There was a man, a horse, and oh! A butterfly too (Erzotol)

[Tessa Poe]

Tessa could hear her pulse thundering in her ears as her rapidly building panic rose... why did she have to go and open her big mouth? He was nice, actually genuinely nice and now he was going to leave and she'd be stuck trudging back to Syliras alone. She'd probably get lost again too. Tessa chewed worriedly at the inside of her cheek, steeling herself for Erzotol's reaction... and then he laughed. For a moment she just sat there, the heat she could feel in her cheeks telling her she was blushing furiously, but then she found herself joining in with him. At first it was nervous, barely audiable, born from the simple rush of relief but soon she was honestly just laughing. He wasn't offended, why had she been so worried about that happening? She should have known he wasn't the type to get worked up over something so, so trivial. Nope, that was just her.

"I'm sorry, I get... ahhh it's silly but I get all nervous around new people, you never know what they'll do or how they'll react and all." She replied, smiling still with that sense of relief as she started to relax again, releasing the death grip she'd had on her knees and sitting back a little. She found herself concentrating as he replied to her attempt at Pavi, trying to follow what he was saying and sort of proving his assertion that her Pavi wasn't too bad wrong. She thought she had caught gist of what he'd said at least. She knew he'd said 'well' at the end and it was a question so he was asking if she wanted to go and get some water from the stream, probably. The bit in between those two statements was still a bit of a problem though. Something about her dice cup, and staying? Maybe? Well she'd answer the bit she could and just pretend that she understood the rest. That might work, she'd already made enough of a fool of herself so far this morning without adding to it. "I would happy be to go along the well to..." She managed, again with a few little stumbles, "Though I know my Pavi's terrible, I never could get the accent right, you're kind to say so though. Oh I just need to get packed up, it won't take a chime, honestly, I travel as light as I can. You'd be surprised how much the tiniest unnecessary weight feels like after a week's walking." She came smoothly to her feet with a happy little grin, turning to head back into her tent but paused just a moment to say quietly over her shoulder, "And Erzotol? Thank you, for putting up with me."

She knelt at the entrance and reached in, grabbing her pack, bedroll and weapons and piling them next to her, the buckler clattering as it always did, before stripping the poles out of the tent and folding them away. She started to hum again as she worked, the same tune as before Erzotol first arrived, her movements practically routine and in time with the music as she went along. She'd done this more than times than she could count after all, it was almost second nature to her. In short order her tent was packed away and strapped to the top of her pack, her bedroll strapped to the bottom of it and her sword back on her belt at her hip. She slipped the pack over her shoulders, settling it comfortably before checking the inner pockets of her coat were all sealed and slipping it through the straps. "And there we go, all ready to get going. Oh, wait mustn't forget that," she said half to herself as she came back to fire and carefully covered it by kicking the forest soil over it before checking to see it was completely out. "Can never leave one of those burning, ‘specially with not how dry things can get in this weather. So, you ready to get going?" Tessa was all smiles again now, standing easily as she waited and feeling really rather pleased to have a companion for the road that day.

[Erzotol Silverden]

A warm smile came to his, and glanced once over at his horse before looking back at her. " It is fine, I understand, to be honest I was a bit nervous first talking to you " he said with a small chuckle, and looked to her more relaxed now. Her pavi wasn't completely incomprehensible, though he suspected a little bit had been lost in transition from his words to hers, but it wasn't anything too important since she got the relative gist of it. The thought brought a mischievous grin to his face though, as he briefly wondered about having a bit of fun with her using pavi, but decided against it not really knowing how she would react to such games. Still maybe a idea for later, to drum up the walking, and keep things interesting, but he would wait till after they had retrieved the water before lightening up the trip. " Pavi isn't that easy for non drykas, so I'd say you’re doing splendidly at the moment, and maybe I could teach you a few more words in it so you'll be set the next time around " he offered with a smile, thinking it was a good way to past time with all the walking they had ahead of themselves, and perhaps it would help her should she find her way to the Sea of Grass. " It is no problem; I should be thanking you for such needed company "

