Embarrassment like she’d never known it coated her like a thick film. The sounds of laughter echoed around her, and luckily, Deryn was used to being the center of ridicule, otherwise she might have burst into tears. She did her best to hide her discomfort, but with each passing second, her face darkened yet another shade of red, almost to the color of purple, and it became quite obvious that she was experiencing some level of self-conscious distress. Her head remained held high, as if it were the only thing she could control, and she nodded quickly as the tree-like man told her that she would have a place to sleep and food to eat.<b>“Forgive my formality.”</b>She stated quickly, almost tacking on a ‘sir’ at the end, but catching herself at the last second.<b>“I’ll do my best to be more casual.”</b><br/><br/>Deryn retreated as Imperellis gestured for her and Malkier to take a spot next to him around the fire. She sat quietly at first, allowing Malkier, who had much more experience and familiarity with dealing with people such as those that sat around her, to start the story. But if there was one thing that the redheaded human couldn’t resist, it was a good story, and as the tale continued, she chimed in with an exasperation or two. It was only when Malkier began to explain the affectations of the beastkin that Deryn quieted. She listened intently as the winged man and Imperellis bantered back and forth. Malkier had not been affected by it, nor had he been able to assess her fallen comrades, but perhaps….<br/><br/>The calling for more people pulled attention away from the description of the beastkin and whatever caused their rabid behavior. As the request for more company was made and everyone finished their meals, Deryn sat playing with the remainder of her food. Her shoulder ached and warmth seeped from it, which was normal for a wound that was healing to do, but lines had started to divert away from the original scrapes, an indication that an infection was spreading. Deryn had every intention of treating it when she had access to the right resources, but part of her wondered if perhaps it was a good thing that the wound festered as it did.<br/><br/>When finally, Deryn was ready to say something, she raised her hand, the start of a word on the tip of her tongue, but she was interrupted by the appearance of two robed figures with horns that forced her eyes to widen with surprise. The things she’d seen since following Malkier had been enough to last a lifetime, and with her determination to have him travel with her to see the Prince, Deryn silently wondered what else she’d get to experience before her journey was over.<br/><br/>When the robed figures left, Deryn started to speak again, but for a second time, she was interrupted by yet another new figure. The dark skin of the woman intrigued her, forcing Deryn to look down at her own pearly arms that were only slightly tanned from the sun. For some reason, she felt a bit self-conscious, realizing that she was likely the only one with the peach colored skin tone. Deryn sank back into her seat, observing more for a moment as Malkier and the others all seemed to carry on a bit of familiar conversation with one another.<br/><br/>Frowning to herself, Deryn didn’t like the feeling of being practically ignored. She’d always felt that humans were considered a weak species by others on the Egg, although how true that was in reality, she didn’t know. But based on how her grandfather spoke on and the way she’d been embarrassed earlier, perhaps it did hold some merit of truth. Maybe she was being ignored because she wasn’t important. Perhaps she was just a small fish in a big pond.<br/><br/><b>“Excuse me.”</b>Deryn stated firmly, rising to her feet without so much as greeting the young drow woman.<b>“If you’re finished with your laughter and nonsense, we have more important matters to discuss.”</b>She casually took a few steps toward Imperellis, slowing when she was highlighted enough by the orange glow the fire cast.<b>“Malkier mentioned that he was unable to assess the effects this disease, or whatever you’d call it, had upon my people. Well, I do think I have a solution to that.” </b>Slowly, she removed her gear, exposing a plain looking tunic that was patched in places to cover holes. It was obvious that she did not have a lot of finer things, but to Deryn, that didn’t matter. The material was still comfortable enough and pliable enough to allow her the freedom to move as she wished. Peeling the soft, thin material away from her neck, she exposed the nasty wound on her shoulder.<b>“The only lasting injury I sustained came from the teeth of a wolf-like beastkin.”</b>Deryn looked over her shoulder at Malkier, giving him a nod because he’d been the one to help her defeat it.<b>“Lines are traveling from the wound, which means an infection is settling in. Either the beastkin’s mouth was dirty or perhaps, it’s due to something else entirely.”</b><br/><br/>Straightening herself, she shrugged the material and clasped her gear to her chest tightly.<b>“I’m no healer, nor am I a hunter or someone that is overly familiar with the Egg as a whole, but I am someone who would like to ensure that no one else becomes afflicted. And while I am nothing but an average, breakable human, I certainly hope that my carelessness in battle can assist someone else and perhaps prevent more beastkin from falling rabid.” </b>Deryn took a deep breath and retreated back to her seat when she was finished with her interruption. She kept her back straight, proud of herself for making her presence known, but also preparing herself for another round of laughter at her formality.<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>