Welcome to Gaia! ::

The more time she had spent in Mryddin's company the less time she had spent thinking of anything else. Left far behind were foolish notions of the child she once was, those ideals and impulses shedding to reveal the mare she was beneath... Or, rather, the mare she would one day be.

She could see it in herself even now as she glanced at her reflection in the still waters of the lake they had found the night before. Her legs, while still long, didn't seem as awkward when compared to the rest of her body. The soft fuzz of her baby coat had shed, replacing itself with a warmer cover that would help see her through the cooler months. The spikes on her tail had grown and she was learning how to keep them from getting stuck on things. Her wings had grown; flight was more than just a dream now.

Closing her eyes she paused to listen to what was around her, certain she'd spend enough time in her own thoughts that she would be caught off guard if she didn't pay attention to something else. She was learning still, but keeping mind of her surroundings was a lesson she knew she couldn't forget.


To say he wasn't proud of Malison would be grossly understated. She was a very apt student and always eager to learn anything he had to talk about. Indeed, the Red Dragon was a rather boisterous about the knowledge he held of his kind. And that the very blood of his kind did run through the veins of his charge was never in doubt as she grew. Myrddin knew she was almost ready to journey on her own, as soon as she was master of the skies.

But currently, they were going over lessons that had been taught months ago. He moved along the lake's shore, watching which ways her ears would twist about to pinpoint his location and allowing his tail to scrap against the sands. The stalked towards her right side to see if she would notice his approach and what action she might take.


The sound of sand against scale was so subtle, but it was there. She knew it, feeling it as she took a deep breath, letting the cool air fill her lungs as she waited, catching his scent in the air. Her body tensed as she listened.

He was moving again. He'd be by her side soon enough... But from which direction? She turned her body slightly, just enough to ensure that her back wouldn't be to him when he emerged. Never leave blind spots open. Her wings shifted, tail flicking behind her as green eyes gleamed.


She had the basics down, which was good--very good. "If you can't see your quarry, scent and sound are your best allies. But don't forget to listen to the intuitive part of your brain." They were expanding on what she had learned over the time, he was still preach much of the same lessons even though she could probably anticipate his responses.

He looked up at the skies overhead. The conditions were perfect for flight. Of course, warm-ups were required since she was still so new to it all. "Exercise your wings like I instructed during our journey." He unfurled his own wings that had been tugged to his sides and gave them several strong beats to get the blood flowing.

"No harm if you don't get off the ground, but your target is the birds that fly overhead." It was not only a lesson in flight, but in aerial combat as well. Obviously they'd be smaller than bringing down a deer making them more nimble.


She nodded along with his words, remembering that almost well enough to repeat it back to him as he said it by now. She was very proud of how much she'd managed to remember, that pride showing in a grin that showed off her fangs as she stretched her wings out slowly.

"Birds..." She lifted her gaze to the sky above them, eying the creatures. They were significantly smaller than she was; not something that she would often hunt on her own. There was never enough meat on them to make up for the amount of feathers that wound up sticking to ones tongue... But she'd catch one anyways, just to prove that she could.

She held one bird in her sight as she worked her wings harder, pawing at the ground with her front hooves before taking off into a run in hopes of getting the momentum to carry herself into the sky. Her wings caught wind as she did so, beating against the air until she was in the sky. Shaky, yes, but airborne.


Well, she had gone beyond his expectations, as usual, by managing to get airborne. However, it was a matter of her catching the bird. Of course, some would say that he was pushing her faster than was normal, but they were dragons first, Kalona second. They were different from the norm so the goal he'd set up for her was perfect. There was no need for him to show her how to do the mission yet until she tried first, so he followed her on the ground, watching her progress with narrowed molten eyes.


Flying was easy enough until her wings began to ache from keeping her body airborne as she chased the flock of little biddies through through the air, snapping at the one that seemed to be taunting her by staying just out of reach. She lashed out with her tail at the one that flew past her, that movement catching weary wings off guard, making her flight falter.

She hissed as she spiraled down, catching herself on a gust that lifted her up at the last moment before sending her back down in a glide that made landing a bit easier... Certainly not perfect, but easier. "Stupid birds..."


He had watched her attempt, still more than he had expected, noting the way the bird flew more than how his charge was coping. When she landed, he was flashing sharp teeth at her. "A difficult task I assure you, but first, what did you learn about your first flight?" He'd talk about the flight pattern of the bird after he heard her.


