What a surprise!

[Anonymous]

Thaylias watched Kael's attempts and saw his frustration. She couldn't help but to laugh softly at him. She leaned forward and wound her arm around him, scratching the spot on his back for kicks. Okay, it was like that 'If you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours'. Only, he had already 'scratched her back' so do speak. And literally, she was scratching his. She quirked an eyebrow and leaned back, smirking. She was little odd, yes, but isolation did that to people. Or, perhaps, it was how she was born. A little odd, a little lost, slightly twisted, just a few screws loose.

"Don't mind me," she said lightly, her forestry eyes slowly trailing down the road.

She blinked as she noticed the firey pinks and oranges that now shaded the sky. She didn't realize it had grown so late... Or early, whatever. But it took her a few minutes to register everything as people began to emerge from their homes, ready to set up their stands. Thaylias let her gaze move to Kael.

"That's weird.." she said, a brow arching as she sighed and laughed.

[Anonymous]

Kael leaned back and nearly purred in happiness.

"Don't mind at all," he murmered contentedly.

 At her remark, he looked confused, and opened his mouth to ask precisely what was wierd, when he looked around and saw for himself the first soft streaks of dawn. He frowned slightly. Odd. Time had passed exceptionally fast. And he wasn't even tireed at all, really. Quietly, he watched the vallage begin its first strirrings, the opening of doors, the rubbing of bleary eyes.

"Hm.. weird indeed. We've been out here that long?"

He shot a sideways glance at Thaylias. Corny to think it, but it felt as if he'd known her forever. Alright, not really. But definately longer than less than a day. He doubted, though, that even if he had known her his entire life she'd still be confusing. Or maybe that was just because she was a woman. Whatever it was, it probably couldn't hurt to stick around longer, help her find that flower. He kinda felt obligated, now. And besides, she was one helluva backscratcher.

He grinned lazily and toock a strand of her hair in his hand. With the morning sun bouncing off it, it looked like glowing obsidian.He was suprised at how oft it was. His own hair was thick and unruly, and absolutely refused to saty where it was put. Deftly, he twisted it into a braid and plucked a small flower growing by the roadside off the ground and wound it around the end. Still grinning, he leaned back to admire his work.

[Anonymous]

Thaylias was startled to find that morning was already upon them, watching the people wake up from their night's slumber. Had they really been sitting out here that long? She hadn't gotten tired nor cold. She hoped she didn't have any dark smudges under her eyes - ugh, girlish thought, worrying about her appearance. She was even tempted to go to a window a check but she wasn't sure any of the windows were even that clean to show a reflection. And anyway, she wasn't supposed to worry about how she looked when she was dying! Oh, that was a morbid thought.

She caught the tailend of what he said and puzzled the 'don't mind at all' out, and grinned without delay. Alright, congragulations to her. Thaylias was able to content men with scratching their backs. That was always something, if not anything! Right? Right!

"It seems so," she replied to him after he commented on the rising sun.

She blinked her forestry green eyes - watching him brain a strand of her hair. Damn, he was good. It was much better than she did half the time, even if it was just a strand. She smirked a little, beginning to stretch her arms a bit without hitting him or even her hand off the building or ground. That was generally an accomplishment. When she stretched, she tended to flail her arms slightly, and sprawl and make sure her arms, back and shoulders were effectively stretched.

She then sat back and touched the braid, lifting it delicately to examine it better. She continued to smirk and looked back at Kael. He had skill with braiding, at least better then her own - usually. She could make some wicked braids when she actually put some effort into.

"That's better than I do half the time," she commented.

Her eyes fluttered as some guy came and started mumbling at them, telling them to get up so he could sweep out along the front of his store. Thaylias sighed and waved at him, murmuring random things. She slowly climbed to her feet, listening to her joints click from her sessions of pain. She fumbled at her wrists and tightened the bandage wraps and checked her legs. Good, her wraps were in good condition.

She stretched out her legs, widening her stance and resting her hands on her hips she leaned backwards, the cracks making her grin slowly while she straightening. She looked at Kael and 'hmphed' softly.

"Are you hungry? I'm hungry.." she said while the storekeeper swept the front of the building.

[Anonymous]

He shrugged modestly as she examined the braid.

"Well, I've had practice. My sisters were always clamoring for me to do their hair. Why, I dunno. But I guess eventually I got good at it. Maybe someone's trying to tell me that hairdressing's my true calling." He smirked as he said this.

