Welcome to Gaia! ::

Tam sighs and puts it back on. "I hate it when stones get a mind of their own... and they say people are stubborn." he grumbles testily. Then he brightens. "Ye probably were right... the dang thing is lighter again. Guess it just want to check ye out. But hey, if a rock thinks yer something it needs to look at, don't ye think it' means something?"

"Guess that's how ye learned to block them out, huh... ever wonder why it's so insistent ye take a hard look at yerself?" he retorts with a gentle smile. "Because it has been yelling at ye for some time, ye know."

He takes a sip of his tea and watches her blanch over the top of his mug.

"I'm not scolding ye, Saferia. Just trying to get ye to listen to a voice of reason... one ye carry with ye, day in and day out. There's a reason it's on yer brow... It chose ye fer a purpose. Maybe it's time ye find out exactly how it feels about all this."

Tam continues to hold her free paw, ready to release it if she demands he let go, but sending her a quiet thread of strength through the contact. She needs to face the truth, which he knows won't harm her in any way... as it is a positive truth and far from damaging.

Both Hopian and Bez come running, practically flying through the door at the same time to find him slowly picking himself up off the floor. He winces and gives them both a weak grin. "Could have gone better... hope everything is okay. Ye better pop back home to check on her, Hope. She left is a rather big rush."

There is frost everywhere in the kitchen and the salamander who normally sleeps in the kitchen hearth is complaining vehemently about the cold. Bez picks it up and carries it to the living room where he places it in the flames. He knows better than to question Tam when his face looks like that, not exactly angry but wild and fey. When his mate is ready to speak to him about what just happened he would.

Bez cautiously peeks back into the kitchen to find Tam setting the furniture aright and half-heartedly brushing ice crystals from the table top. He picks up his tea mug, looks inside it, then sits down with a thud... silence... then a bubbling laughter comes tumbling forth.

"Is it safe, dulcha?" sends Bez worriedly.

Tam nods as he attempts to get his hysteria under control. Turning his mug upside down he chuckles helplessly. "This thing is frozen solid. Good thing ye weren't in here with me, huh? Poor Zerenatian."

"Who's that?" asks Bez softly walking in and taking the mug from his hand. He lights the kitchen fire in the good old fashion time worn manner, with a flint and steel, then proceed to rewarm Tam's tea.

"Her mate... the child of peace... I bet life isn't so peaceful back there right now..." murmurs Tam sleepily.

Tam sighs and shakes his head. "But which side of the fence did she fall on... I was certain that if she finally used her own power to see things as they truly were for herself, she'd be able to handle it, but after that... Man, I'm not sure I should have pushed it as hard as I did."

Bez hands him his tea with a small hug of encouragement. "Buck up, dulcha. I know you've faced off worse than she in the past. You have had some fairly hard headed charges to set on the straight and narrow."

Tam nods thoughtfully. "Well, that was to be expected... but what will she do with the knowledge she gained... that will be the deciding point. Ah.... but I am exhausted. I sent her all the strength I had to spare and then some, I'm afraid. I... I think I better call it a day..." he adds starting to push himself up from the table, but as he stands his legs begin to crumble from beneath him.

Bez has him supported in a flash, moving so quickly that it even amazes Hopian. "Here now... Lean on me... yer bed's not far... I can't carry ye... Yer going to have to walk, dulcha, but ye can do it... I know ye can." he murmurs encouragingly urging Tam towards Kero's bedroom.

Tam curls up on his side with a sigh as he tries to go to sleep.

"What's wrong?" asks Bez as he crawls in beside him.

"Nothing major... it's just I've had this cuddly warm body next to me for years now... not that I don't mind having you at my side... don't get me wrong, but..."

Bez chuckles softly pulling him close, shifting into his panther form as he does so. "Ye miss yer teddy bear?" he teases, nuzzling him on the head.

Tam snuggles close with a laugh. "Teddy Bear? Hardly! More like a rumbling furnace... but yeah... yer right, I suppose... sorry."

"No apology needed..." whispers Bez through a yawn. "Now go to sleep would ye, before ye start bleeding emotionally. We just got ye back on even ground."