Closed Taking Root (Beodan)

[Joanna Familiaris]

Joanna was thankful that such a man was willing to listen to her long-winded speeches. More often than not, her religious fervor unsettled people. She couldn't understand why, or how. Maybe they were just heathens who needed to be shown the light, or maybe it was the fact that Joanna's overly melodramatic preaching made her seem a bit... odd. Either way, she was glad that Beodan had some capacity to withstand her speeches. And somehow, thinking of this made her happy.

“They are alike aren’t they? Your’s the goddess of light and good, mine the goddess of health and healing. They are on the same side, no?”

There was some truth to that. Many of the Gods and Goddesses shared similarities with one another, and many worked in tandem to grow even more powerful. Yet of all the Gods, it was Priskil that seemed to be invested in mortal affairs, ever since the beginning. The Watchtowers themselves were testament to Priskil's love. But this was not to dismiss the power of Rak'keli. She knew enough of the Goddess to respect the power of healers, and to pay honor to those who dedicate their lives to mending the sick and disabled. It was a cause driven by heart, and there was no dishonor in that. In times like these, the world needed less fighters and more lovers.

"I think you're right. A Goddess of hope and a Goddess of health... the two seem like they'd be good friends. Perhaps we can be good friends, too." She gave him a pleasant smile before letting out a bubbly laugh. She felt odd. But good odd. She had only met this stranger, and she was already warming to him, treating him like an old friend. It was nice. The lack of tension, the absence of fear... it filled her with determination.

She thanked him for the tea and cupped it tightly in her hands, letting the warmth spread down her arms. The smell was lovely; a scent so elaborate that she couldn't focus her mind on a single ingredient. And the taste was just the same. Smooth, silky, and hot. A little too hot, but she didn't mind. It reminded her of some of the juices she drank in Endrykas only a few years prior. Mixes of berries, honey, herbs and sugars all swirled together in a single fantastic concoction that made her mind go fuzzy. While the tea did not go so far as to impair her, it did fill her with immense warmth.

She listened intently as Beodan explained how he had acquired the place, and of his earlier mentor. "She told me about this place, close enough to the city to be under the Knights’ protection, but far enough into the woods that I couldn’t be found, unless I was followed, or someone spent a lot of time looking.” Ah, so her assumption was correct. Though it only made sense, after all. And it didn't seem like a bad place to live, either. Getting luxuries and other goods might be difficult, but it seemed the man was doing fine on his own. But it must be awfully lonely, having only the company of the forest.

“So what is a warrior of the light doing all the way out here. I suppose here meaning the forest, and in Syliras in general. I haven’t met another Horse Kelvic before, so I would like it if you stayed for a while.”

She had difficult figuring out in which order she would answer the questions.

"I... Well..." The offer to stay here was a very appealing, but there was much to do in the city. She had to find a concrete job, get in contact with the local Order of Radiance, provide escort services at night, offer to help bathe the elderly at the spa, assist the stablehands, help sweep the streets...

"Absolutely! I'd love to stay here for a spell. The fresh air would do me good."

One half of her brain was about to kill the other half. Logic had lost this battle. But in all honesty, there was alot she could learn from Beodan, and alot she could do to help. That, and being able to focus on just one person, rather than an entire city, would make it easier on her psyche.

"I travel to many different places. Usually, I perform community service by helping around the city where I'm needed. One day I might be fixing wagons, the next I'm shoveling manure. It's not the most honorable, but it gives me the chance to spread the word of Priskil to those who need her most. But... it is very tiring. I would enjoy some time out in the countryside, helping around here as much as I can. And maybe I can learn a few things while I'm at it." She nodded her head to emphasize her point, the smile still plastered to her face.

"Of course... I'll have to gather my essentials. They're deep in the forest, hidden. Armor, toiletries, some rations. That sort of thing. But I can probably get them in the morning. For now, I'm fine just talking to you. It's been so long since I could have just a normal conversation. And with a such a polite and handsome man" She couldn't resist giving him a coy look. He had been so sweet and accommodating, so kind and welcoming, that Joanna felt... something. She couldn't be sure what it was, and she was a bit nervous to find out.

"So... Dan..." She spoke, hoping another topic of conversation would come to mind, but it did not. She felt a bit awkward. Desperately, she searched her midn for something to talk about. "Do... you have someone else... who lives with you?" The question was hastily formed, and she did her best to reword it. "That is to say... are you steady with someone?"