Almost arrogantly, he eyed the man who had shuffled over to them and started muttering incoherent things. For a moment, he did nothing, then slowly and deliberately stood, stretching a bit also. Still, though, he was standing in front of the shop front. Inwardly, he grinned as the man glared at him and mumbled louder. Eventually, he waslked over to stand by Thaylias, and gave a cheery wave to the man, accompanied by (what he liked to think was) a dazzling smile.

Keal rotated his neck and shrugged his shoulders exuberantly, giving an almost alarming series of loud *pops* and *cracks*. In response to her question, he thought a moment.

"Yeah, guess I am, a bit. Care to escort me to some, er, victuals?" he said, holding out his crooked arm and bowing exaggeratedly. Looking up, he threw her another smile.

[Anonymous]

Thaylias muffled a laugh, just not to anger the poor man who had to put up with Kael's slow, deliberate movements. She brushed a loose strand of her black hair away from her face and glanced around. Her eyes had been ready to assess a place for food and a shower! She dug her fingers into the fabric of her pack and then turned her emerald eyes to Kael, a grin tilting her lips.

The cracks didn't phase her in the least, brows lifted slightly as she smiled. Well, that sounded relatively nice. But her mother had said that cracking your body was not healthy for a person. Then again, when was the last time she listened to her mother? Quite a few years, it has been.

Thaylias laughed at Kael's actions, ignoring the old, sore man she hooked a bandaged arm with his. She glanced around, eyes skipping over the darkened alleys forcefully. Nothing in them, no, don't worry about whatever was behind the shadows. Why was something in her begging to be alert? She had no reason to be! No one was out to get her, not that she knew of anyway. Geeze!

"Oh! Pub and Inn. I don't know about you, but I could use a bath along with some food," she said, jerking her chin towards the inn.

When they entered, she broke away from Kael and looked at the bartenderess, resting her hands on the bar lightly. Okay, she hoped she was a kind woman. A polite smile was mustered, gazing at the woman.

"Ma'am, would you please be as kind to allow us," she paused to gesture to her and Kael, "To shower here, without getting a room if we do want one?" She decided to include Kael in this - just in case he did want a shower.

The woman narrowed her eyes upon Thaylias and slowly nodded.

"Yes. But you have to pay half a room's worth for each. Which is [insert price here]," the woman responded in a buisness type manner.

Thaylias nodded and reached into her pack, shuffling things around until grabbing her money and putting it on the counter. Thaylias asked where the showers were and the woman said down the hall, the men's on the right and the woman's on the left. She nodded and rubbed the back of her neck and looked back at the bartenderess.

"Can I also have some water and soup?" Thaylias decided to eat first and take a shower after.

Thaylias sat at the bar, the thought of soup making her stomach grumble. Alright, she hadn't had much to eat in awhile so soup was quite appropriate for her. She needed to keep her strength, right? She glanced at Kael, wondering if he needed any money for anything as she patiently waited for her food.

[Anonymous]

Kael thought amoment, then nodded. He could probably use a shower. After all, even the best of us don't smell just like fresh daisies after a while. Food didn't sound to bad at this point, either. He hadn't eaten anything since early the previous day. Still standing, he leaned over the bar and caught the attention of the bartenderess.

"I'd like a shower also, and.." he paused. He could never decide what to order for food. it was a weakness, and he could spend hours hemming and hawing over a selection if he was let to. Surreptisouly, he glaced around at the sparsely populated room, and at the occupied tables.

"Some eggs," he said, finally. It was early, and he'd always been a fan of breakfast. The woman nodded curtly and named a sum of money. Kael dug a hand into a pouch slung at his waitst, and pulled out a handful of coins. He counted out a few, handed them to the woman, and stuffed the rest, quite a few, back into the pocket. Watching the woman trod off, he settled down on a stool next to Thaylias.

"Charming," he muttered, softly, so that the retreating matron wouldn't overhear. "Very skilled in customer relations."

Relaxed now, he snagged an apple from the bowl on the bar, and bit into it, chewing thoughtfully.

[Anonymous]

Thaylias grinned at his comment, waiting for her bowl of soup and water. As soon as she got it she took a sip of her water and set it down lightly. She blew on hot surface, stirring it calmly. She got it cool enough and took a sip, wincing slightly. It wasn't too bad - but she wasn't used to it. She covered it up from the bartenderess' eyes, pursing her lips until she took another sip and quick swig of her water. Okay, she could do this. She leisurely finished off her soup. She was a bit impatient to get to her shower and she was hungry. She shouldn't rush but she couldn't help it. But she didn't go at her food like a 'pig', but kept herself under control. Thaylias wiped her mouth and left a tip for the bartenderess. She then made her way to the showers - god, she could not wait for it.

