#❧ ━ ❝ ch. LHORE || answered ❞ ━ ☙

[strywoven-moved]

@seeasunset asked : ❝Do you ever think that you may have a mean 15 year old voice in your head that calls you cringe every time you do something?❞ (@ Areum)

Interlude of silence follows thereafter ( she means to make him steep in the queerness of his words , to recognize the oddness of them , but she gets the sense he is not like most for he does not seem to care for those discomforts as would others ) ; nothing passes ‘tween them save for the characteristically raucous din of the tavern they’ve come to occupy ( not her usual choice of haunt , though these ports rarely had much privacy otherwise & sacrifices must be endured if one sought reprieve from weathered / wearied fancies ) . The immortal takes her piece of silence to wonder what had possessed this man to sit with her in the first place , for verily she did n o t at all appear the sort to be welcoming ; a foreign creature , a powerful entity— By all accounts and accredits , the LAST OF HER KIND . And just w h a t business did she have here if not to indulge the potential of company and conversation ⸺

Nay ! Such is not true !

But how v a i n of her to assume she was unreachable ; to think she was entirely unapproachable. Perhaps she need try HARDER to set the barrier , to put the divide ‘tween herself and these mortals ( would that not be for the best ? ) . Yet a smaller , much more dormant part of her rises to contest her ever-isolated rituals , stands – for once – to say : this is a moment to change course , we should seize the opportunity , we should take the chance— ! Quick is the she-beast to SILENCE & SMOTE the insolence of this miniscule voice.

Begone with you , Lhore wants to say ( she feels her features already souring ) , I’ve no patience for a man’s riddles , but holds her tongue , instead tipping herself back in her seat to pin the stranger with a PEERING look , seeking and prying , gazing ‘pon him as one may inspect the merit of a particular treasure. Her curiosity begins to overcome her , draws her away from the need to send him off ( & what could it hurt ? there were far worse men to speak to in this place , after all ) . “Hm,” Lhore huffs , pulling her cup close and swallowing away the remnants of the swill. “I cannot say I do,” She replies at last , allowing him his grace. “Instead , I find I’ve somehow acquired a sailor-man muttering nonsense in my ear.” A bit r u d e , more than d i r e c t , but there’s a certain sharpened CHEEK to her words that suggests – perhaps – this is her way of being humorous and friendly. “Do you find yourself called … ‘Cringe’ ?” She doesn’t really understand what that means , it must be an insult. A smile threatens her painted lips. “... Or are you FREE ?” Or maybe she does know what it means.

[strywoven-moved]

@tenebriism​ asked : ❝  i  have  this  weird  feeling  that  you’re  going  to  leave.❞ // from Ganon. ;_;

𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅.

          A fire burns bright and bold despite the chill the evening brings ( lo’ how the seasons do change ; the burgeoning grasp of summer is at last relenting allowing the first fresh-breaths of autumn to sweep the plains ) – welcome though it is , the qilin finds c o m f o r t in the simple , welcoming comfort of the flames.  When the Gerudo speaks , eyes blink open , roused and waking from near-sleep to set attention onto her beloved companion.  The expression he dons – the inflection in his tone – attests to his driving FEARS .  A foreboding , she thinks , as if he has gleaned a future she herself has not yet seen nor is not acquainted with ; as if he truly believes their paths are doomed to d i v e r g e as once they had afore ( & how painful the memory still remains , the loss of his presence in those months were amongst the coldest she has ever endured ) .  So perhaps , he is just in giving a voice to his worry — perhaps it is simply another necessary evil that need be felled ( another unfortunate beast that disturbs & attempts to threaten their path forward as one ) .

          She stands from her place opposite of him , moving ‘round the burning piece set ‘tween them and settling beside him.  In a gentle and now-common motion , she l e a n s into him ; horned head resting to his shoulder and blanket-covered hand cast ‘round his back with claws smoothing over tensed muscles in hopes to absolve them of their hardened host.  “Leave ?”  Lhore asks in turn , tilting her head to look up towards him with a small smile.  “But wherever would I go ?”  She lifts herself those remaining inches h i g h e r , pressing a tender kiss to his lips ; both affectionate and reassuring in nature.  “I’ve everything I need right here with you , Ganon , I’ve no reason to be anywhere else.”  The words are spoken in EARNEST , she’s no intention of going anywhere ( & even if she were to wander away , their bond would call her back to his side again ) , though she can see – by way of the fireglow catching in his eyes – that the residue of his worry remains behind.  “My dearest , please , tell me : is there anything I can do to cleanse these woes from your mind this night ?  It pains me to see you so fraught with concern for our future.”  Something she , too , has been found guilty of some few times afore.

