Out of the Woods

[DragonSong]

[ @Lion ]

Dusk had been walking for days, and honestly she needed a break. With a soft exhale, she sank down next to a trickle of a stream and dropped her pack by her side.

It felt like she'd been wandering through the Draconi for weeks, but she knew it had only been a few days. Still, it was a relief to finally be at the edge of the forest, the light much clearer through the smaller, thinner trees.

It wasn't that she didn't like the forest- in fact it was usually where she preferred to be- but she really needed to get to a town, resupply a bit before she kept on her way.

With a sigh, she removed her traveling cloak and let herself sprawl over the grass on the bank of the stream, multicolored hair tossed every which way. Gods she was just so tired, she needed a little break...

[Lion]

Traveling to Adela wasn't something Ki'adan did on a regular basis.  But when he did he usually had a good reason to.  When contracts were scarce in Essyrn, as at times they could be, there was usually plenty of work to be found in Ketra.  He never traveled any further north.  There was no real reason to.  Better to avoid unwanted attention, and more trouble than he asked for. 

In this case, it would be a quiet journey, one he figured he could finish within the next few days of reaching the woodland city.  His horse was happy to be out of the scorching sands, and he sympathized with his four-legged companion entirely.  Kaadir did much better in the heat, and were acclimated to their environment.  However, his horse was his prized possession, his friend, and wouldn't trade him for an animal better suited for that climate.

Despite everything he tried to do, he was still very much Duhjari in that regard.

Ki'adan shook unpleasant thoughts that drudged up from his mind, and walked his horse along the bank of the stream.  It would be a good time for a dip.  It didn't seem like anyone was around, and it would give his mount a chance to take a drink and rest.  He knickered when Ki'adan removed his bridle and give him a treat, brushing the horse down and washed the dirt from his hair.

"Good boy.  There's some grass here on the stream bank, don't wander too far."

And proceeded to undress and walked nude into the water.

[DragonSong]

Dusk jerked out of her doze as she heard the soft nicker of a horse and the splash of water. She shot up into a seated position, looking around for the source of the noise.

"Oh." She smiled when she saw the horse just a few yards away, past a small bend in the stream- which, she didn't realize, had been hiding her from view. She got to her feet, leaving her pack and cloak where they lay, and approached.

No bridle, but he certainly seemed to belong to someone. "Hello there," she murmured, holding a hand out to the animal. She glanced around again. "Where's your person? Oh."

Her eyes lit on Ki'adan. It took a moment, but once she realized he was naked her cheeks flushed and she squeaked, dropping her eyes. "Um, s-sorry! I didn't r-realize anyone else w-w-was around..."

[Lion]

Ki'adan whirled around half startled himself.  "Gods!" he griped and moved deeper into the water.  He was half-covered, but feeling exposed like this wasn't his idea of an ideal first meeting.  Nevertheless, here she was, and here he was in absolutely noting but the twine necklace around his neck.

"Do you sneak up on all the men you meet like that?" he asked with a quizzical quirk of his brow.

[DragonSong]

Dusk fixed her eyes on her feet, shuffling around in an attempt to put the horse between herself and the stranger. "S-sorry," she murmured. "I r-really didn't mean t-t-to. I h-heard your horse and c-came over to say h-hello."

She patted the animal's neck lightly, cheeks scarlet as she did her best not to look at the man.

[Lion]

"It's all right," Ki'adan said, finding himself chuckling as she went about looking another way.  He took the opportunity to step out of the rushing stream and move quickly behind a tree just opposite the horse where his clothes and other items had been stacked.  He took a blanket and dried himself off.

"But you ought to be careful about doing that in the future, kit.  Someone less friendly than I might take your head off for it," he called out, and wrapped himself in the blanket.  His clothes were still grimy, and he wasn't sure he wanted to put them back on again.  "You got a name, kit?"

[DragonSong]

"D-Dusk." She cautiously peered around the horse as he disappeared behind the tree. "My n-name is Dusk."

She patted the animal's neck as he twisted to nuzzle her hip and a small smile spread over her face. It had been a long time since she'd been around animals, she missed it.

"What are you called, then?" she asked gently, her stutter gone now that she wasn't talking to a two-legger. Of course, it might not be obvious who she was asking the question of.

