“Oh no, no, venison is just fine,” Soneya replied, having a little trouble making the words audible against the wind of the dragon’s descent. “It’s been a while since I’ve had any but my mother used to have this wonderful recipe for it. Sadly, I’m not quite sure I remember how it’s done. Plus, I doubt we would have all the ingredients ready here anyway, so never mind.” Feeling like she was rambling, the young woman decided it was much better to just keep her mouth shut until they had finally touched down on the ground.
Now getting off the dragon again was much more difficult than getting up, especially after the flight since now her leg muscles were completely sore from cramping around Kaevad’s neck for so long. The position quite simply had been an unusual one and as much as she had wanted to stay aloft for eternity, she was very glad to have some firm ground back underneath her feet. “Somehow the world feels like it’s wobbling,” she muttered as she steadied herself against Kaevad, before she slowly made her way over to Rhyn.
“Can I give you a hand with anything?” she asked, eyeing the deer on the woman’s back. “It seems awfully heavy.” Of course, by now they were practically back at the cave, so there really wasn’t much to be done about carrying the animal anymore. “Do we still have enough firewood? Or is there anything else we need?” She really wanted to help, though she could already sense that she might get in the way more than anything. Kitchen duty wasn’t her strongest skill and she had no idea how cooking even worked in the wilderness other than making a fire and trying not to burn stuff with it.
"Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Rhyn looked up as Kaevad hovered in the air. The air from his wings echoed around the forest. She smiled as she came into the clearing in front of the cave that he had taken as a temporary home. Her ears flattened as his wings blew his scent towards her. The cat drew the scent in. If there was a scent for 'red,' he was it. A hard sort of scent though, almost like cold metal, from his scales, and the scent of flames from his muzzle. It all mixed together. And from here, a faint smell of Soneya was woven among it all.
When they came down though, her grin widened, unknowingly showing a remainder of blood upon her teeth. Her tail swayed gently at Soneya's offer to help. "Is fine. I need to gut it away from cave. Need sticks for a spit though." She grunted, and heaved the animal off of her shoulders, a bit of blood dribbling from the headless shoulders and onto her arm. Part of her debated finding the right things to tan the hide, but she wrinkled her nose. That would take too much time. Easier to use it to wrap the guts in, aside from the heart and liver and kidneys... Her eyes glowed. Maybe she would be full by the time that she got back to the fire with meat to cook for anybody else. Unconsciously, her tongue ran around her chops.
When they came down though, her grin widened, unknowingly showing a remainder of blood upon her teeth. Her tail swayed gently at Soneya's offer to help. "Is fine. I need to gut it away from cave. Need sticks for a spit though." She grunted, and heaved the animal off of her shoulders, a bit of blood dribbling from the headless shoulders and onto her arm. Part of her debated finding the right things to tan the hide, but she wrinkled her nose. That would take too much time. Easier to use it to wrap the guts in, aside from the heart and liver and kidneys... Her eyes glowed. Maybe she would be full by the time that she got back to the fire with meat to cook for anybody else. Unconsciously, her tongue ran around her chops.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Kaevad's head rose from having bowed to allow the girl off, his tail swishing gently. "Soneya, why don't you tend the fire? There is extra wood by the boulder near the back. Worry not about the spit, Rhyn." The dragon's smile was wry, if such a description of him showing his fangs was possible. "My claws will suffice. I've done this many a time."
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Soneya’s face immediately brightened when she was given a task and turned to get some firewood, thus not even seeing the blood still on Rhyn's teeth - probably for the best. At least, she wouldn’t feel quite so useless now with her extreme lack of survival knowledge. “Quite handy to carry your personal spit around with you,” she muttered with a grin as she made her way over to the boulder Kaevad had pointed out to her.