[Beodan Clathony]

“Yes, we will be!” Beodan affirmed, childishly leaving no room for the universe to argue. But it was a sure thing, was it not? They were two Kelvics that had no reason to dislike each other and had overlapping beliefs. And she did not have a form that would want to nibble on horse bones, and that was always a plus for healthy relationships. He returned her smile and watched her take a sip of his tea. His eyes quivered a little, anxious as to whether or not she would like it. He would take her dislike of the tea as a personal flaw, and then tirelessly try to find a brew she did like to make up for it. But his worry was for naught, it appeared that it was at least tolerable, and the tension in his face eased. He gave her another small smile, pleased that she was pleased by the steaming amber liquid.

“I.. Well…” Joanna trailed off, her eyes unfocused and looking through him. Dan liked to avoid thinking about it, but living in isolation had him craving for another human soul. Even though he found the city overwhelming and too pushy, he was drawn there routinely just to see other beings and hear them talk. So the potential for someone living with him, even if it turned out to be a short time, had him struggling to contain his excitement. He was doing a pretty good job of keeping his composure, though he had begun to bounce his leg, and was perhaps sitting up straighter than was normal for someone lounging on their own couch. Her deliberation had ended, and blurted in a somehow still soothing voice, "Absolutely! I'd love to stay here for a spell. The fresh air would do me good." He could not keep the grin off of his face. He grew a little more somber as he remembered the reason for his abundance of excitement, “It will, my home is yours. Er.. thank you.. I was getting lonely. So, ah.. thanks..” He scratched the back of his head, a little embarrassed at the bearing of emotions he usually kept guarded, but she deserved as much.

“It's not the most honorable, but it gives me the chance to spread the word of Priskil to those who need her most. But... it is very tiring. I would enjoy some time out in the countryside, helping around here as much as I can. And maybe I can learn a few things while I'm at it." The Herbalist nodded vigorously. He did not get a chance to often, but he loved to gush his knowledge of herbalism. The more he learned himself the more he realized just how much unknown was out there, and if he could speed up that journey for someone else… Well, that was another mind helping to make this strange world a little more hospitable. “I think it’s noble of you to do! There is honor in humility, I think. Nobles can’t eat unless they have a farmer providing them food after all,” he said firmly, wanting her to know that he supported what she did. “I do what I can with herbs, and work for free if people can’t pay. I mean, most of the plants I use I only pay for in time, sweat, and blood.” He let a comfortable silence stretched between them.

Dan took the time to nurse his cup, then asked her, “Do you mind working being worked as a horse? I hate it. What they do to those poor horses trapped in that castle; kept in little stalls, stabbed with hot metal, having to do whatever someone tells you. I bet they don’t know life outside of slavery, those poor fellows. They don’t talk much either, believe me, I’ve tried. Always a formal greeting and a dismissal.” He paused and looked into her eyes, “Sorry, I could rant about that until my hair turns grey.”

Joanna told Dan of her supplies stored further away in the forest. He wondered if they were in a safe place, bandits were relatively common if you went too far in the wrong direction. “...and with such a polite and handsome man.” His chocolate gaze whipped to her, whose face had a shy look to it, that was strangely attractive. Unconsciously his chest puffed at the compliment, and he gave her a crooked smile despite the heat suffusing his cheeks. A bit flustered, he modestly accepted, “Thank you, but I’m not all.. you know. I’m just… Ah..” He mustered a bit of that confidence Stallions were noted for, “You’re pretty easy on the eyes yourself, goddess who serves a goddess.”

“So.. Dan… Do... you have someone else... who lives with you? That is to say... are you steady with someone?” she asked, flicking her eyes between him and anywhere else rapidly, her speech rather quick. He smirked in good humor, taking it as a sign of attraction. His normally small ego was getting almost normal sized after just a short time with her, and was likely to inflate further if the flattery continued. Not that he minded, of course! “Ah, no. I.. live on my own,” he said softly, the smile fading off of his face and his gaze dropping into his tea. “Steady? Oh, you mean like in a relationship… No, not anymore. I.. she… Well, she is gone now. She left.”

