Welcome to Gaia! ::

It had been over a year since Kuno had been hired by the trading company, and he still enjoyed it! He got to travel, meet many new people, defend those of the caravan from bandits or beasts, and was expanding on his duties all the time. He took it as a sign that he was earning the trust of his employers, and he was quite proud of it all.

That's what had made it so easy to ignore the underlying pinch in his gut that began forming a couple months into the job. Even though he was going home for a few days until the next trip, his tension didn't ease. Even when the grand sanctuary came into sight, he felt something picking the back of his brain. He wasn't used to feeling this way, and didn't want to worry his family if they were home.

Rather than go straight inside, he sat with Bubs in the pavilion of the yard. It was a sturdy structure with heavy curtains that could be closed against the wind and snow. He had opened a couple of them for some light and fresh air. Though the summer air was warm for Zena, Kuno needed a light sweater after the blistering heat of Sauti. The cozy chairs also helped to keep him warm as he closed his eyes to attempt easing his mind.

The raptrix was excited to be home, but was trained enough that he remained with his master for now. Bubs laid on the floor at one of the open curtains with his head poking out into the light wind to enjoy the smells of home.

With someone approaching, Bubs raised his head and ears, and his tail thumped excitedly against the pavilion floor. He gave an eager whine and looked back at his master for permission to go play.

It wasn't until the raptrix's whine that Kuno registered anyone was approaching. He winced and rubbed his hands over his face quickly. Shoot, it was probably his aunt or a sibling.. "Go on, Bubs," he encouraged to give himself an extra moment. That voice though- Mero? His problems were briefly forgotten as he jumped to his feet and quickly made sure he didn't look like a completely rumpled mess after the long trip home. "Mero, yeah, in here."

The moment he got the word, Bubs bounded over to Mero and gave her face a sloppy lick of affection.

As per usual, Bubs' tail was wagging hard enough to be hazardous to anything in its path. His licking eased back as he was pushed against, but he wasn't going to give up that easily. He took to nosing at her cheek with delighted grunts. Only a sharp whistle got him to back off. He sat on his butt and looked back at Kuno with interest.

Kuno couldn't help laughing when he heard Mero's plight. He couldn't even see her behind Bub's fluffy figure! He let Mero get the attacks of affection for a moment before reining the beast in. "Sorry, he's almost as excited as me ta see ya." He reached out to pat Bubs' shoulder. When he finally did see Mero and the smeared cosmetics, he gave a wince of a smile. The half that wasn't slobbered up sure did look pretty... "I didn't know ye're here. How long're ya home for?"

Bubs cocked his head as he was scolded further, and his big dewy eyes gave Mero a mildly concern look. His tail continued to flap merrily about behind him, unconcerned with the drama happening at the other end.

Oof.. It sounded expensive. He did actually feel a little bad. "At least it ain't like ya really need it?" he offered in a wary attempt to smooth over the loss of the cosmetics. Necessary or not, it was something nice she had spent money on just for her. Oh, maybe he would get her some as a gift! Not that he knew jack about the nuances of cosmetics...

His smile brightened to hear how long she would be there, but it faltered the slightest bit when Mero expressed her observation. He considered just dismissing the the fact entirely, but it would be nice to have someone to talk to about it. "I guess that last route was a bit rough," he admitted hesitantly. He glanced back at the pavilion with a pause. He wasn't sure he was ready to go into the house yet. "Um, ya wanna sit for a bit? I can get one'o them fires lit up."

Bubs grunted with contentment as he bent down to meet the scritches. With a pleased chuff, he turned to follow Mero as she headed away.

Kuno's wince rose again. So the cosmetics had been a gift? Was that better or worse? At least she didn't look irredeemably cranky about the mess. Still, he kept the thought of getting her some more in the back of his mind. Surely he would be able to find something nice along his work routes! ..depending on how much longer he stayed there.

He looked with surprise at their joined hands and followed while Bubs' heavy paws padded along behind them Between his own hesitation and Mero's words, he quickly swallowed the urge to talk and flipped the switch to his more normal tactics. "Well, if you really don't want ta hear the nitty gritty.." he took a few quick steps to lead into the pavilion itself. With a flourish, he gave Mero a spin before he pulled her close. Yes, much more pleasant than talking about worries! "I do wanna hear what you've been up ta with them fancy studies you're doin'."

Though he had been well aware of what he was doing, that unexpected and subtly investigating touch sent a prickling sensation along his spine. It made his hand at Mero's waist hold just a little tighter while his thumb stroked along her back lightly. His smile warmed as he pulled her along into a slow dance. Who had time to worry when he had such a treasure in his arms...?

"Sounds like it's really workin' out for ya. I never doubted ye'd do great." Mero was stubborn if nothing else. She absolutely had the gumption to get through any challenge. He pursed his lips into a (mostly) playful pout. "Guess that'll mean less time fer ya ta get out here, huh?"

Bubs resumed his post on the stairs now that his earthlings were inside the pavilion with his heavy head resting on his large paws, tail wagging contently.

Them? He could only imagine the hassle Mero was getting at that school. It was a prime area for lessons and advancement though. It would be worth it for her in the end. Surely she would have her pick of wherever she wanted to go to work after all was said and done, provided the places she applied at weren't so narrow minded.

His laugh was tempered by disappointment. "Ya know it's hard 'nough for me ta get much more'n a weekend off. It's gettin' a bit old, really. Might be I'll just cut ties an' take those weeks." It might be for the best anyway, considering the misgivings that were rising with the trade route... Now that he had some experience under his belt, it should be easier to find work elsewhere! Maybe closer to Mero's school..... He grinned and did another little spin as an excuse to pull her closer against him, his face leaning close so that his breath brushed gently along Mero's forehead. "I'd go all the way ta Matori ta visit ya if I had ta," he assured. Then he smirked again to bring the play back into his tone. "It's just simpler for me ta have ya come here~"

Kuno chuckled and shrugged. "Hey, the more I work now, the less I gotta later, right?" Even when he had loved the job, he hadn't been fond of just how much he was working! Never mind that part of his downtime included the half a day trip home. It serious cut into his break. He had been determined to push through for the sake of the coin though. He couldn't ask Mero to be his if he couldn't hold his own in life...

Bubs' head rose and swiveled when he heard his name. When he realized it wasn't actually for him, he let out a long, rumbling sigh and laid his head back down.

A playful grin rose on his lips. "Of course I don't think that. Ye're a lot prettier than Bubs." He set Mero back down to her feet and resumed the little dance. "Maybe, possibly, I might consider renting a place for myself in town. Try out a more settled life for a year or so. What'd'ya think of that?"