A friend along the way [Renaria]

[Silvy]

Silvy saw the cat blink, and she sighed with relief. The enormous predator wasn't angry! And how did she know canine language so well? 'I will come back for the kill later--there's much to do.' She thought, watching Renaria cover the deer expertly. The teenager watched the follow me gesture and ran quickly to follow the giant leopard. It took a moment to find her human one-two step, but when she did, her speed was blinding! As she ran toward the gates, following Renaria, one thought flashed strongly in her mind and she held it close: 'I have a friend now!'

[Renaria]

Her keen hearing caught the sigh that had issued from the girl. Relief? She hoped so. She waited until the girl was next to her, then she set off. Her steps were careful, measured. She had to shorten her normal pace, otherwise she would have left the girl far behind in the snows. The girl started to run beside her, so the great cat sped up slightly. She was moving at a casual jog while the girl was going almost flat-out. The gates soon came into view and she slowed. Ploughing through the Icewall Gates at speed was never a good idea. Besides, the girl might want a little time to take in the magnificent sight. As the pair entered the city of Avanthal, they had slowed right down to a walk. Renaria made her way through the streets, checking every now and again to make sure the girl was still following. She quickly reached the tree where she had flung her cloak and moved beneath it. Her form was quickly covered in the tiny beads of light that signaled change. Her feline form appeared to dissolve, being replaced almost instantly by that of a human girl. She quickly reached up and pulled the cloak down, wrapping it around her. She turned to the girl. Long golden-blond hair fell to her waist and her silvery eyes twinkled with a smile. She stuck out a hand. "I'm Renaria."

[Silvy]

Her voice was husky from lack of use, but she cleared her throat and answered, "Silvy." She looked at the outstretched hand for a moment before she realized she was to return the gesture. 'Will I ever learn how to be a proper human?' She thought. Silvy took Renaria's hand in hers, noticing the difference in warmth and scent. Her short nose detected cat and human at the same time. Kelvic, she corrected herself. Her stomach rumbled and she looked down at herself and back up at the long haired woman. She made the briefest of eye contact and quickly blinked. "Do you know the area well? Are there people to bond with here? Do -you- have a Bondmate?" The questions came out in a rush, her voice quiet but urgent with desperate hope. She felt the strange clothing chafe at her new skin and her ears tried to swivel as her skirts rustled in the passing breeze. She felt fatigue creeping into her, but there was so much to smell and hear and say, that the young Kelvic knew, sleep wouldn't overtake her for a while yet. 'Renaria is very still! Why are cats so unnaturally still? She seems wise though--for a cat.'

[Renaria]

Her arm held still while she waited for the girl to take it. She looked at her face to see slight confusion written over it. She was about to lower her arm when a hand slipped into hers. Renaria's smile widened and she shook the hand. "It's nice to meet you Silvy." Even though they had met nearly a whole bell ago, she still felt she should say the nicety. She released the hand and lowered her arm. Her hearing, even though it was significantly duller in her human body, picked up the sound of hunger. The girl still felt too nervous to hold eye contact, or even make it for that matter. She was about to say something when a rush of questions spilled from the silver-haired girl. She blinked, considering her answers. "I live here, so I think I know it rather well." She paused. "And... bonding? Yes there are people here. Vantha to be more precise. They will bond. I know since I have felt it myself." She searched for the girls eyes and tried to hold contact. She smiled. "You're hungry." It wasn't a question. "Come with me. I'll get the rest of my clothing and you some food." She started to move in the direction of the Holds.

[Silvy]

Silvy winced as Renaria bared her teeth--as large as mine, but...different. Silvy knew she had a choice to make. The cat--Kelvic had bared her teeth at her and forced eye contact! She didn't want to challenge anyone so she carefully smiled/bared her teeth, but didn't lift her lips to show her gums. The young girl kept eye contact, but blinked several times to break the tension. Safe greeting, but not threatening to the older and wiser Kelvic. "You have your very own Bondmate?!" Silvy's voice filled with awe and envy. "You are so fortunate!" Her silvery eyes were giant in her heart shaped face. It took the Kelvic a moment to remember her hunger and when she did, she subconsciously licked her canine teeth and nodded. "Yes very hungry!" She couldn't remember the last time she had been in human form! And the only human figure she'd spoken to was her Mother... Following the retreating figure, she belatedly remembered her manners. "Nice to meet you and thank you."

[Renaria]

She was scrutinizing the girls every move. It seemed that she was very unused to being human. Renaria on the other had had been spending a great deal of her time human recently, so she was much more at ease with human etiquette. There was a definite flinch when she had smiled. So the girl was obviously still holding onto her canine mindset. Renaria let her smile fade slightly. "It's okay. You'll have to get used to using a smile as a greeting here." She gave a nod. "I do, yes. If I can find him I shall introduce you." She smiled again, this time making sure not to show her teeth. She led her fellow Kelvic through the city, pointing out various places along the way. She showed her the clothing store, the commons and the archery shop before they reached the Skyglow hold. She motioned for the girl to wait, and then darted to her room. She pulled on a blue cotton dress and some leather shoes, pulled her cloak back around her and then went back to the Kelvic. "Food for you now." Renaria paused and thought. "We can go to the Commons or the Tavern. You can choose." The Tavern was smaller and would probably have less people at the moment. The Commons would be more social at this bell, but the choice was entirely the girls.

[Silvy]

"A smile as a greeting? Is this the way to show a human is not afraid? They show their strength so they are confident! You're very smart Renaria." Silvy seemed timid at first, but the more she saw, the more she liked. So many new and exciting scents and sights and sounds! After far too much isolation for so long, the 15 yr old looking female was more than ready to experience life. "You must be very proud to have a Bondmate! I envy that.." The girl looked wistful as her silvery eyes scanned the crowds. She felt a twinge of nervousness when Renaria left, but she gave herself a firm mental shake to be an adult. "You said Commons first so we should try that first, yes? Do they have good meat?" She looked at the lovely Kelvic beside her with complete trust.

[Renaria]

She nodded her head once. "A smile means hello. It's friendly. Like it's good to see the person." It felt a little strange to be describing such human things to another Kelvic. Renaria was grateful that Ithus had taught her how to be human and animal before they entered civilization. She could sense the girls nerves slowly fading and being replaced by excitement. "I am." Renaria grinned, completely forgetting that she was trying to be composed. Her giggly, girly side shone through. "My Bondmate is everything to me." She glanced at the girl. "You'll find yours in time. I'm sure of it." After all, Kelvic were created to bond, to be with another. "They have meat yes. Though they cook it first." Renaria had been very wary the first time she had cooked meat here, but it had surprised her. She led Silvy to the Commons and motioned to one of the many tables inside. "I'll get you something."

[Silvy]

A giggle! Other than just herself, she'd only heard a giggle from her own mother. Hearing laughter again made her want to shout her joy. It felt so -good- to have a spontaneous feeling outside her wolven form! Silvy's eyes shone like crystal at learning how wonderful it was to have a Bondmate. "I've never tried cooked meat before. I hope it's good because I'm so hungry I could eat a moose!" She caught herself giggling along with Renaria, and savored it. When the lovely golden Kelvic went to get the food, Silvy stood by the table, fully immersing herself in her surroundings. Lightly exposing her canines, she opened her mouth slightly, to scent better with her stubby human nose. Different food scents mingled with human and Vanthic and other Kelvic! Leather and horses and so many different types of people! Her eyes grew luminous and her pupils filled her eyes til the silver was only a thin disc. Chairs scraped, forks clinked on plates, and voices murmured busily. Silvy found herself smiling without even realizing it.

[Silvy]

...the end?