Then she was heading to the tent, and he contented himself to walk by his horse, and pick up from the pile of his belongings, picking up his back first because of a soft yipping sound and opening it even more to let Laeon out, the white fox having fallen asleep on the ride over and just now waking up, begging to stretch his legs. He smiled, and scratched him briefly behind the ears, before seeing to the rest of the stuff connected to the yvas, tossing his back over his shoulder. One by one, he belted the sword to his hip, and slung his shield and bow over his back leaving just the yvas on the ground, which he then picked up, and folded it around his arm, tying it to his pack tightly. All strapped up, and with his fox leading the way he walked back to the campsite, and saw to a pleasantly surprise that she was ready as well. Laeon wound his way to the new stranger, and stopped before her, cocking his head to the side curiously. " Yes, I believe we are ready to go. Don't mind Laeon, he is quite friendly. Care to lead the way? " he gestured before them.

[Tessa Poe]

Tessa didn't notice Laeon at first and nodded cheerily in reply to Erzotol's question, It's just over that way, shouldn't take too long to reach it, and you were nervous? Was I really that threatening half dressed?" she asked with a little giggle as she was about to start off, and then he drew her attention to Laeon. At first she'd thought he'd meant his horse but he'd named it something else, Ariart or something, so it couldn't be that... and it was at that moment she saw it sitting near her feet. It was friendly? Friendly!? It was a... and they always seemed that way until they started to growl, and bark. Where in the hells had it come from? Was it his? He'd given it a name so she supposed it must be his. Gods, any minute now it was going to pounce, just as soon as she turned her back it'd be on her. Wait, didn't they smell fear? That's what they said right? That they could smell your fear and that made them attack you, she could've sworn someone had told her that once. Her mind was back to running a mile a chime as she stood frozen on the spot, muscles tensed as the grin slipped from her face. She stared down at the beast with its head cocked to one side, watching as it opened its mouth for a moment in a wide yawn, revealing its rows of sharp little teeth. It was going to eat her! The little fox seemed to be growing, swelling in Tessa's vision, turning into some kind of fell dire beast as she took a step backwards, trying to keep herself under control.

Don't lose it, don't lose it dammit, it's only little, it's his pet, it's tame, don't lose it, just pretend it's not there and you'll be fine! All you have to do is stay nice and calm, don't give it a reason to attack, and it'll all be fine.

Tessa managed a weak smile as she tore her eyes away from the thing that she was trying to convince herself wasn't there, looking back up at Erzotol "So... he, or she, it might be a she, is a pet then?" She managed to force out, keeping her eyes firmly away from Laeon at her feet. Maybe it was best to just get moving, it might stay with Erzotol if she did that, and as long as it wasn't close enough to... bite, then that'd be alright, wouldn't it? Now which way was the stream again?

As she tried to get her bearings again after the shock of seeing the little fox she suddenly felt it brush past her leg, and then there was no stopping the panic. Tessa let out a loud shriek and leapt backwards, desperately trying to put some distance between herself and the fox and suddenly the world was flashing by her eyes far faster than it usually did. The weight of her pack and her less than graceful leap had put her off balance, the awkward landing didn't help either as she toppled over backwards and landed with a thud against the forest floor, lying there for a moment unsure of just what had happened. All she knew was her head was more than a little sore, and there seemed to be a root underneath it... and then through her blurred vision something appeared. The white furred thing reared up over her, the fuzziness in her head exaggerating its size and she could feel its warm breath against her face as it got closer eliciting another terrified shriek of "Get away! Don't eat me!" from her, louder than before this time. She tried weakly to scuttle backwards, hands clawing at the undergrowth to drag herself away from it and her boots kicking out desperately to move her back, to escape the beast before it went for her throat. She didn't think to reach for a weapon, she was beyond that now, all she knew was she had to get away from it, had to escape before it tried to... to...