[strywoven-moved]

@wolfsmuses​ asked : ❛  but please let me go.  ❜  - (D to Lhore if you want)

PROMPTED.

          Standing ‘tween D and his exit is the Qilin ; the resolve to keep him there with her a seemingly immovable force.  He requests leave a g a i n , softer , quieter , appealing to the kindness he knows she has vested in him.  Yet when he makes for the door , Lhore meets his paces , putting herself in his path ; he shifts , and she continues to stand in his way , persistent in the wordless point that she will not allow him to go anywhere.  Frustration creases his features , harbors within his energy ( what would possess her to go to such great lengths to keep him from his job ?  she’s never once been so intrusive over his affairs so why— ) .

           Lhore steps forward , peering under the brim of his hat and straight into those dark hues ( she’s got a way of seeing into people , looking through them ) .  There is no trace of anger in her own gaze , only a lingering CONCERN that bleeds through blood-gold irises.  Pale brows fix together , fair lips pulling into a frown.  “You ask me to let you leave,” Hushed in tone , but she pronounces each word deliberately so he UNDERSTANDS the sheer weight of each stone cast towards him.  “You say ‘ please ’ , and you make l i g h t of the moment.  But then you vanish and I am left here to wonder if I shall ever see you again.”  The barest hitch in her voice , uncharacteristic of her p r o u d mantle ; the barrier she’s worked so hard to put ‘tween them has eroded , leaving her vulnerable and plainly EXPOSED .  There is nothing left to do but push the course , to h o p e he does not turn from the beast with such a lonely , rotten soul.  “And you,” Punctuated by the press of a claw to his chest , pushing him back a step , “Ask me to remain BEHIND and leave the work all in your hands.  Do you not think I worry ?  Do you not think I have made myself s i c k wondering if someone has gotten the better of you when you come back to me later than the time before last ?”  After all , neither of them were infallible as creatures , they could still very well be FELLED & DESTROYED .

          Silence.  She watches his face , looking for a n y t h i n g to show her what she is saying at all made a difference.  Finding nothing , the Qilin sighs , stepping back and out of his way.  “Go , then.”  When he does not move , she gestures to the waiting door.  “G o !  Condemn me to the same fate you always do.  But do not ask me to mourn you.”  Pain evident enough in her words , an intolerable m i s e r y of all those times in uncertainty.  She walks away from him , “I don’t think I would have the heart to do so , D.”

[strywoven-moved]

@carnivorarium​ asked : It’s not as often that this happens without warning- this beastly transfiguration from something residing between monster and man and into an entirely different creature. He’s not sure what triggered it. He’s barely even aware of himself. All he knows is the soft earth beneath his feet, the grinding of bark beneath gargantuan claws of bloodied bone as he leans heavily against it. Labored breathing rattles in a chest guarded by bony armor. Crimson drips from a gaping mouth lined by a secondary jaw. A sound nearby has Aoki jolting upright. Eyes the color of burning embers cut fiery trails through the thickening dusk as he faces a figure he can’t quite make out through the mist perpetually clouding his vision. A low growl emanates from the depths of his throat. When he steps to the side, wary, splinters of branches burst from the ground. Another growl resonates inside the monster: this one deep in the pit of his stomach. Hunger. “Keep… back…” he all but snarls, the inhuman voice as close to a plea as it can be. - aoki

          Having been alive through lives after several lives , the blood tends to remember what it is like to be a f r a i d ; it remembers the faces of those who have threatened the host , and t h i s was no exception.  On a lonesome journey , forever forced to roam until the world spins into oblivion , fate tends to leave room for UNWELCOME SURPRISES .  And so it comes now in the shape of something transfigured looming there beyond the treeline , heaving and growling , sputtering out a warning to this particular Qilin as if she did not already understand the pretense of danger which had vested itself within that moment.  

