i'll try my best to show you how

Played by Neamrel // // () // Equine // 18.3hh
You are but the son of nothing

and if i'm not enough—

They had come to rest on the nest of blankets that held the scent that was unmistakably them several hours prior. Revan hadn't placed his head atop her abdomen as he had done many nights before after they had, and neither had Kira immediately rested her head near him as she might have any number of previous nights. No, instead they had clumsily rested near one another before Revan had taken the chance and moved his head closer to her.

He hadn't dared for more, not with anxiety still swirling in his chest, but he had kept his head close enough that the tip of his muzzle brushed against her. It had taken him a while to grow comfortable enough to even begin feeling the tug of sleep on his mind, but once Revan began to and released a heavy sigh at Kira's side he had, thankfully, found sleep.

And his head had remained in that same spot during the entire night.

It might have even drifted closer to Kira's own, actually, for when Revan felt himself waking unexpectedly his head was closer to Kira's than he remembers it being. It's wasn't an upsetting thing, and as Revan felt his muscles tense and then relax as he took in a heavy breath and then breathed it out, he took the moment to see whether or not Kira was awake.

Somehow, she wasn't.

Normally she was the first to wake and he the second. His body still seemed greedy for any amount of sleep, after all. So, this was a rare moment and with his mind still obscured by sleep, and the conversation from last night and the plans for today yet to be remembered, Revan mindlessly shifted himself closer to Kira. Practically dwarfing her, he settled down sleepily with his head now resting on top of her, just between her shoulder and flank.

With his neck practically curled back now in order to achieve this position, he can no longer see Kira's face as he lays curled up with his body facing hers. Revan's eyes flutter close and his mind grows heavy once more as his head gently rises and falls with the faint movement of her abdomen.

It's too easy for him to doze off.

Suddenly his eyes are blinking sleepily open, Kira's breath changing and causing him to wake. It feels like only a moment has passed, but Revan is sure it's been longer and he's more surprised now than before to see that Kira is still there. She must be waiting for him to move so she can get up—that's the only reason Revan can currently think of.

Slowly he lifts his head off of her, "Sorry," he rumbles out, voice thick with sleep. "Didn't mean to keep you from getting up." Revan says, head drifting back to rest on the blanketed floor, close to where it had been the entire night.

"Are you running late?" He sleepily asks next. For what, he couldn't possibly know, but Revan did know she enjoyed getting straight to things the majority of the time.

Speech, @ Kira

mild powerplay and force
permitted within reason

Kira has Electrokinesis secondary powers.

Kira owns a pair of goggles and a wooden staff.

Atollon Sovereign Offline

Star Scavenger

164 POSTS

1,700 GEMS

Posted 10-23-2020, 12:31 AM

Played by Rayoflight // // () // Equine // 15.0hh
And pay no worship to the garish sun

I'm surrounded by your ghost
still taunted by your song

Despite everything, Kira had settled heavily against their assortment of blankets the night prior. The familiar smell of them and the welcoming warmth had swaddled her into a quick sleep, her head angled toward Revan’s just as his was tilted near her, and she had drifted off with a quick, albeit restless sleep. Fortunately dreamless, it saw her through until morning despite the worries that plagued her, the ones that lay heavily over her shoulders, and she slept later that she might’ve normally under the pretext of knowing that today, ideally, would be a moment of reprieve.

So deep beneath the waves of unconsciousness, the young queen hardly processed the weight of Revan’s head where it came to rest against her abdomen, the warmth of him suddenly tucked that much closer. If anything, a soft, contented sound had left her parted lips, and her head had nodded gently into the blankets as her limbs curled into him of their own volition. Turning her neck slightly, the velvet of her muzzle had just brushed whatever skin on him that she could reach, and she had waded deeper into the hours of the morning with the inviting smell of him all but suffocating her.

When at last she woke, it was with a begrudging admission that the buttery light cast over her eyes couldn’t be ignored any longer. She heeded it, albeit with great reluctance, with fluttering lashes and a sluggish realization that Revan’s head was poised heavily upon her abdomen.

