Strangers in the woods ( Nidae, Seliarus )

[Seliarus]

Seliarus nodded again. Nehsmay, the girl called herself. He, liked before, reached into her hand as well, and his eyes were seeking for a contact with the Vantha. It was surprising, that the two didn't backed away after hearing his tale. While he was shaking her hand, he couldn't think about anything else. There actually are people willing to listen before they act.

"Traveling?" The Dhani asked in a disbelief, as he let go of her hand. "That isss ...quite a journey you two plan." Before looking over the two once more. That is, when he decided he will stop scouting the two, and his glance lowered itself on the ground. His eyes were once again closed, and he silently re-winded the whole event that happened.

As he knew merchants in this region, they always aimed on getting to their destination as fast as possible, then walking in the night in the forest wasn't exactly a smart thing to do. While he didn't looked up anymore, he started to think that the two are going to be on their way quite soon. "When do you plan on arriving in the town?" He asked, without having a target to speak too.

[Nidassasyae]

OOC: My computer just lost battery... in the middle of writing my post. *grumpy face*

Nidassasyae turned and giggled along with Nehsmay, glancing at the trees surrounding them. "Creepy trees," she muttered, stifling her giggles. "We're seeing the world," exclaimed Nidae, but her face darkened, and she focused her eyes on the tree line. "And I'm looking for my family... or revenge," she added softly, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "You see Seliarus, you are not the only one who's life is regarded as worthless. To be disposed of, or enslaved, your fate already decided because of what you are," she said, her slitted cat's eyes meeting the Dhani's slitted snake ones. She didn't think much of telling Seliarus a bit about her past. He had asked, she had answered. Nidae thought that Seliarus, regardless of the distrust and cold anger he seemed to have displayed, was trustworthy. There was something about him, something that seemed... Nidae couldn't find the word for it, but he had helped her friend, though claiming that it was only because he felt like it. All these silly notions about all Dhani seemed quite preposterous now. Though Nidassasyae could go from anger to happiness in the blink of an eye, she preferred not to show extreme sadness. It didn't make sense to her, why should she cry over something that she could try to solve? The kelvic was trying to slowly piece her life back together, or at least end the lives of those who had broken hers. "I've seen so many new things," Nidae said cheerily, pushing the sadness into a distant corner of her mind, exactly what Nehsmay had told her not to do. "Why, I just saw a CITY at the beginning of the season. Now we're off to see another! But you're right, less white. I quite like white, easier to blend in. Now I just stick out like a sore thumb." "To be honest, I have no idea when we'll arrive. It's Nehsmay who knows what's going on, I just follow closely behind her," Nidassasyae shrugged helplessly. She just trusted that the Vantha had some idea of where they were going.

[Nehsmay]

Nehsmay smiled brightly seeing Seliarus wanted to at least have a conversation with them. Next to her Shade too started accepting the Dhani as he made a few steps forward sniffing the man and lowering his head asking to be petted. He gazed at the Dhani with big brown eyes, but Nehsmay scolded him. "Shade, no begging." She turned her attention towards Seliarus "Yes, it's a long journey," she said wistfully "but I cannot spend more time on it and later it will be too late." She added cryptically. The Vantha looked around trying to guess where they were, but in vain. They had strayed too much from the road she knew. "May I ask where you are heading, Seliarus?" She didn't really hope for a straightforward answer, but a tiny part of herslef hoped to receive one. "We were planning to get to Syliras this noon, but it's too late now. " She said watching as the sun hid behind the horizon. "We'll probably set camp somewhere nearby and continue our road tomorrow. If we manage ti return to our road without getting lost that is." she added.

[Seliarus]

OOC: I'm getting my hair dyed, so, I apologize for my slow response.
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Seliarus nodded at the feral girl. Her explanation was everything he needed to hear. Something in him wanted to ask further, but he knew it wasn't the right moment. Digging into something isn't something he wanted. Besides, he really didn't want to be seen as some annoying want to know-it-all. He knew everyone has their own secrets, and some are not to be asked about, then some things, are better left forgotten. Getting any information was enough.

He tried to smile at her city comment, but decided to leave it be. At least she can enter a town, without being chased out. He tried to imagine what the inner thing of a town could look like. Maybe it was like the Nest he grew up. But, well, not so underground-ly.

Soon, he noticed the horse slowly walking towards him. But the Dhani didn't fancy any contact with the animal. May he be friendly or not, he could not always control his hunger. Any contact with an animal that couldn't say no, was something he tried to avoid. But at this moment, he had to do it. He did not want to bring out the question 'why.' So he extended his hand. He looked at the horse, and without words, trying to ask him to move away. For both of their sakes.

"Heading...You two ssshared a bit of yoursssselvessss. I ssshould-asss well. I have no goal. Then I have nowhere to go, and no desssire to go, for that matter. I move from time to time, to get sssomething to eat...But I usssualy return to this place." He listened forward, and the idea of a camp reminded him that he should probably start a fire before he'll freeze. Nights can be quite cold around these parts.

"I could..." He started. "Ssshow you the way to the main road...Or well, the road that the tradersss use." He didn't exactly know why he should help them, but he hoped that they have some spare food they would be willing to share if they stay in a camp overnight. He wasn't the one to beg, but, even he needed to eat something from time to time.

