"He is a pretty powerful healer," she remembered aloud, tapping her forehead. "Do you do magic as well? Or are you trained in other healing arts? I am afraid I do not know very much about it. I can do the few simple things necessary to keep myself alive but other than that, I am at loss, much like my cooking."

"You said you have no family to care for. Do you have parents? Siblings? Anyone?"

Her brows scrunched together as she tried to remember. "I bruised you?" Aside from their first meeting, she had had little interaction with. "Oh!" she exclaimed when it dawned on her. "I punched you!" Her hand came up to cover her mouth as her eyes twinkled in mirth. "I am sorry about that. But, under the circumstances could you blame me?"

The laughter left her eyes, replaced by something deeper, something had she seen it she would not have been able to explain. Raising her hand she gently cupped Windsor's cheek. "You have a kind heart, healer." Turning away she let her hand drop.

"Your healer friend. Who he is?" What she really wanted to ask was what he knew. She felt compelled out of necessity to trust Windsor, but that did not mean that that trust extended to the other healer.

His statement struck a chord within her. Before she knew it the tickle in her throat turned into full-blown laughter. She laughed and laughed, basking in the healing power of happiness. She laughed until her ribs hurt again, and she was more gasping than laughing. Tears running down her face, she began to catch her breath again. "I am sorry, it is just," a chuckle bubbled out, interrupting her. "It is just I cannot cook either. I am a disaster in the kitchen. Well now we have something in common. For all the things we can do, we cannot cook." She giggled a little more before settling down and eating some egg.

"Why did you do it?" She asked between bites. "Why did you save me, after you knew?"

Tiraris found the blush endearing. Before she knew it she was joining him in that blush as she reached up and touched her ear. "Thank you," she said without looking at him. "It is an old habit I suppose."

Her cheeks felt like they were on fire as Windsor left the room. 'You have received compliments on your beauty from High Lords and Ladies, why are you getting so worked up over this healer?' Before she contemplate this further, the healer was back with food.

"It looks wonderful!" She exclaimed with a grateful smile. Her stomach rumbled at the prospect. "However, I do not think I could eat this all myself. Would you share it with me?" She patted the bed next to her. "Please?"

Tiraris looked at him in mild surprise as she noticed his eyes. 'I thought they were the same color.' When she saw him replace his glasses and the eyes return to both being blue, she realized what she was seeing.

"Why do you hide your eyes like that? They are too beautiful to be doing that," her eyes widened with her slip. "I mean, they are a part of who you are, you should not hide them." Nervously, she moved her hair onto one shoulder revealing her own pointed ears.

Meekly she asked, "Would it be possible to have some food?" She was all too aware of the hunger pains. She had not asked before out of embarrassment. The freedom she had earned by escaping her mother's cage made her self-sufficient. She had forgotten the need to rely on others.

"It is no intrusion. This is your home, it is I who is the intruder," she said still sitting on the floor. Taking a deep breath, she tried once more to stand, pulling herself up onto the bed. She was only semi-successful, as the pain flashed again and collapsed once more. "I guess you could help me up. I seem to be weaker than I thought."

Looking once more at Windsor, she really observed him for the first time. He was attractive, she would admit. He looked young. 'He cannot be that much older than me. Although, he is not really my type.'

"You know we keep putting it off and putting it off. We really need to discuss payment for your services. I cannot abide letting you and your family starve and risk their lives for me without compensating you in some fashion. If you are so insistent that I stay, then perhaps I can help you here, until I get better."

Zurna smiled at his awe. It was always shocking for people how large her immediate family was. "Thank you," she said softly to his compliment. "We try hard to make it so. Come let us get some food and a warm blanket for this fine fellow, and then I'll take you to meet the rest of my family."

Gently, she reached out rubbing her hands over the beast's head and flanks. "Besa, besa," she murmured to Equi quietly. "You really are quite beautiful, let's get you inside where the twins can spoil you rotten with sugar and apples," she whispered in his ear.