          Lhore was not daft ; she knew when something was none of her business , but she was also a victim of ageless curiosity.  All it would take was a few steps forward , to walk foolishly within the creature’s range— No , it was best to remain vigil.  The she-beast keeps to her roots in the shadows , just beyond the touch of moonlight , gilt gaze gleaming in the depthless dark like those torches of lonely ghosts haunting the forest come to gawk ( & was that not what she was doing ? so brazenly staring. but it was not to her fault that their paths had somehow converged , now was it ? ) .  Horned head raises , tasting the air , attempting to get a gauge on the creature ; demon ? halfing ? another sort of mongrel ?  A disdainful scoff , clawed hand emerging from a flowing sleeve to cover her nose – whatever it was , it didn’t smell g o o d ( likely not in the mood for a conversation either if his passing plea for her to simply move along was anything to go by ) .  Still , she supposed she owed him SOMETHING .

          Keeping her distance , her hand shifts to rest to the handle of the great claymore ready behind her.  “You won’t have to worry about that,” Lhore calls back , “I’ve no intention of approaching when it is u n w i s e to do so.”  A beat passes.  It sounded like he was in pain.  Was that what all these noises were for ?  Or was it perhaps HUNGER . . . ?  The Qilin scowls , jaw tightening.  “You may not be keen on hearing this right now , but the humans are searching for their bounties this night.  I assume you can handle yourself just fine , but I feel you should at least be a w a r e .”  It was true that she could very well help ; she could take him to a safe-house. . . But that might put HER in jeopardy if he was looking for someone to devour ( & she would be-damned to allow herself to go so willingly ! ) .

[strywoven-moved]

@tenebriism​ asked : [ look ] for your muse to catch mine staring // Oh, oh, and this one, too. Ganon stares a LOT, okay. c:

PROMPTED.

          It is not wholly strange thing , more than a few times has the beast found herself under the thoughtful stare of the Gerudo for one reason or another.  But she’s never brought forth the courage to question his intentions , to wonder after w h y he seems so intent on watching her when they’ve been together for so long by now— It was , however , a bit STRANGE .  Call it what you like – a spark of mischief , a lingering devilry from her past existences – but Lhore feels n o w is as good a time as any to catch the man in the act.

          Walking a few strides ahead of him on their resumed journey , the qilin senses his gaze weighed onto her once more – familiar , yes , but a warrant for the coy call of his name which slips beyond her rosen lips.  “Ganon,” Worn soles come to pause as she acknowledges him , his own follow suit.  What follows may be considered nothing short of CRUEL .  “Is something the matter ?”  Horned head crooks ‘round to peer at him , fine pale brows lifted in a feigned curiosity.  “It seems there is something on your mind with how you have been looking at me for so long.”  And then , the final blow , “I notice you do so A LOT .  So perhaps , you would like to tell me w h y that is , hm ?”  He’s doomed , unless of course he attempts to lie his way out of this corner he found himself backed into— But Lhore is turning , facing him in full , stepping n e a r e r , easing c l o s e r , her smile blooming broader in a show of serrated ivories and brimming mirth ; yes , she knows she HAS HIM !

[strywoven-moved]

@tenebriism​ asked : [ HAIR ] sender slowly reaches out to catch a loose strand of the receiver’s hair and tuck it gently and securely back behind their ear, letting their touch linger afterwards. // ;) From Ganon to THE BABE~

PROMPTED.

          For the LONGEST TIME , the ancient beast survived on her own ; lives upon several lives spent alone – an indelible right to be content within the self , it seemed so queer to extend beyond the measures of the barricade and out into the farther reaches of world , to justify touching another’s heart with the pulse of her own ( and did she not sacrifice that very thing , a creature of isolation for so long— ) .  But the course had been set long ago , she assumes , even ‘fore she drew breath in this new world ; her path has converged with another and though long-standing tradition would have asked that she go forth on her own , Lhore finds that she would rather accompany someone who is also seeking parts of themselves along the way— Would it not suit to help pluck and mend the pieces t o g e t h e r ?  

