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[ Svadra 1 ]

They had made it through the Jauhar border and were walking deeper into the desert lands of Oba. It was a familiar, sentimental trip for the hybrid, his dark skin warming softly in the light and well attuned to the bright sun. Crocus most likely wouldn't be burdened by such things, but he had to admit that he worried about Teiluj and her soft skin. She really needed to consider covering up at this point, as they had no option but to travel in the sunlight.

But that was a comment for the evening, when they could settle in and discuss the next day's journey. For now, Svadra was keeping an eye out for any merchants traveling the well worn path, considering joining their party as numbers only benefitted people when the Oban rebels and bandits came out to play.

Distracted as he was, he still noticed the creatures of his traveling companion shift in a familiar movement, the Radaku racing off while the still growing Kinfa landed to check on things.

Nodding once at the question, Svadra moved to take off his pack and prepare for their camp.

He was much more serious than normal, but even so he found himself comfortable with the pacing of the trip, his hair tied up tall and a scarf wrapped around it.

Teiluj surveyed the collection of flora that Crocus had brought back for them. One in particular had a fowl scent, to her at least. She shoved that in her bag as quickly as she could. She wouldn't make any attempts at cooking whatever that was and didn't want to offend Crocus after he had gone to the trouble of gathering all the possibilities. Sifting through the rest Teiluj's eyes turned from Crocus to Svadra. "It sure is, and it's so hot." Teiluj whinged. "I'm scared of putting more clothing on will just add to the unbearable heat." She reached up and touched her shoulders gently. They felt rather warm to the touch and quite uncomfortable.

Starline deposited the pack she carried full of their camping gear. Ruffling her feathers with a squawk. Extending a wing to reach down and preen a few feathers around her talons.

Standing up, Teiluj moved towards the pack. Shifting through to grab the various materials she would need to help her prepare dinner, and possibly dissect the various plants for potential healing properties. Looking back towards Svadra Teiluj's brows pulled together. "Is something bothering you Svadra?"

[ Crocus 3 ]

Crocus wasn't one to notice subtle nuances of other's actions, and therefore was very much unoffended when Teiluj shifted the accepted items around. In his mind, he simply did his job as was successful. Always keen to gather and provide, he nodded once before heading over toward where Svadra directed him, examining the pit for a long moment.

"The nights are chilling out here, right?" He recalled his mother speaking of her travels across the desert from Yael, a warning to him when he discussed his own plans. He hadn't packed much, but there was a warm top in his pack. He always listened to his mothers, after all.

His dark eyes glanced at Starline, still uncertain of the large creature. He felt exposed outside of the forest, as if the bird was always watching him.

Taking a pile of sticks left to the side, he began to build their little fire for the night.

[ Svadra 3 ]

Svadra wandered over toward Crocus, waiting for the timing before snapping his fingers and casting a well placed fire bolt. The flames licked up the dry woods and easily grew into a nice sized fire. They had become practiced enough in the art of fire building in the weeks it had been since they traveled from the jungles of Jauhar. Svadra knew that this would probably be the first of the more important ones, as the sun began to dip and a cool breeze brushed across the sands.

He raised a brow at Teiluj's pet, shaking his head once before moving to settle in a well-worn seat.

"A stew sounds lovely." he replied softly, pulling out his pack in a well practiced art of counting inventory.

With the meat diced into small bite sized pieces the pale hybrid moved to dump the contents into the pot. Watching the meat swirl in the water, turning to smile at Crocus who had been talking to Tao. His mention of stargazing had her face lighting up, her attention turning to the skies with wonder. It hadn't taken Teiluj too long to warm up to her two male traveling companions.

Tao make a barking whine towards Crocus. Taking the opportunity to start shredding the creature into chunks before devouring each piece slowly. For the moment he was content to be with the trio in the camp. His horns giving off the faint glow in the darkening light.

Settling back to her cutting board Teiluj started to finely chop some of the plants she had already recognized as spices. Their pleasant aroma filled the air around the campsite as she worked. Every once in a while she would glance over at Svadra, concerned by his more silent nature, though she refrained from disturbing him as he went about his business. She was only a job to them after all.

"Mamma once said I could find my way by looking at the stars." Teiluj mused as she turned her conversation back towards Crocus. "She never got a chance to really teach me. Do you know much about the constellations Crocus?"

[ Crocus 4 ]

Crocus was in his element - survival was always something he was proud of. It was his history. He would spend days and nights as a youngling wandering through the woods of Jauhar, avoiding the dangers as if they didn't quite exist. Looking back on it, he was lucky he hadn't died. And he was stronger for it.

"It's not too difficult once you figure out your focus points." He replied simply, "The constellations always move depending on the time of year, and it seems even where you're located. But there is one star that is always constant."

He peered up into the darkness, humming for a long moment as he searched the night sky that was slowly twinkling to life.

[ Svadra 5 ]

Svadra was also curious about Crocus' expertise, not having been privvy to such conversations in the past. Crocus was competitive, which meant he kept the things he deemed an advantage to himself. He must have a soft spot for Teiluj, or just saw her as a friend and not someone he needed to race against.

If he considered it deeply, Teiluj didn't seem to have a predatory bone in her body, she very much was like a baby lamb. She just made someone want to keep her safe.

It was her innocent question out of the blue that caused Svadra to blink. Granted, he wasn't one to shy away from such relations, yet he never prided himself on pursuing one. Looking over to Crocus for a moment, he raised a brow.

"What do you mean, together together?" He deflected as he turned back to Teiluj with a sly, cat-like smile.

He too caught the movement of the creature, his antennae twitching lightly in an effort to sense movement among the sand.