Toney
*The sound of Ves being injured immediately had his eyes open. A silent rage grew behind them hearing the Dwarves insult her. Björn didn't say a thing but simply stared them down. As they laughed Björn wanted to smash their small faces in. Crush their bones. Make them squeal. A hunger inside him told him to do so. But then he saw Ves' face...

He understood now. The red of her scales was embarrassment... When things were unexpected or direct or intimate. Björn took note of all the times so far he had made her embarrassed... Gods, he was an idiot! But he had to help her. His vow to protect Ves went beyond physical harm. Her mental, emotional and her modesty were too at risk. He saw her layed on the floor, injured and embarrassed to move.

Björn rose fully to his feet, he didn't hide himself, not his stature. He stepped out of the tub and walked towards Ves. In the most gentle way he had ever spoke or touched her, he scooped her up and held her against him, turning his back on the Dwarves so they could only see his rear.* "Don't worry, I got you."

*His voice was now as soft as butter in that moment. Something was sincere about his words, his actions, something human. He immediately put her down in her tub and handed her the soap. Then... He climbed in!!* "Don't panic." *He had immediately closed his eyes tight, scrunching them so she could see his protection of her modesty. He simply used his torso size to allow her protection from the Dwarves, breathing into his back so it allowed for ample cover.* "Do what you must Ves." *It was true he had already seen a majority, that didn't matter now. He was angered and ashamed that he let her be ridiculed so easily.* "I... I am sorry." *He muttered quietly.*

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Gary
Ves tried to ignore the guffawing of the two Dwarves. The second one had joined in and stood to make another crude gesture that made the Kobold look away. She started to try and rise, but her injured leg and slippery floor made it difficult. Tears pricked at her eyes, but she refused to cry. That was the kind of response the Dwarves were surely hoping for.

The laughter grew quieter as Björn stood to his full height. Perhaps the pair could sense the Goliath's thoughts of violence, for they looked a little nervous now. The first one's pride made him more than a little foolish as he commented **"Sorry lad, I didn't know she was yours."**

Ves looked up as a shadow fell over her. For a moment she feared the worst, but she calmed when she saw that it was Björn. He gently scooped her up and cradled her close to his chest. Ves was too stunned by the action to speak or protest. Her entire body was tense, but after a second or two she began to relax. She realized he was protecting her, holding her close and blocking her from the Dwarves' view.

He lowered her back into the tub and Ves whispered a soft "Thank you" As he handed her the soap. But she hadn't expected him to climb in after her! He immediately squeezed his eyes closed and once again Ves understood. He was still protecting her. Nodding, though he could not see the motion, she began to scrub at her body with the soap. His gentleness made her feel warm. She had never been treated so kindly before. It was a new experience.

The Dwarves were surely watching, but the laughter and comments had faded. The pair said something in their native language, then stood and moved to grab their belongings. They dressed quickly and headed for the door. Though they were brave enough to pick on a single Kobold, they seemed to draw the line at pissing off a Goliath. A moment later and the room was empty except for the odd pair currently sharing a tub.

Through the silence, Ves finally spoke. "I... You have nothing to apologize for, Björn. You cannot control the actions of others. I've been bullied plenty of times before. It's not so unusual. I just... I've never been naked and mocked before. I should have been more careful." She looked up at him, studying him carefully. Then she moved forward and wrapped her arms around his waist, hugging him as tightly as she could manage. "Thank you... For helping me."

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Toney
*Björn kept his eyes fused shut as he sat in the tub with her. He heard the Dwarves leave. They called Ves 'his'. They were stupid... Björn would never own Ves as a Slave. What could they mean if not that? He found it very humorous that they soon shut up and averted their gaze from Ves. That was his only goal.

He listened to the sound of water sploshing, and Ves' soft words of thanks. He remained with his eyes closed as she cleaned herself. Eventually, as she spoke, he began to listen.* "They mocked you for your nudity... They are fools. Their small hairy bodies are not ideal anyway." *He shrugged.*

"Do not worry about being careful, you were trying your best. You are injured. In reality... It was my fault you fell when I messed up my throw." *He tilted his head down, ashamed in His failure. It was then he felt her arms around his waist. Was she grabbing something behind him?

He tried to move to allow her space but she tightened herself around his waist, he felt the pressure of her against him, she held him tight... Was this a type of combat move? He opened his eye to look at her. He saw her holding herself against him in a hug. He didn't know how to react... He felt the need to lean down and put his arms around her, bringing his head toward her as he did so. He kept a soft hold on her, worried to not hurt her small frame.* "Y... You do not need to thank me. I hope I am doing this right."

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Gary
Ves absently wondered what Björn's idea of an *Ideal* Body was. If the Dwarves' short and hairy bodies were not ideal, then what was? Muscular and strong, like his own? Lean and fit? Slender and curvy? It was just a wayward thought, however, and one that was dismissed almost immediately.

She sighed softly as he gently embraced her in return. It was an odd feeling, being held by someone. The Kobold wasn't used to affection of any kind. Her own mother and father had had little to do with her. She has been raised in a community that wasn't exactly filled with warmth. It had been every Kobold for themselves. 

She had never really fit in among her countless brothers and sisters. They had all worked in the mines together, but they were never her companions. No one ever cared when someone was crushed during a cave-in or disappeared mysteriously. No one even cast a sideways glance as the slaves they worked alongside were whipped and beaten. Ves was different. She had actually cared about their plight. Her fellows had mocked her for being soft-hearted, but that didn't stop her from caring. It hadn't stopped her from doing something to try and help.

But she had never really had a friend before. The people she helped to free were often grateful and kind to her. She had been hugged once or twice. Yet this was different somehow. Björn's arms around her seemed to mean more than simple gratitude. There was a warmth there that was unfamiliar to her. Her scales grew warm, but with happiness this time instead of embarrassment.

"You're doing just fine," She said with a small chuckle. She drew back and peered up at him with a smile. "I get the feeling you're not used to hugs either. Do you want to move to the pool now? I'm as clean as I'm going to get." And she felt much better for it as well. It was amazing what a bath and a hug could do.

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