[Erzotol Silverden]

" Not so much as threatened as feeling like I was imposing myself " he offered with a chuckle at her comment of being pants less. It was rather amusing to consider a half dressed woman a threat and it bubbled up to the surface as a crooked smile. She would be quite the entertainer on this small trip, of that he was sure, and still wearing a pleasant expression, his eyes flickered from his dog, to the woman. It seemed to take her a longer time to examine his fox than he would have thought needed, but he guessed that maybe she was just admiring the adorable animal, and he couldn't blame her. He didn't notice her step back, or the fact that her words seemed jumbled, so sure he was that nobody could possibly harbor ill will towards Laeon, or possibly fear him, and he grinned at the sight of her smile. " He is a good hunting companion, and friend " he said making a move to go over and pet Laeon, but then the wily fox decided to move and give the woman some affection, or to get the scent of his fur on her, Erzotol was never sure.

Then it all got crazy super fast, the woman jumping back from Laeon and falling over on her back. Instantly Erzotol started after her, worried that she may have seriously hurt herself, and he could see the small white fox climbing on top of her to check that she was alright as well, but she didn't react well to his presence. Perhaps she was afraid of foxes it occurred to him, and as he moved his way over to her, he gingerly picked up Laeon by the scruff of the neck and put him behind him, thrusting his hand away towards Airiat. " Away now Laeon, stop trying to scare the poor girl more " he reprimanded, but his voice lacked the edge of sternness cause he truly did not blame to fox. Silently, the little fox padded his way back to the strider, and sat still in front of Airiat obediently as his master ordered. His face a mask of concern, Erzotol turned to look at Tessa, extending his arm out to her while rising from his kneeling position. " I hope your ok, I'm sorry for the fright, I did not mean.. you know " he said hesitantly scratching his head as he eyed the woman before him, feeling even more awkward under her judging eyes than he had when she was half dressed.

[Tessa Poe]

She was lost, she didn't know where she was, all she knew as that she had to get away, to somewhere safe, away from the thing that was perched above her... it was like being a little girl again, alone in the wilds with them. It was happening all over again, just like before. She tensed herself, ready for the pain even as she kept trying to scramble away… and then it was gone, jerked away by something she couldn’t make out through the mist that seemed to cover her eyes. It didn’t matter what had done it though, she was safe, she was fine, it hadn't had the chance to go for her throat. She was safe. She lay there, her vision still blurred and her breaths coming in great gasps, roughly in time with the hammering of her heart.

She was safe.

Erzotol's concerned face swam into focus above her, his hand reaching for her and suddenly she remembered where she was, and who she was with. She didn't say anything at first, just stared up at him with an entirely blank expression. Her eyes were locked on a point somewhere over his shoulder, her mind matching her expression. The silence save for her heavy breathing seemed to stretch on… before she finally managed to whisper "I'm... sorry... you must think I'm... mad or something." Tessa reached up and took his offered hand, pulling at it to slowly bring herself back to a seated position, her vision swirling again as she moved. She reached up and gingerly probed the back of her head with her fingers, wincing at the little spike of pain that ran underneath them. There was going to be a rather large bump there to say the least, but at least it didn't feel like there was any blood, she hadn't split the skin on that root she'd landed on. "I... sorry... I just... you..." Tessa couldn't think of what to say to him, she wanted to explain, but that would mean telling him everything, and she couldn't do that. He'd seem them though, hadn't he? Maybe she could... no, he’d just think it was stupid wouldn’t he? It would be better to be seen as being stupid than a raving lunatic though, wouldn’t it?
“I’m sorry… I really am, I didn’t mean to… I couldn’t… it was just a surprise…” She sighed heavily, finding it more than a little difficult to get her words in order. Her tongue felt thick in her mouth, the ache was spreading across the back of her head, making a mockery of her attempts to get her thoughts in order. “ you saw them, didn’t you? When you first found me…” She matched her words with a wobbling gesture towards her thigh and the scars that hid beneath her breeches, her voice still so very quiet as she spoke, “They… I was just a kid when it happened… and your pet, brought it all back, I couldn’t keep it away. I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to worry you, please, don’t think that I’m some kind of lunatic, please… I’m not usually like this, I promise!” She winced as her voice rose insistently, screwing her eyes tight shut for a moment to try and make the pain go away. Her eyes slowly opened again, trying to guess at his reaction, trying to find his eyes with hers to convince him of her sincerity. She just had to hope that he wouldn’t just run off and leave her, she wasn’t in any state to stand just yet for a start, and if something else were to find her after he left… it wouldn’t end well for her, that was for sure.

