Return to Blood [M][DragonSong]

[Lowen Thorn]

Art chuckled. He couldn't help himself.

"Sounds a lot like you and Lowen, does it not?"

[DragonSong]

Hana smiled almost wistfully and nodded with a little chuckle. "Yeah, I suppose that's why I felt so...drawn to him, I guess," she murmured. "Sort of a sense of kinship, maybe."

[Lowen Thorn]

"He felt the same about you, I can assure you. He thought you were pretty special," Art said softly, eyes on the fire. "Something about a... fox goddess?"

[DragonSong]

Hana blushed and laughed again quietly. "Yeah, he, uh, didn't know what I was, I think," she murmured. "I met him as a fox before I changed. Guess it threw him for s loop."

[Lowen Thorn]

"Sounds about right," he joined in on her laughter. "I wish I was that innocent."

He held his hand out to the dying flames and murmured a little spell under his breath. After the moment, the fire breathed new life, crackling with purpose as it provided them continuous light and warmth.

[DragonSong]

"I could've done that," Hana protested mildly, frowning. "You shouldn't exert yourself too much. I'm not mortal, remember? You've gotta keep your strength up."

[Lowen Thorn]

"I don't mind," he replied cheekily. "It's been a long time since I've used any spells, mind you. It's good practice for me to get back into the swing of things."

[DragonSong]

"Fair enough," she chuckled quietly. "I didn't know you were a mage," she added after a moment. "I mean, trained. Did you study somewhere?"

[Lowen Thorn]

"Not really," he said with a slight boost of morale at her discovery. "My family never had enough money to pay for proper training, but we've all been self-trained for as long as I can remember. My father began teaching me.. before he died, that is."

He smiled again, glancing over the hand he used to refresh the fire. "I've had a lot of practice since then."

[DragonSong]

"I'm sorry," she murmured. "How long— I mean, what happened to him? Is your mother...still around?"

[Lowen Thorn]

"No, they are both gone," he said absolutely. "And that is quite alright. Nothing too dramatic, it was just there time. They both had me a little later than most couples do, and they were not in the best health."

He stopped, contemplating. "And you? You don't know your real parents, do you? Just Tobin?"

[DragonSong]

"Just Tobin," Hana confirmed. "I...don't really remember much before him. I was little, I don't know what happened..."

[Lowen Thorn]

"Well, looks like you turned out alright," he noted. "Do you ever wonder? About your parents, I mean."

[DragonSong]

She nodded slowly. "Sometimes. I remember bits and pieces, but nothing substantial. I wonder if they're still out there-- if they miss me if they are..."

She shook her head abruptly and smiled at him. "But I have Tobin, and that's enough."

[Lowen Thorn]

"Right, you have Tobin," Art concurred. "So no sense dwelling in the past, right? Well, I wish I could be more like that, at least."

Art paused for a moment before speaking again. "But... if they are out there somewhere. I'm sure would be very proud."

[DragonSong]

Hana flushed slightly and smiled at the ground. "Thanks," she murmured, uncharacteristically bashful.

She hesitated a moment, then continued, "I think...I think they're dead. I don't remember much, but..."

She closed her eyes, brow furrowed, and shook her head. "I think something bad happened."

[Lowen Thorn]

"Bad?"

Art's interest peaked. He had a hard time getting anything out of Hana through the entirety of their trip, and it almost sounded like she was about to open up. Almost.

"What do you think happened?"

[DragonSong]

She stared into their camp fire for a long moment before responding, "I remember fire. And screaming. That's about it."

She shrugged and shook her head. "No good dwelling on it. I guess I was too young to really remember anything."

[Lowen Thorn]

Fire and screaming? Well, that didn't sound any better than his own history.

"If I were you, I wouldn't want to know," he admitted honestly. "Thank the gods for Tobin."

[DragonSong]

Hana nodded in agreement, still staring into the flickering campfire. "You really should try to get some more sleep," she murmured after a few moments. "You'll be exhausted tomorrow."