          How surprised she was to discover that having someone beside her did more good than harm in the end , putting to rest near-all the doubts hanging overhead.

          It is late-noon when the two have stopped to rest , taking refuge from a brewing storm in a lonely town.  Stuck indoors until the torrent passes , the two are forced to r e l a x .  Lhore , however , uses some of the time again looking at the maps Ganon has with him.  Bicolored gaze is set ‘pon the worn parchment , eyes traversing an unseen plotted course whilst a ringed claws follows the path.  Over the long journey , the qilin has become INVESTED in her companion’s quest ( as likewise , he has done all he can to help her recover a place in these foreign lands ) .  Sitting straight , a palm smacks ‘gainst the table.  “I see it now !”  It startles them both , she rarely raises her voice , rarely ever seems so INSPIRED .  “Come , look.”  A beckoning wave of hand , asking for him to look at what she means.  When he approaches to inspect her progress , the beast wastes no time in launching into a rambling tangent about a new path she believes may save them both time and trouble.  “I cannot believe we have not considered this before.”  

          Yes , she has worked hard on this.  So much so , that a few pesky threads of pristine white have come free from her tightly woven mane , toppling into her face.  She does not seem to notice , turning again to flash him a beaming smile.  Ganon’s hand rises from its place atop the back of her chair , fingers gingerly catching pale tresses and securing them back behind the point of her ear , those warm and calloused digits lingering on the scale-scattered carve of Lhore’s cheek.  There is a familiar upstart in the qilin’s breast , her head lowering slightly to avoid his gaze ( to avoid revealing the barest flushes to fair skin , to avoid showing off the way her smile breaks into a school-girl’s be-charmed grin— ) .

[strywoven-moved]

@wolfsmuses​ asked :  ‘  at night i dream of you.  ’ - D to Lhore

𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅.

          Successful is their journey northward , further pressing into the oncoming embrace of the changing seasons ( how swiftly the cold here impeaches the seat of summer , tinging the once-vivid landscape with a breath of frost come morning ) .  They are both enduring creatures , unperturbed by the clime , unchallenged by the looming threat of their hunted adversary who makes his home somewhere within the higher elevations.  By nightfall , much ground has been covered and resources have been scarcely used ; steady p r o g r e s s makes the choice to settle for the evening even better ( perhaps by next sunset they will have ascended the trail & approached the threshold of their target , this too , courses excitement in the qilin’s veins – how thrilled she always is to accompany the dhampir on his adventures ) .  As the fire is started and all is settled , Lhore wastes little time in getting herself comfortable.  Long has it been since anyone has asked her to do SO MUCH ; the exertion of their pace – although welcomed – leaves her quite e x h a u s t e d by the end of the day ( something , she thinks , will take time to strengthen ) .

          Even after conversation has fallen silent , D produces a lingering thought that prompts the Qilin to return her attention to him.  Momentarily , surprise colors her features ‘fore placidity returns.  “All good dreams , I hope,” Comes the jesting response , though beyond that , the Qilin hardly seeks to rouse from her needed repose on the other side of the fire burning bright ‘tween them.  Eyes open , falling onto the dhampir who watches her quietly , stoically as ever.  Pale brows raise in wordless question : was there MORE that he needed to express , or was there something she was not quite hearing in the words he offered just now ?  She shifts , drawing the thick-knit blanket tighter ‘round her petite form , sinking deeper into its woven furls so much so that she looks ever more like a youngling that hid away from the cold.  And ‘neath the fold of knees tucked to her nose , the shadow of the blanket enfolding over an adorned , pale-haired head , Lhore hides away a FLATTERED SMILE ( a guilty thing , she thinks , it is likely undeserved ; likely unwarranted ) .

          Head lifts enough to allow her to speak , though she f o r g e t s to cleanse the tarnish of the smile from her features , f o r g e t s the uncharacteristic tenderness it puts in her face , SOFTENING her always sharpened edges.  “I have dreamt of you , too , D.”  She admits , looking away briefly , taking pause to gaze into the gut of the flames and cinder at their feet ‘fore meeting his eye again.  “You are …”  Another pause , another hesitance on the brink of h o n e s t y as though the wrong phrases – the wrong choice of words – might prove to strike their companionship down for good ( & would it ? are such fears founded in truth ? ) .  “... Always there.  Always with me.  Even when not here in waking , you are with me as I sleep.”  Eyes close , unwilling to keep watching him , unnerved by what she might find in his face at the end of such a girlish confession.  “There are so FEW THINGS I keep close to me in recent times , D.  And you – you are one of them.”

