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 Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2017 11:07 am
Ziari’s gaze moved from Aser and back to the path in front of them. “I don’t know what my parents were thinking, getting him for me as a gift. Our home wasn’t exactly the smallest but it was no place for a kinfa, that’s for sure. In part, he’s a bit of what inspired me to leave and get out in the world. Leaving him behind would have never been an option.” Truth be told, while she had been ecstatic about receiving Aser as a gift, she had also been rather put out that her parents had expected such a lovely creature to stay caged up — especially since they grew so much larger than their home would have accommodated. Ziari pursed her lips at Lerin’s last words and she glanced over at him. The sad smile on his face made her brows furrow. “Who says?” she asked, a curious tilt to her head. “What is keeping you from going on adventures with Tandoori? If that is what you want to do, then do it.” She gave a small shrug, the corners of her lips curling up into a small smile. “You could come with us. I’m not sure where I’m headed, but the company would be welcomed.”
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Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2017 10:36 am
Lerin blinked. He could not think of a time when he would question anything his parents did. Or at least, not out loud. Never out loud, to anyone, even in a faraway land to a stranger who would likely never meet them. But it sounded like Ziari's were trying to do something kind for her, so even if she had doubts about the decision due to concern for her kinfa's well-being, Lerin decided not to comment on it. All of that was in the past, besides.
Instead, he focused on the latter half of her words and found himself instinctively shying from the less-than-pleased expression on his companion's face. His fingers went back to the flower in his hair, and her murmured in a more muted tone, "No one has to say so. This is just... the way things are and have been and will always be. My people are not travelers. We do not adventure. We are c-content-" The word left his lips on a quiver. "-to sit in our trees, beneath the stars, and quietly enjoy what we have been blessed with..."
He swallowed, and tucked a strand of hair behind his ear. "So I don't think it would be wise or fair of me to ruin your adventure with my presence. Nor do I think I should go much farther than Neued. I will happily stay with you there, until you are more comfortable in the jungle, but I wouldn't be of much help beyond that, anyway."
"But thank you for the offer," Lerin added with a polite dip of his head. "You are very thoughtful."
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Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2017 10:56 am
Ziari frowned at the sound of Lerin’s voice and stopped, spinning around to face him. She folded her arms over her chest and tilted her head as she raised an eyebrow. “You don’t sound very convincing, Lerin. Are you really content staying here? Living your life in the same old place, doing the same old thing day in and day out?” If there was one thing true about Ziari, she didn’t let her feelings stay bottled up too long. And she definitely didn’t have a problem confronting someone about things. And, usually, she was a good read of people and something about Lerin just made her doubt, highly, that he wished to remain in the same old routine. At least not deep down. She snorted at his comment, shaking her head and giving a small laugh. “Ruin my adventure? I doubt that. You’ve been lovely so far. And helpful. Had I thought you would ‘ruin’ my adventure, I wouldn’t have extended the offer to you.” Ziari gave a small shrug. “Though it is your choice, I suppose. I can’t force you…” She frowned at the thought of Lerin staying behind in Neued and then eventually turning back and heading back to the same old thing. Though she hadn’t known him long, his mere company was appreciated. There was just something about the shifter standing before her that she just couldn’t quite place a finger on. “Think about it?” she said, her arms falling to her sides. “While we stay in Neued just think about going with me. You say you wouldn’t be much help beyond the jungle...but I’m the same. I know nothing but desert life. Everything beyond Oba lands is new and foreign to me. It’s scary...but also kind of thrilling, in a way.” She sighed and shook her head. “Just don’t say no yet, please? Wait for a bit and then you can decide.”
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Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2017 11:06 am
Oh. Lerin froze the near-instant Ziari rounded on him. He didn't think he'd said anything especially worth her very obvious skepticism. Nor did he think he'd said anything that wasn't true. The Shifters of his tribe weren't explorers. They were reclusive, fearful of change and everything beyond Jauhar's borders, and Lerin wasn't especially brave or bold, himself. His gaze dropped away from hers, all the same, and he murmured quietly to the ground, "It is what has always been done and what my family still does. So whether it is convincing or not, it is the truth."
"Even if things are not as exciting as one might hope, otherwise, it will settle soon. I can be happy, living here." Although admittedly, he couldn't say for sure who in his family was actually happy with their roles. Not his parents, anyway.
He shook his head. Ziari didn't need to hear of that.
She sounded so sincere, in that she genuinely thought his company might not be the worst, and Lerin wasn't often of a mind to tell anyone 'no,' particularly to such a simple request. He tucked a lock of midnight-colored hair behind his ear and nodded, though he wasn't sure what left there was to think about. It wasn't like it was much his choice to go or stay. "I will... see what happens, during our time together in Neued, but I am sure you'd do very well on your own. Or maybe find someone else who would do better for you out there, than me."
"But I will think about it. Since you asked."
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Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2017 1:40 pm
A smile broke out across Ziari’s face when Lerin agreed to at least give his decision some thought. She couldn’t quite figure it out but she wasn’t ready to let him slip away from her just yet. She wanted to get to know him better. Perhaps it was just her outgoing personality trying to help someone break out of their shell. Whatever it was, she knew she wanted to spend more time with him than what he seemed to think they would.
“Good,” she said, twirling back around and taking the spot next to him back up. She absently moved her arm, slipping it to interlock with his and smiled up at him. “Thank you, Lerin.” Ziari was sincere. It seemed as if so many things had happened between the moment she’d stepped foot into the jungles of Jauhar and now — and Lerin seemed to be a big focus in that time and, Zi hoped, in the future to come. The thought of traveling with him stuck in her mind as they made their way into Neued.
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