From what she remembered from what her grandfather had told her when he had been in the rare mood of relating some of his adventures – he had liked to go hunting in the woods – she was supposed to look for dry twigs preferably to get the fire going. And then a few larger pieces to put on once the fire was going. Although, they wouldn’t really have to worry a lot about getting the fire going, one of the trio was a firebreathing dragon after all.
With an armful of various sizes of twigs and branches, Soneya made her way back to the cave, feeling unexpectedly content, and definitely looking forward to getting something into her stomach. The noise was starting to be louder and more regular, but it was a good thing. As often as she had headaches keeping her from even forcing down a single bite, she rejoiced in the fact that she was actually really hungry and would be able to properly eat.
From what she remembered from what her grandfather had told her when he had been in the rare mood of relating some of his adventures – he had liked to go hunting in the woods – she was supposed to look for dry twigs preferably to get the fire going. And then a few larger pieces to put on once the fire was going. Although, they wouldn’t really have to worry a lot about getting the fire going, one of the trio was a firebreathing dragon after all.
With an armful of various sizes of twigs and branches, Soneya made her way back to the cave, feeling unexpectedly content, and definitely looking forward to getting something into her stomach. The noise was starting to be louder and more regular, but it was a good thing. As often as she had headaches keeping her from even forcing down a single bite, she rejoiced in the fact that she was actually really hungry and would be able to properly eat.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Rhyn grunted and nodded at Kaevad. No surprise that a dragon who could breathe fire would be able to stick his claws into the heat without damage. Her feline ears turned sideways and her nose wrinkled at the messy job ahead of her. It would be a lucky thing if she didn't have to go dive into the river to get the blood out of her fur if she did it how she was. A moment later she blinked, and shrugged. Even as she pulled the knife from her harness, she let her body shift down, muzzle pulling into her face, fur slipping underneath her skin. Her tail retracted, which was the strangest feeling of all. It was mere moments until she stood as a human. Skin, she had decided, would be much easier to clean than fur.
Not a single thought was given to the fact that she was completely nude except for her leather belt and harness. Black hair fell down to chin length, straight and without any body, around a round face with a slightly pointed chin. Her eyes were a nearly colorless grey, her body still stocky and muscular, though curving in slightly at the waist. She gave no thought to the amount of skin she was showing as she fell to her knees beside the body of the deer and sliced it open across the belly. Regardless of what anybody else wanted of the deer, Rhyn wanted the heart and liver, if not also the kidneys.
It was a messy business, butchering, and by the time that she had gotten the organs she wanted, and also sliced off one of the haunches, breaking off the lower part of her leg with a god-awful cracking noise of snapping bone, her hands were covered up to her elbows in a residue of blood and general fluid from the animal's body. She looked quite wild, though her knife continued to slice neatly, separating the skin from the meat with precise movements. Have to cook most of the meat all at once... scent doesn't travel as far down here, but there are so many more animals to catch it.
Not a single thought was given to the fact that she was completely nude except for her leather belt and harness. Black hair fell down to chin length, straight and without any body, around a round face with a slightly pointed chin. Her eyes were a nearly colorless grey, her body still stocky and muscular, though curving in slightly at the waist. She gave no thought to the amount of skin she was showing as she fell to her knees beside the body of the deer and sliced it open across the belly. Regardless of what anybody else wanted of the deer, Rhyn wanted the heart and liver, if not also the kidneys.
It was a messy business, butchering, and by the time that she had gotten the organs she wanted, and also sliced off one of the haunches, breaking off the lower part of her leg with a god-awful cracking noise of snapping bone, her hands were covered up to her elbows in a residue of blood and general fluid from the animal's body. She looked quite wild, though her knife continued to slice neatly, separating the skin from the meat with precise movements. Have to cook most of the meat all at once... scent doesn't travel as far down here, but there are so many more animals to catch it.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
He watched Soneya set both kindling and wood into the firepit and couldn't stop the need to chortle. Gesturing her aside to a safe distance, Kaevad started the fire once more, not noticing the cat shift. He DID smell the blood spill and turned to inquire if she needed assistance. Seeing her state of shape and dress, Kaevad quickly looked back to the cave and simply raised his wings to give her privacy. If a dragon could blush, he was doing it. He did look down to Soneya and consider her a moment. "I shall assume Rhyn would like to bathe after this... would you like to as well?"