[strywoven-moved]

@tenebriism​ asked : i’m here ,  i’m here .  i’m not going anywhere . // Ganon @ THE BAE.

PROMPTED.

          A nightmare – yes … yes it was only a NIGHTMARE ( does reminding yourself of the fact settle the nerves ? help your heart ? does it mend the madness all the same — ) .  Ganon’s hands are the first things which come into focus – always HANDS , isn’t it ? ; how they hold things , how they t o u c h things – the calloused , ever-warmed palms find rest at pale cheeks and she , herself , beseeches them as an anchor to reel her back to reality.  Claws curl harmlessly ‘round his wrists , pads of thumbs smoothing over the startled beat of his pulse there ‘neath his desert-burned skin.  After a few moments more , and the breaths to bring her forth , Lhore opens her eyes , blinking a few times in the dim of the bare-dawn light ( the sun’s just yet to rise , the cloak of night has yet to lift ) .

         The expression fixed to her companion’s face is one fraught with outright CONCERN , even when he speaks words of comfort , she senses he’s on the brink of questioning exactly w h a t has provoked her so ( & she prays he does not dare ask ) .  The remnant haze of the dream still lingers with her , and even in waking she seems a’fright from the things which have permeated her conscious realm.  Rare is it she’s plagued by these unmentionable terrors , she can only count the moments ‘pon a single hand—  But they are no less UNFORGIVING , surely her day will be marred from this hour forward.  Yet stoic as ever , the beast simply shakes her head ‘tween the Gerudo’s hands , offering him a w e a k smile.  “I did not mean to wake you.  Thank you , for those assurances.”  I know you mean them in earnest— “I promise you I will be f i n e .  I just…  Need a few moments to gather my thoughts ‘fore we begin our travels again.”  A moment passes.  “If you do not mind , I would like you to remain here - with me.  For a little while.”  Not keen to admit to her weakness , but she will request his company for the sake of SAFETY comfort.

[strywoven-moved]

@tenebriism​ asked : don’t cause a scene . // And this one is from Older!Haku @ whomever you want!

PROMPTED.

          How DARE he — !  Effectively ruffled by the comment of such an unknowing stranger , the great she-beast offers a disdainful s c o f f , horned head tossing.  “I am NOT causing a scene !”  More than can be said for the rather baleful , foul-faced attitude she’s posturing with n o w , isn’t that right ?

            A moment thus to reclaim her ever-earnest feature of p o i s e ( yes , she thinks , this dragon is not worth losing her temper over ) , a self-calming exhalation released through pursed lips.  When next she deigns to speak , the qilin’s tone is SIGNIFICANTLY calmer.  Perhaps she is not so much an aggressor after all ( or perhaps he’s merely struck a nerve ) .  “Was it improper to defend myself ?”  Lhore offers , pale brows raising in unspoken challenge for him to again voice his dissenting opinions.  “It is not in me to stand idly by and allow such … O a f s …”  The term is practically spit like venom ; you should better believe she possessed a much harsher descriptor for the men who came to harass her this day.  “To have their way.  Surely that much you can understand , yes ?”  Besides , it was not as though she had shrieked and struck them.  No such event occurred !  In fact , all she’d done was … SCARE THEM a bit to simply r e m i n d them of whom they offended.

[strywoven-moved]

@wolfsmuses​ asked : when were you going to tell me?  - D to Lhore

PROMPTED.

          Rain beats ‘gainst the exterior of the tavern , the fire-gutted lantern dimly flickering ‘pon the table , trying its best to keep both dark and damp away.  The drumming of thunder rumbles ‘neath the soles , shudders through the place and sets a s o m b e r mood.  Quieter than usual , its patrons rather few in lieu of the storm , the dhampir’s question seems all too LOUD amid the sore lack of mortalmade din.  Tension h a u n t s the air ‘tween them where words once stood , in the silence now unsteadily brewing it becomes obvious this is not a topic the qilin is keen to indulge.

