Welcome to Gaia! ::

"As long as there's no mess left behind in their place." Teased Talisia back over her shoulder as she worked. Ever so carefully the hybrid took an iron hook and moved the pot closer so that she could dump in the vegetables and add some more herbs and spice. It smelled right so far - she just hoped the taste matched!

"A few more minutes." Commented Talisia with a small smile. It was nice having someone else, a girl especially, to talk to in the manor. And it was even better to see how the scared girl had loosened up and gotten more comfortable with her. What Talisia wasn't expecting was the sudden question which made her nearly drop the water jug she was carrying, "Special me ? In my life?" The hybrid's cheeks flushed, "I suppose so yes, why do you ask?"

"Oh?" Talisia raised a brow teasingly, "So you were one of those often pursued girls, eh?" She moved towards the fire and watched as the stew brewed, "I guess if you really wanna know I can tell you more."

The hybrid crossed her arms thoughtfully as she paced before the fireplace, "Falling for someone is a load of trouble so perhaps you were smarter. Don't ever fall for a mage either they tend to be super dramatic." She began with a laugh, "But mine is rather handsome yes, a bit lithe and enjoys humor. He is a mage though and plenty talented with ice magic." Talisia sighed, "We were just friends on a journey together and then a series of events just kinda pushed us closer. I honestly thought I would have to wait forever for him since he left me many moons ago in Jahaur. But he just came back recently and we've been together since. Though perhaps I should have been a bit harsher and punished him for leaving me for so long..."

She pursed her lips before letting out a small sigh, "Though that was just too hard with how happy I was to see him again." Talisia glanced over to Serana, "So be careful of any man who finally catches your eye. He'll make you feel like you have flutters in your stomach constantly and can quickly change your day depending on his actions. Is a scary thing really."

"Oh!" Talisia let out a small squeak of surprise as the girl grabbed her hands, "Th-thank you." The hybrid found herself laughing, "Secretly I'm glad as well." She shook her head with a small smile, "Maybe if you linger more you'll get to meet him. Unless he's planning on leaving for another couple of years in which case you may have to attend a funeral instead."

Shaking her head with a small smile Talisia reached for the hook so that she could take the stew off of the fire, "Well you never know, Serana. If it happens it will happen and if not then it won't. I never thought I would fall in love myself, but yet here I am." Ever so carefully Talisia placed the pot on top of a holder on the table, "And don't be so afraid - sometimes it's not an awful thing to have a friend in a time of need. A lot of tough people exist out in this world after all. So don't underestimate their ability to help and survive some serious battles."

"Mmhmm." Talisia glanced up from where she was cutting a loaf of bread on the table for them, "And it's an admirable goal." She commented with a small nod, "I just want you to understand that sometimes you do not have to put the whole weight of the world on your shoulders alone." The hybrid tucked a stray strand of hair back behind an ear as she worked, "I just hope that the spirits guide you well and that things get better for your village."

Moving the bread on a tray to place in between them, Talisia sat down. "Yes, yes." The hybrid did flush slightly, "I hope it's alright - don't judge me too harshly." She teased lightly, "I've been spoiled by having others cook so much that I'm not too experienced with it myself." Though as the woman blew on the steam from the bowl she did have to smile. It did't seem so bad - here's hoping.

"Mmhmm." Talisia enjoyed her soup while watching the younger iceling bounce around. It was nice to see the girl with energy again. If I wasn't living out here I wonder if she would have become an icicle herself? Mused Talisia with a faint frown. Well at least she was living here. Truly the woman didn't want to think of anyone lost out and alone in the cold.

"It was, wasn't it?" Talisia smiled as she stood and gathered the bowls, "We still have plenty let to warm up later too." The hybrid balanced a tray on her hip before carrying it towards the kitchen, "Let me throw this in here and then we can get on to more outside tasks. Don't want to waste what sunlight we have today after all."

After a moment of clanging and shuffling things around Talisia emerged from the kitchen, "So how do you feel? I have those bundles of clothes to wash out and we also need to go replace some bandages on a raptrix's leg. Thankfully Zyphire mucked out the stalls so we won't have to worry about that today - oh." Talisia smiled and tucked a stray strand of hair back sheepishly, "I suppose I should let you know that about a ten minute walk to the south has a rather large building full of creatures. I tend to them there while living here. You must have just passed into the area, but to the south and west these sanctuary lands stretch for quite a bit."

Talisia laughed at the praise, "I am a beast master so I suppose it was my calling. Took me a while to find it, but when the time was right I just knew." She waved her hand in the air, "Maybe if you travel through all of Tendaji then you will too find out what it is that you need to do. Though I tease - not everyone has to go through such things to find themselves. I was just a stubborn case."

"Welp always a good time to learn." Talisia grinned, "Since it seems to be a bit warmer today we'll take the baskets and walk to the riverside. We can do that quickly and then from there track back towards the animal shelters. My patients will be needing these dry blankets soon since it seems the wind is only going to get more bitter this moon."

Talisia grinned, "I suppose he'll guard the fire for us then." With that she began to lead the way down the stone steps and down the hill towards where more trees began to cluster together and where a stream curved through the snowy valley.

Crouching on the stream bank Talisia showed Serana how to use the flakes of soap to get out any grim and smells. As they both finished up - after several laughable incidents and some curses later- Talisia scooped up her basket. "That wasn't so hard, right?" The hybrid chuckled, "Though I honestly believed you were about to become a fish at one point with the way you almost touched the waters."

"Come this way." Talisia balanced the basket on her hip for ease, "We'll go towards the animal shelter and then hang these before the fire there." Leading the way they trailed away from the forest area and back up towards where the faintest outline of the manor could be seen. However, this time they were walking up towards a long stone building with huge doors that were closed, but not bolted. "I don't believe in locking the creatures in - they know well how to take care of themselves." She commented before walking around the side..

"This once was a smithy, but I kept the forge here while building the new building here." She motioned towards the left, "We can walk there and hang all these blankets on a line while I start a fire. It makes it a lot easier to dry them with the heat of the flames. Then we can go inside and I'll show you some of my guests. Okay?"

Talisia smiled, "Well we will see how excited you are to see them when you have to work with them. Some of them are quite grumpy." She shook her head playfully before the girl's comments made her pause, "Do you?" The hybrid pursed her lips, "I wasn't ever much for them, but then again I was constantly jealous of my twin brother. Anything he wore I wanted to try on at least once so that I could gain mother's favor. Silly right? But as a child I could only think if I copied him then perhaps I would be noticed."

Talisia laughed, "But if dresses are what you like maybe I'll remember that next time I go to market and you're still around." The hybrid shrugged, "Not that I see much need in wearing them since I'm busy constantly doing these chores, but if you think you can wear one to prepare dinner in or something feel free."

As she finished hanging up the clothing and blankets Talisia only reached over once or twice to fix Serana's clips, "Just care how you do it. The further inwards the clips are the more wrinkles may happen as it dries - not that the beasts mind you know, but still." The hybrid shrugged before stacking the empty baskets in a stone alcove, "So now that we've done that are you prepared? Grab some hay out of that wooden bin there - dont' worry the lid isn't locked - and follow me."