It was a logical enough question, until he realized how badly that may be interpreted. For a moment he forgot the 200 years that had passed, and the fact he was a dragon. He brought a claw up to rub the back of his head, which he now bowed, blushing (if it were possible) even harder under his scales. "N-not that I want you to bath, you smell lovely as it- no no not in an inappropriate manner I mean, I err... I simply meant that perhaps you'd like to get the grim off? I'd stand guard, I won't look I swear- not THAT I'd look... I mean I would want to because you so lovely- but I wouldn't because that's be inappropriate- ... I'll just hold my tongue now." Kaevad grumbled, hiding his face in a claw. Changers... even after all these years of practice, women STILL made him trip over his tongue...
It was a logical enough question, until he realized how badly that may be interpreted. For a moment he forgot the 200 years that had passed, and the fact he was a dragon. He brought a claw up to rub the back of his head, which he now bowed, blushing (if it were possible) even harder under his scales. "N-not that I want you to bath, you smell lovely as it- no no not in an inappropriate manner I mean, I err... I simply meant that perhaps you'd like to get the grim off? I'd stand guard, I won't look I swear- not THAT I'd look... I mean I would want to because you so lovely- but I wouldn't because that's be inappropriate- ... I'll just hold my tongue now." Kaevad grumbled, hiding his face in a claw. Changers... even after all these years of practice, women STILL made him trip over his tongue...
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Soneya at first didn’t notice Rhyn’s state, mostly due to the fact that she avoided looking in direction of the deer because she knew there would be a lot of blood and quite a mess. It wasn’t that she couldn’t look at blood but it were the spilling organs that made her shiver. Only when Kaevad suddenly raised his wings did she look up questioningly. She couldn’t see Rhyn through the curtain of wings but she was staring at Kaevad as though he had completely lost his mind when he suddenly began rambling about bathing and looks and... Oh my.. Soneya didn’t know where to look or how to hide when he inadvertently complimented her. Her cheeks flushed a deep red and she could feel her face burning with embarrassment.
A bath did sound nice however and right then, it seemed the best possible option to escape this horribly painful moment. As much as she wanted to deny it – or remind herself that the man complimenting her was actually a dragon shifter and more than 200 years old – she still couldn’t deny that she was severely moved by his words, despite the fact that he had rambled and not made all that much sense in the end.
“Bath, yes. Very much so,” she muttered, trying to hide her still burning face in her hair as she made her way around the dragon as quickly as possible, without looking towards Rhyn because if Kaevad had been so flustered after the sight, she didn’t want to see. There weren’t that many options for shocking a man out of his wits and she wanted to respect Rhyn’s privacy, even though the woman didn’t seem to mind, otherwise the situation wouldn’t have arisen in the first place. Luckily for her, the river wasn’t too far off and even without a clear sense of direction, she soon found it by following the sound of the water, and she immediately splashed her hot face with the refreshing cold.
A bath did sound nice however and right then, it seemed the best possible option to escape this horribly painful moment. As much as she wanted to deny it – or remind herself that the man complimenting her was actually a dragon shifter and more than 200 years old – she still couldn’t deny that she was severely moved by his words, despite the fact that he had rambled and not made all that much sense in the end.
