Olaf:Hop.
Hop.
Hop, hop, hop.
Olaf moved at his own pace, sometimes slow and seeming to ponder, other times skipping along as if something was hot on his heels. Of course, there wasn't anything, it was just a pace to match his mind. He'd stop every once in a while to study something, perhaps a stone or a scrubby plant, sometimes to grab something and nibble on it.
He was on the hunt!
Food, of course, but then up here he was almost always looking for food. And his new friend, Nike, made sure he understood that he had to be quick about it. There was no telling when her father would want to move on, or become frustrated at the hare's absence. Olaf paused again, staring at a bush as his mind wandered. He wasn't sure how he felt about Nike's father. He was a spooky lion.
But Nike was so sweet and sad. She was worth it to stick with them. He'd help her be happy, by gosh he would!
That thought had him digging into the leaves of the bush, looking for- Ah!
Olaf pulled back, a purple-ish flower in his mouth. That's what he was looking for, something pretty. She'd love it, he was certain of it! Back on all four paws, he started hurrying back to where he'd left her.
Zernabog:
A male as large and muscular as Zernabog required steady meals and since he was the sole provider of said meals he had learned stealth and patience. He was crouched in the darkest shadows here, the mountain provided cool shade a respite from the heat that usually soaked into his dark fur. His red eyes might have been the gleaming giveaway but he kept them narrowed, almost closed with his ears flicking at the smallest sounds and his paws pressed to the ground for slight vibrations. He waited in this fashion for a long time his mind clear and focused on the single thought of nourishment. This spartan lifestyle of moving, hunting, sleeping, moving, hunting, sleeping had been his cycle as far back as he could recall. He barely remembered the warmth of his mother or the comfort of a family, how he had been separated from them he could not recall nor wished too. Survival mattered more than memory.
He inhaled slowly and prepared to pounce, the sound of rustling, the scent of hare, he would eat soon. His heart gave a beat, another, and then he leapt his paws and claws outstretched to try and pin the hare that had been hurrying past his waiting spot.
Olaf:
The pounce took Olaf completely by surprise, but not so much that he wasn't quickly wriggling away. A lion! On the one paw, this could mean another friend for Nike... on the other, he could be hungry and that was a decidedly significant detail. So, without the luxury of being able to really think about anything, the very fluffy hare was off like a shot, running as fast as he could.
Sadly, dropping the hard-sought gift for his friend in his haste.
Nike:
She lay just where Olaf had last seen her, her delicate claws drawing shapes and symbols into the dirt beside the little lake. Father had gone hunting not long before Olaf had left to forage. Of course, he'd left her and the hare in their temporary den, but she hadn't been able to just sit in there. She needed to get out, feel the wind and the sun on her back, do something. Would that she could go hunt. It wasn't like she hadn't been taught, whether her father would have preferred otherwise or not.
She just... She felt so useless being put on a shelf so often. A pretty thing to look at, nothing more.
Nike's head rose slowly when her clever ears picked up the sound of a mad dash, and she stood when Olaf came running into view. Her brow puckered in concern when he made a beeline for her. She'd seen him run before, but not like this.
Zernabog:
No you don't!
He thought it but didn't waste his breath instead his hind legs propelled him forward running after the hare his tail sweeping the fallen flower which caught in the thick dark fur. The little thing was fast, but Zern wasn't about to lose the meal he had waited so long for. He caught up and jerked his paw out trying to pin the hare by it's short puffy little rear.
Then he noticed the other lion and he gave a slightly frustrated growl, had he accidentally crossed into a pride's territory in his mad dash? He had avoided prides, avoided everyone really, he wasn't exactly sure abut what to do in social situations. He'd considered trying to find a pride before, join a group that could offer him a better chance of survival, not just to live day to day but to thrive and learn to enjoy company. This wasn't how he'd wanted it though, poaching…he considered just dropping the idea of hare for dinner and turning to go.
Nike and Olaf:
Suddenly another lion came into view.
Chasing. Olaf.
Nike was up and moving before she gave time to really think about what she was doing. She rushed to Olaf and put herself between him and the... Oh dear. She'd met other lions before, had been raised in a pride for crying out loud. But there was a distinct difference between being a princess and meeting with subjects than being a rogue and meeting strangers. Especially such large strangers. Especially when she was alone.
