Kallo watched Levani intently after his request to return with her once their journey was finished, her shift in demeanor clearly seen, though not understood. From their short time together, he knew she trusted him and that she enjoyed his company, even going to far as to say he belonged in Asdenni, her forest, yet her sudden shift in behavior seemed odd to him, more puzzle pieces to be found and put into place. He was clearly missing important information about his lithe companion, though she knew little of him as well. As he opened his mouth to question her on her apparently unsettled nature, she offered a vague agreement that her forest needed all the help it could get, yet there was no true answer in her words. Choosing to let it go for the time, realizing that he may be pushing for something from her that he didn't quite understand, she was born and raised alone in this forest, after all. As his pale eyes studied his companion, he couldn't help but wonder what exactly she was. She certainly looked human, yet he knew from personal experience that looks were ever deceiving, merely a mask to cover one's true self, which might help to explain a few unsettling things about her, including her particular abilities and the way she spoke of her past.<br/><br/>When she moved closer to him and placed her hands on his legs, he couldn't help but smile up at her, a soft chuckle escaped his throat as he listened to her eagerness to learn of alchemy. Offering a slight nod as he looked up at her, he reached up and brushed a few loose strands of hair from her cheek, letting his fingertips trace along her soft skin. “Anything for you lass.” At the realization of what exactly he had just said, he quickly dropped his hand from her face and shifted his gaze, grateful that she was getting to her feet so he could hide his embarrassment at his overly forward actions. What must she think of him? There was no way for him to even fathom what she might think, as she had proven that she was unlike anyone he had ever met, an enigma that barely seemed human sometimes, a mask to cover something so much more than she appeared. He wanted so desperately to stop her and ask her straight out what she was, but there was no way he could bring himself to be so rude to his companion, someone who had taken him into her home at the point of death and tried to help save his life, needed or not.<br/><br/>With a soft sigh, he pushed the thoughts from his mind, choosing to let Levani reveal herself as she saw fit. He owed her that much respect. With regret, he pushed himself to his feet, longing to remain relaxed on the cool grass, enjoying the gentle morning, though he knew that their journey must begin, that the world couldn't wait for them to linger and enjoy superficial trivialities. “I'm sure this place is sought by many to be exploited. If we survive... we will cross that particular bridge, I just ask that you think on it and tell me what you truly want when the time comes.” Grabbing his shirt and boots from the spot he had left them when he washed up, he moved towards Levani's burrow, stopping beside her to place a gentle hand on her shoulder, his pale eyes focused intently on her. “We have a long, hard journey ahead of us... let us focus on cleansing your forest for now lass.” With a gentle squeeze of his hand on her shoulder, he ventured into her burrow to retrieve the rest of his gear. Slipping the shirt over his head, he took a seat on one of the chairs at the table and laced up his boots, buckling the plates tight over the laces, keeping them from coming untied. Before grabbing the rest of his armor, and sword, he sat quietly at the table, eyes blankly staring at his gear as he tried to puzzle out why he cared so much about what she would want with him when their journey was done. Chances were that he wouldn't survive the coming battles, and even if he did, there was no logical reason he should feel so strongly towards Levani after such a short period of time. Was this part of his Goddess' plans? It couldn't be, as Levani didn't have faith in his Goddess, but her own form of Gods, who she claimed watched over this forest, this mysterious place she called Asdenni. “Does it really matter?” If he were honest with himself, none of it truly mattered anymore, not since his brother died, not since his homeland had been swallowed by the darkness that they now sought to cleanse.<br/><br/>Pushing the doubt from his thoughts, he got to his feet and retrieved the rest of his armor, shrugging into the heavy steel plated cuirass and buckling the straps tight around his toughened physique. “Time to focus lad, time to worry about her forest and not yourself.” As he spoke to himself, chastising his thoughts and feelings, he pulled his plated gauntlets onto his hands, lacing them up and flexing his hands, making sure they were situated properly before moving to the exit of her burrow, snagging his sword as he exited into the morning light.<br/><br/>Making his way from her home beneath the great tree, he realized that she had taken the time to wash the plates and pans and fill some waterskins for their journey. Offering a nod of thanks, he took the offered skin and tied it to his belt, pale orbs glancing at the pack strapped to her back. “I'd be happy to carry that pack lass. It'll be easier on me than it will you.” The way he had been raised made him want to carry the pack for her, though he knew full well that she was more than capable. “I know your abilities take a toll on your strength, so if you'd allow me to take that burden from you, as I'm sure we will need you and your abilities at full strength.” Outstretching his hand, palm up, he waited patiently for her to hand the pack over. “Once you give me the pack, I will be ready to start our hunt.” A playful smile graced his handsome features as he teased her, his mood bouncing back from the darker thoughts that had been plaguing his mind.