[Erzotol Silverden]

Her hand was soft, but she had a grip on her, and gently as he could he tried to ease her up, before moving back, continue to couch down before her to maintain eye contact. The woman had a fear about her, though of concerning what he was not certain, but he was sure she would tell him in one form or another, and his felt sympathy rising within his breast as he listened to the woman. He wondered if she ever revealed herself this much to a stranger, for that was what he was, or if he had caused this by both times catching her off her guard. By this time he was surprised she hadn't chased him off, what with walking in on her half nude, and bringing out his fox, but she hadn't tried to, in fact she seemed that she didn't all detest his company. Most in her shoes would have already dispensed with such a nosey stranger, but perhaps she had a heart about her, or maybe it was just ordained that they come across each other in these woods, though he doubted Zulrav, or any of the gods or goddesses would concern themselves with such mundane matters as morals meeting on the road randomly. Perhaps it was just luck he came across someone so nice, so far from home, and for the moment he was content with that thought.

" Everyone has fears Tessa, I understand your reaction, but I hadn't seen the scars, to busy was I concentrating on your face I fear " he answered softly, his arms folded over his upraised knees as he studied her face. " That must have been very disturbing for you as a child; it is well that you survived such an ordeal. If there is anything I can do to bring you comfort, speak it, and it will be done. " His eyes carefully watched hers, looking for any anxiety or fear that may still linger, and a truth to the depth of her pain, which due to her younger years, might very well run deep. It was hard relating to her, except that his father had died, but he had neither witnessed that, or was young when that happen, and thus he felt he deserved no sympathy. This young girl though did, to have such childhood years tormented so, and to bear the weight of scars was as not the worst, but also carried its own share of pain, and fear. Slowly, he shifted his weight to sit beside her, planting himself in a dusty patch of ground, and leaning backwards to take a look at it. " If you wouldn't mind, could I take a look at your head? " With her permission, he would gently move his right hand onto her shoulder, and use his left to brush aside her hair to look at what ailed her from her fall.

[Tessa Poe]

Tessa's eyes fell to her lap, leaning her head forwards slightly to let him examine the back of it with a smile gracing her lips again at his kindness, his words surprisingly comforting. He kept surprising her... she'd have expected him to have gotten back on his horse and ridden off long before now. "Sure... I don't think it's bleeding... going to have a bit of a bump there though... but hey at least I can see straight again." She laughed a little there, nervously as she kept her eyes down, she didn't want him to see the tears gathering at their edges again. “And… thank you… you really don’t have to do anything… just… well… being yourself is enough. You’re a very kind person you know that?” Tessa flushed with embarrassment again at what was possibly one of the most awkward compliments ever spoken, and all the while her thoughts were still racing round in circles, almost obsessed with what had just happened.

It was ridiculous, she didn't have a reason to be upset, to start crying, he wasn’t angry, he wasn't going anywhere and everything that caused this whole mess happened a long time ago. She should be past it all by now, shouldn't she? Her thoughts vanished again for a moment and she shivered slightly at his tender touch brushing her hair aside, not because it was unpleasant, quite the opposite actually. It had been a long time since anyone had done anything like that, since she'd been this close to another person. Still, she winced at the gentle touch of his fingers as they explored the back of her skull, in some ways the pain was a relief, clearing her head for a moment as it did. It wasn't his fault either, pretty much anything touching there at the moment would cause the same reaction most likely. She'd probably wince if she tried to turn her head too fast too. His hand laying on her shoulder was nice though, she had to resist turning her head to press her cheek against it... she had no idea why he was being so patient with her but honestly she didn't care. It was enough that he was.