          Claws clink ‘round the glass she holds , eyes drifting away from her companion in discomforted contemplation.  I was hoping never— The thought is swallowed alongside the shallow swig she takes from her cup , the cold liquor doing rather little to absolve her of the weight of his inquiry.  Lhore sighs , shaking her head.  “My resentment towards hunters should not come as a big revelation to you , D.”  Not one to l i e , but clearly one to KEEP SECRETS when most it would have mattered.  She wonders why it bothered him so much to ask in the first place , the scrutiny of her pondering shows in her gaze as she watches him.  For another l o n g while , the two simply sit there and say nothing until Lhore once more ventures to continue her thought.  “... I realize part of the strangeness would be due to the fact I associate with y o u , as you are one of them.”  Could that be it ?  Was that where his concern was ?  As if to believe she would simply HATE HIM after all they have gone through over a mere title and occupation !

          She reaches ‘cross the table , claws gingerly gripping at his hand.  “It is a LONG STORY , D.  An awfully bloody and wretched one.  I do not want to involve you in it.”  Her hold tightens.  “Can you not live with the fact that I see you more as my f r i e n d than a hunter ?”  There’s a hitch in her tone , uncommon to her natural voice ; it speaks volumes , it says far more than she’s willing to say.  “I would n e v e r count you amongst those brainless barbarians.”

[strywoven-moved]

@tenebriism​ asked : “I needed you to know… you’re the most important part of my life.” // from Ganon. uvu

PROMPTED.

          The swell of such sentiment l i n g e r s ‘tween them , fraught in words with such obvious fondness.  Ganon bestows the offering of his loving sincerity as EASILY as taking breath , a feat which – even in all their time growing further intertwined – never ceases to invoke such a spark of GIRLISH DELIGHT in the she-beast.  And should it not ?  Should she strive to conceal the effects of his efforts ?

          Clawed hand sifts free from embroidered billows of a sleeve , pressing to her breast.  There within the normally still chamber of the immortal ivory cask , her heart flutters wildly ( a sensation she’s realizing is now so increasingly familiar because of him ; how it makes her feel a fledgling , tripping over the land of love like some twitterpated fawn ) .  A damning thing , this !  She is lucky he cannot h e a r the song it sings ; LIVELY & LONGING .  Lhore wears the bashful air well , with horned head tipping flushing features out of view , hiding that be-charmed expression in such an uncharacteristic way , see how she feigns there is nothing overcoming her.  He must know , surely , the IMPACT his words have ; the very MIGHT his presence has over her ⸺

           “Oh – !”  The softest of breaths whisks out of her , head shaking a bit.  “Ganon , do you realize what such words can do to me ?”  It’s a simple query , an obvious answer inclined.  Lhore looks to her companion again , her smile spreading further.  “Would you … Find me selfish if I asked to hear you say them a g a i n ?”  She reaches out , clawed digits curling gingerly ‘round his nape and asking him forward , bringing them together.  Where once she may have hidden her intentions , she does not shy away from them now , her painted lips chastely ( but purposefully ) pressing to his own ; a reminder of the well-earned FAVOR she’s given him.

[strywoven-moved]

@tenebriism​ asked : 30 from the nonverbal prompts list // from Ganon!

PROPMTED.

          It might seem quite ENDEARING to notice that Lhore has poured so much of herself into a quest that is not entirely her own ( perhaps some of this can be owed to the fact her nigh immortal heart rests neatly in ganon’s tireless & capable hands— ) .  Yet even s h e can find herself exhausted at the end of their day-long journeys.  As much as she professes she can continue forward , Ganon is not oblivious to the weary look in those aureate hues ; with a gentle tone , and a light press to her shoulders which guide her into place to at last settle in for the evening cresting over the horizon , he coaxes the she-beast to r e l e n t her hardworking virtues ( after all , they cannot possibly seek to make headway if neither are at their best , can they ? ) .  