[Joanna Familiaris]

“It will, my home is yours. Er.. thank you.. I was getting lonely. So, ah.. thanks..” She felt her heart swell, failing to hold back a chuckle. At least he owned up to it, but to be honest Joanna had been pretty lonely too. Sure, helping people around town was nice and all, but they always came and went like the wind. Not to say it didn't feel personal, but more often than not she was helping so many people that she never had the time to bond. Like they never crossed the threshold to being friends, just acquaintances. They felt distant. Joanna felt a pit in her stomach just thinking about it. It would be nice to have someone she could care for. Someone that could rely on her. Someone close to her, that would... need her.

She chastised herself for thinking like that. It was pitiful and desperate. Of course she didn't want someone to depend on her for everything. That would get old fast. But... maybe some things. She just wanted to feel, well, wanted.

Joanna was glad for the change in topic. Those kinds of thoughts made her feel pathetic. "I tried offering my services as a horse. And I don't think I will ever do it again. All those straps and chains... and the bit digging into my mouth... ugh." She shuddered. "I can't imagine how someone can stand that, day in and day out. I'd be tempted just to haul tail out of there, or leave a few hoofprints in someone's backside!" A smirk snuck its way onto her face as she let the mental image take shape.

She finished off the last of her tea as Beodan did his best to respond to her flirtatious comment. The courage from before seemed to have left him at first, his words failing. It was adorable. But the man's ego returned as he replied with an equally flattering compliment. She blushed hard enough to turn most of her face pink. She was losing at this game, but did not want to stop playing.

“Steady? Oh, you mean like in a relationship… No, not anymore. I.. she… Well, she is gone now. She left.”

Well, that got real depressing real fast. Joanna immediately regretted bringing it up, and felt the pit in her stomach open up again. She wanted to say something like "That sounds difficult" or, "I'm really sorry" but neither sounded appropriate. To lose someone, a bondmate of all things, must be devastating. And there were no words she could give that she thought could comfort him. So, instead, she let her actions speak for her. She put her hand on his, still warm from the tea, and squeezed it gently. Her eyes, gentle and accepting, did their best to convey some sort of understanding. It was all she could think to do.

She could feel the pit in her stomach grow stronger, and deeper. It was starting to hurt now. Though it didn't feel like it was being brought on from sadness anymore. No, this was something else. Something far more primal. She was hungry.

"Maybe we should have some food. That usually takes my mind off things. If you'd like, I can make us something. I may not be the best cook, but I can whip up something simple. What all ingredients do you have here?" She had already gotten up, ready to get to work.

[Beodan Clathony]

Beodan met Joanna’s gaze at the warm caress of her hand. Her eyes were like brown felt, the looked soft and comforting. A shiver, followed by a blossom of heat radiated across his skin from the contact. A basic need that had been long neglected was finally being fulfilled. He basked in the feeling for a chime, then stooped his head down to nuzzle her shoulder. He did not know a specific reason why he was doing it, the gesture just felt right. It conveyed all of his need to hide away from his feelings, and his thanks at her silent show of support. He felt at ease with her, the thought of her hurting him emotionally or physically had not entered his mind.

She stood up suddenly, and Dan followed a tick later with a quizzical look on his face. Was she uneasy about something? It was quite temperate inside the tent, so it would not be cold. His unvocalized questions were soon answered by his guest’s voice of velvet, "Maybe we should have some food. That usually takes my mind off things. If you'd like, I can make us something. I may not be the best cook, but I can whip up something simple. What all ingredients do you have here?" He had begun to nod in the middle of her suggestion, food would definitely lighten the mood, and the action of cooking would take his mind off things best left out of the way. “Let’s see…hmm…” he murmured, scratching the stubble on his chin and kneeling down next to the shelveset to the right of his working desk. The desk held a mortar and pestle that looked well used, yet properly maintained. Various knives and other tools sat on a cloth, waiting to be used for his craft. A fine layer of plant dust gathered near the edges, hiding behind a few jars and vials.

On the shelves where he stored more practical eatables. “Well, there's some wild brussels, a wild squash thing, a few potatoes (though that one looks a bit off), two loaves of bread, a small pile of blackberries and some jam, sugar, flower, honey, and a head of lettuce” He stood up and continued with a grin, “Of course, all the herbs and spices you could ask for, provided they grow around here. Which that only restricts some of the more exotic ones.” He reached out for a pan, then hesitated, and turned to her tentatively. “Umm, I don’t really know how to cook. Salves and poultices are a cinch for me, but anything for meals, not so much! I don’t want you to do it all yourself though, so I’ll help too, okay? I’ll go light the fire, and you can get whatever ingredients you need.”