By the time her lashes had blinked the sleep groggily from her vision, she had tilted her head to the side to watch him—her expression warm, tender, and still carrying the slightest remnants of sleep. Her limbs were folded sorely beneath her from remaining in one position for too long, but she didn’t dare to shift; didn’t want to risk shaking the vulnerability from his so much younger, so much soft features.

So, Kira watched him instead, her hazel eyes tracing the sloping outline of the scar she had given him, and an unseen hand gently brushing his dusky forelock away from his brow.

It was some long minutes before he woke, her gaze still level with the waking steel of his own, and yet she was drawn from a startled stupor as his head slowly lifted from her abdomen. His words, coupled with the wearied way his head came to rest back down against the blankets, made her smile.

She wanted to lean a little closer and tuck her head beside his, or to stretch her limbs out on either side of her and let the sunlight filtering through wake her sleepy muscles. She didn’t—she didn’t, because there were still so many boundaries she, now more than ever, feared to toe the line of.

“It’s alright. I don’t have anywhere to be,” she answered, her voice faint and thick from disuse through the course of the night. “We were going to spend the day together. Remember?” Kira kept her words soft, because if he nodded off again, she wholly lacked the willingness to wake him back up. Not when he rested so rarely.

“Unless you’re hungry,” she added quietly. “I can go get us something, if you want.”

Mild powerplay permitted short of causing major harm.
Please tag @ Kira in all replies.

Atollon Queensguard Offline

Starborn

131 POSTS

954 GEMS

Posted 10-23-2020, 10:38 PM

Played by Neamrel // // () // Equine // 18.3hh
You are but the son of nothing

and if i'm not enough—

Remember?

One of his ears twitch, eyes groggily opening as he continues to rest his head. His brows crease, hardening his expression as Revan tries to do just that. Regardless of the gentleness Kira infuses her voice with, Revan's heart still traitorously stutters as he remembers.

Revan remembers and he wants nothing more than to bury his face against Kira and do nothing but disappear. Managing to keep his composure though, Revan keeps his head from jerking up in from being startled and takes in a deep breath that he lets out rather evenly.

He doesn't feel sleepy any more, but Revan wishes that he was. A little while longer in that quiet peace is something he craved.

"If I remember correctly," he murmurs, voice growing clearer, "You said we could sleep in, right?" Revan questions, tilting his head and angling his dull eyes up in Kira's direction. Straining to do that, however, Revan slowly lifts his head up.

"Unless you're hungry..." he repeats back to her, his larger body and height resulting in him looking down at her—even while they lay down. Revan glances away after he says that, in the direction of the entrance to the hovel hut they rest in. "I can go get it." He unexpectedly says, voice calm despite the way his heart stutters for a second.

He doesn't ever go out, after all. Not when the day is just beginning and everyone is waking up to begin their daily routine.

Fear creeps in, and Revan can't help but suggest a compromise. "Or we can... go together?" Kira's presence would provide him with the comfort he knew he would need to get through the outing. Revan looks down at her, expression neutral. "I don't want to keep you cooped up." He comments, knowing that he wouldn't mind staying in for a bit longer but also knowing that he wouldn't want Kira to have to deal with his laziness.

"It's whatever you want to do..." the word sweetheart almost falls from his lips but his tongue grows heavy, and so Revan settles with giving her a tender look.

Speech, @ Kira

mild powerplay and force
permitted within reason

Atollon Sovereign Offline

Star Scavenger

164 POSTS

1,700 GEMS

Posted 10-24-2020, 04:27 AM

Played by Rayoflight // // () // Equine // 15.0hh
And pay no worship to the garish sun

I'm surrounded by your ghost
still taunted by your song

“Are you saying you want to go back to sleep?” she answered playfully, angling her head a little closer to his, huffing a faint laugh at the wearied angle of his eyes. As if on cue, she turned away to yawn—a broad, open mouthed yawn; one that she sighed noisily into before gently shaking out her mane. Coppery pieces had, as always, come mostly undone during the night. She did nothing to correct them as more spilled free now.