“Bath, yes. Very much so,” she muttered, trying to hide her still burning face in her hair as she made her way around the dragon as quickly as possible, without looking towards Rhyn because if Kaevad had been so flustered after the sight, she didn’t want to see. There weren’t that many options for shocking a man out of his wits and she wanted to respect Rhyn’s privacy, even though the woman didn’t seem to mind, otherwise the situation wouldn’t have arisen in the first place. Luckily for her, the river wasn’t too far off and even without a clear sense of direction, she soon found it by following the sound of the water, and she immediately splashed her hot face with the refreshing cold.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Rhyn paid no attention to the others, fully immersed in the business of clearing out the bowels of the animal, laying the insides out on the inside of the deer hide that she had pushed back from the side of the deer. A smear of blood was no dashed across her cheek, spilling slightly towards her lips. She noted as Soneya fled in the direction of the river. Kaevad had raised his wings, his back to her.
The woman continued butchering the deer, until she had it cut up in relatively manageable sections to cook. The organs she wanted to eat were set on top of the rest of the meat, and the offal was wrapped up in half of the hide, ready to be dragged into the forest. She figured she would dispose of it, perhaps throw it in the river. The fish wouldn't mind the offering. Or she would throw it off into the woods for the coons to get at, away from camp.
the other half of the hide was underneath the meat and bones, saving the meat from any dirt. Her voice was soft and questioning as she wiped her hands unconsciously across her stomach. "Kaevad? Could you start cooking some of this... I go to wash." She held up her hands in explanation, waiting for him to acknowledge her before moving in the direction of the river herself.
The woman continued butchering the deer, until she had it cut up in relatively manageable sections to cook. The organs she wanted to eat were set on top of the rest of the meat, and the offal was wrapped up in half of the hide, ready to be dragged into the forest. She figured she would dispose of it, perhaps throw it in the river. The fish wouldn't mind the offering. Or she would throw it off into the woods for the coons to get at, away from camp.
the other half of the hide was underneath the meat and bones, saving the meat from any dirt. Her voice was soft and questioning as she wiped her hands unconsciously across her stomach. "Kaevad? Could you start cooking some of this... I go to wash." She held up her hands in explanation, waiting for him to acknowledge her before moving in the direction of the river herself.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
She was scarlet as she moved away - enough so Kaevad marveled at how close it was to his own scales. So when Rhyn walked back, nude and covered in blood, Kaevad rumbled a quick affirmative, knowing the cat would guard the girl. Assured and more than a little embarrassed at his terrible and ungentlemanly conduct, Kaevad began to roast the venison. Normally he wouldn't care. Normally he'd just snap up the deer in his maw and eat it, or if he was human, just roast the damn thing whole and eat it. This time... this time he cooked it carefully, eveb going to the trouble of finding an actual spit for a moment so he could gather some mushrooms to go with the meat. During the entire process he'd slowly shifted to a human. He was just about there, too, when the girls walked in.
Green eyes peered up over evenly seared chops even as mushrooms cooked slowly over a hot, flat rock he'd washed up in a different part of the stream. He still (oddly enough) had his wings, horns and claws but that was it as far as his dragon-ness went. He smiled tiredly. "Easier to eat and talk as a human, I hope you don't mind." He murmured, reclining and watching the meat grill over the fire.
Green eyes peered up over evenly seared chops even as mushrooms cooked slowly over a hot, flat rock he'd washed up in a different part of the stream. He still (oddly enough) had his wings, horns and claws but that was it as far as his dragon-ness went. He smiled tiredly. "Easier to eat and talk as a human, I hope you don't mind." He murmured, reclining and watching the meat grill over the fire.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
At first, Soneya was thoroughly embarrassed by the fact that Rhyn was stark naked but after a while of fussing about, she grew accustomed to it. It helped that the woman was completely unperturbed by her own nudity and the fact that others could see every inch of her skin. It made Soneya lose most of her embarrassment as she needed to undress herself to properly wash up. The bath itself felt splendid and utterly refreshing, even though the water was fairly cold.
Upon their return at the cave, Soneya was surprised to see Kaevad mostly back in his human form. The large wings looked a little out of place on the small man – in comparison – but it oddly suited him. For a brief moment, Soneya was reminded of their previous encounter and her cheeks threatened to burn up once again but she forced herself not to think about it because otherwise she would be reminded that he was not half bad to look at himself.
