Elizabeth
*Terrel would stand at the edge of their camp, watching the faint light of the sky begin to illuminate in the rise of an early morning sun. Time seemed to shift a bit with the gradual change from winter to spring, something most farmers come to notice as the sun rises earlier and later in the day. His gloved fingers, grazed at the bark of the tree while he stood in waiting. Floof sat at his feet, the other two wolves joining him with a much sleepier look in their eye.

They've been traveling for days at this point and by now it seemed like Salvania wasn't so far away. That only meant it was now or never to make sure the wolves were capable of listening. Not only to him, however, but others seeing as he'll be leaving them for their journey soon enough.

He'd turn away from the landscape, slowly walking back further into their makeshift camp as he'd look over his resting companions. Turning to the Vampiress, he'd head over to where she was before staring down at her and giving her a light tap of his shoe.*"Time to wake up Manon."*He'd say in a low tone, his wolves following after him as they sat down beside her with their tongues hanging out in a light pant.*
Barbara
*Just like all the other mornings, simple nudges or pokes would yield no results to the sleeping Vampire. She didn't so much as stir in her sleep as the toe of a boot pressed into her. So far she wasn't having a nightmare for a change, though she wasn't really having a dream either. Just an unopposed slumber for the first time in a long while. It was comforting to be around people who more or less accepted her. Nice to be able to trust another with her life while she slept in the company of others. The first few nights were concerning, anxiety slowly creeping in the back of her mind, half expecting Terrel or Okami to stand above her bed with a sword.* 

*Manon had even dug a small hole beside her head where the handle of the umbrella now rested. The umbrella was open above her body, a makeshift attempt to block out the morning sun if she were allowed to sleep that long. Just like all the other nights, she slept in the most awkward looking positions. Her right leg was fully extended while the left was almost tucked underneath herself. Her left arm was folded neatly across her stomach while the right was fully extended above her head. It seemed like she hadn't moved that arm in a while seeing as it was covered in dew.*
Elizabeth
*A quiet snort would escape him. Whether it was out of disproval or mock amusement that was still up for debate. The wolves would mill around the Vampiress, tentatively sniffing at her before looking back up at Terrel.*"What are you guys thinking?"*He'd ask them jokingly.*"A trip to the creek sound like a nice place?"*The wolves tails would slowly wag, being enough of a confirmation for whatever mischievous plan he had in mind.

He'd knelt down, causing the wolves to back up a bit as he'd move is hand beneath her back, lifting her up just enough so that his arm could prop her up. Using his opposite arm, he'd bring it up under her legs before carefully lifting her up and standing back to his full height.*"Heavy sleeper."*He'd say as he'd gaze at her.*"Definitely won't back fire one day."*He'd shift her to one arm, alternating from the typical princess carry and instead substituting it with simply carrying her over his shoulder, his right arm securely holding on her legs so that she didn't fall off as he walked. The trio of wolves would follow slowly behind with Floof taking the lead of them as the group headed out of camp.*
Barbara
*Manon survived being picked up and probably would've remained asleep if he had just held her within his arms. Something about being tossed over his shoulder and having her head upside down was enough to pull her from her slumber. When she woke up she saw the ground moving in front of her, or maybe it was above her. Her mind stuck in a semi-consciousness state for at least 30 seconds. After which she proceeded to panic, attempting to squirm from his grasp. Her palm pressed against her captor's back before unleashing a radiant bolt at point blank against his back.* 

"Unhand me! Okami!, Terrel!" *She began shouting as she sent another blast into his back.*
Elizabeth
*Terrel would clench his teeth, arm tightening its hold around her legs so as not to suddenly drop her upon getting shot in the back by a spell he was all too accustomed of getting hit by at this point. It scorched his back, seemingly through his armor. A second hit, causing him to let out a half annoyed groan.*"Manon. It's me. Calm down."*He'd say, coming to an eventual stop. The Elf wasn't going to keep walking with Manon constantly firing at him from behind. At the very least he had grown more resilient in facing it attacks over the year.*
Barbara
*Manon ceased her attacks against Terrel's back upon hearing his words. Though he could feel her entire body trembling against his hold, clearly terrified from what she thought was happening. She took a deep breath through her nose, the breath was trembling and so was the exhale she gave a moment later. She was convinced that he could probably feel her beating heart through his armor as well.*

"Why couldn't you just wake me up normally, why did you have to pull a cruel prank like this?" 