With a nod to her, Dan pushed open the heavy flap of the tent and stepped into the cool autumn air. He pried the wood axe from the stump it was buried in and stood a previously chopped third of an oak log on it’s end. He hefted the axe with a grunt, and brought it down, thudding through the dry wood. He continued to chop them until they were thin, long bits of wood. After removing the old logs, he arranged the kindling among the dried moss that sat at the bottom of the pit in a tent shape. With a tinderbox and flint, a few seconds later flames caught and began to greedily consume the wood. He set a log or two on top of the dancing flames, and lowered the raised cooking surface over the top of it. He clapped once to get the ash off of his hands, and walked back in the tent.

[Joanna Familiaris]

Joanna watched over Dan's shoulder as he rummaged through his pantry for something edible. There was a handful of basic cutlery and cookware, the bare essentials for a kitchen, along with a number of raw ingredients that Joanna was already working over in her mind. “Umm, I don’t really know how to cook. Salves and poultices are a cinch for me, but anything for meals, not so much!" Joanna sighed disparagingly as they both confessed to their lack of cooking skills. Joanna was always eating rations, or whatever the local cafe was cooking up, so actually having to make her own food was rare. But, they would survive. It couldn't be that hard to throw something together. "I don’t want you to do it all yourself though, so I’ll help too, okay? I’ll go light the fire, and you can get whatever ingredients you need.”

She smiled and nodded, turning her attention to her work. It wouldn't be anything grand. Something rather simple, but with alot of flavor. The blackberries she could mash up and mix with some sugar to make a nice spread over sliced bread. The lettuce she could break apart into strips, and top that with some squash. Then, spread honey or jam on the other slice to make the sandwich complete. It seemed like a plausible meal, but the real issue would be trying to balance out all the flavor. She had zero training in this field, and knew that whatever she made had the possibility of being an absolute failure. But, she would not give up hope. If there's a will, there's a way.

The cooking commenced! Joanna started out with the bread, using a knife to carefully cut out serving-sized slices to start piling food onto. This part was easy. There was only a minor disparity between the thickness of all the pieces, but it was inconsequential. Next, the berries. She took a handful of them and rolled them into the mortar with a strange gleefulness. The mashing happened, and before long the bowl was filled with a thick, black juice that smelled, surprisingly enough, like blackberries. But this was only the beginning. A small pinch of sugar went in. Then a few more. And some more. Then a small handful. And another. And another. And yet another. There was no end to the sugar. Once the Jam was equal parts berry and sugar, she finally stopped. After mixing the concoction into a viscous jelly-like... thing, Joanna turned her attention to the lettuce, sitting innocently on the countertop. With a mighty, quiet grunt, Joanna ripped a chunk of the vegetable off with her bare hands, crumpling the leaves into the proper size with spirit. Almost done. The squash was her next victim. She loomed over the defenseless garden produce with a gleaming knife. Down it came, sawing off delicious bite-sized pieces.

It was by this time that she realized Beodan had come back inside, only for her to be brandishing a knife dripping with juices. She just stood there, a mess covering the table and floor, with a weapon in her hand. "... Cooking is... intersting," She said, sucking her lips in. That happened for a bit, until Joanna awkwardly placed all the ingredients on the pan and took the sandwiches to the fire to be toasted.

With everything set, the only thing left to do was wait. So she waited, finding a spot near the fire to keep her warm. She patted the seat next to her for Beodan to join her, hoping that their earlier talk had not ruined his mood. She'd hate to think she was causing him distress.

"I apologize in advance if you do not like the food. It's not very elaborate... but it'll fill our bellies. Or make us empty them. Ahah... hah..." She laughed half-heartily, still feeling a bit off. The entire situation had gone a bit odd ever since she ruined it. She shook herself out of the strange stupor. "Anyways... I think this is a very nice home you have here. You have been so incredibly sweet and kind... so if there is anything you need from me, just ask. I don't want my stay to be an inconvenience to you." She gave him a determined smile. It slowly faded into a bashful grin. "A-and... if you ever need company, I'm sure I can provide it." Joanna couldn't stop from looking at Beodan in the firelight. It felt very cliche, yes, but his features really did look quite handsome in the bright, orange light. She couldn't believe she was even thinking that. She prided herself on her level-headed and mature behaviour. This was neither. Yet, some part of her was okay with this.