But, as always, Kira was hungry. She found herself sorely regretting not stashing away more of the delectable treats her people were capable of making, but she found it to be painfully clear that she had no way to preserve them in an edible, still palatable way. The retrospective thought made her brow furrow in disappointment, and she tilted her head up slightly to peek out of one of the open windows, her ears twitching in time to Revan’s voice and the gentle lull of the sea.

Kira only turned back to the Starborn at his quiet suggestion that he be the one to fetch their breakfast, and the look she gave him was nothing short of surprise—and a bit of wonder. It was unlike him, but knowing it would only worsen his uncertainty to dwell upon the newness of the offer, she left it be.

She tilted her head up at him with a quiet, newly-woken smile.

“I wouldn’t mind it if you wanted to. But I’m fine to go with you, if you’d like,” one of her shoulders lifted in a shrug, and her forelegs shifted to stretch out in front of her, and she shivered at the pleasantries of her languid muscles shaking loose. “I can wait a while longer, though. I’m comfortable here, if you are. Or we can go out and scavenge around for something later in the afternoon—I’m good at that.” Her smile was warmer, a little surer of itself, as she glanced over at him.

But she couldn’t yet return the heartfelt tenderness of his eyes, as much as she appreciated the deep meaning behind them. She feared that seeing such devotion reflected upon her expression would frighten him away—and, after the night before, she wasn’t willing to risk it.

“I didn’t really plan out anything that we might do today. Other than sleep and eat,” she admitted, instead, her lips pursing thoughtfully as she settled her head back down against the blankets, curling her pliant limbs close. When she glanced up at Revan from the strange angle, her eyes had to shift upward uncomfortable to get a glimpse of him. “Any thoughts?”

Mild powerplay permitted short of causing major harm.
Please tag @ Kira in all replies.

Atollon Queensguard Offline

Starborn

131 POSTS

954 GEMS

Posted 10-25-2020, 12:09 AM

Played by Neamrel // // () // Equine // 18.3hh
You are but the son of nothing

and if i'm not enough—

It was calming—reassuring, actually to be given on her smile. Worried as he was at every turn, anxious and hesitant, it calmed him to know that his offer to go and get something for her hadn't been a wrong one to make. He didn't want to make anything any worse, after all.

Revan was also comforted by the fact that she appeared completely at ease with going with him, and he knew that that option was far more enticing to one like him. He did want to try being out and about on his own, but he also knew that, after last night, it might not be best to push it and possibly end up in a situation that would make things worse. It was better to be safer, and safer was with Kira.

Remaining still, watching the way she stretched and woke her muscles from their slumber. He gives Kira as much time to do this as she wants, and they way she does plays a part in why his expression softens. Revan is glad, that after everything, she can still appear so at ease in his presence, but after last night he knows that she said it wasn't easy. She's struggling in her own ways, just as he is.

He can only hope she isn't feigning such nonchalance. Revan couldn't possibly blame her if she did, though. He had done that very thing just moment before, and still was to an extent.

Not minding that Kira had nothing in mind for today, his head follows hers as she rest back down and the sight of her makes him sway towards going out on his own.

"I don't have any in particular." Revan tells her, neck arched down to keep her in his sights. "I'm okay with... figuring it out as we go? Or, if there's something you normally do that you want to do, I wouldn't mind going along with you." He says, knowing well enough that Kira normally does things with others but he would strive to do his very best not to make things tense or strange if that is what ended up occurring.

With Kira still resting her head, Revan makes the risky decision to venture out on his own. He knows where he can get things, it's just the interacting and being about that will be the challenge. "I'll go get us something," he says decisively, glancing away in the direction he knows the entrance to the shack to be that is currently obscured by the one of the few walls present.

