Peggy
*Juna kept where she was, eventually daring to lean on the trunk for support despite the tree previously failing her in that aspect. When the man offered her a place by the fire, she had almost declined, thinking that maybe this was the chance where she could run off back to town. There was no telling when she'd get back though, especially as it would soon get darker and colder by the second. She always disliked the cold. Juna would partially glance back at him, just enough for half her face to be illuminated in the light of the fire before turning away once more. She'd grab at the shawl a friend of hers had previously given her, pulling it up over her head so that it could appear more like a hood before she would slowly turn around and walk over to the fire. Upon sitting down not too far away, she'd say:*"No... It's okay... I'm fine..."*Once more she said the words, her head lowering so that she wouldn't have to meet his gaze under the cover of the cloak. The words were at least more true now that she grabbed her bearings. Nothing was broken and falls weren't really detrimental to her. It was mostly just the shock of it that left her unable to comprehend what had just happened.*"Thank you..."*She'd whisper.*
David
Aurelian nodded it does seem like she is fine surprisingly so probably just startled at the betrayal of the tree that she stood on, though she puts on a hood and to his surprise walks over to the fire he made, once more he had his kindness recognized if he intended to show it or not is what perhaps made him smile somewhat before walking over to the fire and hearing a "Thank you" From the strangers mouth, in a whisper, his expression changed to that of slight happiness to one of sadness, in the first time in his life he had been thanked while not big in the scheme of things it had made him feel appreciated, not once had his contractors or companions said thank you to him while he helped or carried on the contract in fact, no one else seemed to show him kindness in return, and even to the woman he loved which only seemed to not care for him in the end, the scar in his backside reminding him of that exchange, he wouldn't be surprised anymore if someone were to kill him in his sleep but he just stops thinking about that for a moment and sits down across from the stranger, he remembered that a fire's warmth brought people together, that is when he opens his backpack and rummages through it and finds two pieces of jerky, "It's not much but... Here." He says as he hands out one for her
Peggy
*Juna turned her gaze to the Jerky that was offered to her. In the glow of the firelight, her eyes which once could be assumed to be dark as coals ended up revealing a more golden brown shade to them.*"No... Please... Keep it..."*She'd respond, drawing her legs close to her chest.*"I'm f-"*The Canifor was about to say she was fine again, but soon enough realized that she may be seen as crazy if she repeated herself any more than she already had.*"I'm... Not hungry... But thanks anyways..."*She allowed some silence to pass between them, eventually saying:*"Pepor should be just beyond here... I'm... Not sure the exact route, but I know it isn't too far so long as you know where you're going..."*It was a strange thing to randomly state in the moment, though Juna simply felt bad for all the cryptic messages, now only being able to answer his previous question to the best of her ability which was still not much information.*
David
Aurelian raised an eyebrow but accepted her answer to an extent but ate one piece of jerky and put the other back in his backpack, then he perks up when she tells him a straight answer from his question on where to find the nearest city, he hadn't really remembered the map he read before coming here, though he regrets on not buying the map from the cartographer, and subtlety curses himself from not doing so. But it is not his fault that the maps were so expensive, though now that he thought about it, the map of Lymia may or may not have been accurate, so his judgement was right somewhat, but he sighed to himself, when was the last time he socialized like this? Four years? Or was it six years when he had joined a mercenary band? Whatever how long it was it sure made him feel a bit old, his twenty fourth year had already passed while he was traveling alone with only his horse and thoughts, He scratches scruffy beard as he gets deep into thought until he breaks the silence once again between them. "Eh... If I trust the roads then maybe I'll arrive in Pepor, though for now I should probably keep watch, so nothing sneaks up on us." He says in an assertive tone as he unsheathes his short sword and puts it on his lap.
Peggy
*Juna didn't argue with him, she was used to those keeping watch while she typically didn't. After all, it was hard for something to sneak up on her with her senses whether she preferred it that way.*"Okay..."*She said lowering her gaze. Eventually she would find herself glancing over at the horse where it remained tied up. She was at least glad there was some distance between them, but she couldn't help but study the creature as if she expected it to do something.*"...Aurelian..."*She'd begin, pausing only to consider her words.*"Your... Your horse... Doesn't talk... Does it...?"*She'd ask, eventually turning to him with a look that only gave off pure concern. It was such a strange question to ask. One that maybe even let her look crazy, but yet she still found herself having to ask it.*
David
Aurelian looked at the stranger with confusion, what does she mean exactly? The horse only has the neighs ever so often not to mention that having traveling with horse for days, he would've heard the horse talk but it seems to not have that capability, though if it did then he wouldn't feel alone, but then he simply chuckles a bit and looks over at the horse that has remained still and unmoving probably tired after a long journey from Salvainia, though without this horse he would've walked or hitched rides on carriages and he is glad that he didn't do that considering a group of bandits or monsters would've killed him by now if he didn't have fast mobility, as that is not one of his strong suits, he thinks for a moment then begins to speak again "Sadly, the horse doesn't speak if it were able to they would've joined in our conversation, the only company I had were my thoughts and books I have read." For a moment he looks sad at the fact that he is lonely but then brushes it off by saying "But, that is the life of me, I'm afraid who would want to be friends with... A..." He stops for a moment but then opens his mouth but he can't seem to form the words so he just sits there in silence.