"Olaf?" she asked over her shoulder, her voice soft and flat, her eyes never leaving the male that had been chasing her only friend.
"Butt's a bit sore, but I'm good." She felt him press close to her hind leg and some of the tension that had gripped her started to ease away. He was okay... for the moment.
Zernabog:
He stared for a moment realizing the female was smaller, his eyes raked her in a quick assessing gaze, he could probably take her if he had to but he'd still lose the hare. Then he realized the hare had stopped and pressed against her, as if it expected the female to keep it safe. He looked at her slightly curious and then slowly moved his paw back from where his claws had been reaching.
"I was unaware these hunting grounds were occupied…"
His eyes flicked to the hare, she'd named it? Slowly he moved his gaze back onto the female she was a direct contrast in almost every way from her startling blue eyes to her pristine white coat that made every inky rosette on his fur appear even darker.
Nike and Olaf:
"A recent change," Nike replied with a dainty shrug, her ears still flicked back in warning. He'd drawn his paw back, but that did little to ease her stress. He'd no doubt been intending to eat Olaf, which wasn't unexpected. She'd have to start going with him from now on, something her father would be very put off by... Hopefully he'd not find out.
"I'm sorry, but..." She paused, choosing her words carefully. The hazards of not having the opportunity to talk often, it was generally difficult to figure out what to say when suddenly forced into conversation. How would her father act in this situation? That thought helped a bit. "The hare is mine."
Olaf was sitting up on his hind-legs, now, his paws pressed against her leg as his black eyes studied the hunter.
Zernabog:
Hmm, recent, which meant she was just a rogue in the area this wasn't a pride. The desire to retreat fled him with the thought and then he focused on her intently once more. She was apologizing it seemed, and then suddenly staking claims on his intended prey.
He raised a brow and eyed the hare again before looking at her, the female seemed conflicted was she intimidated by him or uncertain about the hare?
"Do I frighten you?" His natural tone was gruff, and he cleared his throat a bit not realizing how easily his words could be misconstrued as a threat.
He flicked his tail sending the purple flower flying to one side of her and then glanced at it confused about where he'd managed to pick it up. He hadn't been crouched in any flower beds that he could recall, ah well, it wasn't exactly important. What was important was that it seemed he had lost his meal.
Nike and Olaf:
Nike allowed her head to tilt ever so slightly to one side. Court politics, court politics.
"Why would you ask that?" No truths, no lies, she carefully dug to see what it was about her carriage that would make him think she might be afraid. Oh, she was, for quite a number of reasons, but damned if she wasn't her father's daughter. He'd taught her how to craft her mask and would be disappointed if she didn't use it.
Her gaze flicked briefly from the flower, then back to the male. But then Olaf was moving behind her, darting to snatch up the plant and back to her side. The slight frown crossed her brow again as she finally took her gaze off the lion, though he stayed in the corner of her eye.
"What are you-" she began as Olaf brushed dirt from the flower, but her little friend finished his cleaning and interrupted her.
"I found this for you," he said and her frown slipped away, eyes blinking several times in confusion. He held up the flower to her.
"Oh..." was all she could manage as she stared at it.
"You should wear it," he replied in a whisper that was really anything but, his words more like a loud hiss, "You'd look pretty and it's warmer than your necklace."
The fur on Nike's cheeks darkened ever so slightly as heat bloomed beneath it. The crystals around her neck were very cold, hard, she'd wondered on occasion if they had made her somewhat unapproachable in the past. A flower would certainly be something different, but she really wished Olaf would learn when to keep his mouth shut.
Zernabog:
He answered her bluntly and then slowly sank onto his haunches as he did, perhaps if he sat it would put her more at ease.
"You sound uncertain and you look tense, I'm not certain if it's because you plan to run from me or try and fight me. I assure you if you plan the latter I'm likely to be the victor unless…."
He inhaled and frowned slightly and then tilted his head and stood, he'd scented another male, not close, not yet, but he had no desire for anyone to think him a poacher, of food or female.
"…your trying to stall me until your male returns."
He might have turned and left right then and there but the hare moved and picked up the flower. His eyes narrowed at the way the small creature brushed it clean and for a moment he thought the hare would get to enjoy it's meal when he'd so obviously been deprived, but instead of eating the flower it offered it to the female.
"Your prey attempts to decorate it's predator…I suppose it wants something pleasant to look at before it's demise?"