Revan tilts his head back towards Kira, brushing his muzzle against the crest of her neck. "Stay here I'll... be back as soon as I can." He says close to her skin, hoping that he'll be fine but knowing that it might take him a little longer. "Admittedly," Revan says as he withdraws, stretching out a foreleg to begin lifting himself up. "It is probably going to take me longer than it might you but I... I want to try..." His words taper off at the end, revealing his insecurity that he couldn't possibly hide.

Careful as he rose, making sure not to accidentally hit Kira, he gives her the best reassuring smile he can although it's a little rough around the edges. "I'll be right back,"

Speech, @ Kira

mild powerplay and force
permitted within reason

Atollon Sovereign Offline

Star Scavenger

164 POSTS

1,700 GEMS

Posted 10-25-2020, 02:55 PM

Played by Rayoflight // // () // Equine // 15.0hh
And pay no worship to the garish sun

I'm surrounded by your ghost
still taunted by your song

As much as she appreciated his willingness to accompany her wherever her daily routine might’ve begged they gone, Kira knew she had no intention of doing anything along those lines. She had for weeks now, since a season prior, and though her workaholic nature demanded nothing short of the best, she was confident she could forego some of those smaller responsibilities. At least for a day, or two.

“We’ll figure it out as we go,” she agreed with a gentle hum. “No work today, though,” she tacked on, smiling up at him gently. Her hind legs curled closer to herself as she adjusted on the pile of blankets, nestling down into the warmth of them further in that brief quiet.

His decision startled her, and her head lifted slightly as her hazel eyes flicked in his direction. She hesitated, but a quick scan of the resolved draw of his brow told her that he had made up his mind. It was a step forward, she supposed—assuming that he wasn’t just forcing himself to act upon the whim to make amends for the night prior. The thought alone made her worry her bottom lip, but Kira nodded her head slowly.

The tender touch he placed along the crest of her neck, his words lingering warmly by her skin, sent a shuddering chill racing down her spine. She didn’t move, other than leaning ever-so-slightly into the velvet of her muzzle, before releasing a breath she hadn’t realized she’d held as he withdrew and moved to stand. Her disappointment at his parted touch was short-lived, and she righted herself as she huffed another breathe.

“Alright,” Kira murmured, tilting her head up to watch him rise and step away. “Take your time,” she offered, her smile softer than before—tender with quiet wonder. The insecurity that flickered within his fading words and the apprehension of his smile only made her expression warm with reassurance, and she offered him an encouraging nod as he left.

Which left her to look around their hut for Twig, who was surprisingly absent this morning. The cat was nearly full-grown now, and Atollon was safe—and his end of their shared bond was cheerful; playful, even.

A passing thought regarding his whereabouts confirmed her suspicion, and she smiled as her bonded relayed his whereabouts. Playing with some of the foals down at the shore—it was one of his favorite things to do.

Shaking out her fur, she slowly forced herself to stand and to stretch each limb was painstaking care, reassembling the mussed blankets and pillows beneath her that comprised their bed. Revan’s absence and her “day-off” left her notable uncertain of what to do with herself, however, and so her immediate instinct was to make for the doorway and to head toward the ramp that lead outside.

If Revan was fetching their breakfast, then she could certainly steal the free time to find a cozy copse of shade, sparsely dappled with warming sunlight, in a throng of palm trees. It was within view of the ramp leading to their hut, which meant she could either call out to him or he would see her upon his return, but she spread out a blanket she had dragged along with her over the sand, weighing it down with stones.

And, while she waited, she moved towards the crystalline water the lapped at the shoreline, wading into the lukewarm shallows and giggling, marveling, at the island’s bounties as she splashed through the sea.

Mild powerplay permitted short of causing major harm.
Please tag @ Kira in all replies.

Atollon Queensguard Offline

Starborn

131 POSTS

954 GEMS

Posted 10-26-2020, 03:44 AM

Played by Neamrel // // () // Equine // 18.3hh
You are but the son of nothing

and if i'm not enough—

What he was doing was partly due to what had happened last night, but also partly due to Revan wanting to—needing to. He had known for a while that he needed to try more things, get out whenever Kira was away, but he has always held back. Last night was just another tipping point; last night was another reason to try harder because what little he was giving wasn't enough. Revan would never believe it was enough, no matter what.