"I... I wandered away from the caravan when I was a kid..." She suddenly started in with a deep breath, breaking the silence with her voice flat and matter of a fact, figuring the simplest way to do it was just to lay it all out and then he could make up his mind about it. "I sort of knew I shouldn't, but we were along the Karbin road, it seemed safe enough and there were these flowers, Lily of the Valley they're called... and they were so pretty in sunshine... I only wanted a few to take back for Ma, she always loved them. Da always said they were just weeds, that they'd take over whole areas if you let them, but they were still pretty. Sorry, getting away from the point again aren't I? Anyway... I followed this little trail for a while, didn't realise how far I'd gone til it started to get dark. I couldn't find my way back, and I was calling out for everyone but... and then they came. I remember seeing one of them’s eyes, just watching me, sort of glowing, just staring out of the darkness, and I could hear them all around me, getting closer... and then... Da said they were wild dogs, just hungry, probably left over from a caravan or something that had got into trouble out there... they... tried to make a meal out of me."

She hesitated, the lifeless words ceasing, but she knew she'd already decided it was best to just show him and get it over with. She reached down and took hold of the bottom of her shirt, slowly lifting it just enough so he could see the scars they'd left behind. Her ribs were criss-crossed with claw marks, each one pale and raised against her tanned skin, and all around them were mottled areas of scar tissue where the dog's had taken chunks out of her, torn ribbons of skin away and the pinprick scars of sharp teeth as they'd savaged her. She shuddered at the memories as they reared up yet again, at the fact she was showing him the scars at all. She really, really didn't like doing this... but it was worth it, she liked Erzotol, she didn't want him to leave, and it was better to do this than to have him think she really was crazy. She dropped her shirt, releasing the death grip she'd had on its hem and taking another deep sighing breath before continuing, "My Da, and some of the others, they found me in time and drove them off, I don't really remember much, just that it hurt... they got me back to Mother Trevile and she saved me, fixed everything as well as she could, kept it all from rotting or anything..." She tailed off, unsure of what to say now. She hadn’t spoken about this for quite some time, and it wasn’t like it was an easy thing to do. She reached out with her hand to trace little patterns in the dirt, just for something to do, something to take her mind off of it all for a moment or two. At least her vision seemed to be getting clearer all the time, that was a good sign. She’d probably not done any serious damage to herself when she’d fallen.

“I was lucky… I know that, and it was a long time ago… it shouldn’t… I shouldn’t… but I can’t help it. Every time I see one it’s like, it’s like I’m a little girl again, like they’re on me and they’re going to…” She tried to explain, she wanted him to understand but she couldn’t find the words again, finally giving up the attempt. “Thank you though… for listening… I don’t think I’ve ever really told anyone about this, I don’t like thinking about it, or mentioning it, sometimes people get all weird about it, like they have to make me feel better and all and I’d rather… just get on with things you know? It’s not like anything anyone says is going to make it better, I’m still…”

Tessa bit off what she was about to say, there were limits to how much she’d talk about and the sheer hideousness of the scars that ran over her was something that was well beyond them. She knew exactly what they looked like, what they made her look like, but she didn’t want him to know about it all. He might try and be nice about it, just like the last couple of people who’d found out about them were, and she couldn’t take that. She didn’t want pity, or placating lies about herself. It was better to stick to reality, and the reality was that while she could cover them up easily enough they were always there, those twisted remnants that made a mockery of anyone’s opinion that she was pretty, or beautiful... and they always would be, that much at least she'd mostly learned to live with, just so long as people didn't draw attention to them... Gods why had she shown him them? It must have been the fall and the headache, she hadn't been thinking straight... and now all she could do was wait for him to... actually she had no idea what he'd do, he'd surprised her more than once this morning after all.