[Beodan Clathony]

Beodan’s eyes widened at the scene that awaited him. Joanna sucking gourd ichor off of a knife, the vegetables brutally smashed, chunked, or ripped. Their corpses were arranged on a pan, though a good deal appeared to be splattered around her work space. The blackberries had been suspended in his sugar pot, or so it looked. He could see the undissolved granules saturating the berries. He gave her a happy, yet slightly nervous smile, and gently removed his poor knife from her hand. He cleaned it of juices with water from the ketal, and dried it with a cloth. It would likely need to be sharpened.

He followed her outside and arranged the pan on top of the cooking surface so that the food would cook evenly. The squash chunks would take the longest, he supposed. The bread would be toasted soonest. He hoped the squash would turn out like the ones in the soup the Rearing Stallion occasionally served, all squishy and full of flavor. Since their combined bells of cooking experience in the past had been zero, he did not have much confidence in their ability to produce something of high caliber. It was better than going hungry though, and they could always just go back to grazing if worst came to worst.

At her gesture, Dan lowered himself to the ground next to her, his shoulder and leg touching hers. The shared body heat in tandem with the moderately sized cooking fire kept the cold at bay. Joanna broke the silence, "I apologize in advance if you do not like the food. It's not very elaborate... but it'll fill our bellies. Or make us empty them. Ahah... hah..." He let out a hearty chuckle, it seemed their shared fears about the food! It felt like she wanted to say more, so he let the conversation lapse. The fire and forest picked up where they had dropped it, pops and snaps of sparks erupting from the fire every so often as a gas buildup escaped violently, the wind sweeping through the tops of the trees which swayed slightly. "Anyways.. I think this is a very nice home you have here. You have been so incredibly sweet and kind.. so if there is anything you need from me, just ask. I don't want my stay to be an inconvenience to you. A-and... if you ever need company, I'm sure I can provide it,” she said finally, a shy smile on her face.

The Herbalist was not sure if she had intended the double-entendre; the last person who had offered him company had led to an awkward miscommunication. Ah the naivete of youth. That had been two years ago, and he had been seeking friends… Well, the woman had not wanted to be friends. “Thank you. It’s no fancy castle, but it’s mine,” he said with a smile, “You won’t inconvenience me, it’s my pleasure! And.. I think I will enjoy your company, Joanna. One thing I will ask of you, be careful when you eventually do go to the city. The guard keeps things safe, but there are still a good deal of nasty people there. Just don’t take any chances okay? And another thing, if you do get hurt, come see me or the ladies up at the spa.”

[Joanna Familiaris]

“You won’t inconvenience me, it’s my pleasure! And.. I think I will enjoy your company, Joanna. One thing I will ask of you, be careful when you eventually do go to the city. The guard keeps things safe, but there are still a good deal of nasty people there. Just don’t take any chances okay? And another thing, if you do get hurt, come see me or the ladies up at the spa.”

She chuckled. There was very little for her to worry about when she was in the city. Her size and stature made it difficult for anyone to try and act intimidating towards her, but there were certainly dangers that loomed around the city at night. She would be fine, though. She had enough confidence in her abilities to feel safe, even when walking the streets alone. But it was the thought that touched her heart. There was no end to his kindness. If she thanked him any more, it'd just get silly.

"I promise I'll be safe. For your sake." Her sincerity was further emphasized by a big smile. It'd be nice to know she had someone to treat her ailments. After all, he training left her with more than a fair share of bruises and cuts. And all that chafing inside her armor started to really build up. But it was more of the mental relief she had knowing that there was someone that could comfort her. Encouragement was sometimes the most powerful treatment. Knowing Beodan had her back filled her with determination.

The moments that followed were filled with the sound of the hungry flames as they lashed against the wood, stretching up towards the clouds. With every flicker, they let out tiny sparks of glowing, orange light that lifted up into the air before disappearing among the sky. As Joanna's gaze followed them, her eyes settled upon the darkening horizon. It was well past noon, nearing twilight. They must have been talking for quite some time. Somehow, the shade of the trees made it feel darker. Like night had already encompassed their little clearing. Joanna herself was already feeling tired. She would have to take care, in future, not to overextend herself so much when going on her morning runs.

