As Brandon spoke of the ways he knew to hide your scent Khara's expression went from curious to thoughtful to disgusted, though she did try her very hardest to restrain the latter. The plants suggestion sounded interesting, but Khara had to admit that she was just as likely to cover herself in poison as anything that would actually be helpful with how little she knew of the herbs within The Unforgiving - Something she would need to correct. The mud didn't sound too bad, though she doubted anyone would appreciate having to clean her clothing after such a venture, but it was good to keep in mind if a need really called for it.
The last option though… Even considering it caused Khara to shudder but she did have to admit that she could see why it would be effective. Gross… but effective. Brandon didn't even need to go into full detail for Khara to appreciate the nauseated look that flashed across his face and for half a tick she almost let her curiosity get the best of her and asked exactly how it was that he had come by such knowledge. The memory was no doubt unpleasant, though, and as if that wasn't enough of a reason for her to avoid asking, the fact they really needed to get moving was enough to still her tongue.
As they made their way into the ever thickening trees, Khara kept her bow ready, an arrow pulled from her quiver and nocked against the string. Her eyes continually scanned the area as they walked, but she did have to admit that she was taking more visual cues from the outsider than anything else. He had told her about his apparent enhanced sense of smell, but with the way his head occasionally cocked to the side she couldn't help but wonder if his hearing was far better than hers as well. More curiosity bubbled forth and threatened to spill from her but the situation practically demanded her silence and Khara gladly obliged.
As Brandon's demeanor eased so too did Khara finally let herself relax a bit, the tension in her shoulders draining, though she did keep her weapon mostly at the ready. The myriad of questions she had been considering suddenly flooded her thoughts, vying for control over which to be asked first. They bottlenecked before reaching her mouth and were scattered to the winds as he beat her to breaking the silence that had fallen between them.
No sooner had he completed his comment than Khara felt herself go red. Overprotective? Was that what Zhol was? Khara had thought that he was just the right amount of protective if she was honest, but obviously something had happened that had given Brandon that impression. He didn't seem the sort to try and get such a reaction out of the horse boy, though. Usually Zhol's anger was leveled at those that threatened to hurt her and Brandon hadn't exactly threatened her in person and she doubted that he had done so around the Avora. For one thing, the dark haired man didn't exactly look like he'd been singed lately.
"You think Zhol does not trust you? You may be surprised; he trusts more than he lets others believe, I think." She replied with a small smirk, thankful for the few ticks the comment bought her to take the attention away from herself.
A small sigh followed and Khara felt her face grow all the hotter as she was forced to think about how exactly her and Zhol might be perceived by others. "You are not wrong though, he is very protective of me. He has reasons. In a way, I asked him to be."
Khara couldn't quite decide whether to elaborate or not, there was quite a lot that could be said that would solidify the need for it but the best piece of evidence was also the one thing she didn't exactly want to talk about; second best would have to do. "The riots I told you about? That is when we met. Some men found me; they had come to think that the game scouts were getting treated better than other Chiet because of how close we work with the hunters. They were very mad. There was three of them, a Dek and two of our caste. They were going to… Kill me, I think. Eventually. Zhol stopped them. He did not even know my name, but he saved me. He let me hide in his room until everything stopped and never asked for anything in return."
She shrugged a shoulder as if trying to brush off the other memories that tries to push forward. Of the time that Zhol hadn't been there to protect her, of a time he had and she hadn't even known about the incident until it was long over, of the way he put himself in danger to draw an abomination's attention away from her. Even if they were just friends Khara knew without any doubt that he would have acted similarly, but their relationship put an earnest need to everything that she didn't doubt could come across as overdone.
"There have been other things, times when I am not able to keep myself safe but he can. He does not treat me as if I am incapable, but he knows that the lower castes are not allowed to prevent some things from happening. Though, I think even if he were a Chiet instead of an Avora he may act the same. He does not let anyone hurt his family if he can help it."
The last option though… Even considering it caused Khara to shudder but she did have to admit that she could see why it would be effective. Gross… but effective. Brandon didn't even need to go into full detail for Khara to appreciate the nauseated look that flashed across his face and for half a tick she almost let her curiosity get the best of her and asked exactly how it was that he had come by such knowledge. The memory was no doubt unpleasant, though, and as if that wasn't enough of a reason for her to avoid asking, the fact they really needed to get moving was enough to still her tongue.
As they made their way into the ever thickening trees, Khara kept her bow ready, an arrow pulled from her quiver and nocked against the string. Her eyes continually scanned the area as they walked, but she did have to admit that she was taking more visual cues from the outsider than anything else. He had told her about his apparent enhanced sense of smell, but with the way his head occasionally cocked to the side she couldn't help but wonder if his hearing was far better than hers as well. More curiosity bubbled forth and threatened to spill from her but the situation practically demanded her silence and Khara gladly obliged.
As Brandon's demeanor eased so too did Khara finally let herself relax a bit, the tension in her shoulders draining, though she did keep her weapon mostly at the ready. The myriad of questions she had been considering suddenly flooded her thoughts, vying for control over which to be asked first. They bottlenecked before reaching her mouth and were scattered to the winds as he beat her to breaking the silence that had fallen between them.
No sooner had he completed his comment than Khara felt herself go red. Overprotective? Was that what Zhol was? Khara had thought that he was just the right amount of protective if she was honest, but obviously something had happened that had given Brandon that impression. He didn't seem the sort to try and get such a reaction out of the horse boy, though. Usually Zhol's anger was leveled at those that threatened to hurt her and Brandon hadn't exactly threatened her in person and she doubted that he had done so around the Avora. For one thing, the dark haired man didn't exactly look like he'd been singed lately.
"You think Zhol does not trust you? You may be surprised; he trusts more than he lets others believe, I think." She replied with a small smirk, thankful for the few ticks the comment bought her to take the attention away from herself.
A small sigh followed and Khara felt her face grow all the hotter as she was forced to think about how exactly her and Zhol might be perceived by others. "You are not wrong though, he is very protective of me. He has reasons. In a way, I asked him to be."
Khara couldn't quite decide whether to elaborate or not, there was quite a lot that could be said that would solidify the need for it but the best piece of evidence was also the one thing she didn't exactly want to talk about; second best would have to do. "The riots I told you about? That is when we met. Some men found me; they had come to think that the game scouts were getting treated better than other Chiet because of how close we work with the hunters. They were very mad. There was three of them, a Dek and two of our caste. They were going to… Kill me, I think. Eventually. Zhol stopped them. He did not even know my name, but he saved me. He let me hide in his room until everything stopped and never asked for anything in return."
She shrugged a shoulder as if trying to brush off the other memories that tries to push forward. Of the time that Zhol hadn't been there to protect her, of a time he had and she hadn't even known about the incident until it was long over, of the way he put himself in danger to draw an abomination's attention away from her. Even if they were just friends Khara knew without any doubt that he would have acted similarly, but their relationship put an earnest need to everything that she didn't doubt could come across as overdone.
"There have been other things, times when I am not able to keep myself safe but he can. He does not treat me as if I am incapable, but he knows that the lower castes are not allowed to prevent some things from happening. Though, I think even if he were a Chiet instead of an Avora he may act the same. He does not let anyone hurt his family if he can help it."
"Nari" | "Common" | "Pavi"