Drawing comfort from the memory of her reassuring smile, Revan had left her with a parting, brief smile of his own before heading out. He was going to get things for them (mainly with Kira in mind) to eat. That meant also grabbing a few sweet things.

The first few minutes out were good, fine even, but the moment Revan found himself being around more individuals he found himself wanting to shrink. He did his best to not brush anyone, and the few instances that he did he was quick to give out a muffled apology. Aside from that, nothing else substantial happened and Revan slowly began to assume that something bad had to happen. So, Revan tried his best to try and keep anything even remotely bad from happening by keeping quiet aside from the apologies he gave and the moment he found what he needed.

It was a relief when, at least, he found someone who could help. An older stallion who, somehow, knew that Revan was close to their Queen was more that happy to provide Revan with what he needed. More than grateful, Revan easily accepted the help with stumbling words that the other didn't seem to mind.

Being given a few choice items meant for breakfast, and then a few sweets that the older man had provided with what seemed a knowing smile, Revan went on his way with a small assortment of items in a basket. Just before he could fully leave the presence of the other though, he was stopped and presented with a few sparse blooms.

"For you to give ho Qauoo—the Queen. Thoiy llarr rloanno hom hoanniy." Revan's brows furrowed at the latter part of what the other said, for he didn't understand a single word. Even then, Revan took the the few tropical blooms that other offered him with a mumbled 'thank you' before leaving and doing his best, once again, to not take up too much space.

It seemed harder this time around, his skin feeling as if it itched as he made his way back. His ears were back from nothing more than simple fear of doing something wrong, and he only breathed a sigh of relief when he was meters from the hut. Basket carefully held with the blooms laying inside atop the food, he stopped making his way up the ramp of hut when he spied Kira off the way, enjoying herself amongst the lapping water.

Expression turning painfully soft on its own accord, Revan quietly altered his direction and began making his way towards her. When he finally did he couldn't help but call out to her, "...Having fun?" He calls out somewhat hesitantly, placing the acquired food down on the blanket that Kira must have put out herself.

"Someone helped me get some things," he says once Kira comes over. "And some sweets for you, since I know you like them..." Revan then feels a heat spread across his cheeks at what he has to say next.

"There's some... um... flowers in there, too. Something for me to uh.. give you." He timidly tells her, letting her inspect the contents of the basket to he heart's content while he stands off to the side rather awkwardly.

Speech, @ Kira

mild powerplay and force
permitted within reason

Atollon Sovereign Offline

Star Scavenger

164 POSTS

1,700 GEMS

Posted 10-27-2020, 02:01 AM

Played by Rayoflight // // () // Equine // 15.0hh
And pay no worship to the garish sun

I'm surrounded by your ghost
still taunted by your song

The water, empty as it was, remained her companion in the quiet minutes that Revan was gone and Twig was occupied. Kira did little more than wade, smiling at the tickle of water against her skin and the warmth of the sun against her back. It was a different sort of heat to the desert--it was welcoming, inviting, and begged her to stay sprawled out beneath its golden arms. She could've stayed there for hours, spiraling in and out of the ripples that her body created and the gentle wake made by her shifting limbs, but Revan returned sooner than she had anticipated.

She hadn't heard his arrival. No, his voice was all that betrayed he was watching her, and Kira started gently as her head whipped around to face him. By now, she had forfeited the hairstyle that contained her mane to buns, letting it fall freely into the water. The coppery ends were longer than she had realized, and her hair had been thoroughly soaked up to about midway. If the queen minded, however, it did nothing to dampen her bright grin as she recovered from her fright and looked his way.

"Just a bit," she called back, her smile softening as she shrugged. Kira passed the water a lingering glance before she waded toward the shore, shaking droplets from her pelt as she followed her nose and the rich smells coming from the basket Revan had acquired.