"My wings aren't used to carrying my body. I need to build up more strength in my wings." Her nose wrinkled as she turned her gaze from her mentor to the empty sky where the birds had once been. "They fly fast and the tiny ones can change direction quickly... Does that mean I have to anticipate their movements?"


Myrddin followed her gaze skyward. "And the only way to build strength in your wings is to lift your body off the ground daily, but don't overdo the effort. Torn muscles are not the goal for flight."

He glanced side-ways at her. "And you would be correct. Anticipation is part of every hunt. But not only were you to bring the bird down, but to learn their movements for yourself. If you were ever attacked in the air, it's best to follow your natural instinct as well as the habit of the finch. How would you practice being agile like those birds?"


"I think..." She paused for a moment, eyes still on the sky as she stared at the birds before finally turning to look at Mryddin. "I think that the best way to practice would be experiencing it. How can you learn without doing something yourself? I would have to be chased." She looked back to the blue stretching out above her as she spoke the last words, stretching her wings out to flex them.


"You would be correct. Which is why, once you've gained strength in your wings to keep you aloft, I'll be chasing you through the air. It's the only way," he said with emotionless, blank eyes.

And the ruthless part of his breed was beginning to peek through. He'd spent several weeks raising this young mare and now he was threatening harm to teach her just how to survive on her own. But wasn't that what the wild, savage beast did? Not exactly. They were games that taught the lessons, but a deranged Kalona would attack with all force and think nothing of the consequences. It was to kill and survive. It was better she was prepared.


Whereas words such as the ones Mryddin spoke might have given any other the chills, might have made any other doubt everything they had learned up to that point. Not her though... No, instead Mryddin's words made her grin. He was giving her something else to look forward to; a chance to prove herself and to prove that he hadn't made a mistake in taking her under his wing.

"I won't let you down."

It was strange to her that these lands were just cold and wet, but no evidence of the snow she had left at her home just north. And it was raining, not snowing. She stared at the sky momentarily before dipping her darkened muzzle into the river.

Vidia felt like her life was crawling by her. Her mother's words came back to her, "you'll miss it when it's gone." One day, she knew, her life would flood like the spring river. Why couldn't it now though?


Zuilian sighed as he made his way slowly towards the river. His two-legger Adsali, had told him that he should go out and stretch his legs after they had been cooped up in a cave all night. Sometimes being a wanderer with no real herd or place to call home was a pain. Shaking his head he trotted towards the water, the mare not registering in his brain until he was almost beside her. "Oh I'm terribly sorry miss. I didn't mean to disturb you." Here he bowed his head in apology, "Please forgive me..... errr....what's your name? Mine's Zuilian."


She was pulled out of her revery. She hadn't anticipated actually meeting someone as she journeyed outside of the herdlands, but she had probably grown accustom to the birds that flitted through to warn her of a newcomer's progression. "It's perfectly all right," she murmured as she took a few side steps away from him so he wasn't invading too much of her personal space.

Ah, another one that got straight to the point. She'd need to start traveling with an escort to avoid these uncomfortable introductions when she was alone. "My name is Vidia. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintances, Mister Zuilian. Obnoxious weather, don't you agree?"


He let out a soft laugh and nodded. "Indeed it is. I apologize if I got too close Miss Vidia. I didn't mean to offend you. I hadn't noticed anyone was around. You know how it is when one is lost in thought I'm sure." He gave her a sheepish grin and shook his head.

"Hmm...I've never seen you around here before, though to be fair I'm not from around here either. Do you have a herd or a two-legger with you?" He asked her out of curiousity. Most of the Soquili he had met so far had been alone....well that he knew of.


Indeed, she did know what it was like to be lost in thought. It seemed she was always lost in thought nowadays after returning home. She couldn't quite place her hoof on just what caused her to be so withdrawn within.

But he did know how to keep a conversation rolling. "I have both, actually. My parents decided to form one around my mother's two-legger's land after my younger siblings were born. The border is just north of where the river forks."


Zuilian nodded, "I see. My two-legger and I are nomadic. At the moment we're staying in a cave beyond the clearing." He shifted to get a better look at the mare. She was very pretty and seemed an intelligent sort. He wondered why she was alone and decided to ask her just that question, "Miss Vidia, may inquire as to why you're here all alone?"


"Well, I've heard of several who do that sort of thing. Eventually, most settle down in the village," she nodded. And then stood stock still. He hadn't just asked her that personal of a question, had he? She finally realized she'd closed her eyes earlier and slowly opened them.

