🐰😻

[clevermallard]

this is also self indulgent.

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[menphina]

I've worked on less, but I'll rest soon. Not like you haven't been resting much either, ser. I know how you patrol around to make sure nothing is around us.

[ Oho. She'll just reach up to poke his cheek lightly. ]

What's the matter? You've been looking worried. Is it about Wuk Lamat?

[clevermallard]

Someone has to make sure the camp is secure, especially while we are in the wilderness.

[ He huffs a little through his nose. ]

Not necessarily, I know she can handle herself with anything but going the right direction.

[menphina]

And our non-combatant is going to do just that... well, you know who to come to when there is danger, anyroad.


[ Smug. ]

She's lovely, though. I'm not sure I'd say she's leader material just yet, but with her heart and desire to learn? I know she'll do really well.

You'll support her either way, won't you?

[clevermallard]

If there were any, yes.

[ Listen here! ]

Eventually, I am sure she will grow into her own. She needs your guidance.

[ ... ]

I have known her for most of my life.

[ So yes. ]

[menphina]

Not really "acquaintances" then, are you?

[ Bumping his shoulder with hers, though she smiles. ]

I'll do my best- as Matriarch, 'tis mine duty to guide those that need it. Can't falter now! And 'tis good to not be at the forefront for once... means I can be here and learn more about others to help as well. And get to know you better, too!

Better than saving the world all the time, don't you think?

[clevermallard]

We are just acquaintances.

[Erenville, please. He’s going to get so called out later on in this story.

He does end up looking back at her finally, settling on that perhaps it’s fine to look at her even with her state of dress. ]

I thought you might rather enjoy your time around Tural. Even if you are playing an advisor role this time.

[ He does have a small smile at that, but it’s gone as quick as it came. He can’t fathom why he would be interesting to learn about. ]

There isn’t much to know about me that you don’t already know. So I suppose you might have to pick on Wuk Lamat, or perhaps even Second Promise Koana.

[menphina]

[ This guy!! She nudges him again, her tail smacking him in the back. ]

There isn't a person in the world who isn't interesting to know about! Especially our favorite gleaner who wanted to find the Golden City.

[ She wiggles her ears. ]

I do like it here. 'tis even nicer knowing where you're from. Honestly, with how you talk, I'd have pegged you from the Skatay Range, but your chosen name is like the Rava! Mine own Uncle Rael is from Golmore. Now everything makes even less sense, seeing as you're from Tural!

Though... I suppose 'tis familiar, too. Not many would be able to pinpoint where I'm actually from, either. Bet you can't!

[clevermallard]

I told you already, didn’t I? It was a task from my mentor. I was fairly convinced she just wanted me to explore the world, and I have.

[ His mentor, also his mother. ]

It was easier to simply adopt a name. If I were to use my own, it would stand out. Something I didn’t want in my line of work.

If I would wager a guess on just your name, I would say Othard. But it’s not that simple, is it?

[ He pauses, before considering.]

Perhaps once you get a travel permit, I could show you Xak Tural.

[menphina]

Your mentor sounds full of mystery.

[ She smiles, resting her face against her hand, and nodding. ]

Aye, considering mine clan travels all over, 'tis not so different from you. I was born with a different name, but 'tis one only mine closest family use with me. Including mine mates.


[ She beams. ]

What's in Xak Tural, anyroad?

[clevermallard]

[ He notes that maybe they have more similarities than differences. Of course, he’d been interested to learn about her. Not that he would press her or anything. He’s pretty much a closed book when it comes to his own personal details.]

I can understand, given names can be deeply personal in different cultures. I can tell we are no different in that respect.

[He’d likely counseled Wuk Lamat on not calling him his given name, he’d stopped Gulool Ja Ja. ]

I would wager you would enjoy exploring there. Life out there is quite different.

…my home is there as well.

[menphina]

[ She's noticed!!!! What are you so reserved about, Erenville! She smiles though, and her ears lift in interest. ]

Aye. Though... you want to take me to your home? I should like to see it. What's it like?