[Nehsmay]

Nehsmay grabbed Shade's reins and brought him next to her, sensing that Seliarus wasn't exactly fond of horses. She glanced at the Dhani wondering why people were so prejudiced upon encountering things they didn't know. She wasn't sure, but she felt like her people would welcome him instead of driving him away. Then again Dhani did not like the cold and Avanthal was in a very cold region. "We would be extremely grateful if you could show us the way." she said politely "I don't know about Nidae, but I am completely lost as to where we are." She paused a bit and asked "Should you want, you are welcome to join us for dinner." She wondered whether she should ask him to join them in their travels or not, but was afraid that his answer would be no. Perhaps later... She glanced at Nidae and waited, wanting to know if the Kelvic wanted to add something.

[Seliarus]

He sighed in relief once the horse was taken away from him. He inhaled deeply, and that was followed by a deep sigh. He nodded at the invitation, as he most certainly wouldn't mind something to eat.

"When you ssspend your daysss in here, you get usssed on the conssstant turnsss...It wont take long."



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OOC: I apologize for the short emote, but was in a hurry.

[Nehsmay]

OOC: No problem, it's ok --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nehsmay sighed in relief and nodded. "Thank you once again. Perhaps upon reaching Syliras..." she trailed off not knowing whether Seliarus would be interested in trying to see the city or not. "Nothing. Forget I said anything." She took her bags down from the saddle and fumbled for her daily portion of food. She had enough food for a week or so, thanks to her mother. She also took out her tent and placed it near Shade hoping to set it up later. "I only have some dried deer and rabbit meat, but you are welcome to have some if it is to your liking." She addressed Seliarus.

[Seliarus]

After hearing the reaching word, he looked at the Vantha for a moment. His eyes, even though trying to be cold, gave away a feeling of doubt. Maybe even fear. He couldn't enter a town like that. Not even go near her if the guards would be paying attention.

But he didn't started the topic fully. He decided he'll start it some other time. It was, after all, dinner time. "If you have any ssspare, I'd be more than happy. Asss long asss it's edible." He said.

[Nehsmay]

"Sure it's edible." Nehsmay frowned "It was made by my mother. She may not be the greatest cook in Avanthal, but her food is tasty. I also have some cider if you're interested." She handed Seliarus a meet package and sat down on a rock. Next to her Shade was nibbling on the grass wanting to see if it was to his liking. Deciding that it was as good as any other grass, though not as good as his hay from Avanthal he started eating to his heart's desire. Nehsmay glanced at Nidae waiting to see whether she would join them or would prefer to hunt in leopard form. After all the woods were filled with game.

[Nidassasyae]

Nidassasyae pulled off her clothes, tucking them into her pack. It seemed silly to have to put them on and take them off, people were silly indeed. After eating dried meat for two full moons, the last thing she wanted to be eating was dried deer, though she had some strips of it in her pack. The girl set her pack on the ground, backed away a few steps, and morphed into her leopard form. In the short time it took, there was always a brief flash of agony, like looking being scoured clean by the sun's light. Then, she dropped down on all fours, her teeth bared in a smile. Nidae nodded farewell to the two, and sprinted off into the woods, to hunt for game. She supposed that perhaps the two might like some fresh meat as well, a welcome respite from the constant dried meat. Nidassasyae didn't have to look far. As she padded into the woods, her eyes were caught by the tracks of deer. It seemed too small for a herd, only three sets of tracks headed off into the undergrowth. After a brief examination, Nidae determined that one could be only a foal, the tracks were smaller and lighter. The other two seemed healthy enough, with deep tracks that seemed quite fresh. Possibly only twenty minutes away. The snow leopard shook herself, sniffed once more, and headed deeper into the woods. She sped along, heavily furred paws making no sound on the dense leaf litter. In the darkened woods, she spotted the silhouette of antlers, then the bodies of two deer. She lowered herself down to the ground, her white fur brushing against the fallen leaves of Fall. Slowly, the predatory animal crept up behind the deer, who were feasting on some sweet meadow grass. When she was close, her blue eyes shining from the shadows of the undergrowth, she attacked the deer. Her prey fled into the forest, Nidassasyae snapping at their heels. With a burst of speed, she leapt for the stag's throat, her jaws closing swiftly. The deer struggled, writhing on the ground. With a decisive jerk, Nidae snapped his neck, the proud deer dangling from her jaws. For a moment, she closed her eyes, bowing her head to the dead stag. The leopard growled something, a thanks to the spirit of the deer. After a brief moment of silence, she looked up and backed away. Leaves swirled around her as she morphed into her human form. Nidassasyae picked up the deer, slinging it over one shoulder, and made her way back to the camp. When she arrived, she called out to the Dhani and Vantha, "I'm baaaaack!" Nidae dropped the deer on the soft grass of the clearing, pushing a stray strand of hair out of her face. "You guys want some?" She would ask. Nidae grabbed her dagger from her pack, gesturing towards the deer. She knew that people usually prefered to roast their meat on a spit, rather than eat it raw. Nidassasyae didn't know much about how Dhani ate their meat, but judging from their animal characteristics, she guessed that Seliarus didn't mind. Nehsmay, however, was completely different. If the Vantha wished, Nidae would drag the deer outside of the clearing, cleaning, skinning, and gutting it, before she'd bring back the meat. They could probably roast it right here, unless the Seliarus had any objections.