As if on que, her twin nieces, Cara and Aliyah came running over squealing and laughing all the while. "Aunt Z, you're back early! Did you bring us anything good?"

Zurna could not help but laugh. "Girls, this is Kaven and his horse Equi. They are going to rest and eat with us for awhile."

Cara, the bolder of the two, walked right up to Kaven and gave him a very wobbly curtsey. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Sir Kaven. I am Cara, and the girl cowering behind your fine steed is my baby twin Aliyah."
"I'm not a baby!" Aliyah cried out still hiding behind Equi.

Blushing, Zurna apologized for being silly and not understanding. "A druid? I've heard of them but, you mean they actually exist? I thought they were just stories," Zurna looked at him in awe. The stories from her youth were still as much a part of her as ever. To her the druids were a mysterious but wondrous group of people.

Her warmed as she watched the girls giggle and squeeze hands with Brynmor. "You're really good with children," she smiled.

She fell silent for awhile just watching and being in the moment. From up ahead she saw the rising smoke columns of her family's fires. Her peaceful moment was broken however, as she listened to Sonia beret Yotar. The closer to the huddling of tents, the more irritated Zurna became. The words were spoken quickly and angrily in Connlaothian. 'That means Sonia is really angry. Wonder what he did not to upset her.' She almost pitied her brother's fate until Sonia turned and caught sight of her. Then the barrage of accusing statements were being hurrled at her.

Ignoring her sister, she turned to Brynmore she introduced him to her home. My parents, my twenty-five brothers, their families, and I all live here together. Come, I'm sure there is still some food left on the fire," she beckoned gently.

May I please also have the five peeps badge. I have nine threads going. ^.^ First badge *does little dance*

It's Never Summer in the Snow
~Ruby
Cold Poison
~Shea
Snow Angels
~Kiri
Fire and Frost
~Ramon
Return for Resupply
~Slight

She could not contain it anymore. It was simply too much. Her heart screamed to let him stay, to fold into his warm embrace once more, to forget about everything and just live in the now. But, her mind whispered darkly of all those who had turned on her in the past. 'Remember what you promised. Not again. Never again.'

His arm moving to hold her was the breaking point. Punching it, she screamed in face "get out! Get out, get out, get out!" She began to hit him and chase him from the room. "Go away!" She cried throwing whatever she could get her hands on. Thankfully for his sake that was mostly the pillows and blankets on the floor.

At last he was gone and she slammed the door shut. Sliding down it she bit her knuckle to prevent the full-blown sobs from being heard. Blood flooded into her mouth for her efforts. Giving up she curled up in a ball on the floor and just lets the sobs rack through her. 'This is my last moment of weakness. From this moment on, it is back to business. No more star-crossed love. It is time to live right in the reality. Fairytales are not true, and never will be.' As she lay on the floor her mind continued to spew poisonous thoughts into her, convincing her to lock her heart once more behind the strongest walls. 'Tomorrow, I renew the hunt and end this.'

Tiraris heard the shrieking sound and nearly cried when she realized it was her heart. 'What am I doing?' she questioned herself. However, she was saved from answering Caden by the sound of heavy footsteps climbing the creaky stairs outside. Abruptly she sat up, tensed staring at the door. Sure enough, a moment later a fist was pounding on it, shaking the very frame nearly to pieces.

Growling she rose to her feet. "Stay there, I will just be a minute," she promised. Reaching under her skirt she pulled out one of her copious daggers, holding it behind her back. She cracked the door open, leaning against the door frame.

"What are you doing!" screamed the newcomer. "She's out there killing people and you're up here sitting on your ass. I'm paying you for this kind of work, not at your rates."

Tiraris winced slightly at his voice and words. Lowly, she replied "I have company right now. Come back later and we can talk."