[Lion]

The horse regarded her as if in understanding, but did not seem obliged to respond just yet.  He simply nuzzled her hair and gave lip wiggles to her temple.  She was friendly enough, he didn't see why he couldn't be friendly back.

"Ki'adan," the hunter called and emerged when he was fully dressed.  "His name is Starhunter.  Or that's what it translates to, roughly."

[DragonSong]

"Well aren't you princely?" Dusk chuckled quietly with another soft pat on Starhunter's neck. She looked to Ki'adan and gave a nod, offering a small smile.

"It's n-n-nice to meet you," she murmured. Another blush spread across her cheeks and she added quickly, "I r-really am s-sorry about before."

[Lion]

The horse was clearly enjoying all the attention and reached his head down to pluck up some grass and give it to her in order to feed to him.  Might as well get treated like the prince he was.  He wasn't about to claim the little lady was a liar.

Ki'adan watched his horse, brow furrowing at such strange behavior.  "He likes you, that much is obvious," he commented, chuckling and crossing his arms over his chest.  He looked over this odd girl, her hair in particular standing out.  "But it's all right.  Don't worry about it.  Accidents happen.  You...really like animals huh?"

Starhunter gave a haughty snort and gave Dusk more grass to feed him with.

[DragonSong]

Dusk laughed. "Alright, alright, I get the hint," she told Starhunter, bending to grab a few more handfuls of grass and offering it with a flat palm as her other hand continued to stroke over his neck.

She glanced up to Ki'adan and her blush returned, but she offered a small smile. "Yeah. They're easier than p-people, usually. Easier t-t-to understand."

[Lion]

Starhunter jutted his nose out toward Ki'adan, munching eagerly on the grass she offered him.  He couldn't say it aloud but he could very well think, "Just keep feeding me.  If he sees that I'm enjoying this too much he might put a stop to it."

Ki'adan approached his horse and pet the animal loosely with his hands, scraping nails lightly against his hair.  "I can understand that.  People like to be complicated.  Starhunter here just wants to be fat."

And his horse knickered, not quite expecting that and giving his rider a look.

[DragonSong]

Dual laughed, continuing to feed the horse. "Oh, don't listen to him," she chuckled. "You're perfectly fit." She lowered her voice and added playfully, "I won't let him put a stop to it, don't you worry."

She glanced over Starhunter's back at Ki'adan and smiled a bit. "H-he's a beautiful animal. How long h-have you two b-b-been together?"

[Lion]

"All of his life.  A good chunk of my life," he replied.  "He's a smart boy.  Although he can be more spirited when he really shouldn't"

Ki'adan looked over to Dusk.  "What are you doing out here?  All by yourself."

[DragonSong]

She shrugged and ducked her head again. "J-just traveling. Been trying to make my way to K-Ketra, but I got a b-b-bit turned around in the forest."

[Lion]

"Ketra, huh?  Perhaps we could travel together," he murmured. "It's a long way from here.  It would be dangerous to travel alone."

[DragonSong]

Instinctively wary, Dusk shot him a quick, rather scared look. He was much bigger than her, if it came down to it he's probably be able to force her.

But...well, Starhunter liked him, and the animal seemed well fed and content. How bad could he be?

She nodded slowly and offered a small smile. "Th-thank you for the offer. That s-s-sounds good."

[Lion]

The horse was clearly overjoyed at the presence of another person and gently chewed on her hair when he could between munches of grass.

Ki'adan however remained somewhat stoic.  She took that invitation rather quickly.  However, he supposed if she meant him harm she would have gone about it already.

"All right."  He smiled at her.  "Are you hungry?  Have you had some water to drink?  I'd be more than willing to share with you," he offered.

[DragonSong]

"R-really?" Dusk looked up at him with wide, grateful eyes. "Um, in that case...s-some food would be ap-ppreciated."

She held up the water skin at her hip with a small smile. "I have w-water, b-b-but I ran out of food this morning..."

[Lion]

Ki'adan chuckled.  "I have a few dried biscuits that you can have," he said.  After fishing around the saddle bags, he produced a sack with such biscuits in them and offered it to her.  "Help yourself."