Why was she alone? "That's a rather personal question to be asking me," she said sounding a bit flustered. She shuffled from hoof to hoof as she thought out a polite response without delving too much of herself to a complete stranger. "Well, one can only handle so much family time as possible after touring the lands for a year."


The stallion had the good grace to realize his mistake and be embarrassed by it. He dipped his head low and said in a humble tone, "Forgive me my lady. I did not mean to pry. I offer you my most abject and humblest apologies."

He stayed with his head bowed and would remain in this position until Vidia either dismissed him or accepted his apology. Zui was too curious for his own good he knew and he had possibly offended a potential friend. His tail swished nervously as he prayed to the spirits that Vidia would accept his apology.


He wasn't a complete loss like most she had run across over the years. "I accept your apology." She was even truly smiling, something that had been missing for the last few months.

She gave her mane a toss, trying her best to get the pale and red tipped pieces out of her eyes. "You must forgive me for my inability with conversation. I typically don't talk with most outside of my own herd and even then it's a short encounter."


Zuilian sighed in relief and lifted his head. He was glad that she had accepted and hoped this misstep wouldn't mar this potential friendship.

"It's quite alright Miss Vidia. You're only the third mare I've met and the loveliest by far." He shook his head dismissively and gave a snort, "I'm sure you hear that too often. Anyone with eyes can see what a beautiful mare you are. Ah, but where are my manners? Would you like to meet my two-legger, she usually has some lovely treats and it would be wonderful to get out of the rain." Zui gave the mare a sincere and hopeful smile after extending his invitation. He was oddly nervous about introducing Vidia to Adsali. Unsure of why that might be, he shook his head and waited to hear her decision.


Of course, just keeping the conversation to something agreeable was her goal. She really didn't have anything nice to say about her fellow mares. And she really wanted to roll her eyes at the comment on her beauty. She had learned from Althalus long ago not to take flattering words to heart or have them mean more than what they were--words. But it couldn't hurt her to accept what he was offering. "I'd be happy to meet her. They're always so different from my own."


He smiled brightly and wheeled to the north and gestured that she should follow. When Zui was sure Vidia was with him, he set off towards the cave at a quick trot. He stopped a moment and gave her a rather large smile and said with a laugh, "Just be grateful you've got no purple on you Miss Vidia. Adsali....well....let's just say she's very fond of that color and leave it at that for now." He chuckled and started off again, the wind streaming through his hair as they moved.


She wasn't entirely sure what he meant about the purple, glancing at her own pelt momentarily before following on behind him. What she did notice was they were heading towards a very familiar direction. Her mother probably knew about the coming and goings of most thanks to the bird system they'd been introduced to by the Islagaitt herd. "I must be lucky to not be colored in such a shade."


"I've seen her take down quite a few purple-related items with just one well placed tackle. That woman doesn't know her own strength!" His voice was incredulous as he related this fact to Vidia. He sped up a bit as they got a bit closer to the area where the two were staying. The mouth of the cave came into sight while they chatted about innocuous things.
"Anything in particular that you like as a snack?" he asked her conversationally. Adsali was waiting just outside with a bright smile for both soquili.


Vidia was trying to picture in her head just how a two-legger would be able to take down any Soquili, but then the enthusiasm of most could be very surprising. She shook her head as they approached closer and let out a very soft nicker to the woman who was awaiting them.

"I'm not quite so picky when it comes to foods, Mister Zuilian. That may come as a surprise to you since most say I am very judgmental."


The stallion chuckled as his two-legger rubbed Vidia's nose with a warm, gentle hand. "You can just call me Zui Miss Vidia." He paused the conversation to search for a treat on Adsali. The young woman laughed softly and took out some apples for the two Soquili.


"Very well, Zui." It rubbed against her new manners, but if it made him happy, she would oblige.

She watched his reaction with his two-legger, it was oddly familiar to that of her mother and Evening Night. She wouldn't completely understand how others could treat them like they were their own species, but she wasn't completely pig-headed like a Wind she'd met and heard about so long ago.

"You say that you and you're two-legger travel around? That's different from what I'm accustomed to. My mother's stays in one place. I think she always has. I wouldn't know since I was born there."


It irked her. She hadn't said anything to him, but calling him Zui bothered her for some reason. He leaned forward and with a merry twinkle in his eye murmured,"You can call me whatever makes you comfortable Miss Vidia. I don't mind."
The stallion took the apple from Adsali and let the young woman offer the other one to Vidia. He thought about his answer while taking a bite of his treat and swallowing it. "That's how we've always done it. It's actually how we met."