She stripped down without delay, got in and scrubbed furiously, taking extra time on her hair. She must have washed herself 5 times, but at the end she just let herself soak in the heat. At least for a few moments. Now, how long would she stay clean? She sighed, exited and dried herself off, frustrated with her hair already. She snatched a brush from her pouch, washing it off as well. She ran it through her hair, untangling the ebony tendrils, and for now, tying it with a ribbon she couldn't help but to clean as well.

She donned an extra pair of clothes she kept after wrapping her calves and forearms down to her ankles and wrists. It was loose on her legs but came in at her ankles, a random piece of cloth tied along the bottom. She mimicked with her other leg and pulled on a pair of socks and stuffed her feet in her black slipper-like shoes. She bound her chest skillfully and then pulled on a shirt, grabbing her chain with weights on the end, winding it around her waist and pulling the hem of her shirt to cover it, tucking it into her pants. Thaylias grabbed the metal 'bracelet' which doubled as 'brass knuckles' and slid it onto her wrist. She then snatched her the metal ring with the two spikes and dropped it into her pouch. She had no immediate use for it. She tucked her utility knife in the right wrapping around her pantleg, for safe keeping. She grabbed her skinny dirk and sheath tucking it into the left wrap around her pantleg. She then declared herself ready - well, sort of. Her hair was brushed but barely contained by the ribbon.

She sighed and exited the shower, her arm through the pouch's cloth 'handle. She wondered on what to do with her hair, deciding it'd be better off tied back in a braid. She was tempted to get Kael's help.. but she didn't want to bother him, and he might be in his shower still.. She glanced around the bar room, sitting on her previous stool setting her pouch on the counter she attempted the task of braiding her hair.

[Anonymous]

Kael waited patiently for his eggs, which came in a reasonable amount of time. He would have preferred them sooner, though. There wasn't exactly a huge crowd. The eggs tasted fine, but were a bit blad for his liking-- he usually put heaps of pepper and herbs and such in and on his when he made them. But ah well, tavern-goers can't be choosers.

A few minutes after Thaylias left, presumably to the showers, Kael finished his own meal, and left a coin on his plate for the tip. How generous he was-- usually he just ran for it. In any case, he found his way to the men's showers, where a group of large burly men that could have easily thrown him across the room emerged. He warily watched them walk past, scowling. He shuddered as he watched them retreat. They were a bit unnerving.

He got in the shower, and sighed deeply. The heated water pounding down his neck and back felt heavenly. For a few moments, he wallowed in the sensation. Then he sighed again, and washed himself with some spare cloth he had, and the crude but fresh-smelling soap in shower.

After only a few minutes, Kael stopped the water, and dired off with one of teh thick towels in a cupboard nearby. Boy, it felt good to be clean again. He frowned, though, as he picked up his clothes he had thrown on the floor. His overshirt was stained and frayed around the edges, and, to a lesser degree, so were his pants, which were also worn through at the knees. Shopping wasn't high on his list. The shirt was slung over his shoulder, and he wore his undertunic instead. Nothing could be done about the pants, so he wore them too.

Finally, he emegred from the showers, running his hand through his damp hair. With a grin, he sat down next to Thaylias.

"Feel better?" he asked, his voice light.

[Anonymous]

Thaylias leaned at an awkward angle, manipulating her hair to twist into a braid. She applied some effort to his task, to at least indulge that idiotic, but creeping self-conscious feeling. She finally managed to complete the braid down her back, tying off the end firmly with the ribbon. Her shoulders slumped when she finally finished, silently congragulating herself. Thaylias leaned against the bar, pushing up the sleeves on her arms, propping them on the counter. She tilted back her head, glancing over the ceiling and then around, taking it in with a critical eye. Suddenly, she heard Kael's voice. She lazily looked towards him, brows arched with a grin.

"Much!" She said with a distinctly lazy voice, "How about you?" She asked.

Her gaze took in the people, the contours of the face from the skinny and lanky, to the large and stout. Some were apparently muscular and others were scarcely muscled. Her forestry emerald gaze continued to assess them calmly, not concerned with even the toughest looking man. Perhaps because she knew they wouldn't come after her - she was a woman after all. Or perhaps because she knew she could possibly kick all their asses. She was too modest to admit that.

