The hug made his face flush hotly, and for one tender moment, his heart fluttered like nothing before. He felt like the eagle, soaring over the drab desert as he held Abrianna in his arms. The hug didn't last as long as he wanted, though, and he hid his annoyance as she added the "whether or not..." comment. Abrianna's smile melted the rest of the coldness he'd begun to feel, and he couldn't help smiling back at her. She mentioned her Guardian Spirit, and for a moment, Askuwheteau almost objected with "Aren't I your guardian?" He dismissed the thought quickly, an impossible thing for him to tell her. Instead, he smiled as she took his hand, and he closed his fingers around it. With a sigh, he began to lead her back home.<br/><br/>The passage back to the village wasn't long, and as they got into the center, the beginnings of morning had laready begun. Children were rousing, women were preparing breakfast, and men were grumbling about the coming day's work. A few of the older women smiled as they made the way into the village, a few having already placed bets on when they would marry, and a few others on who would actually do the asking. Then there was the small circle that was fed up that neither had done so already. Askuwheteau walked into one of the larger houses, the home of the Council Chief. Demothi was a kind-hearted, white haired old man, and he waved the two to sit down at his breakfast table as his wife, Namid.<br/><br/>"Welcome Wolf Guardian. Welcome Abrianna," he said to them both. "What need of an old man do you have so early in the morning?" he asked kindly.