Her ears perked at his words, and a breath of relief left her lips as she nodded. It didn't matter what he'd come across for the breakfast, though she deeply appreciated that he had gotten something he'd known she would enjoy, but Kira was undoubtedly grateful that at least one of her people had shown him kindness.

She expected no less of them--they had given her no reason to--but she was glad, nonetheless.

"You didn't have to do that. I'm not sure you should encourage me having sweets for breakfast," she smiled at him. "Thank you, though."

Kira paused as he indicated the basket again, and she kept herself from digging in as he continued. Her head turned his way as a small breath left her, barely a huff of gentle laughter, and her gratitude remained as she passed him a smile.

Pulling away the top of the basket, she elected to ignore the food in favor of picking one flower up, holding it aloft with the utmost care. The smell was rich: tropical and sweet, and though she knew the flowers would die, she had already made plans to dry and to keep them with care.

But she didn't let herself venture down the path of what the gift might mean, if anything at all. The smile she gave him was no less warm, but she didn't move to press a timid kiss to his cheek; she didn't brush a grateful touch to his shoulder; she didn't ask to braid his hair back and to hide flowers in the loops like she desperately wanted.

Kira just set the flower down gently, brushing each one aside to unveil the food, tucking the flowers flowers into a side of the basket that would remain protectively untouched.

"They're beautiful," she commented. "Thank you--I can dry and press them this evening, maybe, and show you how." It seemed like a harmless enough offer.

Moving closer toward the blanket she had laid out, her slender limbs folded beneath her as she settled to the ground, placing the basket a few inches in front of her before rummaging for any of the delicious smelling, neatly-wrapped concoctions. She opted for a leaf-wrap of sorts, which was filled to the brim with fruits and vegetables that she couldn't place; Kira had no complaints as she took a bite before glancing up at him, thinking through her mouthful.

"What'd you think of the town?" She asked, conversational if nothing else.

Mild powerplay permitted short of causing major harm.
Please tag @ Kira in all replies.

Atollon Queensguard Offline

Starborn

131 POSTS

954 GEMS

Posted 10-28-2020, 01:13 AM

Played by Neamrel // // () // Equine // 18.3hh
You are but the son of nothing

and if i'm not enough—

Her gratitude had made his ears shyly press back. No matter what she might say, Revan knew he would be the worse kind of encouragement when it came to her having things like sweets. No matter the remaining challenges that laid between them, Revan still wanted the best for her; he wanted her to have everything she had been deprived of for all of her life. Until now, that is.

Growing rather anxious as Kira's eyes fell upon the flowers, he found himself severely hoping that she actually liked them. He knew of her affinity for all things green—for life... but he still found himself worrying. This fact was made even more hilarious due to the fact that he hadn't even actively acquired the flowers for her, yet he still cared.

It was almost too much, standing there and quietly waiting as she observed the single flower she had lifted up with an invisible hand. Not a single fragment of relief pierced though him until Kira verbally gave her thanks, that relief accompanied by a curious brow at what she said he might do.

"Press them?" He asks back, unaware that that was something she did. "That's something you like to do?" He mumbles right after. "I-I didn't know that..." Revan then shamefully adds, but he doesn't let that depressing fact keep him down as it normally would.

"I'd... I'd like to see how you do that." He tells her with a timid shift, knowing that he would never partake in the act himself but he most certainly would make it a recurring event. It would just be another thing he would support and foster, bringing her varies flowers and plucked plants like a lovelorn fool.

Still, if each time he was given a warm smile like she had given him moments ago, he'd pick as things as he could for as long as he could just to see it again and again.

Revan only moved once Kira had settled, folding her legs beneath her and selecting something Revan hadn't even known was in the basket he had been given. He only subtly shifted, hesitating until she looked up at him and asked what he thought of the town.