He grinned as he savored the recalled memory. That had been a good day when Adsali had shown up. She might annoy him from time to time but his two-legger was a good friend.
"I know she doesn't say it, but I think she wants to stop roaming. It might be nice to put down roots somewhere and settle down."


She gave a nod, unsure of what to say without showing the slight discomfort she got from how well he had read her. And luckily, the apple that was presented to her was a good enough excuse not to say anything for a few moments.

Vidia swallowed and offered a smile. "Well, there are plenty of places available. If you're looking for stability or security, there are plenty of herds as well." There. She'd made the suggestion and made sure it wasn't a complete open invite to just her herd. "And there's always the village further south."


Zuilian looked thoughtful as he nodded to what Vidia said about other herds and the village. He considered jokingly asking her if the other herds would include her in them, but decided against it. One simply did not get fresh with a lady that they had just met.
"Hmmm... Now there's a thinker. Where would it be best for us to stay?"

The stallion looked at what he hoped was his new friend. She seemed knowledgeable about these parts. Maybe Vidia could tell him something about the other herds in these parts.
"Miss Vidia, what can you tell me about the other herds? I want to hear about them...and yours of course."
There, he'd asked about her herd without making an improper remark. Now she wouldn't get upset and leave.


She made a humming noise as she thought. She didn't know much about all the herds, but there were two others she had a vague inclination about. "Well, my herd is allied with the Islagaitt. I know that the only way to join them is an invitation from an existing member. There's a Wind herd to the north, but they're a pure Wind herd--the last I heard. There are several out there who are open to new members and don't care about breed."

She saved her herd for last in the explanation. "Well, father and mother started the Unega'Gohunvhi when my younger sisters were still in the basket. It keeps him tied to the territory and gives protection to not only his family, but a flutter family that lives with us."


It seemed that he wouldn't be welcome in at least one of the herds out there. He dismissed the idea of searching out the others. He wasn't keen on the idea of having to hunt down herds to ask if he could live with them. That left him with Vidia's herd. He wondered if she would have a problem with that. Would she think he was being too forward?

"Err...Miss Vidia? Not to seem....fresh or anything, but... Well, that is to say... Do you think I'd be welcome in your herd?"


She actually paused and thought about it. She knew there were plenty of other herds out there, but then her family hadn't sent out an ambassador to learn about them. So it would seem logical that his current choice be left with her herd. And in a round-about way she had invited him.

She kept her silence for a few more minutes. It would be nice to have someone other than those she grew up around or had grow up around her in the herd, but she wasn't going to let him know that. The silence was to make him uneasy. "You would still have to meet my mother to gain any approval."

Vidia purposely didn't tell him how easy going her mother really could be. Why ease fears when it was interesting to see how someone would handle the unknown? Wait, where had that thought come from? She wasn't one to toy with others. "What about your two-legger? Will she go where you lead?"


Zuilian twitched and looked worried about what her mother (more importantly her father!) would think of some strange stallion appearing out of thin air. Even worse, would it look bad if he followed Vidia there? His ears went flat as panic started to build up. Luckily Vidia's question was distracting enough.
"Hmm? Adsali? I'm sure she would. She's terribly lonely and doesn't like me to be gone for too long. I've never left her side for more than a day and a half at the most. Errr...do you...think the...the herd will like me?"
The stallion had almost asked if her parents would like him, but that seemed quite unwise. That would seem presumptive of him to ask such a question.


Vidia nodded her head. It made perfect sense to her even if she sought out solitude from her family and was quickly lonely. Perhaps it was companionship she had been denied and denied herself this year. "It's always nice to have someone by your side." Cryptic, but that was her opinion.

Then laughed, a quiet sound that matched her demeanor, at his next question. "You're different compared to most that we have under our care, at least in appearance. Each opinion will differ like the herd. So as a whole, I honestly couldn't tell you if they would or wouldn't."


He wondered now with her words if he would cause turmoil. Zuilian didn't want to cause problems for Vidia. "Miss Vidia, it won't be a problem will it? Me being a unicorn won't upset folks in your herd I hope." In a moment of bone-headed male moments he blurted out, "You have a lovely laugh." He winced and braced himself for a volatile reaction.


She blushed. There wasn't anything else for her to do after such a comment but pretend it hadn't effected her and answer his question, even if she could feel the heat scalding her cheeks. "Nacio is a flutter, his son is half. My siblings are all half winds. I don't think anyone will judge you, Mister Zuilian, based on your breed since we've been judged so harshly in the past."