"Hmm.. Anything you want to do today?" She didn't seem to much in a hurry to go and find that white flower of her's.

But then again, Thaylias wanted to enjoy some painfree moments while she could. She had no doubt in her mind she would not find that flower. So she wanted to just relax for awhile. Take a deep breath, y'know, chill.

[Anonymous]

Kael shurgged nonchalantly, and stretched. He had no idea what he wanted to do; he wasn't a very purposeful person in general, really. He just let himself drift on whichever of life's currents seemed the strongest at the moment. Slumping in his chair, he inhaled deeply and slung his head back, shaking it like a wet dog. It was almost dry, but there was still enough droplets attached to fly a few feet. Grinning, he looked up and put his feet on the bar. After hazarding a glance at the stern matron glaring at him, though, he hastily withdrew them.

"How long do you think we can skulk around here before she flies at me like an angry hen?" he asked, his voice low with a  mischevious cast. He flicked his hands toward the matron below the bar, glancing at Thaylias with hooded eyes and a catlike grin.

"My guess is ten minutes, most." He grinned again, and snatched some almonds from a bowl on the bar. "And then we'll be back in the dust. But hey, I can't help my nature."

He looked back at Thaylias and batted his eyelashes at her, playing innocent. Maybe it was the squeaky-clean feeling, or the square meal, but Kael was in a playful mood. Well, much like he was usually, Still, he was particularly hyper today. Demonstrating this, he picked up the shells from his snack and proceded to act out a dramatic musical production using them as his cast. In a bad foreign accent. After a while, he stopped and studied them for a moment. Then he leaned over to Thaylias.

"I think Marcotti's secretly a crossdresser and in love with Ronaldo," he tolde her in stage whisper, being completely deadpan. "The silly boy."

Then he resumed his play, ending with a huge flourish and bits of almonds everywhere within a five-foot radius. His grin by this time was positively radiant.

[Anonymous]

Thaylias had been lounging, body limp with her arms the only thing really keeping her from slumping off the chair. She laily rolled her head, slightly towards Kael, feeling some droplets land on her soft, porcelain features. A brow lifted and her lips quirked slightly, tilting her head while she glanced at him. Thay watched his little foot rest escapade and the strict woman. She the inside of her cheek lightly, holding back a snigger. With Kael's attitude.. she bet seven minutes. If you have faith.. Have faith in someone. And currently, she had faith in Kael. Specifically, Kael's playful tendecies.

"God speed. Watch your neck," she responded to him, not making any action to even stop him.

Why would anyone, in their right mind, stop something that could be so amusing? But she hoped Kael was good in dodgeball - a vein in her neck and head was throbbing and pulsing. It was bulging and the color of her skin was tainted a rosey scarlet. Thay hoped Kael would be able to move quick enough if that woman decided to go after him. I mean, it wouldn't be good for her service - but everyone around here seemed quite to used to it actually. Maybe they just didn't like outsiders? That could very possibly be it. But anyway you looked at it, it wasn't right or fair.

Thay only watched him with a fairly amused expression across her delicate features. If her gaze wandered, she made sure she could see Kael, even if it was only a sliver from the corner of her foresty eyes. Such an odd... happy fellow. Or so he seemed. There was always more to what there appeared. Wasn't there?

Even though it was silent with occasional murmurs from the other conversations about them, she knew some eyes were trained on Kael's actions. He quite easily drew attention to himself. She watched him, even more amused before, quietly laughing to herself with a hand raised to her mouth. He continued.. and the woman's veins bulged some more and her face was the reddest of reds and Thay could have swore steam rose from her ears.

And then the end of his show. Flourished, beautiful, grand... You know, great.

Thaylias couldn't stop from bursting into giggles, clapping and grinning.

"Bravo! Encore!" She smirked, recieving dirty looks from everyone in general.

She looked at the woman and too Kael.

"I.. think she's going back for something. Perhaps that should be our cue to leave, hm?"

As soon as Thaylias caught the glimpse of the woman raising a frying pan, she grabbed Kael and tugged him along outside and shut the door, slumping against giggling before pushing off it and twirling. She glanced at him and shook her head. His mood was infectious... and she didn't mind it one bit.