"Um..." as he thinks, he gives the town in question a glance over his shoulder. Revan doesn't look long however and soon looks back at Kira, working now on settling on the opposite side of the basket and unconsciously letting it act as a barrier. "I um... didn't really take much in." He decides to truthfully tell her.

"I didn't want to accidentally... cause any trouble—or run into anyone." Revan tacks on quickly at the end. He then chuckles nervously, "I actually bumped into a few others but... they didn't seem to mind. Thankfully."

"I was also worried about not being able to get anything. I also didn't really check anything the man gave me so... I hope you like it." It didn't matter if she had already eaten well into the first item she had grabbed.

"Where's Twig?" Revan then asks, knowing he hadn't seen the feline when he had initially left Kira. He had assumed the feline would be around, though.

Speech, @ Kira

mild powerplay and force
permitted within reason

Atollon Sovereign Offline

Star Scavenger

164 POSTS

1,700 GEMS

#10

Posted 10-28-2020, 02:44 AM

Played by Rayoflight // // () // Equine // 15.0hh
And pay no worship to the garish sun

I'm surrounded by your ghost
still taunted by your song

Kira smiled at him sheepishly, offering a nod by way of answer. She hadn’t expected him to know, and his shame softened her expression significantly. It wasn’t something that had ever come up, and in the time that they’d been together, they’d lacked both the resources and the ability for her to try. She shrugged slightly, but nodded in agreement to his comment—her smile broadening timidly.

“There were just a few things that would grow in the desert I grew up in,” she confessed. “I liked to pick them and preserve them whenever I traveled with… the Fighters. In case I never got the chance to see them again.”

Digging through her food mouthful by mouthful, she nudged the basket in his direction as he settled on the opposite side, refusing to let him starve the morning away just to indulge her insatiable appetite. Kira didn’t press him any further despite that small gesture, picking through the fruit and leaf wrap with absolute ease as she spoke—and then, as she attentively listened to his reply.

His uncertainty made her heart clench painfully, and despite her pride in him for taking the step forward, she regretted having not accompanied him. He might have enjoyed the small town more, then—

Or, more likely, they would have been accosted by people and he would’ve become uncomfortable. One day, maybe, she could show him her favorite parts; one day, she hoped, he would feel secure enough in himself to do that. For now, though, Kira could be patient. She could be patient, and she could be proud of his accomplishments.

Because this, she reminded herself, wasn’t about her. It wasn’t about her desires, or how her heart did gentle somersaults when he spoke her name, or how her skin shivered when he touched her. It was about helping him to heal—to grow. It was about shouldering as much of his weight as he would allow her as he continued his journey toward what he wanted to be.

“That’s alright—it’s a lot to walk through the first few times. I know I got lost in the couple of days after we got here,” she admitted quietly, offering him a reassuring smile as she polished off the wrap. “But… everyone here is a pleasant—I don’t think they thought of you as trouble.” Kira promised him, her voice softer than before as she angled her head to the side. “I’m glad you found someone to help you find your way around.”

Whoever the stranger was, she passed on her silent gratitude.

Her grin became toothier, more sure of itself, as he remarked on the food. “It was delicious—I don’t think there’s anything here that I don’t like. They’ve got good taste. I think, anyways—I don’t know much else.” She shrugged again, still smiling, before his question caused her eyes to turn toward the village.

“He left before we woke up to go play with the foals down by the water. He enjoys their company, and they’re fascinated with him—I think his ego enjoys it. But I’m sure it’s nice for him to have friends more… in his age group,” her words were fond as she thought of her companion, and as she thought of the small gaggle of youngsters she had befriended over the days. “They’re a sweet bunch, too—” she glanced over at Revan. “He wouldn’t admit it, I don’t think, but he likes to watch over them. Make sure they stay out of trouble.”

Kira paused before she continued. “It’s… strange, being around them. I don’t know that I’ve ever met a child—even when I was a girl. Not one that… well, survived, anyways,” the comment was remarkable blunt, if not realistic, considering. “I think they’re a little more down-to-earth than adults.”