He stammered a bit shocked that he had said that. Zui was also pleasantly surprised that she seemed affected by his random compliment. "Ah right. I suppose they wouldn't."
Zuilian shuffled uncomfortably and started to apologize, "I'm so sorry if my comment was out of turn." The poor stallion was completely flustered. What on earth had made him blurt something like that out??! Was he trying to wreck a friendship with her before it got started?! So the conversation on his end lapsed momentarily as he berated himself mentally.


She really didn't know what else to say, but gave her head a bob and said, "Apology accepted." And again, the unsettling silence lapsed over them. She really wasn't accustom to being quiet around others--finding it rude not to speak, but annoying to babble.

"From the sounds of our little chat, it seems you have made up your mind on your next destination."


Zui looked at Vidia without really looking at her. "Hmm...? Oh... Oh yes. Indeed." Relief washed over his face as her words washed over him. She had accepted his apology! His ears stood straight up on his head as he nodded to himself. "Yes I believe that's an excellent idea. When would you like to head out?"


She cleared her throat. He hadn't exactly asked to escort her back, but then not everyone behaved like her, so she let it slide. "We can leave whenever you'd like." She left the decision up to him since he had asked the question. True, it was roundabout, but she wasn't certain what else to say.


Now that she had agreed that they could set out he bowed his head and asked in his most gallant voice, "Miss Vidia, would you allow this humble stallion to be your escort?" He lifted his eyes to her face and gave her a playful smile as he did so.


She stared at him for a few seconds, registering that he'd just asked her to be an escort. So he wasn't a complete loss. Sky above, he hadn't been a loss to begin with; she was just being harsh. "Yes, Mister Zuilian, you may."

Of course, she pointed her nose in the direction they were to head. "Just follow the river north. You'll see a willow tree that has feathers."


His head lifted and Zui gave Vidia a full blown smile. "Thank you milady. Would you like to rest for the night and leave tomorrow then?" It was inexplicable. He had just met this mare and now he wanted to make sure that nothing happened to her while he was her escort. Certainly he felt protective towards his other female friends, but this seemed different somehow. Mentally shrugging to himself and dismissing the train of thought for the moment he turned to hear Vidia's answer.


She glanced up at the sky, noting just how much time had actually passed while she'd conversed and journeyed shortly with the stallion before her. It was a logical choice and for once she actually trusted him--unlike the other stallions she had met. "I believe that would be best."

An early enough start and she'd have time to even give him a tour as well as a brief history about the lands and her family. Wait, what was she thinking? No-no, her family history was incorporated into the herd's history. You couldn't tell one without the other. "Lead the way," she said smiling back.


The stallion nodded and started towards the back of the cave. "Believe it or not there's more back this way. You can have your own little spot. There's a couple of smaller caves adjacent to this one so you can have your privacy." Zui was nothing if not a gentleman! No one would be able to accuse him of trying to take advantage of his charge while they were alone. "In one of them there's a little stream with fresh water to drink if you'd rather not go all the way back out to the main cave then out to the river," he told her conversationally.


Well, this was certainly more than she had anticipated. She'd slept in caves before, but this was a system instead of just a hole in the mountain. She could feel the temperature dropping until it was the norm that most caves had, a bit on the cool side but the thickening fur helped. "Thank you, Zui," she said quietly, dropping the earlier formality.


Zui stumbled over a loose rock when Vidia used the informal nickname he had told her was alright to use. Turning with wide, but delighted eyes, he gave her the brightest smile he could muster. "You're more than welcome...Vidia. I'm sure Adsali will build you a fire later if you get too cold. I think she also has an extra blanket in her pack." Okay, so that last part was a lie. The blanket was his, but she was most likely going to need it more being further in to the cave. Vidia didn't need to know that though.


She gave her head a shake, mostly to keep the full effect of his smile from being so noticeable. "I may be difficult to understand, but I'm really a very simple mare. I will be more than fine." Her pale fur only seemed thin in appearance, but when full winter hit she would be as wooly as a mammoth.


He chuckled, mostly to himself."Well I don't know if you're complicated or not Vidia. I haven't seen any evidence to indicate that." He nodded to himself. There, he'd been honest and managed a compliment at the same time. Maybe he wasn't such a bonehead after all?


She turned her back towards him, entering the indicated outlet. She didn't know what to say or do with a compliment, so ignored it like she had with all the other ones. She investigate her current residence, noting that the small stream gave a calming sound that reminded her of home. "Thank you again, Zui, for the accommodation."