*She said after she regained some composure. She wasn't even sure if she should ask to be released or not after sending radiant magic into his back.*
Elizabeth
"Tried at first. Then I stopped trying."*He'd say in response to her, allowing her a moment to relax a bit before carefully pulling her back down to how he had originally carried her so that he wouldn't have to be talking behind him the whole time. He'd look at her, giving a slight tilt of his head in her suggestion of it being a prank.*"Trust me, if it was a prank, I think it would be a little bit worse than just being carried in your sleep."

*He'd resume walking, deciding to continue carrying her until she was fully awake.*"Was just planning on heading down to the creek to work with the wolves and, since you didn't want to wake up, I figured I'd might as well carry you there and you wake up on the way. Preferably not shooting at me, but you live you learn."
Barbara
*She pressed her temple against Terrel's arm, pressing a hand against her chest to feel her beating heart. If it wasn't for the panic attack she just had, she could've probably slept just like this against his arm. Though she wondered why Terrel didn't just drop her, or at the very least make her walk on her own. For him to continue to carry her was unexpected out of the options presented to her.* 

"I'm sorry for attacking you, I got scared." *She apologized, feeling bad about her actions even though they were out of self-defense.* 

"I didn't know you wanted to train your pups today, I would've tried to.. Uh." *She wanted to say wake up on time, but clearly that wasn't a promise she knew how to keep. She wasn't very sure what she would've done to avoid this situation so she just left the conversation unfinished. She couldn't help but feel like any connection they had made since their midnight walk into the forest went out the window because of her.*
Elizabeth
"Not the first and most definitely won't be the last."*He'd say to wave off her apology for attacking him.*"Though I guess I'm going to have to deal with this back pain for a while. Reminds me of whenever I had to battle these other Elves. Always reminded of what getting a face full of magic feels like, just in case I've ever forgotten."*The Elf would chuckle a bit at the thought. Funny, even deciding to stay away from magic it always came back to bite him in the butt or back in this case he supposed.

His wolves would run past him, growing excited in soon figuring out where they were heading. He'd keep his gaze on them, listening to Manon as she spoke about doing something different had she known they were training today. Her sentence went cut off, causing him to decidedly point it out.*"You stay awake at night and by the morning you're practically dead. If you haven't been able to change that by now, I doubt a few wolves will be enough to get you up any earlier."
Barbara
"If you'll allow me, I'd like to heal the damage I caused." 

*She knew she could give temporary relief to muscle pains at the very least. It was often mistaken that healers could solve any and all pains, but it simply didn't work that way. Mending the skin was the easiest type of damage a healer could fix. It was like magically taping two pieces of flesh together. Aches and pains were a little more difficult, that was more inflammation which could mean any number of things. Things like old age join pains could not be cured but relieved, same for muscle fatigue. She was fairly confident she could massage where she bolted while applying some healing with her hands to remove the pain.* 

"Do you ever wonder what kind of mage you would've been?" 

*Her voice was a lot calmer now that she was relaxing in his arms. She could never tell him as much. She could hear the jokes he would make if she admitted that she like being held by him to any extent. She turned her head to watch the pups surge forward, It was only a matter of time before they entered the city and the opportunity to run around would come less frequently.*
Elizabeth
*Heal the damage? Oh right, she was a healer after all. He supposed after some time of it not being brought up, her capabilities had slipped his own mind.*"Sure, go ahead."*He'd say to her, shifting one arm so that her legs could reach the ground again, using his other to support her at the shoulder until she would eventually walk on her own. He'd come to an eventual stop to allow her to heal him while they were stagnant rather than on the move. He didn't have much experience in it anyways to know if she could heal while walking, so he figured he'd keep where he was while making sure the wolves didn't wander too far.