Then he realized, perhaps it wasn't her prey at all…perhaps she kept the hare for companionship? The ides was somewhat absurd to him and yet…he wondered.
Nike and Olaf:
"Perhaps. Or perhaps I am just... displeased by my solitude having been interrupted and am taking my time working myself out of a pique." Oh dear, where had that come from? She was most definitely channeling her father. Not wanting to watch how the stranger study her as she tried to relax, she bent down so that Olaf could slip the flower against her ear. It was a different feel, and no doubt clashed with her necklace and the baubles hanging from her ears, but it made her happy to wear it. Only her father had ever given her anything, it was nice to receive something truly heartfelt from someone else.
"Perhaps. Though, I'm not sure how my father would take to me conversing with a stranger, especially one that wanted to eat my companion." No, she was giving away too much, she needed to close up. Nike finally returned her full attention to the stranger, sitting down as well. Olaf seemed to had relaxed as well, probably more so than she had, knowing him. He was far too trusting that everything would turn out well.
Zernabog:
"Ah, then not afraid of me but displeased by my presence…"
He hadn't considered that option, then again he so rarely had interaction with his kind it hadn't occurred to him that some might be antisocial. Then again this female was being social with a hare, was he really so terrible an option that the food was considered the better choice? He gave a faint grunt and then gave a slight stretch as he prepared to leave.
"I won't disturb you any further then, your father ought to take more care to keep your edible companions closer or make his territory known clearly. Still, I hope you forgive the intrusion."
He turned to leave the female and her hare trying not to be agitated at the wasted time and wondering if he ought to just leave another hunting attempt until tomorrow. Perhaps he should leave the mountains, but the idea of returning to warmer climates where the heat made him sluggish and irritable was not appealing.
Nike and Olaf:
"But you're not displeased, are you, Nike?" Olaf's voice cut through the spike of guilt that went through her at the stranger's reaction to her... Well, it hadn't been a lie, it was a speculation. She certainly didn't want to admit that, yes, she was afraid. She knew darn well that if the male chose to attack her, there would be little she would be able to do but try to run. While she knew how to hunt, learning to fight another predator had been forbidden. She could imagine her brothers might have gotten the privilege, perhaps even her sister, but not her, never her. Not Father's pure, snow-white favorite.
"Olaf..."
"You're never displeased about anything and I know he tried to eat me, but he isn't anymore, now is he? You could use another friend, you know," the stubborn hare replied and her ears flicked back again. She didn't like this conversation, much less that it was public and in front of the stranger in question. The gods forbid Olaf mention the fact that her father could be gone for the rest of the day.
She sighed, no getting around it. He would just keep pushing.
"It... wasn't your fault. It was an accidental intrusion, and... truly not an unpleasant one. I meant no offense by the insinuation." There, hopefully that would appease the rabbit.
Zernabog:
Zern paused, not at the hare's words but at the female's. Apparently he wasn't as unpleasant as all that, still he didn't want to make her uncomfortable. He looked back at her half seized by curiosity and then blurted out what was on his mind.
"Do you keep it because you're lonely?"
He frowned and then walked back over to her and cleared his throat again, but it didn't do much for him he still sounded rather gruff.
"I'll have to ask you to forgive me again that was…rude. I simply wasn't aware that lions and hares could be companions. I've traveled alone a long time and never felt the need to keep one…"
He'd been about to say 'alive' but he'd offended enough and had to choose words with care now. In an attempt to forgo a conversation he didn't know how to continue he grasped for another.
"The flower suits you."
He stumbled into an other foreign area, he should have said something about her necklace but the stones looked clunky and uncomfortable. The flower was natural, a natural beauty enhancing what was there instead of weighing and disguising it.
Nike and Olaf:
Nike's gaze darted away from the stranger, flicking to the side, the to the ground between them for a moment before returning to him. No, she wouldn't answer that question. He had, of course, hit it spot on but she was loath to admit it aloud. Not having anyone but Father for so long... Yes, she was glad for Olaf, it was nice to finally have a friend. In truth, having him around helped with the ache she'd developed long ago. She no longer hoped for anything more, and felt better for it.
At least, that's what she told herself.
The silence seemed to stretch for a moment, broken finally by her fuzzy little friend.