[Anonymous]

Throughout the performance, Kael had too been sneaking glances at the innkeeper. That vein did indeed look like a hazard. At the frying pan, his eyes widened and he tried to supress a laugh, which came out as more of an amused gurgle as the woman stalked towards them, gleam in her eye. Thaylias, laughing too, tugged Kael's sleeve rather roughly.

Startled, he fell out of his chair and stumbled along after her, doing a sort of a crab walk, an easy grin still on his face. In the doorway, he momentarily forced them both to a stop, and bowed exaggeratedly to the glaring patrons of the inn. In the back, a very young girl clapped, until her mother hastily stopped her. Kael winked at the girl and rewarded her with a beaming smile, before he was fully pulled from the building by Thaylias.

For a moment, he watched her giggle and spin, and then, laghing hearitly, decided to try it himself. Unfortunately, he wasn't as agile as Thaylias, and bashed into the side of a nearby produce cart. The dried out old farmer manning the cart glared at him and shook a bony fist. Kael just smiled and shrugged an apology, then turned and darted away fromt he inn and farmer, gesturing to Thaylias and laughing.

[Anonymous]

She decided this was going to be a good day - ignoring the trembling spider web of pain inside her. Thay dismissed it, only the slightest of shadows casting over her dark emerald eyes. A small smirk tilted her lips, despite the sharp splinters stabbing from the inside out. Clawing outwards.. But she shook it off. Quite quickly, not daring to ponder on herself but to study Kael and his curious actions.

Thay smacked her hand to her face when he ran into the cart, chuckling softly. That was, indeed funny. The old man reminded her of the elders in her village and a lost, distant look grasped her face. But she trained her eyes on Kael once again, breaking into a grin as her darted off. Pushing off she darted after, glossy black braid floating out behind her.

She thrist her feet into the ground, pushing with more power until she easily caught up to him. She still felt lazy - but a little running might do her some good. Yeah, I am gaining a little weight.. NO! Feminine thoughts AGAIN! Bad Thaylias. Knock it off. I'll loose it quickly anyway... Especially if I hang around with Kael. She thought, smirking and laughing, trying to dodge carts and people, although nearly bowling over some prissy-ass woman. Woops.. She needed to be pushed off her high horse anyway.

[Anonymous]

Keal continued to sprint, but soon discovered he had no endurance... while running (other.. matters have yet to be determined. *evil grin*). He glanced behind him at Thay closely weaving through the chaotic mass, and in a last burst of energy, ran as fast as he could and jumped, catching onto a horizontal tree branch a few feet above his head. His plan was to use his momentum to partly swing himself, then pull himself the rest of the way up onto the branch, creating a convenient perch. It was then that he discovered that, in addition to lack fo endurance, he also lacked in upper body strength. The result was that he was suspended a good distance above the ground (he could jump higher than he had thought), swinging back and forth from a tree branch.

"Well... crap." he muttered pleasantly, flailing his legs wildly. As of now he had a fairly secure purchase, but he didn't know how long he could hold it.

"Erk?" Kael called out questioningly to Thaylias, who had just deftly dodged a dawdling dame ((Heh.)). He managed to look perfectly innocent while still trying to get atop the tree branch. His shirt was riding up unplesantly, and he thought one of the seams was beginning to split towards the front.

Damn, he thought. And I left my other one at the inn.

"A bit of help?" he called out again, then winced as one of his sandals flew off, narrowly missing Thay. "Oops," he said sheepishly.

[Anonymous]

Thay tilted back her head and eyed him, thoroughly amused. She giggled and bit and blinked as the sandal barely missed her. Oh! He wanted help, eh? She was tempted to just grab his legs and pull him off. But that would be quite mean, even for her. Or so Thay thought.

She put her hands on her hips, shifting and just looking at him with her eyebrows raised over her sparkling emerald eyes. She giggled again and just watched him. He expected help after her almost hit her with his sandal? Oh! Sure. Wink wink.

"Why should I help you know? You nearly killed me," she said between giggles, playing around as she watched him flail around.

Such a humorous person. She sighed and shook her head, grinning while her arms crossed over her chest then, looking up at him. She was surprised he could jump that high herself - but he seemed to be stuck.

"It looks like you're having a problem," she laughed.

[Anonymous]

"How observent of you," he said dryly, with a cross between a grimace and a grin.