Being asked if he ever wondered what kind of mage he would have been, the Elf would remain silent. It was almost as if he were thinking about it while he stared off into space before eventually looking back at her.*"No."*He'd say in a low tone.*"Magic and I don't typically mix well together."
Barbara
"We should probably wait until we get to the creek, healing through armor is less effective than— A more direct approach?" 

*It wouldn't be any different than the time she healed Okami. For that she had him expose the wound for her to heal. Traditionally when it came to healing tissue or muscle damages it required rubbing of the injured location. Tonics were commonly used for such injuries as well for those who did not possess faith magic, those were almost as effective but also costly.* 

*Her hand gently pressed against his back as she guided him towards the direction he faced. She even went as far to position herself right at his side in case she stunned a nerve in his back and he needed help walking. He didn't look the type to ask for help but who knows.* 

"Do you have any stories? When I was younger and practicing my nature magic, I accidentally animated one of those plants that eats bugs. Except it tried to eat me instead. It didn't have teeth, which I learned after it closed around my hand but I cried nonetheless." 

*Manon shared the same expression that Terrel just wore, staring off into space as the memory flooded back. A small smile was upon her lips as she remembered how insignificant her issues were back then. Crying over a plant, how much life had changed since then.*
Elizabeth
*Terrel would gaze over at her for a while as if deciphering the request before eventually turning to face ahead once more.*"Alright."*He'd say as he'd continue walking forward, albeit with Manon trying to help him to move as if two shots from her would make him any less capable to. He'd consider shrugging her off, though with the armor he wore, the Elf couldn't even feel her hand pressing against him. The tenderness of the area already had blocked out much other feeling anyways.

The Elf continued walking on in silence, the small creek coming into view distantly. He'd listen to her tell the story about the plant closing on her hand, not showing much emotion towards it as he'd simply allow her to speak.

However, being asked if he had any stories, Terrel would find himself unconsciously raising his free arm to scratch at his head in thought. No one had really asked him if he had any stories, assumably one from his childhood with Manon's example. Sure he had stories, most of which unimportant though.*

"I uh..."*He'd pause, almost unsure of what story he could really tell. Lowering his arm back down, a small moment came into mind.*"Well there was time I had fallen asleep when my sisters had their friends over."*He'd begin.*"Woke up to having my hair braided with a bunch of flowers stuck in it."*The Elf would chuckle a bit.*"Took ages to get it all out and ended up chasing them all over the house after that. Guess that's one way to learn not to let your guard down."
Barbara
*She let out a laugh at his story. She pictured a child Terrel, wearing a pig mask since she didn't know what he looked like underneath. Sleeping peacefully as a group of giggling girls played with his hair. Imagining him upset enough to chase them around the house was the most difficult part of the story. The only times she saw him anywhere flustered or agitated was when she was around. She'd like to think that the flowers were purple, it would've complimented his hair in her opinion but the truth is, she didn't know.* 

*When the approached the creek she removed her hand from Terrel's back and instead held onto his arm instead. Manon had her eyes set on a rather nice spot underneath a tree that overlooked the creek, the rest was more in the sunlight which she didn't care for. Upon arriving she kneeled down into the grass, a hand patting the ground in front of her. She held both her hands as they began to glow deep Lavender colour.* 

"I don't sense anybody or anything nearby." *She said preemptively, almost assuming Terrel would hesitate to take his armor off on the off chance there was danger lurking at any corner.* "Healing usually requires contact of a kind, it can not be done through armor." *She noted, unsure if he knew that or not.*
Elizabeth
"Yeah yeah, laugh like the rest of them."*He'd say in mock sarcasm. The Elf was sure he had that coming the moment he decided to not sleep with one eye open. His grin remained only fading away as they drew closer to the creek. The wolves where already there lapping up at the water and, in feeling a tug at his arm to move towards a nearby tree, he'd simply comply.

