She was not expecting a grand display when it came to collecting her things, but even less so was she expecting Malkier to speak to her with such seriousness. He sat upon the cot as she had her back to him, bent over her pack to ensure her things were secured appropriately. They didn't speak much to one another while they collected themselves, but when Malkier broke the friendly silence between them, Deryn's hands stopped moving and she listened to him intently. There was a warning in his tone, something that he didn't outwardly speak but something that she picked upon immediately. He would save her life if she needed it, not because it was the most wise or the most appropriate choice, but because he was bound by duty to ensure she returned home with most of her limbs intact. It was honorable, and while Deryn instinctively wanted to tell him that she could take care of herself, when her eyes landed upon him on the edge of the cot, she refrained from doing so, stopping short with a look of bafflement on her face. Deryn stared at the winged man for a really long, thoughtful moment, before nodding solemnly and returning to the task at hand. If that was what his duty would call for, she would allow it, even though she would allow it almost unwillingly. He didn't know that her standards were the same - if it came down to it, Deryn could possibly put her life on the line for someone like Malkier, even if he refused to allow her to do so.<br/><br/>When the time came to leave, Deryn followed Malkier without much response. She was lost in her thoughts, soaking up his words on the short journey until her senses were assaulted by the most vile smell she'd ever experienced in her twenty-something years on the Egg.<b>"Can I smell that? Are you being rhetorical?"</b>Deryn replied to Malkier, her hands clasping her nostrils to keep herself from inhaling the air through her nose. She had to stop once before reaching the entrance way of Squeeker's abode, retching slightly before she regained her composure. How was Malkier able to withstand such a terrible smell? Upon entering the hut, Deryn took in the objects with wondrous fascination. There were things that she had never seen before, but knowing what little she did about goblins, she kept her hands to herself, trusting that it was wisest not to irritate one that had cures for the many maladies that she could succumb to during their journey. Letting Malkier take the lead on discussions with the greenskin himself, Deryn focused more upon ridding her nostrils of the horrible smell. She found a sweet smelling salve that she quickly snatched off a table when Squeeker was not around and lathered it under her nose. A peppermint smell lingered there, overpowering the terrible stench, and while Deryn didn't know what it was, she honestly didn't care as long as the smell was away.<br/><br/>Eventually, they left the hut and continued away from Squeeker's laboratory and off into the encampment. Their adventure was just beginning, and Deryn was more than ready for it to take off. She wondered how long it would be before they found the beastkin. Would she have to kill more of them or would they find a way to save them before resorting to such violent means? She was well trained in hand to hand combat, although not nearly as skilled as Malkier was in fighting, but she was not one that enjoyed violence. It was only a means if necessary. She would find another way if she could. When they were far enough away from Squeeker's residence, Malkier asked about how she'd fared with the smell, and Deryn, the unknowing human that she was, held up the small container with the peppermint cream inside of it.<b>"I made due with this. I'm not entirely sure what it is, but...."</b>She trailed off for a minute, thinking about the tingling above her lip.<b>"I may have just made my nose numb."</b>Using her sleeve to wipe the goo off as best as she could, Deryn tucked the container into her satchel so that it was securely hidden and out of the way. Who knew when something like that could come in handy again? She paused for a moment, holding up her finger with a confused look on her face. Did Malkier just say that he didn't need to breathe?<b>"Excuse me, Malkier, but did you just say....."</b>Deryn shook her head, whispering a<i>surely not</i>to herself before she accepted the vials that Malkier handed her. Putting them into a safe spot quickly, she watched as he pointed out more vials that would assist her. Deryn was surprised at the quantity in his hands, frowning because he said that he'd rather be safe than sorry when he'd only given her two.<b>"You're making me appear weak, Sir."</b>She stated matter-of-factly and with a frown.<b>"I believe we have discussed this."</b><br/><br/>But that was the last that he'd hear of it because it was honestly starting to just become one of those things that Deryn was getting used to.<br/><br/><b>"Do I know the plan?"</b>Deryn repeated with a scoff.<b>"Of course I do. Southern forest, come back, go to the Prince. I doubt it will take you and I more than a day or so to complete this first leg of it."</b>Deryn held her head high as they walked toward the forest.<b>"Although, I will admit that this forest and I do not have such fond memories of one another. The last time I was inside of it, I had a rampaging plague in my shoulder and a group of greenskins holding me captive. Let us both hope that my adventures here this time are not nearly as exciting."</b>Deryn looked over her shoulder at the winged man and gave him a smile.<b>"Of course, I am most certainly looking forward to whatever awaits us. Who knows? Perhaps I will make it back to Albion one day and tell Bran about all of the interesting things I've had the opportunity to experience. It is my new goal - to impress him with my worldly travels just as he tried to do so to me during my training."</b>Deryn scrunched her nose before she looked away from Malkier, the looming forest ahead of them. It was dark there, darker than it was outside of it, but she could see light pouring through on occasion. With Malkier by her side, she felt more safe than she had the last time she wandered through on her own. His promise to keep her out of harm as best as he possibly could was reassurance, and silently, Deryn promised to look out for him as well, even if he didn't know it.<br/><br/>Tag:<a class="username" data-user-id="92" data-username="@Malkier" data-xf-init="member-tooltip" href="https://blackdahliaroleplaying.com/members/92/">@Malkier</a>