#[drinks at the Roost! WHOOOOO!]

[musesofawolf]

voidtouched-blue--[Prior]

"Not all regions of the Black Shroud are riddled with dangers, or invading Imperials", she took in a deep breath to further calm her nerves. "From the sound of it, one might think that I've lived here longer than you. I can show you some rather pleasant spots on a map once we've made it back to Gridania. I wouldn't mind a quick rest at the Roost." The beaming grin she offered him was small, but genuine. Even the shroud of death that had hung over them for a majority of their walk had begun to clear. Passing patrols of Wood Wailers and even spotting a small group of Adders on their way towards the darkened field had only set her mood to waver for a moment. The knowledge that she had done what she could for the injured and the Elementals had been enough to keep her spirits far lighter than if she were alone.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆ ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

Her words were kind, and her smile, while small, was warm, true, and it made his own smile grow, his ears flick with excitement, and his head tilt this way and that. "Well, I have lived here a long time, but in my own little corner of the world. Gridania is my first foray outside of it." He tilted his head, and walked for a few steps, before he murmured. "It was peaceful there, just simple days, the worst to happen a passing beast or two. Traveling away from it was eye opening. Almost depressing with how...different it was. Sometimes I wish I could go back." He falls silent again, now almost to Hawthorne Hut as patrols pass them, heading for the fields, barely marking the Adders and Wood Wailers. He was lost in thought, about his past, his time at home, and the struggles since leaving it.

Still, deep down, he did not want to go back. The draw of the world unexplored, of beasts to find and take out, to help those around him. It was something he enjoyed doing, danger and dislike be damned. He was not one to run away with his tail tucked between his legs and - his tail, swaying agitatedly with his thoughts, accidentally flicked too far, smacking against his companion's leg, and he jerked, taking a step away, and quickly apologizing for the slight. "Sorry! Uh, caught up in my thoughts." He gave her a slightly wider birth as they entered the relative safety of the Hut, returning to her earlier words with a nod.

"I could use a drink too, after all of that. I think my tail is still a little scared. Those traps were so...vicious." The offended appendage lifted up a little, lion's tip flicking about in trepidation despite their safety. He hummed softly to himself, the keeper of the moon turning towards the Aethyrite as he called back to her. "All in all though, I think you did good. With the aether and all. I'm really impressed! Thanks for letting me tag along."

In truth, he still had questions about her, ones he could not ask outright. She seemed so nervous, yet so on top of herself. Too reserved to be a native of the forest or Gridania, but the house, the way she spoke, it was clear she wasn't new here either. Still, the mention of her past, just in passing, was enough to pique his interest, to wonder what she would reveal over a few drinks. It never hurt to know about your friends, and he would like to consider her a friend!

Reaching the Aethyrite, he turned to her, and smiled softly, nodding to it. "Well, ready to head back?"