As Manon would go down onto her knees, stating that healing needed contact, he'd give a quiet sigh:*"Of course it's healing that needs contact, but getting blasted seems to go through armor just fine."*He mostly muttered it to himself. Man did he hate magic at times. They seem to create their own rules just to inconvenience him. The Elf would eventually join her on the ground, seemingly not too bothered in the vulnerability of removing his armor. He had survived just fine without it for a while, yet it had been so long since he had removed it publicly. 

The Elf would bring his chest plate off from over his head, the pure white fabrics of his shirt being revealed upon him setting it upon the ground. It felt like a decent weight off him now, though without it, the air seemed much more drafty around them. Terrel would turn himself around, moving his hair out of the way so that it could rest on his shoulder instead.*"Shouldn't take too long, hm?"*He'd ask her, moving a gloved hand to the edge of his shirt and pulling it up just enough to reveal his back side. A reddened spot had formed near center of it where she had struck at him, the wound seeming to darken from its initially light appearance with the armor having constantly pressed against it. The wind had hit the spot with it being revealed, causing the Elf to close his eyes and turn away from her. Leaving the gash under the armor was starting to sound better to him the longer he allowed it to sit out.*
Sheree
\ "I'm sorry it's just funny to hear. It's hard to believe as well." 

*She placed her hands gently against Terrel's back as she began massaging. On the off chance that her spell hit his spinal cord, this would be the method required to ensure her spell didn't fry any nerves as it traveled along. First she started near his shoulders as her palm and fingertips pressed into his flesh. Her hands should be much warmer than the temperature around them, any pain in the places she kneaded would subside rather quickly. Slowly she would move towards the middle of his back, working the discoloured spot of where her magic had landed.* 

"When I was younger." 

*She began, figuring that talking would ease the tensions a little on what she was doing. She kept her eyes focused on the wound though as it slowly healed as she funneled her magic into his body.* 

"I was teased before I found out I had faith magic. For my school, it was special for someone to have it. An honor to be gifted a spell that could cure instead of harm. After that, whenever someone got hurt they rushed to me and it made me feel good to help. Even the ones who picked on me wanted to be my friend. At first I didn't want to heal them, don't get me wrong. I got scolded plenty from my parents when I did refuse. They told me. 'There are two types of evils in the world. Those who spread evil, and the ones who see evil and does nothing to stop it.' I guess I took those words to heart before.. Y'know." 

*She lingered around the center of his back for the majority of the conversation, healing magic in abundance could never harm a person. There was no such thing as too much healing. Eventually she pressed her palms against his lower back. It was for the same reason as his upper back, in case any nerves got fried though she didn't mind doing this for him anyways. It felt nice to be needed for something, even if it was her fault to begin with.* 

"This horrible healer is nearly finished." *She said in a joking manner, somewhat getting used to Terrel's sense of humor after spending so much time around him*
Elizabeth
*He'd lean away from her a bit at her touch, unused to the feeling after all this time of wearing armor to prevent him from really feeling anything. Eventually the Elf would fall still again, her hands running from his exposed shoulders to his back as his tension would begin to subside in the pain fading away. Her voice seemed faint to him for a while as his eyes casted downwards to look at his revealed abdomen, his skin seemingly more pale with the lack of much exposure to the sun. Still smooth as any Elf's save for the formation of muscle from his physical labor. A necklace would dangle down from his neck where it had once sat invisible within his clothing. Perhaps a necklace was a strong word, simply a loose string ending with a pig totem dangling from it that he was once given. He toyed with it in free hand, distracting himself for a while until he realized Manon was telling a story about her past and, in hearing it, he'd glance back towards her.

Funny how easily magic can make lives easier for some, yet it only seemed to make his harder. Perhaps it was because he was always fighting against it. Though if that was the case, it only seemed to build his defiance. He could never say he had the best relationships when it came to healers, even now at times. Ironic how he always ended up coming across one at some point to tag along.

