[Flashback, Hunters' Gather] Chit-chat (Veldrys)

[Nisana Curare]

"It sounds very interesting Veldrys," Nisana replied to the man's question with a warm smile for him, "Though, what benefit is there in studying the other races? Do you think something could be gained from them beyond being surrogates?" her look and tone easily conveyed her feeling that there wasn't really anything, in her opinion, that a Symenestra could use from the other races.

"I became a hunter to follow in my Mother's footsteps," Nisana replied proudly to Veldrys' question, her smile brightening a little, "And because I truly enjoy the thrill of hunting. The excitement of the hunt and the pride of returning with a good kill are beyond compare."

Veldrys' next question and comment caught Nisana a bit off guard. It wasn't something that she was used to being asked, and it wasn't exactly something she was open about. Her cheeks went a bit pink with a flush as she turned her amethyst gaze away from Veldrys and hesitantly offered, "Well... I do like to collect flowers from outside of Kalinor..."

[Veldrys]

Veldrys noticed the doubt in her voice, and for a moment he doubted whether there was a point to his studies as well, but then he smiled lightly and replied, „I think there is something that can be gained from the study of other races. I want to understand how the venom destroys a surrogate’s body and whether there’s a difference in how it affects a Chaktawe and a Myrian for example. If I find out where exactly it starts and how it spreads through the body, I might find a way to slow the process down or make the surrogates – and ultimately our own women - more resilient. But maybe that’s just wishful thinking. I’m by no means as skilled as Hellebore, but you are allowed to dream, aren’t you?“ He shrugged his shoulders, and then he continued, „Did it never interest you how a Kelvic’s body works for example – or an Eypharian's? Maybe that part of my studies is largely useless, but it fascinates me nevertheless.“ He was aware that his interest in the surface races would not find everybody’s approval, but he didn’t care. He didn’t want to hide that. There was more to this world than just the city of Kalinor. „Maybe I should go on a hunt sometimes then, after you’ve taught me how to use the bow“, the healer murmurred. As she told him that she liked to collect flowers, he looked at her. He noticed how her cheeks had turned pink, as if she was a little embarrassed, a little shy all of a sudden. He couldn’t figure out why that was the case. There was nothing wrong with a young woman, even a huntress, liking flowers. „I like to collect flowers as well sometimes“, he said to her. „Most of them have healing properties, but occasionally I just pick a flower because of its beauty. If you’d like, I could bring you a flower when I go to the surface next time.“ He didn’t know why he said that or why he was a little hesitant as well all of a sudden.