Vanator's eyebrows raised, his smile widening when Fade revealed that she had actually lived at the Sanctuary for a while. They had something in common and, when the time was right, he would ask the woman about her experience there. But the Drykas' excitement was dampened when he saw the girl's countenance suddenly fall when he suggested they ride down the slide together. Petch, he cursed himself. He should not have moved so quickly. Fade was young, and not a bold Drykas woman, and his rather forward suggestion must have offended her.
Vanator had not yet made the connection, unlearned of the true workings of Ranuri, though he had know his sister Akela had acquired one. The one time he had seen her since she left the pavilion there was no mention of the mark. Kavala had only told him that the mark had changed Akela, that the mark compelled the older Konti sister to seek to fulfill Kavala's needs and wants, until Akela left Sanctuary. Vanator didn't understand that simple contact could trigger the gnosis.
With a perceptible shake of her head, Fade's gaze lifted again to meet his, her darkness passed and a smile returned to her refined features. The playful tone again flavored her voice and Vanator threw up his hands as the woman sent a splashing wave towards him. She had agreed to his bold offering. "Surprises can be good!" He retorted with a small splash back at her.
Wading towards the slide, Van looked down. The pools were becoming more secluded as the flumes progressed, and the prospect of exploring them, and the dark stairways that lead from each area, gave the Drykas a thrill. He pondered the slide a moment, then glanced back at Fade. He would let her choose whether she rode in front of him, or behind. The Drykas climbed into the slide, strong arms holding him from zooming away until Fade could get it. He looked back again at the woman with a wide grin.
"Climb aboard and hold on...and let the exploration begin!"
Vanator had not yet made the connection, unlearned of the true workings of Ranuri, though he had know his sister Akela had acquired one. The one time he had seen her since she left the pavilion there was no mention of the mark. Kavala had only told him that the mark had changed Akela, that the mark compelled the older Konti sister to seek to fulfill Kavala's needs and wants, until Akela left Sanctuary. Vanator didn't understand that simple contact could trigger the gnosis.
With a perceptible shake of her head, Fade's gaze lifted again to meet his, her darkness passed and a smile returned to her refined features. The playful tone again flavored her voice and Vanator threw up his hands as the woman sent a splashing wave towards him. She had agreed to his bold offering. "Surprises can be good!" He retorted with a small splash back at her.
Wading towards the slide, Van looked down. The pools were becoming more secluded as the flumes progressed, and the prospect of exploring them, and the dark stairways that lead from each area, gave the Drykas a thrill. He pondered the slide a moment, then glanced back at Fade. He would let her choose whether she rode in front of him, or behind. The Drykas climbed into the slide, strong arms holding him from zooming away until Fade could get it. He looked back again at the woman with a wide grin.
"Climb aboard and hold on...and let the exploration begin!"