As she'd move her hand down to his lower back, the Elf would straighten up and reach both his hands back to wrap them around her wrists. It seemed she was in a joking mood now despite her earlier reaction to his humor.*"Now if only this horrible healer can a heal a wound that wasn't self inflicted."*He'd joke back before eventually moving her palms away from his back and letting go of her. The pain had already subsided by now which was good enough for the resilient Elf.*
Barbara
"Maybe Okami will be the one to injure you." 

*She mused in response to his joke. She was nearly finished but she didn't continue. The purple light faded from her hands as she stood onto her feet. She didn't move from behind him though she did offer a hand as if she could aid him back onto his feet.* 

"If he does, I promise to annoy him for an entire day. Maybe give all his meat away to the homeless so he has to eat plants like you and I." 

*Her attention drifted towards the wolves, she did care about the trio even if she didn't make much attempts to talk to them. Fundamentally they were worlds apart, they weren't really meant to converse day in and out. She found herself eavesdropping on their conversations during the times nobody spoke though. Curious as to what the wolves found so important, often about hunting.* 

"How does your back feel?" *It was a curtsey question, clearly he was feeling well enough to prevent her from continuing but that was alright.*
Elizabeth
*Terrel snorted in suppressed laughter at the thought, soon pulling his shirt back down and reaching over to grab his chest plate. Part of him doubted Okami of all people would attack him. Then again, he was pretty unpredictable at times, but if all that was hurting them was the group themselves, then that was just sad at this point. Though he must admit, imagining the Vampire trying to annoy Okami throughout the day was a hilarious thought.

Shoving his armor back on, the Elf would stand up, deciding to not take her hand as he was fine with getting up on his own.*"As well as it can feel for an aging Elf like me."*Terrel would answer, playing off Manon's original comment about visiting him when he was old.

He'd smirk at her, this being as close as he was going to come to a thank you for it. Turning away, Terrel would begin heading off towards the trio of wolves as they wrestled with one another in the grass. Eventually he'd glance back at her, asking:*"So, ready to train some wolves?"
Barbara
*Her hand lowered at the silent refusal for help, it was to be expected almost. The Elf was known to be rather stubborn so she allowed him to do things his way.* 

"I am ready to offer my assistance. It's not everyday a young beautiful healer can help the elderly." 

*She rubbed her hands together before pressing her palm against his forehead, once again granting him the ability to speak to animals much like when they were at the stables. Last time things didn't go too well but at least this time he would be allowed to communicate his commands the way he chooses.* 

"You should be able to speak to these adorable pups. If there's something more you'd like from me you can just ask but I was planning on letting you do what you need to do. I'll keep reapplying the spell for however long is necessary." 

*She didn't move right away, for all she knew Terrel would need her for something else. If not she would probably rest up against a tree until needed or the job was finished.*
Elizabeth
*Terrel would raise an eyebrow at her sudden change in demeanor. It was a large difference from when they first met anyways. He'd dip his head slightly as she raised a palm to his forehead to give him the ability to speak to them.

In seeing her more willing to take a step back from it, the Elf would look between her and the wolves before eventually saying:*"Just give me a few minutes with them."*There were times when it was still hard to believe that it was possible to understand them. Even now as what was once barks soon shifted into quiet gossip amongst themselves.

He wouldn't say anything more to her, simply turning away and walking further along the creek. The wolves would turn their heads towards him, slowly following after the Elf as he distanced himself more out of earshot of Manon. At least from there, she could still see him despite their voices not carrying. What he was saying to them was hard to tell from this far away, but it would appear that he had sat down while the wolves would curiously circle him with newfound interest.*
Barbara
*She simply dipped her head in acknowledgement before turning to leave. She spotted the tree with the most overhang before seating at the trunk. For a while she watched the silent discussion between pups and owner, smiling as he seemed to be enjoying himself now that he can communicate fully. Something he called her crazy for when they had just first met. Now it seemed like he was just as likely to lose himself in conversation as she was. Eventually though she crawled onto her side, clearly not phased at being dirty after 6 years of hiding in the woods, through winter or summer. After a few minutes of just lying there she found her peace and drifted off once more, this sleep wouldn't be anywhere as deep as the last one. This was more to just rest her eyes.*