Grabbing her throat he shook her about. "You listen to me you little whore-"
"No you listen to me!" she growled back. She had maneuvered the situation so that she now has him pinned against the door with her knife at his throat. "You may be my employer, but I do not need nor want your money. You want results, then let me do my job! Now get out of here. If I see you again before I come to retrieve payment, then you can forget about my help," she said angrily. She pushed him against the door one last time before removing the blade and shoving him down the hall.

She was breathing heavily, feeling the rage boil beneath the surface. Screaming in aggravation she threw the dagger, watching with satisfaction as it plunged into the wall so deep that the hilt actually indented the wall. But it was not enough. She need to throw more things, scream, shout, tear things, make things bleed, kill things. She could not do that as long as Caden was here. She did not want him to see the monster she was inside.

Collapsing to her knees, her face in her hands she softly begged him, "Please leave. Please, just go. I...I am sorry just...you need to leave, now. Please," she desperately croaked.

"It is our pleasure, Brynmor. Isn't that right Aliyah?" Aliyah continued her hiding behind her aunt. "Come on Aliyah. It's alright, you can trust him," Zurned coaxed. Slowly the girl emerged from her hiding place and cautiously took his hand. But, she refused to let go of her aunt's hand as well.

"How did you get started in this research Brynmor? I have never heard of it's ilk before. Of all places why did you chose the tundra? Wouldn't population statistics be better conducted in large cities like Arca?" Zurna asked, making conversation as the four walked along home.

"Wild? In what way? Oh, I did not answer your question first. Sorry, I am getting ahead of myself. I am from Serendipity. Nothing really to talk about there though." Titling her head back she looked at him upside down. "Kiss me," she demanded softly.

It was really too perfect for her. She was waiting for everything to come crashing down on her. She had chosen the assassin's life to escape emotions, not to plunge headfirst into them. Yet, that is exactly what she was doing. 'It is not fair! I cannot be getting all dewy-eyed over the first man show me any proper attention. Why it is unsightly, that is what it is!' Despite her thoughts, she could not push away the warmth she felt from his embrace nor the sound of his steady heartbeat in her delicate ear. 'You could kill him right here and now,' the ruthless side thought. 'But I do not want,' the old Tiraris from days long ago whispered back.

She was pleasantly surprised by his tighter embrace. It was disappointing to her that he lessened the pressure after a moment. 'Focus!' her mind growled. But she was hardly listening to the rational side. She was just to comfortable here, like this, with him.

"A sister? I do not have siblings. That must have been fun. I know your name from those flibberty-gibbets. Annoying gossips they are. You should have heard the things they told me. Actually forget that, it was horrible enough the first time." Stirring a bit she sat up in his lap. "Let go for a second," she told him before grabbing some of the pillows and a blanket. Placing the pillows behind him to lean on, she resettled into his lap and pulled the blanket over top of them. She closed her eyes for a moment before realizing something was missing. Taking his arms once more, she re-entwined them tighter around her. Finally comfortable, she asked him to tell her about his sister.

She felt him gulp against her ear. Absentmindedly she whispered, "do not be nervous. I think it is cute. I could fall asleep listening to it. Hmm maybe that would be part of that perfect day." She almost slapped herself for that last one. 'What is wrong with you? Get to the game plan!'

"Yes my hair is natural. I am not from Adela. My coloring comes from my distant fae heritage," she sighed. She did not like reminders of her mother. Yet, she could hear her mother's screeching tones chastising her about the state of her hair. 'Begone out of my head mother. You are not welcome now.'

Moving more firmly into his lap, Tiraris took Caden's arms and wrapped them around her middle so that she was now trapped within his embrace. It was a while before she asked her next question. She had never done this before, cuddled with someone. It was comfortable and soothing. She also felt like staying there with him forever. 'Sister. Family. Payment. Fool!' her thoughts rang clear and biting. "Do you have family Caden?" she asked her voice cracking slightly.