"I'll go wash up," he said, waited for her nod, and hopped a ways away to the edge of the lake she had been resting beside, proceeding to slowly clean dirt from his fur and leaving them alone.
"I know it's... unusual," she finally replied with another small shrug. "He's amusing and has his uses."
How cold a thing to have said about her friend! But, then, she didn't want to open up to this male. After all, he'd learned her name and had yet to share his.
"Thank you. I've never had flowers before." She had known ladies that wore them, had seen them before, but flowers were not befitting someone of her father's status. Only the finest jewels. Weighty and hard. She liked the flower more.
Zernabog:
He found himself at a loss for a moment and wondered if he shouldn't simply leave the female in peace. Her eyes darted about and he worried he was disturbing her again, it wasn't so much that he cared about disturbing another's feelings it was more that hurt feelings usually led to unnecessary fighting. Even knowing he could win a fight didn't mean he wanted to go about picking them, and hurting the females feelings seemed somehow wrong on another level. She already looked hurt in some way he couldn't define. She looked healthy and well fed, but something in her eyes or in the way she spoke made him wonder.
"It is unusual, but if you say useful as well then perhaps I'll have to seek out such a companion someday myself."
That was as close as he was getting to admitting that he felt alone sometimes…rather frequently if he were honest with himself. Perhaps looking about the outskirts of prides was an idea he should pursue. He was drawn back to the female and the pretty flower that stood so bright against her pale coat.
"Why do you wear the rest?" He motioned with a paw to her sapphire gems and then frowned. "I did not mean to imply vanity, they simply seem…cumbersome? When you hunt?"
Nike:
Her mouth moved ever so slightly in an upward motion as her breath left in a small puff from her nose. A hint of a smile and what could pass for a laugh, the best anyone had ever managed to get out of her.
"I didn't imagine so. But I've never eaten a hare so it was easier to not see him as prey." Olaf stayed, she didn't keep him with her. But she kept from saying so. It was just too much information. She'd been taught to be guarded, to keep safe anything that could be used against her. And by her father's reasoning, anything could be used against her.
He asked about her necklace and one paw rose to touch it. She wouldn't really call it cumbersome, but he was right. She wouldn't wear it when she went hunting, if she got to go hunting. But that wasn't something she wanted to share with him, either. Not because it was a weapon against her, but because... She hated that she didn't hunt, she hated the idea of being seen as useless.
"My father gave these to me. It isn't so bad after you're used to wearing it."
Zernabog:
Hmm, she hadn't eaten hare before, well that might explain her willingness to keep…Olaf? As her companion then. He had eaten a little of anything and everything he could catch, when one was alone one could hardly afford to be picky.
"Ah…well I suppose for family one will endure anything?"
He wondered at that, this female was full grown, could hunt for herself, yet she stayed with her father. What must such a close bond be like? He'd seen families before and there was always a flicker of curiosity about what had happened to his own, but he always pushed past. Now he wondered again, but would he still be with his parents or siblings to this day or would be have struck out on his own even if he'd loved them?
"You two must be very close, you must love him very much to still remain…you have no siblings?"
He had only scented one other male and no other females besides he but perhaps they were off on their own.
Nike:
Was he correct? Would she endure anything for her father? Perhaps. She didn't have a single rebellious bone in her body. And yet, here she was, talking to a stranger. If she had been truly obedient, she would have made him leave a long time ago. Father would be very displeased with her if he found out. Of course, he wouldn't punish her, not really. He'd just scold her, and then... Well, she didn't really want to know what he did when he left her after she did something to displease him. It was sad, but sometimes even she wasn't certain of what her father was capable of.
"No, I don't have siblings." Anymore. The word echoed in her mind. She hadn't had brothers or sisters in a very long time. Vague memories flocked unbidden through her mind and awareness jolted through her with the crack of a lightning bolt. Her mother had been dark, as were her brothers and sister. It was why she had been her father's favorite, his snow-white daughter. She saw Kratos and Zelos in this male's dark pelt and his eyes reminded her of Zelos'. Had his eyes looked like that, or were they a different shade? She couldn't remember anymore.
Did he see her start?
"I'm sorry, I was reminded of something." Better to keep him from jumping to conclusions. But why did she care? Probably because she couldn't help it.
Zernabog:
"Ah, that must be why you are so close then. It must be nice not to be alone all the time?"
