a healthy boy [open]

[Deleted]

there were stars in the sky as the cat inspects the area. He blends right in, his dark pelt merging with the dark night. He is as silent as the wind as he weaves through the grasses of the meadow. If you weren't aware of him then you might just trip right over his slight frame. Once you do notice him though, it's hard to miss him again. The young cat's fur is matted with leaves and flowers and plants of different kinds tangled into the fur. It's easy to mistake him as moving shrubbery.

Bael is his name, and he tries his best to be a healer. Which is why he came to the meadow in the first place. The herbs found in the field are to die for and going there at night makes it all the less likely that he'll be seen. He doesn't mind company, but sometimes he can find it a bit, repetitive.

Bael sets some herbs he has already collected down and clamps his jaws down on a plant with a dark stem. After a few sharp tugs the plant is ripped free from the ground and Bael is free to continue on. He picks up the rest of the plants and begins the search anew.

Clamped in Bael's maw already are three of the plants with the dark stems, four different flowers, and a multitude of leaves. The plants only serve to add to his walking bush appearance. 

A gentle wind blows through the medow and a single leaf is pulled away from Bael's grasp. He turns quickly to see it fly slowly away from him. Bark can't and won't accept the loss of that herb. He begins to follow the leaf, keeping his eyes glued above on the plant overhead.

Bael follows for a few moments before his nose catches the scent of what smells like another cat. Bael frowns and pauses, deciding that he will have to lose the leaf if he want to avoid some type of confrontation. Whoever this cat is their scent is fresh so they must be close by.

[Darya]

Darya wasn't really sure why she was in this meadow. Her pale coat stood out in stark contrast against the soft palette of the night sky. The only thing that matched his color on this dark eve was the stars sparkling like jewels high above. Stars. That was the one thing the child had learnt to appreciate during her kithood. The rest was a blur of claws and fangs, and blood. Always blood. The scars on her shoulder twitch at the thought. The sharp and unfortunately too clear memory of claws raking their way through her fur to mar her frail body. She couldn't even remember now if the wound had been given to her by father or brother, though one would suppose it hardly mattered anymore. And not because she was so far from them now. Now. Because her eldest brother was a mirror image of their father, his pet. He'd always been cloying for attention and approval from that brute, and it had both unnerved and disgusted her. A slight shudder racks her body at the memory, and the child tries to block it out. Yet, as it was, the stars remind her of her mother, which in turn reminds her of her dead sister, killed by none other than her father. So it was a little easier said than done.

And yet, why she was here? That was a whole other story. Perhaps it was merely because she needed time alone. No. she spent too much time brooding and avoiding all possible company, it was taking its toll. Yet she hated to admit it. Her past had effected her deeply, and so ruined all future of being remotely sociable. In fact, fear had been drilled into her so deeply that it was as natural as breathing. Well, considering fear tended to grip you tightly by the lungs or through, perhaps it was more natural than breathing. Her father had also drilled in obedience. "Do as you're told and you won't get hurt" he'd always said. What folly. He must have meant so say that she'll survive. He was always about survival. Everything he trained her was a matter of survival. Anything other than lessons was to supply himself, his magnet of a son, and his advisors of some 'much needed amusement.' Yes, that's all she was to them. A walking target to strike for mere amusement.

Yet alone, Nyara could almost convince herself to feel like a kit again. So long as she kept her senses sharp, making sure she wasn't about to be attacked, she was able to almost act her age. And so, when a leaf floated by her on the breeze, she couldn't help the spark of curiosity. Why on hpearth would such a thing be floating by her? Twitching her ears slightly, the child moves after it, and with a slight arc of her paw, manages to tempt it toward ground level, where she snatches it out of the air. She catches the slight tang of the leaf's scent, and instantly recognizes it as one of the herbs she's been studying. She'd began to pick up on certain healing herbs and their uses, and had been learning where to gather them from by keeping a special eye of Iceclan's medicine cat. The skill of healing was mighty helpful for one who lived alone, though she needed a lot of work. So far she only knew the most basic of medicines and their uses, yet she spdid recongnize the leave as medicinal.

A patch of movement draws her eyes, and to her surprise, she sees what appears to be a shrug with eyes staring after the leaf before hurrying off. Tilting her head in utmost confusion, the child begins to follow after the moving shrubbery, catching the faint hint of healing herbs from it as well. Of course, by the time she's a few fox-lengths away, she decuces the shrug to be an older feline collecting herbs. And apparently with a curious perception of camouflage. Cautious now, her body stiff and ready to spring away, the small child approaches until she reaches a tail length in distance, and lowers herself to the ground, body quivering. However, she had to approach. She knew just how precious healing herbs could be, and one with the knowledge of them would certainly appreciate seeing it returned, right? Surely he would not scold her for her boldness - which is as bold as she can get whilst also being the complete opposite of bold compared to any other cat. Placing the leaf in between her paws to hold it still and free her mouth for speech, she eyes the older tom warily. "I-I think you d-d-dropped this..."