"I can understand how that could be difficult. With most of us being nomadic, keeping track of us all must be very difficult for you. I'm impressed you even manage it. It is not task I would wish to regularly undertake. Perhaps it would be better if we headed to my home. It would be warmer there and you could sit down. My family would be happy to welcome you into our humble tent. If that does not work for you then I can come back and meet you here. I would just prefer to get the girls inside before they get sick. Summer is so deceptive here," she laughed.

"Cara come here! We're going home soon," she called out to the running child. "Stop that, you're going to get hurt and I'm going to get in trouble with your mama." Upon hearing mention of her mama the girl immediately stopped, looking around. Walking meticulously over to Brynmor she whispered conspiratorially to the old man, "you mustn't tell mama about the running. She yells a lot. Just like she yelled at you earlier. She's no fun when she yells. Her face turns all red and her eyes bug out. It reminds me of the toads that daddy catches for us sometimes," the girl chattered on. Pausing as she looked at Brynmor, Cara seemed to come to a descion. Nodding her head curtly she took his worn hand in her own and demanded that he come home with them.

Tiraris' eyes widen as she listened to the vibrating sound near her ear. 'Is he...? He is! He is purring! Not sure whether to be flattered or to laugh' she thought fighting back a case of the hysterical laughter.

'My smile? Quite the charmer you are Caden.' As he kissed her hand she could the purr reverberate through the kiss. Her face turned red trying to hold the laughter in as her other hand moved to cover her mouth. Her moment was cut short though by his next question. "A perfect day? I uh, I do not know. I have never thought of that I guess. Perfect days do not exist. Perfect does not exist in this world," she said with sad conviction, her gaze blank as she stared off into the distance. "Except you of course," she saved, smiling up at him winsomely and nervously brushing her dark red her behind her pointed ear.

Calmly she curled up closer with him, nestling her head underneath his chin with her ear pressed against his adam's apple. "You said you were a type of demon. Are you like a cat demon?" she asked with closed eyes, seemingly comfortable with her new location.

"We are glad to be of service, aren't we girls?" Looking down Zurna watched in amusement as Aliyah cowered further within the cloak and Cara decided to be bolder. Extroverted Cara walked right up to the man placing herself literally nose-to-nose with him. "Your eyes are really green," she stated before taking off skipping around the trio.

"What is the best way to be of help? Should we tell you who has been born and died within the past year? Or is there more to it than that?" Zurna asked feeling calmer around Brynmor than before. 'He's still a crazy old man, but at least he's harmless. I hope.'

'What a very strange man.' Zurna thought as she watched Brynmor wander off and return again. "What kinds of things are looking at to be the same and different? Perhaps we could help you. I mean I have lived here my whole life. I might be of more assistance to you. If anything I could prevent further episodes like that of my sister-in-law from occurring. Some people do not take too kindly to strangers poking around their business you see. You are kind of precieved as suspicious. Not of course, that I am saying that you are suspicious or that we should be suspicious of you. Or at least I don't know if we should be since we just met but-"

"Aunt Sir you're doing it again! You're hambling!"
Zurna paused looking down at Cara before giggling. "Rambling Cara, and thank you.

"We would be honored to assist you if you will have us Brynmor."

'Ego, ego ego! How he can stand with that thing on his head is a mircale. A Neqa'el? That is something to keep in mind when facing his sister. Hmm, even the inane questions have merit.'

She tensed slightly as he grabbed her neck. For a brief moment her heart skipped a beat in fear. A childhood memory of being grabbed by the scruff of her neck surfaced before she quelled it again. This kiss was more forceful and something she was more accustomed to. It saddened her a little that were progressing away from the unexpected. 'Oh well, the sooner this is over with the sooner I can kill the monster and leave.'

"Attractive?" she repeated. "No, I do not find you attractive," answered leaning in until her breath ghosted against his ear shell. "I find you alluring, captivating, enchanting, mesmerizing, and so much more," she whispered. Then playfully she nipped his earlobe before tantalizingly pulling away. Still by his ear she whispered her question. "What is your favorite thing about me?"