          Lhore does not recognize exactly how extinguished her energy is until she has made herself comfortable ( most especially of late ) ; with her claymore lain nearby for safekeeping , her back reclining ‘gainst the weathered bark of a tree , the qilin feels the w e i g h t of their travels beginning to seep through her.  A heavy sigh leaves those painted lips , eyes coming to close – just a moment , she tells herself foolishly , just give me a moment— And no sooner has she allowed herself a reprieve than she has been dragged unwittingly into unconsciousness.  Yet something interrupts the weaving of dreams through her drifting mind – a gentle weight settling over her , the familiar scent of her companion fading in and out of focus.  Lhore slowly returns to the world , grumbling quietly.  There’s a blanket draped over her ( one which was surely not there before ) , and she can’t stop herself from sending a smile over to the Gerudo quietly stoking the fire nearby.  “Ganon,” the Qilin calls , sitting up a bit.  “Will you not even say good-night first ?”  There’s no room to t e a s e him when she was the one who dozed off , but sometimes she can’t help herself.

[strywoven-moved]

@aodamo​ asked : Hien is holding up his fork to Lhore's mouth, on it was a very bright red piece of fried chicken. " Do you like spicy food? You can try some of mine if you'd like. "

          How very DOMESTIC ; when was the last time the Qilin had gone and done something so simple as having l u n c h with someone ?  Despite her composure , her immortal heart rushes at the prospect.  Imagine. . . Having a f r i e n d — !  Could she allow herself to be so hopeful in this day and age ?  Sometimes , after several lives of spending her time committed to herself and her own company , Lhore forgot what it was like to embrace someone else for a change ; to allow just enough room for the seeds of FONDNESS to take root and bloom , even if fleeting.  Still , she could not rightly deny it felt foreign to call someone her friend ( even if she often vested that term firmly within Hien lately ) .  She often wondered what new places this bond would open for her , if such simple scenes were so pleasant . . . What ELSE was possible for them ?  Anything , maybe , but ‘anything’ was a v e r y big expectation ( a very mortifying one , too ) .

          Pointed ears flick to attention , gaze lifting to glance from Hien’s face to the offered portion of his meal.  “Are you sure ?”  She asks , a voice light and delicate.  No , he doesn’t seem to mind sharing.  Leaning forward , Lhore gingerly plucks the piece of spicy chicken from his fork , giving it a try.  After a contemplative few chews and a swallow , a clawed finger pokes out from her billowing sleeve as she announces her verdict.  “It is v e r y good !”  An affirming nod , a small and giddy smile teasing her lips.  “Did you make that yourself ?”

[strywoven-moved]

@worldly-diversity​ asked : "It's not often we see a new face around these parts, what's your name~?" He shows up seemingly out of nowhere, friendly grin just on the sharper side though mostly simply because he likes unsettling people. The other is that strangers can pose a threat, and he has no problem defending those he considers his. || Fèng to Lhore

          At one moment , the journey is done ALONE ( just as preferred ) , but in the next – by the subtle prickling of something ( someone ) manifesting into step beside her – it is suddenly no longer as solitary as it may have been.  There was no ignoring him , after all he was talking to her , speaking as if they were already f r i e n d s ; an air which lent itself to mischief and playfulness.  Even despite the SEVERAL LIFETIMES she has lived by this time , it appeared there were still things ( and people ) that would continue to s u r p r i s e her ( but perhaps , not in a good way ).

          Lhore sighs , pausing and turning to acknowledge the taller individual.  It was ODD , although she had never seen him ‘fore now , he carried a similar p o t e n t energy as the woman from the gathering some few nights ago.  They could be the same creature , or perhaps related in some way. . .  Shaking herself from her thoughts , Lhore focuses on his words.  “Is it really so strange ?”  She counters in a curious tone.  Surely there must be travelers like herself wandering about !  It was hard to believe there were not many who came this way , and to such a lovely place.  Inclining her head , she introduces herself , “I am Lhore.  And you , I assume , must live here ?”  Her gaze lifts to meet his.  “It seems a little r u d e to demand the name of someone else before ever giving your name to them first.”  Perhaps that was a roundabout way of asking for HIS NAME in turn , while also admonishing him for his out-of-nowhere approach ; fair is fair , isn’t it ?

