Celris absorbed this information and nodded slightly, "Alright, as long as it's not something that's gonna bite me in the  rear later, these secrets. I'd normally pitch all forms of fits to find out but this adventure is too fun to ruin." She bounced slightly, gaining cheer, "As for our reluctant ally, I hope we know what we're doing." She laughed, and eyed him as he fell into a solemn mood, eyeing the cliffs to their side.<br/>His depression wasn't completely hidden, and Celris sighed.<span style="font-style: italic">It BETTER not come back to haunt me, whatever Black's hiding.</span><br/>She jolted at his question, ears flicking uneasily. She stared at the dirt road below them, a bitter smile on her face. "You haven't seen me run yet, have you, Black? You haven't seen anything until you see a Feral in a fight. We're almost as legendary as him." She pointed upwards, towards the wheeling speck in the sky.<br/>She chuckled darkly, "At first they tried...they thought my size was a disadvantage. They had mobs and everything. But I kept thwarting them. I love fights and was glad to take them on. They didn't like that I saw their attacks as sparring matches, though. Once they brought out weapons and nets I ran away."<br/>She could remember how much fun the initial conflicts were. Once they'd started shooting arrows and resorting to ambush, though, she'd learned how to avoid them.<br/>It had been frightening and confusing for her. She'd grown up were spars were an accepted part of the community. They kept aggressions cool and fostered a sense of comradery between the Feral. When the Alune had started shooting arrows, throwing rocks, using knives and poisons...she'd learned fast enough to stay away and sleep with one eye open.<br/>"I kept on working, and eventually they had a decision to make; spend less than a days worth of wages on a Feral who could deliver their letters in a few days instead of a week or return to the high-priced Alune messengers. We kinda reached a mutual agreement."<br/>Kinda. Just because she was useful didn't mean they were on friendly terms. "They still try, though, so usually I sleep in the countryside and keep my exposure to their cities a minimum."<br/>Her smile was now closer to a baring of teeth, "Occasionally I can sneak into a library to read some of their books, but otherwise the countryside is my home. And why not? I'm a Feral. Surely I'm used to sleeping in the dirt."<br/>She blinked and shook herself, "Ooh, that was angsty. I'm not always that much of a downer. I like it here. Better than lounging around at home." Now she was getting flustered, "Not that home's all that bad...I'm excited to get to see my own kind...you know."<br/>Celris shut herself up before she babbled any more.