Speaking as they walked about their dealings with Squeeker, Malkier raised an eyebrow at Deryn’s admission that she had lifted a pot of something from his lab, of all the places on the egg to take a random pot of some mysterious substance, a goblin’s laboratory was certainly one of the bravest and possibly craziest places to steal randomly from. The look that crossed her face as Deryn explained that whatever it was that smelled nicely of mint had made her nose numb, watching as she scrubbed at her face the feathered male burst into laughter, drawing the eyes of a few nearby Starcraft.<b>”As humans go, you are pretty crazy Deryn.”</b>He said in between bouts of laughter<b>“I’ve never known anyone lift anything from a goblin’s laboratory.”</b>The words were spoken softly but finished with another outbreak of laughter slowly dying down into silent chuckling and shaking of his head. As Deryn began to ask her question he quirked an eyebrow again, ready to answer, his sharp ears picking up her whisper at this distance and smiled wryly as he watched her secure the small vials of dark liquid he had handed her.<b>“I assure you weakness is not my intent Young One. Would you venture on a journey without adequate food or water if you had a choice? Of course not, to do so would be folly, consider this emergency rations for more than just your stomach.” </b>As they continued their walk southwards<b>“Indeed we have discussed this, once again consider it not that I am making you look, but merely preparing for as many eventualities as possible.” </b><br/><br/>Nodding in satisfaction at Deryn’s recital of their course of action, he was glad she understood, it would help in case they got separated.<b>“It is just a forest like many others, full of beasts and danger, I assure you it holds you no ill will, but indeed a less exciting journey for you might be preferable.”</b>He did think over his own journey northwards through the forest but a few days before, he would manage another day, maybe two without feeding, but Deryn was certain to notice changes in his appearance after that and he dared not risk becoming too desperate that he would feed upon her, he would have to make efforts to hunt one evening, without her noticing.<br/><br/>As she continued to speak, his thoughts and attentions retuned to the present and a smile upon his lips, Deryn’s enthusiasm for adventure was infectious, despite having his own experience of adventures there was something about accompanying Deryn upon this venture that excited him also.<b>“I am quite certain will have tales to tell once this is over and if I have my way you will live long enough to make it home and impress your old Mentor Young One.”</b><br/><br/>As they passed beneath the first boughs of the forest once more, passing idle talk of what might be to come, unseen watchers marked the passage of the unlikely pair, shapes seemingly drifting from shadow to shadow, skirting the rays of sunlight that broke through the canopy above.<br/><br/>Their first day of travel passed smoothly, covering good ground through the more open forest, Deryn’s ability with a bow had come in useful, snagging them a couple of rabbits late in the afternoon, giving them something to supplement the dry rations they had brought with them. As he was, Malkier did not require sustenance as Deryn did, which meant the rations he carried could be used for her should they need it, but while he had it, he wasn’t going to pass up food such as rabbit. As they made camp in the waning light of the early evening a small campfire with the pair of game slowly spit roasting over the flames and the scent of cooking meat filling the space among the trees, certainly life could be worse than this. Malkier reclined against a large boulder, his wings unfurled and brushing the ground either side of him.<b>“I would recommend you rest tonight and we shall continue our journey South tomorrow, would be unwise to press on through the night only to stumble into the ‘<i>den’</i> exhausted and unaware in the midst of night.”</b>He also hoped to scout a little way ahead for their route tomorrow, find any potential dangers that would need to be avoided. He would be willing to do it now, but venturing out after the sun set would be safer, he would be less vulnerable with the absence of daylight.<br/><br/>Settling around the fire with Deryn as they enjoyed their cooked game together, he was curious about her, her past and what she saw in her future. It was a strange sensation, why he should be so intrigued by her. Picking clean a haunch of the small mammal, his long canines bared and reflecting the amber glow of the fire,<b>“So tell me, what brought you to this point in your life? Why this path in life?”</b>Human existence upon the surface was intriguing, they had in comparison to him, such a peaceful easy existence, he was curious what it too to bring one such as Deryn to a point in their life that they were camping in a forest, in a far-off land with a fundamental stranger, and even if she didn’t know his true nature that concept alone would be too much for many to face. As he sat in the warming glow of the fire and listened to her reply, slowly nodding in understanding as she explained,<b>“Hmmm interesting, thank you. Life in the Underdark is a struggle, although it may be vast and stretch beneath every nation upon the Egg, it is a confined space and so it is almost impossible to avoid the dangers that travelling can bring, which means all who live there face danger on a daily basis.”</b>He laughed softly at how casual death was in his home<b>“That of course doesn’t take in to account the Drow society’s way of life and how one can change their lot, inherit power and generally advance in society by <i>‘removing’</i> those above them.”</b><br/><br/>The forest grew darker far before the sun had set, the angle of the light no longer able to penetrate through the canopy and merely creating a glowing amber and jade ceiling to their environment. As the sun finally gave way, slipping below the horizon, Malkier could feel the change, the darkness around him felt more alive, he could feel the changes in himself, his canines grew a little longer, his body flushed with energy and vigour, hardening to protect him for harm, the feeling felt good, felt natural and he could not withhold the smile that came with feeling whole again.<br/><br/><b>“I will go and gather some more firewood, it will help to keep things in the dark at bay I am sure. Stay here and rest…” </b>he said as he rose from beside the fire, as soon as he said about resting he was sure he scented a prickle to Deryn’s usual fresh scent<b>“…I want you to rest to ensure you are properly recovered from the infection, I don’t want to run the risk of you not being combat effective, something tells me we will not just be walking in and walking out.”</b>Turning to face the dark, wings folding back in and draping around his shoulders like a cloak, his soft footfalls trailing off as he disappeared into the gloom beyond the fireside glow.<br/><br/>Tag:<a class="username" data-user-id="91" data-username="@Wren" data-xf-init="member-tooltip" href="https://blackdahliaroleplaying.com/members/91/">@Wren</a>