He watched the female slightly confused by the way she seemed startled and then withdrawn. When she finally spoke again it was to tell him she had been reminded of something and again he found himself curious. Hm, perhaps this was what made social interactions challenging always wondering what the other was thinking always cautious of causing harm or insult.
Nike:
Would her brothers have been as large as this male? As reserved? No, probably not the latter, her father would no doubt have wanted his sons to grow up to be just like him, clever and confidant in everything they did. Or would they have grown up like that? Would her father have been different if her mother and siblings hadn't been lost? If he hadn't lost his birthright so soon after? Would he have been so bitter?
Nike mentally shook away her puzzling thoughts. How she wished she still had her brothers, surely they would have taught her confidence.
"Yes, it is nice. I'm not sure what he would, what we would do without one another."
Zernabog:
"Survive, when you are alone you survive or die that is just the way. When you have companionship it is different though isn't it? You can thrive, listen to the thoughts of others, begin to plan hopes and dreams for a future day?"
His answer was reflexive, the knowledge of what he had, and what he might someday have if he found how and where. How did one become a part of a family and what place would be right for a wandering rogue like him to call home? Perhaps that was not his fate at all, perhaps he would simply survive alone until he was too old and weak and surrendered to the forces of nature as so many others must have before him. He had seen bleached bones scattered in the land, he knew that not everyone found someone, it was not terribly distressing but it did make him uncomfortable at times.
Nike:
That little huff and the brief upturn at the sides of her mouth again.
Such an empty way to live. And yet...
"I would imagine so." The words were out before she could think to stop them. Her jaw clenched behind closed lips, not wanting to let anything else slip. It wouldn't make sense to him, a parent and child so inseparable and yet so distanced. Nike knew nothing else. She had no thoughts to share with her father, not anymore, no hopes or dreams of what was to come. It was a miracle she had Olaf now. When she was younger she hoped of having a family of her own someday, of having friends. But each time they met a rogue, her father had kept her silent. And each time they had left, he warned her against strangers, against anyone. She knew what she was, had learned long ago but tried ever so hard to convince herself otherwise. She was his daughter, and as long as he lived she would belong to no one else. Not unless something changed in him.
"Why are you alone?" Anything to move the subject away from her.
Zernabog:
"Imagine? But you have your father? Nike was it?"
He'd heard the hare call her that, the name was short and sweet easy to remember.
"I am Zernabog, you can shorten it to Zern if you wish."
If her name was so simple he didn't want his own to seem complex and difficult to her. Hmm, why was he alone, that question caught him off guard. He looked at her for a long moment and then gave a sigh and a faint shrug.
"Truth be told I'm not certain. I mean I've been alone for as long as I can remember, I've considered joining a pride but…maybe you can tell I don't fare too well with interaction."
He chuckled faintly the sound matched his deep voice sounding more growly than anything.
Nike:
She flat out ignored his question. She wasn't going to explain why she didn't have the things he had guessed over.
The images slapped her again. How funny, that even his name would remind her of her brothers. How could it be, that she had lost them so long ago and still felt their absence? Perhaps it was just that she wished for anything that she had seen growing up. Brothers to tease her, to stand up and defend her, a sister to trade stories with, to giggle and share secrets. She had seen this in other families, but that had been taken away from her. And her father had refused a second wife, so she hadn't even been able to have half-siblings. Or even b*****d half-siblings.
"Zernabog is a very interesting name." Her tone was vague, distant as she tried to once again pull herself out of the past.
"Prides are not always as pleasant as they're talked about. I think, sometimes they can be even worse than being a rogue." After all, rogues didn't have wars or politics.
Zernabog:
He noticed that she ignored his first question and didn't confirm her name though he was fairly certain he'd managed to remember correctly. She seemed distant again and he wondered why, what had he said to make her withdraw?
"It is, it may not be my name…it is my earliest memory a female saying it perhaps if I had siblings it was their names."
He gave a faint shrug, it hardly mattered if it was another's name once it was his now. The way she spoke about prides made him wonder.
"Oh? Have you been in a pride?"
Nike:
Seemed like he had lost his family at some point. Knowing very keenly how that sort of loss felt, Nike chose not to pursue that train of comment. If for anything, she didn't want him using it as an opportunity to ask about her family in return.
And besides, talking about a pride was safe enough.