The stallion bowed his head in acknowledgment, then gave her a self-effacing smile. "Of course Vidia. What kind of gentleman would I be if I allowed you to remain outside while I had a place to shelter you."

She never thought she'd be doing something so girly, but her "uncle" had mentioned a flower that seemed to glow in the right light. So that's what she was doing now, looking for a glowing flower. Her uncle wouldn't tell her where, or even the time, but that she needed to see it for herself. "It wouldn't be any fun if I told you everything, Miss Adventurer."

Her uncle Nacio did know her well though. It was a challenge she would meet. But why flowers? The knights of the round table didn't go off picking flowers*, they faced monsters and saved damsels—though it'd be weird to save a girl. And there was no way any boy would be saving her, thank you very much.

But once again, no matter the story, she was off to discover it herself.

(( *Trivial fact: When Richard Harris (later knighted for the role) played King Arthur in the musical Camelot, Lancelot asked the same question before the song "It's May, the Lusty Month of May." ))


Black Wolf has always wanted - and expected - the absolute best for, and from his sons. Ra'd, on the other hand, has always had more interest in his own expectations. His desire for adventure, and for adrenaline. He is a foal with a strong will and an unquenchable thirst for freedom, and Wolf has never approved of his aspirations. Ra'd has seldom cared.

The colt is relatively certain today was supposed to be for training. The recollection rattles somewhere in the back of his mind. He's not concerned, though. He's busy; singularly focused on.. on.... Well, he's not sure what it is, but he swears the thing had been stalking him, and now he's determined to find out.

Ignoring the faint stream of blood trickling down one white shoulder, Ra'd barrels through the underbrush, hot in pursuit and heedless of the scrape of twigs against his hide. The creature - small, fast, and very agile - is difficult to follow, but he's swift for his age, and is very determined. But so is it, it seems; it banks hard, almost losing him in a turn he has to slide around to keep up. His injured foreleg stings in protest, but he presses forward, panting hard.

... And then it disappears, dipping down into a hole he doesn't notice until he almost steps in it on his way back to figure out what happened. The paint dips his head to inspect it, paws at it with one hoof, decides it seems impossibly small, then determines the animal isn't coming out again (and he can't go in after it). Losing interest, he gives his short, juvenile mane a shake and lifts his head to look around.

He sees nothing particularly interesting. With a dissatisfied snort and the flick of his slender tail, he heads back into the underbrush, eventually breaking into a clearing. An occupied clearing. Ra'd chides himself inwardly for not noticing sooner, narrows his eyes skeptically, then finally announces a greeting. "'Lo," he says, simply.


She lifted her darkened muzzle from nosing among the plants at such a low and simple greeting. And she honestly didn't expect what she'd see. There was a red gleam against white, a fainter shine against the black, it was like he just stepped out of the stories she'd been told. Excitement bubbled up inside her and she bounded away from her task to stand in front of the young unicorn.

Her eyes went right to the horn on his head, the lion tail visible behind him, and then back to the visible injuries. "Osiyo," she said in her father's native tongue. "Oi, ye look like ye've been in a nasty scuffle. Mah adutsi said there were flowers oot 'ere that shined at night, so Ah'm lookin' fer 'em. What were ye doin'?" Very little pause for breath as she rushed through.


Ra'd pauses, blinking deliberately as he cants his head to regard his company. His company, and her... unique dialect, he realizes, as he understands maybe half of what she's said. "... What?" Something about flowers, and shining at night. Like he's supposed to care. "You talk funny," he adds, obviously, and completely unabashed.

Oh, right. She had said he looked like he'd been in a 'nasty scuffle', and had proceeded to ask what he was doing. At least, he thinks that's what she said. As he pulls himself from his dumbstruck incredulity, it occurs to the paint he should probably try and answer her. "Sorta," he starts, noncommittally, not really wanting to admit the source of his injury. What he had been doing isn't particularly easy to admit either, as he'd failed. So he doesn't. "Nothin'. I was looking for somethin' to do. Somethin' interesting."

Something more interesting than training under Wolf's watchful eye, and pursuit doomed to end in failure. Though he isn't sure her 'flower hunting' qualifies. That is what she'd said, isn't it?


She blinked back at him. Talked funny? She didn't think she talked funny at all. All of her other sisters, well, except for Etsi and Vidia, talked just like her.

She gave her tail a few more wags, reminiscent of a dog. It's not like she never did anything uninteresting, so--"Do ye wanna 'elp me look fer t'e flowers? Ah dunno what they look like or anything, but Ah think it'd be easier if there was two of us. We could make an adventure out of it."