“Oh, looks like breakfast is ready,” she smiled, moving her focus to something completely unrelated. “I feel like I’m completely abusing your skills here,” she muttered. “And it looks like I am once again in both your debt. For not letting me starve, this time around.” It was a matter of fact, not a complaint or a whine, but she was quite simply stating the truth. Of course, it might not have been that far back to Marn where she could have eaten something, but she quickly brushed that thought aside.
Upon their return at the cave, Soneya was surprised to see Kaevad mostly back in his human form. The large wings looked a little out of place on the small man – in comparison – but it oddly suited him. For a brief moment, Soneya was reminded of their previous encounter and her cheeks threatened to burn up once again but she forced herself not to think about it because otherwise she would be reminded that he was not half bad to look at himself.
“Oh, looks like breakfast is ready,” she smiled, moving her focus to something completely unrelated. “I feel like I’m completely abusing your skills here,” she muttered. “And it looks like I am once again in both your debt. For not letting me starve, this time around.” It was a matter of fact, not a complaint or a whine, but she was quite simply stating the truth. Of course, it might not have been that far back to Marn where she could have eaten something, but she quickly brushed that thought aside.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
The water was almost warm, Rhyn decided. She had tossed her things to one side in order to keep the water from ruining the leather, but after gingerly testing the water, had waded in up to her thighs without hesitation. Compared to the icy streams she had sometimes used to get blood off of her, this as warm. Still a chilly river, but not a glacier.
It didn't take long for her to rinse the blood off of her skin. Fur is so much more beautiful. She awkwardly pushed back her chin length hair, feeling sorry for humans that had to deal with such things on a daily basis. So vulnerable to the cold, to anything. When she stepped from the water, keeping a subtle eye on the girl and an ear out for anything approaching, she shook herself, using her hands to wipe most of the moisture from her skin before flowing smoothly into her half-shape once more.
It would be disconcerting for any who watched. Fur smoothly rippled out of her skin, and as her tail grew from the base of her spine, the growth was slightly ahead of the fur covering it. Joints seemed to shift how they were placed, and her hair shortened until it was short, and white rather than black.
She walked back with Soneya, quiet but watchful, and nodded at Kaevad as she passed his winged form. Automatically, she looked over the food over the fire, smiling when she spotted the organs she had left to be cooked settled to one side. She responded without looking to Soneya's words. "Is only right. The strong care for the weak. If it were not that way, many thins would fall into chaos." Rhyn didn't think about how it could be considered insulting to imply that Soneya herself as weak, but it made sense in the woman's head. Because she couldn't care for herself in the wilds, Kaevad and Rhyn, who could, would help her.
It didn't take long for her to rinse the blood off of her skin. Fur is so much more beautiful. She awkwardly pushed back her chin length hair, feeling sorry for humans that had to deal with such things on a daily basis. So vulnerable to the cold, to anything. When she stepped from the water, keeping a subtle eye on the girl and an ear out for anything approaching, she shook herself, using her hands to wipe most of the moisture from her skin before flowing smoothly into her half-shape once more.
It would be disconcerting for any who watched. Fur smoothly rippled out of her skin, and as her tail grew from the base of her spine, the growth was slightly ahead of the fur covering it. Joints seemed to shift how they were placed, and her hair shortened until it was short, and white rather than black.
She walked back with Soneya, quiet but watchful, and nodded at Kaevad as she passed his winged form. Automatically, she looked over the food over the fire, smiling when she spotted the organs she had left to be cooked settled to one side. She responded without looking to Soneya's words. "Is only right. The strong care for the weak. If it were not that way, many thins would fall into chaos." Rhyn didn't think about how it could be considered insulting to imply that Soneya herself as weak, but it made sense in the woman's head. Because she couldn't care for herself in the wilds, Kaevad and Rhyn, who could, would help her.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Kaevad was smiling at the girl and was about to brush off her embarrassment with a simple 'it was no trouble at all.' when Rhyn spoke without thinking. Kaevad couldn't stop himself from slapping his face with the palm of his hand. He may have been in the woods for many, many years... but even he knew better than this- gah time to fix it, women usually get so damn worked up over nothing.