[clevermallard]

[He thinks a moment. It’s a nice place, of course. He grew up there! But what is it that he would even show her. ]

It’s the place where a lot of the Shetona live. You could see how they make their homes and lives.

Though some, like myself tend to leave and roam around.

[ He brings one of his legs up, resting his chin on his knee.]

I haven’t been home in three years.

[menphina]

I should still enjoy seeing where you grew up! I didn't have a single home- we traveled so much, though I'd like to think of all of Othard as mine home.

[ Ah, he's so beautiful. She imitates his motion, and rests her cheek on her knees to watch him. ]

Do you keep in touch with your family, then?

[clevermallard]

I would like to travel to Othard again. I did not spend much time there the last time I can remember going.

[ Her question though, is a complicated one. ]

I haven't spoken to anyone in my village in three years, I know not how they fare. But you are aware for our kind, three years is just a few blinks.

[menphina]

Goodness, I can't even imagine not writing to my family every day while we're apart. I try my best to keep in touch so they know I'm alright. Not talking to them for three years...


[ Oh that'd be terrible! She reaches out and brushes a lock of Erenville's hair back. ]

Uncle Rael would say things like that, too. You'd seen him back in Sharlayan, I think... he often mentioned seeing you around once I told him of you.

[clevermallard]

I didn’t want to return until my task was complete. I suppose you could say that is the way of it.

[He doesn’t recoil when she touches him, no, he’s grown plenty used to the way she is. ]

I remember him from days I had been in and out of Sharlayan. Though it wasn’t often we would get to speak.

[menphina]

[ Her hand doesn't move away, brushing the back of her fingers against his skin and feeling how soft it is for someone who travels so much. Viera are so good with this!!


But she chuckles and nods, letting her thumb brush across his cheek. ]

He always did say you were always running here and there ... now I've seen it for myself.

[ She smiles, ears flicking. ]

Ah... your eyes, they're catching the firelight. They're so pretty.

[clevermallard]

[ He can’t really deny that it feels nice. Her hands are soft for someone who fights so much.

Ah, but what is he thinking? Even if he leans into the touch just a little bit. He can’t even fathom something like this, can he? No. No he can’t. She already has multiple people.]

…have you looked at your own?

[ Not his best rebuttal. He does cast his gaze to a very interesting piece of grass though.]

[menphina]

[ She blinks in surprise, but does shift and lean in close, stroking his hair, along his jaw and giving him a cute smile. ]


What about my eyes? You'll have to take a better look and tell me.

[clevermallard]

[He chanced a look back to her. Inspecting her eyes for a moment. He could look at it in the way he looks at most things, couldn’t he?

He’s keeping his hands to himself. ]

Like sapphires. They almost glow. Like they have as many stories to tell as I think they they do.

[menphina]

[ Ah. She can feel her heart skip a beat, and she smiles to herself, before looking back at his. ]

Yours look like a jar of honey on a window ledge, catching the light... sweet and delicious. Not that I'd eat your eyeballs. They just look-

[ For a moment, she recalls... And her gaze softens as she smiles. ]

... nostalgic. Like you're home.

[clevermallard]

[They're awfully close. Erenville listens to what she says. Curious for her to say that.]

That’s a big compliment for someone you hardly know.

[It’s true. Though he is daring enough to hold their position. ]

[menphina]

'tis just what I feel, you silly bun. You can't possibly be ignorant to how lovely you are.

[ They really are close, huh. If she moved closer, she'd be close enough for their faces to be near enough to let their lips brush together. ]

I could gaze at you all night if you'd let me.

[clevermallard]

Such things aren’t important to me.

[He admits that much. He’s always quick to brush off advances from others.

He doesn’t stay in one place long enough for anyone to start to think about catching anything more than something fleeting from him. ]

Why? Surely you aren’t here just to stare at me.

[menphina]

Is it so surprising if I am?

[ She slides her fingers down to his chin, turning his face her way slightly, though there's still enough distance between their faces that it's still kind of polite. ]

I'm interested in getting to know you. We're friends, aren't we? I should like to learn even more.

[ A flick of her gaze to his mouth, then to his eyes. ]

...a lot more.