[Erzotol Silverden]

Gently as he could he parted the soft strands of hair, but couldn't see any obvious injuries, but he guessed that it might just be tender than anything else. At least there was no blood, and at that relief ran through him as he saw her head wasn't in to bad of a shape, not like there was a high chance of it, but it didn't hurt to check, and make sure all was well. His hand drifted slowly back from her head as he listened to her next words, but absent mindedly it replaced his other hand that had been on her shoulder, offering a reassuring pat. " I think it will be fine too, it doesn't look like it put you in to bad of a shape thankfully " he said with a slight grin, lifting up one leg to rest his right arm on casually. He accepted her compliments much like he always had, a silence answered only by his smile, and a slight nod in gratitude.

The woman herself was stronger than she thought, he knew. She survived her out in the wild, braving danger and fear alike, and she was stronger for it. Not too many could live out here alone for long, certainly not him, so unused to the surrounding lands, and what might dwell there within. If she ever found herself wanting, she would make a good drykas, of that he was assured, and he knew his people back home would be able to see the worth of this woman as he saw it.

Her story came much as a shock to him but he did well to hide it from his face, keeping his calm measured look as she recounted what happened. Perhaps it was better to express yourself to strangers, than trusted friends, less chance of pain that way, but of that he was not too sure since he had never experienced such pain. He had never felt that sort of pain, never had to bear such scars against his flesh, and never harbored such increased fear against beasts already known as dangerous. What he did know however, is that sometimes, just because, people cared to share things about their past to remove the burden from their shoulders, to hopefully forget or settle with the pain and fear that had followed them for so long. If a open ear, and his company was what she needed, than he would happily give it. The gentle touch of her shoulder reminded him he had probably kept his touch against her too long, and he let his hand gently fall from it without interrupting her tale, his eyes searching her face for the emotions that boiled within.

Movement from her hands drew his eye though, and to his surprise she was lifting up her shirt, presumable to show him something to cooperate with her tale. He did not wince at the sight of the scars, but instead found himself wanting to reach out and touch him, but he managed to restrict his hand, for likely that wouldn't be taken too kindly. Where he came from, scars where a different matter, a sign of honor depending on how one earned them, but to have them here, and since childhood, he suspected that it was another matter all together which touched him with concern for her being. One shouldn't bear scars as a burden to remind of only fear, but as a mark of pride at being able to survive, or at least of a time that has gone and went into hazy recollection.

" You survived, and that’s all that matters " he said, and then briefly paused as if weighing his next words carefully. " I have no idea of your feelings for them, but scars in my land, are something to be respected. It's a mark that you have survived, and on men, and women alike they held not to mar ones form, since after all who can mar one who's true beauty lies beneath the skin? " It was a far guess, something that because he did not know these lands or the ideas concerning some things, but he had come across outsiders in his past, and he knew some, depending on the scars, where very conscious about how it made them appear.

[Tessa Poe]

Tessa still wasn't sure why she'd shown him the scars. She'd known him less than a bell and here she was baring just about everything to him. What was she doing!? Yes he was nice, and apparently had the patience of a God, but still... this was... she didn't know what it was. She felt a slight pang at first as his hand fell away from her shoulder, she knew why of course. The sight of her had sickened him, made him draw back. He would probably leave soon, after he'd taken the time to be polite perhaps; he didn't seem the type to simply walk off without a word. It was for the best though, who was she kidding? It wasn't like anyone really stuck around her for all that long, the fact that she could never stay in one place for too long didn't help with it all either. She was better off out in the woods by herself, much better off. Who needed company anyway? It only ever brought trouble with it, and worry, and sheer blind bloody panic.

She finally managed to raise her eyes, turning her head slowly to face him, fully prepared for what were probably going to be his final words to her, when he surprised her yet again. She was entirely lost for words as he spoke, not the usual nonsense about how her scars were hardly noticeable, and it was true, they weren't so long as you carefully kept your eyes away from them like that one had done, but simple honest words about the Drykas and their way of life. Maybe learning to ride a horse wouldn’t be so bad… not if the rest of his people were anything at all like Erzotol at least.