"I think what she means is that it was no trouble, as we're more used to this than you, Soneya." Kaevad smoothed over quickly. "Just as you'd likely save us with city human interactions... I am... rusty." He managed shortly before gesturing at the cat. "And I doubt she'd do well in a conversation. Therefore, we are weak when it comes to such things. You, however, likely have the prowess of us both as far as that is concerned." He smiled genuinely at her, green eyes glowing over the fire. He realized it a moment later and quickly went back to cooking, muttering to himself as he attempted to keep the meat tender.
"I think what she means is that it was no trouble, as we're more used to this than you, Soneya." Kaevad smoothed over quickly. "Just as you'd likely save us with city human interactions... I am... rusty." He managed shortly before gesturing at the cat. "And I doubt she'd do well in a conversation. Therefore, we are weak when it comes to such things. You, however, likely have the prowess of us both as far as that is concerned." He smiled genuinely at her, green eyes glowing over the fire. He realized it a moment later and quickly went back to cooking, muttering to himself as he attempted to keep the meat tender.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Soneya was a little hurt, yes, but while the words may have sounded more patronising than they had been meant, she also knew that they were true. There simply was no way around that fact: she was weak. Kaevad’s words did little to improve her feelings however, rather on the contrary. They merely made her more aware of her deficiencies because she wasn’t the best at talking either, at least not in any cunning way. Asking questions, sure, but that was easy.
“I’m not really all that good with the conversations either,” she grumbled, wrapping herself in her arms as a means of trying to comfort herself. “I know my way around and I know how to talk to those with authority but other than that, so I guess that’s enough to help you out of any situation in case there would be a problem. But,” she quickly added when she realised just how awful and lame she sounded once again, “I shall do my best to help you wherever I can!”
Though with all this, she wondered whether she really hadn’t better to go home again. As fabulous as it sounded to be on an adventure with these two, what good would it be? She had no skills and would only be a hindrance for them, one they would constantly have to watch over. Then again, it had also made her realise that her life in Marn wasn’t the best either. Of course, she had a family and a roof over her head, enough food and clothes, but that was about it.
Shaking off those thoughts again, Soneya concentrated on breakfast and moved closer to the fire. Once again, she dragged a piece of fur behind her to put down by the flames so they could sit down and eat together without chilling off their buts on the floor. It might not make a lot of difference to either of them though, the animals within them would most likely keep them warm enough.
“So you’re going to take me back after breakfast?” Soneya asked, not sure she wanted to know the answer but she went on nonetheless. “Or what is the plan?”
“I’m not really all that good with the conversations either,” she grumbled, wrapping herself in her arms as a means of trying to comfort herself. “I know my way around and I know how to talk to those with authority but other than that, so I guess that’s enough to help you out of any situation in case there would be a problem. But,” she quickly added when she realised just how awful and lame she sounded once again, “I shall do my best to help you wherever I can!”
Though with all this, she wondered whether she really hadn’t better to go home again. As fabulous as it sounded to be on an adventure with these two, what good would it be? She had no skills and would only be a hindrance for them, one they would constantly have to watch over. Then again, it had also made her realise that her life in Marn wasn’t the best either. Of course, she had a family and a roof over her head, enough food and clothes, but that was about it.
Shaking off those thoughts again, Soneya concentrated on breakfast and moved closer to the fire. Once again, she dragged a piece of fur behind her to put down by the flames so they could sit down and eat together without chilling off their buts on the floor. It might not make a lot of difference to either of them though, the animals within them would most likely keep them warm enough.
