Welcome to Gaia! ::

Biting into the fruit left in her hand Maya chewed absently as the pups tumbled about one another. She watched Shukri with interest. It felt like it had been far to long since she had last seen him and the little girl. "I'm glad you were not hassled by the Alkidikes around here. Or have you been?" Her brows stitched together with concern.

Maya moved to sit down at the table across from where Shukri was. She listened intently to what Shukri was saying about the sailscales. They were cute in her eyes, but so were all creatures she had come across. Teiluj however had thrown a tantrum at the amount of creatures Maya was collecting, and so she had come to the conclusion that she would wait until her daughter was ready to leave the nest before gathering any more for herself.

Maya gave Shukri a warm smile. "Do you plan to linger here a while?" Finishing her fruit Maya rose to move towards the barrels thoughtfully. Debating if it would be wise to pluck another from the stores or to wait to see if she was really hungry enough for more food. "I've missed you, you know." Scratching her head as she turned her back to Shurki. She didn't want to see laughter if it showed on his face. She didn't really like to admit such things either.

Her eyes fell on the larger of the litter of pups. Tao, as Teiluj had named him before running off to Tale. He charged out of the tumbling group. Giving soft puppy-like yelps as he jumped back and feigned forward again. Lowering his head to the ground with his rump held high in the air. His tail slowly flicked from side to side leaping a bit closer and resting his head against the floor.

Exited at the return bow the pup launched forward. Biting playfully at the unknown creature. It hadn't met something with three tails before! Play, oh this was such fun!

"If you want you could stay here for a time, until you're ready to leave." She offered nodding quickly, almost too quickly to Shukri's offer. "Yes! I would love to join you. I'm sure my daughter would like a break to learn how to live alone. She is of that age after all." Reaching forward she placed a hand on Shukri's. "If you're sure you wouldn't mind my company that is." There was a hint of a blush on the Alkidikes cheeks.

One of the female pups that had been playing alongside the group had been pawing tentatively towards Thema until two of the large tails seemed to grow into something scary looking. Giving a whine she darted into the cuddle of her brothers as another darted forward. Hackles raised protectively of the siblings behind him. Until now it hadn't given much thought towards the Sailscale but if it looked dangerous it was going to protect the others.

Her heart thumped in her chest as Maya looked away. So he only wanted her along because she was able to handle her own in a fight? Her fingers twitched as she looked back towards Shukri, waiting for him to finish whatever it was he was trying to say. She was a patient woman, and several moments passed before she spoke up. "If you need a warrior to accompany you?" There was a hint of sadness in her voice as she tried to understand what Shukri was saying. "Right?"

Fond of? Maya sat back in her chair and stared at Shukri for a long hard moment. So she really was that obvious after all when it came to her feelings, after all. Lifting her hand Maya twirled one of her beads between her fingers. Then again subtly wasn't something she was particularly good at. Blinking and turning her gaze to the animals playing about on the floor Maya's face turned serious. "I apologize if my feelings towards you are... well... if they make you uncomfortable. But I guess if you're willing to take the risk..." Maya shrugged and muttered under her breath. "Assuming there is any."

Somehow, the feelings unsettled her from what he had said. Did he lack faith in her? Not trust her, maybe? Maya lifted her shoulder in a shrug and turned her gaze back to Shukri. "Besides, it's not fair if feelings are one sided anyway. Only leading someone on is cruel."

Tao make several barking sounds as he jumped forward and back along with Thema's size. Stopping before finally making the leap forward to catch Thema in the traditional tackle.

'We think.' 'your feelings don't bother me' Maya had a hard time not pulling those words out of a conversation. Couldn't resist the ability to read too much into what he was saying. She focused more on the earthling in front of her. "Shukri..." Maya started rising from the table, "I want to travel with you. But I need to make sure my daughter returns safely. Please stay with me a while here. She's supposed to return any day now. Then I'm free to be where ever you want me to be."

Tao paused, tentatively moving his nose closer and back up before moving a little closer and jumping back in a repetitive cycle before gathering up the courage to sniff at Thema. What had happened to his playmate?

Maya seemed to almost beam with excitement, she couldn't help the happy feelings that flooded through her when Shukri agreed to stay for a time. With the future permitting she would travel with him as well. The blushed at the thoughts, traveling and relocating seemed to be something she did often. Never staying in one place for too long, even now she was struggling with the desire to leave Ast. And if it turned out that Teiluj wanted to travel on her own for a bit, to explore the world she would let her. Granted it would be best to wait until the pup's were grown enough to handle a decent fight.

Dark eyes guided over the earthling she wanted to reach out, to hug him, to show just how much he had been missed. Holding back only because she figured it would be inappropriate and unwelcome for her to make such a move even after their conversation. Instead she only shifted her hand, sliding it back so she could entwine her fingers with his. Struggling to hide the growing blush her actions were causing on her face. She had managed to burn so many bridges in her life, she was starting to fear that no matter who she made friends with the bridge would eventually be set on fire.

Leaning a little forward Maya waved a hand in front of her face. "As long as you can keep it tidy around you then I don't mind. I've been raising my daughter since we last parted. I'm accustomed to clutter and doing all the work." She hesitated a moment before pulling her hand away from Shukri. "If nothing else... You can cook right?"

Tao hissed as Thema came at him. Wiggling as he was rolled onto his back from the surprise attack. Hind legs kicked out to send the creature away his body wiggled under the unknown before breaking free and nipping back playfully. Standing up strait he made a few noises before pawing at Thema again. This thing played differently than the others.