Peggy
*Juna slowly turned away from him as he explained what she should have already been able to guess.*"Right... Sorry... It... Was a stupid question anyways..."*She'd say. It was clear she must have brought sad thoughts to mind with his lack of company. Juna supposed he had a horse, though one who could have talked must have seemed better in his eyes, where-areas Juna had her Jackal which she would prefer didn't talk sometimes. Of course by talking, that meaning barking. Only now, she realizes that she must have pushed a bit far into his personal matters, deciding it was best not to delve further.*"Animals can be great friends..."*She eventually said after a pause as if defending the horse if only for a moment despite her unease with it being in the same area as her.*
David
He sighs once more, he did appreciate the horse of what it is a companion that he could trust whole heartedly, while a trusty steed is worth something it is not worth an actual companion, pets do comfort ones mind anyway from thing though a loving pet is different from a loving person and he could tell the difference between intimacy and caring for others, though he doesn't want to give away too much of his personal matters, the burden is too much to tell a simple stranger he couldn't trust fully, "I suppose, they could but... A pet is different compared to a lover or friend at least that is within my opinion of course."
Peggy
*Juna fell silent for a moment as she listened to his words, regarding what he said of pets not being the same as those more so able to talk anyways.*"I... Guess you're right..."*She'd say in agreement despite her mind thinking otherwise. It wasn't like she could change one's opinions on companions anyways. In her experience, her Jackal had been enough for the past couple years, but it most likely wasn't the same for him. Her tail would curl up around her as she rested her head on her knees in the warmth of the fire, soon finding her eyes closing with her ears remaining up and alert.*
David
He watched as she becomes silent after agreeing to his opinion though he could tell that she probably doesn't have much experience in what makes a companion though he, soon feels the overwhelming feeling of fatigue crawl over him as he struggles to stay awake the fire keeping him and the stranger warm in the cold weather, though as time passes he to succumbs to slumber, only to wake up in a cold sweat hours later, seeing as the stranger is still asleep and that the fire is out, he looks around to see if there is anything nearby that could pose a danger, but there doesn't seem to be anything at least that he could see it was still dark right now but the sun is starting to come up now though he can't keep his mind off what he just dreamt... His lover Laurenzia... Even after betraying him, he seems adamant of still loving her though it is the same scene each time... She stabs him, then he kills the rest of the group... Though he is rather lucky that she didn't target anything vital, or maybe that was her intention after all, Laurenzia was good with daggers, though he just looks at his horse which seems to be still asleep, though he doesn't want to wake the horse or the stranger up just yet, so he simply waits until the stranger wakes up so he could say his good byes.
Peggy
*At the hint of dawn light, Juna's eyes would open to narrowed slits. Her shawl still remained tightened around her and even despite the comforts of the fire, she didn't find herself sleeping well. Her gaze shifted over to Aurelian. It seemed he was already awake, making what little thought of her leaving before then vanish immediately. She stood up, keeping her hands tucked away in the clothing as the cold breeze would hit her.*"I must go now..."*Juna answered.*"Ja- my companion will be worried about me by now..."
David
Having seen the stranger wake up, it had seemed that she didn't sleep well just like he did but raised an eyebrow as she stood up and put her hands in her clothing, it was still rather cold though afterall. Aurelian had became somewhat used to it, but having heard that she must be going this prompted him to sheathe his sword and stand up as he picks his backpack up, "It seems like we'll be parting ways then stranger and I am sure your companion would love to see you come back safe" He says as he walks over to his horse and untie it making the horse wake up, he unties the rope from the tree as well and puts it in his backpack then gets on the saddle with a grunt of struggle until eventually getting on "Surely we might meet by chance, stranger though those odds might be low, until then stay safe." He says as he begins reigning the horse to go straight then waves his hand goodbye as he rides off
Peggy
"I wish you luck.."*She'd say quietly, giving a dip of her head before turning away from him to walk a few steps forward.*"Some strange things have been happening in these forests... And... With winter coming close... It... It doesn't seem like a good sign..."*It was hard to tell what she actually meant by that. Juna knew full well what she was saying even if it ended up cryptic in the end. If Aurelian were to ever turn back towards her, he would find that she had completely vanished from sight. However, it was not because of her leaving, but instead blending into her surroundings once more in utter stillness. From where she remained, she had turned to watch him in her concealment. Hopefully he'd find his way to Pepor as she would hope the same for herself. She had a jackal to return to and her other companion as well. The search hadn't gone as well as she'd hope, but she was glad to at least get to see the forest one last time before winter hit.*
David
Aurelian stopped the horse one last time having heard the warning from the stranger he turned his horse around to see that she was gone as if she vanished in thin air though he couldn't just ignore what she said and begins speaking "I can tell, there were no animals in this forest or any monsters for that manner, perhaps they sense that winter's coming or something else is going on, nonetheless farewell, if you still hear me that is..." He says as he turn his horse around and it begins galloping straight in an attempt to leave the forest leaving the area as he carries his burdens along with him having finally talked with someone for the first time in days not with simple responses or disgruntled and aggressive tones but one that loosen him up a bit, but he has put that in his mind as he intends to head to Pepor in an attempt to experience Lymia for the first time.