“So you’re going to take me back after breakfast?” Soneya asked, not sure she wanted to know the answer but she went on nonetheless. “Or what is the plan?”
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Rhyn snorted at Kaevad's rephrasing of her words and expounding upon them. "Is what I said, no?" It seemed that the presence of the food had made her slightly less quiet, and a little more bold in her speech. She wrinkled her nose and let the topic drop though, not wishing to expound upon things until she ran out of the words to have a proper conversation. The strong help the weak, and the weak, in turn, help as they can, and learn, and become strong. It is nature. If they do no learn, they will either forever be taken care of, or they will die... most likely die. But Soneya... she will learn. Nodding to herself, she felt satisfied.
The cat-woman sat down, but eyed the remaining pile of raw meat. The liver was among that. Perhaps best if she waited to eat it until hey had taken Soneya home though. She preferred it when it was only barely seared on the outside. Her ears tuned to the girl as she spoke once more, and pale eyes turned to Kaevad to answer. Rhyn would happily escort Soneya back once breakfast was over... or she would help the girl learn about the world, and after finding Brad's son and passing on those things Brad had asked her to, take her with her on a short journey.
But she would not force a choice upon the girl. If she wished to return to her family, such was life.
The cat-woman sat down, but eyed the remaining pile of raw meat. The liver was among that. Perhaps best if she waited to eat it until hey had taken Soneya home though. She preferred it when it was only barely seared on the outside. Her ears tuned to the girl as she spoke once more, and pale eyes turned to Kaevad to answer. Rhyn would happily escort Soneya back once breakfast was over... or she would help the girl learn about the world, and after finding Brad's son and passing on those things Brad had asked her to, take her with her on a short journey.
But she would not force a choice upon the girl. If she wished to return to her family, such was life.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
She looked so... small.She was curled up, hiding in his furs, looking all defeated. Her words didn't help any, so when Rhyn looked to him for the answer, Kaevad stood, subtly moving the bits he knew she wanted, closer. Silently he crossed the cave to his young friend and crouched before her before kneeling and rubbing his hands up and down her shoulders. "You're already better than us then, little one. Perhaps we have something to learn from you, just as you can learn from us if you choose." Turning to Rhyn for confirmation and receiving it, he turned back.
"The only way I'll take you home is if that is what you truly desire." He paused a moment before smiling. "Though, if I am being honest, I would rather steal you away to show you the world." He wanted to hold her, badly, he wanted to encourage her to grow even more. It was as though he were looking into the eyes of Aileen's reincarnation. The thought hurt more than he'd thought it could, but he countered it swiftly. I shall protect her with my life. Both voices, much to Kaevad's eternal bafflement, agreed with him.
"If you are set on returning home, I shall take you, but this will not be the last time you see me... I may be rusty, but I can learn how to live among people." He paused and tilted his head at Rhyn. "And perhaps keep a pet snow leopard." He looked back, eyes glittering with energy and purpose - two things he hadn't had in roughly 60 years. "Whatever you decide, little Soneya. But either decision need not be permanent. We can give both a try, should it prove necessary."
"The only way I'll take you home is if that is what you truly desire." He paused a moment before smiling. "Though, if I am being honest, I would rather steal you away to show you the world." He wanted to hold her, badly, he wanted to encourage her to grow even more. It was as though he were looking into the eyes of Aileen's reincarnation. The thought hurt more than he'd thought it could, but he countered it swiftly. I shall protect her with my life. Both voices, much to Kaevad's eternal bafflement, agreed with him.
"If you are set on returning home, I shall take you, but this will not be the last time you see me... I may be rusty, but I can learn how to live among people." He paused and tilted his head at Rhyn. "And perhaps keep a pet snow leopard." He looked back, eyes glittering with energy and purpose - two things he hadn't had in roughly 60 years. "Whatever you decide, little Soneya. But either decision need not be permanent. We can give both a try, should it prove necessary."