Her mouth hung slackly as she stared at him, he didn’t… he wasn’t… she couldn’t quite believe that he was still sitting there, honest concern for her shining from his face. Whatever she’d done to deserve meeting him she didn’t know, but she was damn sure she was grateful for it. She realised her mouth was still hanging open and in shock and snapped it closed, a grin pulling at her lips but still she didn’t say a word. She couldn’t find them, no matter how hard she tried she was just left with nothing. Oh Gods, he might think that he’d offended her if she kept this up… she had to do something, and quickly! She reached out, laying her hand gently on the back of his, hoping that silent communication was enough to get the message across.

The silence seemed to stretch as her mind finally calmed again, she could feel the warm skin of his hand beneath her fingertips, a tactile reminder that he was indeed real, that she hadn’t scared him away with her quite frankly mad behaviour. Looking back over the last little while with him she almost cringed with embarrassment. She’d make it up to him, she would, she’d do all she could on their walk to the stream to see to it that he was ready as he ever could be to survive out here. She wasn’t sure how much she could show him in a single morning, but anything was better than nothing. It was the least she could to repay him for his kindness, his patience… and with that thought suddenly the words came tumbling from her lips.

“Thank you… for listening, and for everything. I’m sorry to put you to so much trouble.” She raised her free hand and reached round the back of her head, fingers lightly inspecting it and finding the expected swelling after the blow she’d given herself. Still, it didn’t seem too bad, and her vision had cleared a while ago. She figured she was probably safe to try and stand again.“Would you… still like to go to the stream? I promise I won’t start screaming and brain myself on a tree again.” she gave a little nervous giggle at her joke, that grin still spread across her face as she spoke. "I mean we could sit here all day, but my tent's only really built for one and I'd feel guilty if you had to sleep out here without something to cover you. I suppose we could build something for you though, it wouldn't be all that hard and... I'm sorry, I've no idea why I'm talking about this. Do you ever get that? When you just start talking and you can't seem to stop?" Okay... so maybe she wasn't doing the best of jobs at not acting like a complete lunatic, but it was better than screaming and knocking yourself unconcious at least.

[Erzotol Silverden]

For the moment there was just silence, and he was fine with that. He needed the time to think, and collect the thoughts within him, perhaps even guess as to in what way she took his words of comfort. His speech skills where not close to being great, nor had he and familiarity of the customs in this land, so he had to be wary of offending anyone with a gesture he found common. Thankfully this girl seemed different, appeared to not mind his presence, at least not yet, and made him feel comfortable in his surroundings. In any place one did not often invite strangers so close, and yet she had, something telling him he would have to be careful about not abusing that trust she so graciously offered. It was refreshing, for a change instead of people stumbling across him, he instead was said intruded, and yet still he was treated so well. If everyone in Syliras was like her, that perhaps it wouldn't be such a bad city to spend his days in, training hard to become a knight. There was still so much he had to do before he finally got fully settled, but this little intermission was more than welcome, and he found he enjoyed her company to much to wish to leave it so soon.

A touch of warmth graced the top of his hand, and his eyes unerringly looked down to see her hand on top of his, eliciting a slight grin from him. Perhaps she was still thinking of her words, or this was all the communication she planned on giving him, and if so it was enough for now. Eventually though he would speak up, and offer to get their mind off of things by doing the exact same thing they were going to do before she fell. Her hand was soft, but at the same time bore calluses on parts he could not tell just by touch. It wasn't that surprising; anyone who roughed it in the wild would at least obtain some of them, since it wasn't exactly the lap of luxury out here. His eyes watched hers for longer than a moment, as he contentedly enjoyed the silence, and suddenly she spoke up. He offered her a warm grin. " No trouble at all, just the extended enjoyment of your gracious hospitality " he said, moving his hand on top of her to offer her a reassuring squeeze that she had not erred. " I would indeed, and fear not you are not the only one who has trouble with their words " A scarlet hint raced across the top of his cheeks at that admission, but quickly faded away with a smile. Slowly he made a move to rise; both of his hands cupping hers as he gently pulled her up to her feet. He continued to hold her hand to make sure she steadied herself on her own will, letting her make the decision of when to pull away. " Which way was it to the stream again? "