
Tense muscles relaxed as she saw Kaevad at the door, and turning to the kitchen area with a basket. Quietly she came behind him, pushing onto two paws, so that she was humanoid once more. For all that she was more comfortable as a cat than anything else, it would not do to not use the talents that she was born with. His question made her jaw drop in an open grin. A soft sound of amusement came from her, even as Soneya's voice entered questioningly.
Rhyn chuckled though, as she looked at the arrangement of food. "Nowhere near to find a love potion, Kaevad. If one included, would be temporary and would make you fall for me because you see me before you see her.' But she sniffed through the food anyways, finding nothing wrong with it. "We may as well make use of a gift. I can't find anything wrong with it.'
Tense muscles relaxed as she saw Kaevad at the door, and turning to the kitchen area with a basket. Quietly she came behind him, pushing onto two paws, so that she was humanoid once more. For all that she was more comfortable as a cat than anything else, it would not do to not use the talents that she was born with. His question made her jaw drop in an open grin. A soft sound of amusement came from her, even as Soneya's voice entered questioningly.
Rhyn chuckled though, as she looked at the arrangement of food. "Nowhere near to find a love potion, Kaevad. If one included, would be temporary and would make you fall for me because you see me before you see her.' But she sniffed through the food anyways, finding nothing wrong with it. "We may as well make use of a gift. I can't find anything wrong with it.'
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Kaevad glanced over his shoulder to see both Soneya and Rhyn looking over at the food. Personally he wasn't very hungry - he'd eaten far more than they both had combined. "You two can eat it, I'm honestly not very hungry... I've ahh... eaten more than my fill in the past couple days." He actually blushed slightly before chuckling and moving away. "Aye Soneya, that'd be the one. Poor lass." He peered out the window to see her staring at the house hopefully.
"I'd only break her heart. Or get her killed." The last part was stated with an almost amused tone as he moved away from the window, only to stop sharply with a curse. His horns had somehow managed to get tangled with the lace-y curtain tops. Meant to be decorative and feminine, the snow-flake patterned lace had caught on Kaevad's horns as he'd leaned against the window frame. He reached up and attempted to disentangle it - only to stop and scowl at hos claws. He'd cut the pretty thing.
"Would one of you come here and untangle me?" He growled, completely aware of how humiliating this was. A big bad dragon-man, capable of taking out dozens of bandits in one fell swoop, was being bested by not only a love-sick girl, but a lace curtain decoration... thing. Changers help him...
"I'd only break her heart. Or get her killed." The last part was stated with an almost amused tone as he moved away from the window, only to stop sharply with a curse. His horns had somehow managed to get tangled with the lace-y curtain tops. Meant to be decorative and feminine, the snow-flake patterned lace had caught on Kaevad's horns as he'd leaned against the window frame. He reached up and attempted to disentangle it - only to stop and scowl at hos claws. He'd cut the pretty thing.
"Would one of you come here and untangle me?" He growled, completely aware of how humiliating this was. A big bad dragon-man, capable of taking out dozens of bandits in one fell swoop, was being bested by not only a love-sick girl, but a lace curtain decoration... thing. Changers help him...
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Nodding, Soneya put herself a mental note to try and not to be alone with this girl. Hopelessly in love, she could overdo her jealousy thing and try to physically harm Soneya and seeing that she still wasn’t really an apt fighter, it would wise to be careful. Of course, Soneya had never experienced anything along those lines or even witnessed it but she had heard stories, and thus she believed it possible. Rhyn however wouldn’t have much to worry about, she was a leopard shifter after all. If the girl came too close, a show of shiny claws and teeth would probably already send the girl running. Unless she was a shifter herself and could turn into a bear but Soneya could hardly believe that a tender girl like her could turn into such a bulk. Then again, Kaevad wasn’t the hugest either and he shifted into an extremely large animal…
Discarding the thoughts, Soneya was just about to dive deeper into the wonders of the basket to see what else she could find apart from the heart-shaped steak when Kaevad’s embarrassed growl sounded. Turning towards him with a questioning look, Soneya soon started laughing out loud. “Big fierce dragon entangled in a bit of lace… fancy that.” But she soon had a chair set-up between Kaevad and the window to try and entangle him from the curtain as quickly as possible without ruining the fabric even more.
It was easier said than done however. “How the hell did you manage to tie the fabric into knots around your horns?” Soneya cursed under her breath as there was a very audible rip as she failed to open one of said knots before it was too late. With that particular knot out of the way however, the rest finally was willing enough to obey her fickle hands and soon she gave Kaevad a soft nudge. “I have freed you of your prison.” She didn’t quite know why she felt the need to be silly about it and rapidly turned towards the window to straighten out the curtain fully again. The girl was still staring in through the window. The mix of emotions on her face was constantly shifting but they weren’t hard to read. Foremost, there was jealousy because someone else was touching her object of desire, and wistfulness at the thought of being the one to be so close to him. It made a sudden shiver run down Soneya’s spine.
Discarding the thoughts, Soneya was just about to dive deeper into the wonders of the basket to see what else she could find apart from the heart-shaped steak when Kaevad’s embarrassed growl sounded. Turning towards him with a questioning look, Soneya soon started laughing out loud. “Big fierce dragon entangled in a bit of lace… fancy that.” But she soon had a chair set-up between Kaevad and the window to try and entangle him from the curtain as quickly as possible without ruining the fabric even more.
It was easier said than done however. “How the hell did you manage to tie the fabric into knots around your horns?” Soneya cursed under her breath as there was a very audible rip as she failed to open one of said knots before it was too late. With that particular knot out of the way however, the rest finally was willing enough to obey her fickle hands and soon she gave Kaevad a soft nudge. “I have freed you of your prison.” She didn’t quite know why she felt the need to be silly about it and rapidly turned towards the window to straighten out the curtain fully again. The girl was still staring in through the window. The mix of emotions on her face was constantly shifting but they weren’t hard to read. Foremost, there was jealousy because someone else was touching her object of desire, and wistfulness at the thought of being the one to be so close to him. It made a sudden shiver run down Soneya’s spine.