"Yes, I was for a good part of my life. I think it was easier when it came to hunting, but everything has its downsides." Like power struggles when the king left a lord in charge rather than his own brother. Or a rival pride bent on taking over the territory, a pride willing to massacre females and cubs just to send a message and cause turmoil.
No, she didn't like living in a pride. Not at all.
Zernabog:
"Obviously a large enough downside to leave it behind. I've always gone at it alone, but I considered trying to find a pride…it simply isn't easy to accustom ones self to group living without experience."
He looked from the hare to the female and held back a sigh, at least he'd had a chance to practice conversing. He thought for a moment and realized there was an even better opportunity right at his paws. Alone he could only take down small game, but perhaps with the female he could do better.
"Nike…might I ask you to join me on a hunt? Your…friend there was my original target however I won't attempt to take him down again now that I know he is under your protection."
Nike:
"Yes, it was." Her father had stayed, kept them there long enough. Sometimes she thought it was because he didn't want to be out in the roguelands with an infant daughter. And yet what good was she? He wouldn't let her hunt or negotiate with other rogues, she was just... She was like his necklace, a possession he wouldn't let go of, nothing more.
When he looked off, she glanced over to where Olaf was now lying on his back, chewing on some plant matter that was no doubt at least a little bit dry. Of course, he didn't seem to mind. In fact it really seemed like there were few things in life that really bothered her little companion.
"I'm afraid I cannot. My father is expecting me to be here when he returns." Her head dipped ever so slightly, almost shyly. In truth she would love to go on a hunt. But on the one hand, there was her father to worry about. And on the other, she didn't want to admit - or show for that matter - that she had absolutely no experience hunting.
Zernabog:
Zernabog frowned faintly at her response and tilted his head, she was old enough to leave and return without causing her parent too much undo worry. He didn't want to press the issue, but his stomach was tight and he couldn't help but attempt to convince her.
"Surely we won't be gone long enough for him to be too concerned? Don't you usually hunt alone while he is away? We can leave him a mark here so he won't worry?"
It was a last desperate attempt if she continued to refuse he knew he would simply have to head back down the mountain and try to find easier prey. He wondered for a moment if she was afraid of him, of being alone with him, it explained her reluctance to go with him. He had tried to sound pleasant but he knew his voice was naturally gruff and scratchy. His size probably didn't help his cause any either, though his inky fur helped him appear sleeker.
Nike:
"No, I..." Nike trailed off with a shake of her head and stood. She had no idea the thoughts going through his head, but even if she had she'd have no way of reassuring him. What did one say in the face of such a question?
He will always be concerned, I can never leave. No, I'm sorry, I dare not disobey my father. I can't, I'm afraid I have no experience hunting. I have never hunted, especially not alone.
Every one of them was equal parts inadequate and humiliating. Just the mere ideas going through her mind made heat rise to her cheeks beneath her fur.
"I cannot, I'm sorry," she finally said and turned away. In doing so, she inadvertently showed a trust in him, for he could easily attack while her back was turned, a fact that just didn't cross her mind.
"Olaf," she called and took a few steps towards the hare, who in turn rolled over and quickly made his way to her. Nike paused, glancing over shoulder at Zernabog. She didn't smile, it was just not something she really knew how to do, but her face was soft and she dipped her head, the action and her posture oozing respect. And perhaps even feminine submission.
"It was... pleasant, meeting you Zernabog." She didn't know what else to say. She had little experience with situations that made her feel as much as this one had, and words had a tendency to escape her as it was. But pleasant seemed appropriate.
Zernabog:
His ears fell slightly as she denied him again and then he slowly nodded holding in another sigh. Well he had tried, he simply wasn't any good at this type of interaction. He slowly stepped back and nodded trying not to look intimidating and relaxing a bit as she turned her back. He watched the hare half amused half frustrated and then turned to go.
He paused and looked at her feeling pleased by her words, perhaps he wasn't a total fool when it came to dealing with strangers.
"The pleasure was mine Nike…if you ever do wish for a hunting partner I would be honored." He dipped his head and caught the mingled scent of the female and the flower combined. It made him want to linger in the area incase she changed her mind, but he needed to hunt.
"Until then…" He didn't say farewell, he would like to be able to think of visiting the quiet female again someday, practice for his limited social graces. With that he headed away his dark form clear until the shadows hit.