Reluctantly, Joanna got up from her spot to check on the sandwiches. They were cooked. A little too cooked. Still, they were ready. Careful not to burn herself, she took a rag from the tent and took the pan by the handle, slowly and carefully setting it on the stone rim of the firepit. Then she tested the bread with a finger. It was warm, but not so hot as to burn her hands. With both of the sandwiches in her grasp, she returned to her spot and scooched in closer to Beodan to share in his warmth. The Autumn air was growing nippy, but the heat of the fire and Dan's skin were more than enough to combat it.

Now came the moment of truth. She handed one of the sandwiches over to her new friend and turned her attention onto her. It was... a sandwich. One side was a bit more toasted than the other, and the lettuce looked a bit dry, but it was a sandwich. The only thing left to do was to taste it. And to her surprise, it tasted... not awful. The jam was too thick, and just a tiny bit too sugary. That, and the squash had not cooked all the way through, making it chewy. But at least the lettuce tasted alright. All in all, not a horrible attempt. Not a great one, either, but they wouldn't go hungry tonight.

"Well... at least it's not killing us." She chuckled, taking another bite. Even if the food was sub-par, at least she had good company. With Beodan so close, she couldn't help but shift some of her weight into him to draw in more of his heat. She had long since abandoned the idea of being reserved and aloof around him, and that brought her some relief. "I'll take you with me the next time I go to the city, and I can bring you to my favorite cafe. The coffee is rich, and their baked goods are nothing short of absolute bliss. You won't want to go anywhere else!"

[Beodan Clathony]

Beodan scrunched up his face as he took a bite of their mature assembled meal. The berries were really sweet, and had a slight grinding texture from the leftover sugar. Luckily it was counteracted somewhat by the savory squash, which was only a little under done. Its nutty flavor tied together with the letus, which possessed a bit of a crunch to it despite having been on the fire. He prefered sweetgrass, but it wasn’t that bad, considering it was a new frontier for them both. He took another, more confident bite, now that he knew what to expect from the slightly dilapidated sandwich. He thought that a little rosemary would tie the squash together with the jam better. The jam was just too contrasting with the squash to be in the same sandwich.

"Well... at least it's not killing us,” she joked with a chuckle. Dan laughed and replied, “At least, not yet anyway! It really isn’t that bad. Far better than bitter root!” The sun had set below the trees, sending the clearing into an eerie twilight, the darkness held away by the dancing flames. Joanna leaned into his side, pressing closer to fight the cold. He did the same to her, angling his head to be closer to hers. He smiled to himself, happy that she had warmed up to him (no pun intended). He reached up with his free hand and wrapped his arm around her. "I'll take you with me the next time I go to the city, and I can bring you to my favorite cafe. The coffee is rich, and their baked goods are nothing short of absolute bliss. You won't want to go anywhere else!" He nodded twice, and agreed, “That sounds fun! I should go deliver some herbs soon anyway, it will give me an excuse to go to the city. Are you talking about The Bean? I’m not much of a coffee guy, but how they make it there.. absolutely amazing! The owner is a bit quiet, but that’s okay because he makes damn good coffee. He’s also a great herbalist. I could learn a lot from him, if only he’d let me.”

The Kelvic tilted his head back to look at the stars, which were just now popping into the heavens one by one. He could not see the moon, it was likely still hidden by the trees. The cool air and the vastness of space left him feeling insignificant, and yet so alive at the same time. He shifted his chocolate brown eyes to her face and gave her a small smile. “What do you think about when you look at the stars? They higher than the highest cloud, and yet still bright as if they were a torch a little ways away. Are they the lights of gods and goddesses? Their torches that burn as bright as the sun?”

[Joanna Familiaris]

Joanna continued to enjoy, or at least tolerate, the meal as the day slowly winded to a close. The colors of the sky were retreating across the horizon, and the blanket of stars had been laid out over the vacant space. They were bright and beautiful, hundreds of thousands of shimmering jewels stretching across the endless expanse of black. It was breathtaking. There was no coherency of design, but was beautiful enough to believe it had been crafted by hand. But whose hand? The Gods? Fate? Or something far more... surreal?

She sighed happily, feeling their bodies mold into one another. It felt... nice. It felt very intimate, and despite knowing each other for only a short amount of time, it didn't seem all that strange. It had been many years since she had the pleasure of being with another of her kind, so many of the Kelvic tendencies surprised her from time to time. Yet, with Beodan, it felt very natural. Like they were already fated to be friends, or that they were friends before they even met. Sitting with him, feeling his closeness, drinking in his presence, it was good. Nothing felt out of the ordinary. Maybe it was a Kelvic thing. Still, Joanna would enjoy it as much as she could.