[strywoven-moved]

@worldly-diversity​​ asked : "Are you going to stand there on the sidelines forever, or will you join us, dear? I promise most of us don't bite." Her hand stretched out for Lhore to take, pale skin followed by a brilliant floor length red gown she favoured for soirées like this one, the fabric shimmering like rubies when the light hit it just right, or perhaps akin to the sunrise... || Shé to Lhore~

          It was said this would be a MODEST AFFAIR , though that seemed a glaring u n d e r s t a t e m e n t .  Bodies cast in fine silks and veils , the brilliant twinkle of adorning jewelry darting to and fro ; a sea of unknown faces , cresting and frothing among one another with easy-noted b l i s s and dazes.  The Qilin stood like a break on the shore , STRANDED and forgotten in a constant momentum of these strangers and their opulence.  It would be easy to sneak away , she knows , no-one would notice the weary traveler slipping back out the door , would they ?  Though as the thought comes , Lhore pushes it back into the dark of her thoughts ; no – no – she came here to BREAK with the long-lived tradition of being on her own , and heavens-willing she would commit to the act even if it meant s u f f e r i n g through one of these foreign , confusingly extravagant galas.

          But her feet still refuse to unroot from their place.  Inevitably , there seems to be no force strong enough to prompt the woman to move into the crowd ( founded by such great social displeasure , built up with disdain )⸺ Not until one of t h e m approaches her.  Was this not the HOSTESS ?  Lhore only has a vague idea of who this is , but the aura that surrounds her is RADIANT like a new-blooming dawn.  It is enough to abate the chill surrounding the Qilin , prompting Lhore to incline her head , decorative chains along crowning horns clinking softly with the gesture.  “Gatherings like these are not part of my repertoire , I’m afraid.”  Lifting her head again , her gaze falls to the outstretched hand.  A moment of consideration passes ‘fore a clawed hand emerges from a billowing sleeve and takes hold of the offer.  “I suppose it won't hurt to come along.  Is this y o u r event perchance ?”

[strywoven-moved]

@worldly-diversity​ asked : Slipping into the seat across from the woman, her trusty leather bound tome of a notebook in hand, she realised she was being quite rude but well, that couldn't be helped right now! "Sorry to bother you, it's just— I heard someone say you know a bit about alchemy? I'm studying it myself but it's devilishly difficult to get any proper info on it these days it seems, or maybe it's just a 'here' problem..." She mused, trailing off in thought before shaking herself out of it. "Anyway, would you be willing to teach me? Ah, or at least tell me a little about it? I'll pay for drinks or something!" Ah, she was starting to attract attention with the ruckus she was making, whoops... "Ah, s-sorry... I'm Robecca by the way..." || Becca to Lhore~ || istg all my research muses are such ramble machines xD

          An idle claw taps ‘gainst the rim of her glass ( contents since they have been poured have still remained untouched ) , oddly colored gaze cast down at a map spread ‘cross the worn-wood surface of the table.  Thoughts are PREOCCUPIED , free hand traveling a new course already set ; a new adventure , a new story bound to unfold.  A rare smile graces her features.  It was settled !  Come the ‘morrow , she would⸺

                                                   . . . W h a t ?

          Effectively distracted from her task , Lhore sets her attention on the unwanted company now sitting so brazenly ‘cross the way.  Even the spark of irritation wanes away into INDIFFERENCE ; expression is stoic , though a f r o w n tugs at the corners of her lips.  “Sorry indeed,” Lhore mutters in return , rolling up and tucking away her map.  Perhaps this was a g o o d thing ; blessings oft’ came in the most unlikely of ways , or people.  But then again – the Qilin at last finds reason to reach for her glass , raising it to her lips to take a healthy swig – did blessings always babble so much ?  “Oh the locals ?”  Lhore looks ‘round at the others in the tavern.  “No , they are not so much acquainted with Alchemy.  But they remain a local port for those who happen to trade in such goods.  Quite the touch of i r o n y , wouldn’t you say ?”  Her gaze shifts back to the other , pale brows raising.  “You want to be a student ?”  A snort leaves her.  “I assure you , you could very well find more appropriate masters !”  Or rather , much more APPROACHABLE masters.  

          Lhore sighs , shaking her head , a clawed hand lifting.  “I do not need your coin.  I do happen to know some things about the subject , however.  What is it you need to learn ?”