He flailed about unsuccesfully for a bit longer, and felt his shirt rip a bit. Kael cursed under his breath and tried again to hoist himself up. Finally, with some luck. Bad luck. His sleve, bunched up about his wrist, caught on a twig protruding from the branch. Of course, jhis hands picked this time to slip a few inches, pulling his shirt up. Now, this was just getting embarassing.

"You should probably help me because if you don't, I'll be shirtless in a few minutes. Now.. normally, I don't use my half-naked body as blackmail for ladies, but this time I'll make an exception. Pleeeease, help?" He tried his best to make his eyes large, innocent, and puppylike, even as he grappled for a grip.

[Anonymous]

Thay giggled, rubbing her face a bit as she gazed up at him. He did appear as if he was having a problem. With him flailing about, his shirt being an absolute bother to him... But it was still hilarious. She gave a defeated sigh and smirked a bit.

"Just hang out for a few more seconds," she said, half giggling.

She walked towards the tree and focused herself, merging into it as she literally crawled through the heart of the trunk. To her, it sounded as if the tree was throbbing with life, pounding in her ears, a sensual music. She climbed upwards towards the branch, pulling herself from the wooden grip. She grabbed his wrists and tugged him upwards, pulling him upwards to drape him over the branch, or at least get him up until she figured out something. Maybe she could transfer some of her energy to him and pull him through objects too... Was she strong enough?

Thay made sure he was still in her grip. Her luck she'd let go and he'd fall off the branch anyway. Or maybe he could climb down from here.. She didn't know if he could. But she wasn't about to talk to these people and ask for help. They weren't the friendliest and she wasn't big on associating with horribley wretched folk.

"Can you get down from here or will I have to do some exploring...?" She asked him, brow raising.

[Anonymous]

Kael eyes widened a bit, looking up at her.

"Explo--" he cut himself off, laughing a bit. "No,no I can't get myself up from here." He paused a moment. "I think.

After steadying himself, he dug his fingers into the one side of the branch where they now lay, and swung his feet up (one sans shoe) to grip the other side. He prayed they would catch, and he wouldn't flop back on his stomach and knock the breath out of him. Thankfully.. they did. For a while he was in a rather awkward position, with his backside elevated from the branch, but he soon scuttled out of it to lie on the branch, where he stayed for a minute, panting for breath.

"Note to self," he said aloud. "Never do that again."

He tilted his head back to look at Thay, who was now sitting behind him, and grinned a bit more weakly.

"Heh... thanks. That was... interesting." Indeed, he didn't look alarmed in the least. His azure eyes sparkled; it seemed his sense of adventure triumphed over his sensibilities. "Chase scenes aren't my forte."

[Anonymous]

Thaylias lifted an eyebrow and stretched out her legs, sitting on the branch and calmly looking below and along the ground. A smile touched her lips, liking her high perch. She glanced at Kael and smirked slightly. A sigh played on her lips, though, and she wished life was as serene and harmonious as this scene was. But her mind, once again, was brought to the present by a sharp piercing pain shooting through her chest and along her arm. At first she immediatly thought heartattack, and yet a soft voice whispered about the disease and she calmed herself, closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. Okay. Sporadic, irritating pains. Thrilling ordeal.

"Kael, can you get down from here?" She asked him, having a tempting thought to push him.

But that would be mean, she reminded herself quickly. Her eyes wandered to examine some people walking along the roads. Interesting, she thought. But she lifted her shoulders in an uncaring shrug. Why should she start assessing these people? They knew nothing of her... Or so she hoped. If they did, she may have some unwanted prices on her head... But not likely. Right?

[Anonymous]

Kael paused for a moment, then looked to the ground below them, suspiciously at Thaylias, and back towards the ground, as if sizing it up.

"...hmmMaybe," he said slowly, still looking at the ground. "Not in too much of a hurry to try it, however."

Carefully, he let go of his grip around the branch and eased into a sitting position. Wincing, he flexed his hands, which were a bit raw from their unexpected trials. After looking at the ground once more, he rested his arm on a smaller branch very nearby.

"I love trees like this," Kael mused wistfully. "It's like being in a whole different world. Filtered green light, almost suspended in the air." He took his arm off the branch and held them both out in the air, like bird wings held still, and threw back his head.

"Can you feel it?" he called to Thaylias, who was a whole two feet away. "The wind calling to you, the sun coursing through your veins like a primeval magic...!"

For a brief moment, he fell silent, then suddenly let out an extremely loud sound; a cross between a lion's "roar" and a crow's "caw!". Then, he did it again.