His question caught her a little off guard. The stars were strange, to say the least. There was no explanation for their existence, no record of their birth or death. They just simply... existed. "Sometimes..." She began, a serious look coming over her. ... I think that... each star is a tiny island. A tiny world... not unlike ours. I wonder if they can see us. If they can hear us. I wonder..." A glazed look washed over her face, as if she were trying to project her mind far into the stars. Her eyes caught their brilliant light, sparkling like gemstones. They were ruminative, curious, and somewhat terrified. "I wonder... If they ever look up at their stars and think about us."

The trance lasted for some time. For several seconds, Joanna stared intensely at the world above them with her mouth slightly agape. Her mind wandered far beyond the stars and into a realm of her own making. Only when she started feeling jam run down her hand did she finally return to Mizahar. A soft giggle passed through her lips as she ate the last of her dinner and licked a large glob of sugar-saturated juice from her hand. "I guess I just have an active imagination. Maybe the questions are far more interesting than the answers themselves. I guess the beauty of the stars is that we can't understand them."

A shudder passed over her. Something about the largeness of the world above her made her feel uneasy. They could easily be a star too another world. And what did that mean? What if their light simply vanished? Would anyone notice? Would anyone care? Would anyone remember what she did? What anyone did? These were dangerous thoughts, and Joanna wished them away into the darker recesses of her mind. She refused to entertain these thoughts any further.

"It's getting a bit chilly outside. I think it might be best for us to start making our way to bed. If you've got some spare blankets, I can sleep on the couch. I don't want to kick you out of your own bed."

[Beodan Clathony]

"I wonder... If they ever look up at their stars and think about us.” Beodan mimicked her, squinting as if by doing so he could see people on the other world staring back at him. Everyone one was another world full of people. Full of Kelvics and Konti alike? The thought had not occurred to him, and his eyes went wide with wonder, his gaze darting through constellations he did not know. “So they are all filled with people like us? I wonder if we can send them a message some how. Do the gods go to them too? Or is there a different set of gods for every world?” he asked, thinking aloud in childlike wonder, somewhat rhetorically. He did not expect answers, but maybe she had his same thoughts about the pricks of light in the sky.

The Stallion turned to Joanna at her giggle, in time to catch her pink tongue dart out and trace a small glob of jam off of her hand. He raised an amused eyebrow at her, and laughed softly. “I guess I just have an active imagination. Maybe the questions are far more interesting than the answers themselves. I guess the beauty of the stars is that we can't understand them." That brought him back to the heavens. He nodded slowly in agreement. They were beautiful in their mystery. If it turned out that they were just lamps, well they would not be special then, would they? Now twilight had ended, and it was well and truly dark. Nebulae joined the nightly dance, along with the fainter, more shy stars that only came out after all trace of the sun vanished from the sky. But with the sun’s disappearance, it was, “getting a bit chilly outside. I think it might be best for us to start making our way to bed. If you've got some spare blankets, I can sleep on the couch. I don't want to kick you out of your own bed."

Agreeing silently with her first point, Dan stood and knocked over the tent shaped fire, it would burn out much faster now that it was flat. He held out a hand to help her up and said, “Yes, bed sounds good right now. I don’t have any more blankets, I’m just by myself see. I don’t mind sharing the bed with you, it’s plenty big.” He cocked his head, some humans had larger social barriers. Maybe she had adopted that trait from living with them for too long? “But, if you really are opposed to it, I'll sleep on the couch,” he offered, somewhat stiffly due to his lack of understanding for city human norms. He gave her a nod, making it clear that he did not expect an answer immediately, and entered the pavilion.

Ducking under the lines of hanging herbs that separated the bed from the rest of the room, he fluffed the pillows and flattened the sheets before pulling them down at an angle. With a stretch and a yawn that would have made any cat proud, he sat down on the edge of the bed. He got up again after a few ticks with a sigh; he had forgotten to blow out the lamps. Taking off the class cover of each, he blew away the two flames that lit the room. He blinked his eyes to help them adjust to the sudden darkness. They possessed a horse's vision, which for her, given her religion, was oddly poetic. To be able to always see light, even in the dark. Well, not complete darkness, but still! Slowly, he began to see the outlines of objects, and then texture. “This way,” he murmured, just in case she was lost.