[Deleted]

Bael was running scenarios now. The young cat didn't hat others, but he also knew how territorial and dangerous they could get. He figured if he tried his best to avoid whoever this cat was then it would be for the best. His messy fur did goo for camouflage now. He hadn't meant for that to be the purpose of the leaves and twigs in his fur, rather it was just him being lazy with grooming, but he found it to be useful in events such as this where he found himself not wanting to be seen. It worked sometimes, but it appeared that luck was not in his favour tonight.

The cat that Bael came face to face with was easy to spot. Her pelt easy to see against the dark backdrop. Abel froze and inspected her quickly and what danger she might pose. She didn't look to be in a threatening stance, but she had scars, which made Bael think she had been in fights. She seemed to be somebody to be wary of even if she wasn't about to fight him at that moment. As Bael's eyes took the she-cat in he noticed the leaf she had. 

Was as that his leaf? Had she seriously stollen his leaf from the wind? Could she not just pick her own? Bael narrowed his eyes and watched as the pale she-cat set his leaf down to speak. 

If Bael had been worried before she spoke he wasn't after. She stuttered and sounded all around quite cautious. Bael's scenarios continue to play as he eyes the cat and then to leaf. What to do? What to do? Finally Bael shook his messy fur out and stretched. A bit of the random flora in his pelt was dislodged, but there was still some left to make him look incredibly messy. He gently set his gathering of herbs down and placed a paw overtop of them to keep the in place before speaking.

"ah, that I did. thank ya' doll for bringin' it back to me. It would've been a sorry herb to miss, preparin' for injuries an' all." Bael stated. He showed a charismatic smile to the she-cat who looked to be about his age, if not younger. He probably take her in a fight. Her scars were worrying, but her personality seemed more timid than anything. Bael was still ready to lunge at any moment, but he tried to appear as nonchalant and nonviolent as possible.

[Darya]

Darya wasn't sure she liked the way the tom was looking at her, in fact, as the silence spread between them, she found her fear and unease thickening and coiling into something almost palpable. He seemed to be studying her, especially her scars. Assessing her. She wasn't sure she liked it, and found herself shrinking away from his studious gaze, her scarred shoulder rippling slightly at the unwanted attention. Yet she does not move, and keeps her grip upon the leaf as she peers up at him, allowing her weariness and a hint of fear to show in her pale gaze.

The child almost started at his sudden break in silence. His tone and expression seemed so charismatic and calm. Yet his own gaze remains watchful. Not that she can blame him. What with her multiple scars and rather notable torn ear, which is currently pinned back with unease. However, at his choice of words both ears perk up curiosuly. "D-doll?" She questions, head propping slightly to one side to display her slight confusion at the term. She wasn't really sure what that meant, yet it certainly didn't sound in any way threatening. "Of course" She responds, voice a little stronger in the face of his charming smile and rather lax attitude. Not removing her eyes from him for a second, Darya takes the leaf and stretches her neck forward to carefully tuck it into his pile, before allowing her whole body to crawl back a pace. Yet she remains lowered to the ground and staring up at him, muscles tense though more in way of fear.

Darya hates fighting. Even the thought of spilling blood makes her own run cold. Mostly because battles remind her of her father, and though the skills she was taught are incredibly valuable, she certainly hated the idea of ever having to put them to use. Yet the way this cat is looking at her...it's like they're both awaiting the other to spring forth and attack. Hoping it'll help the unease settle and loosen the clear mistrust, the child tucks her paws beneath her in her best attempt at a relaxed stance. Though she is no less ready to run. "I'm Darya...W-ho're you?" She waits patiently for an answer, before lowering her head slightly and twitching her ears back. "Don't worry, I in't no threat to none. Quite the opposite, really..." This admission is more in hopes that he'll stop looking at her like that, yet she also sort of wants him to trust her. His presence is certainly less threatening than that of the clan cats, who have a whole army nearby to back them up. Such a close knit group can be threatening, this she knows well.

[Deleted]

Bael was fairly sure that this she-cat was of no worry to him. She was definitely more worried about being there than he was. Her eyes even held a tinge of fear in them. Bael wasn't here to terrify the young cat so he tried to stop studying her so closely and making her feel so scared and wary.

when she points out his choice of wording he feels his ears heat up a little. Had he chosen a weird word? He had heard the word somewhere before, usually as a Word to describe another cat, but what was the original meaning? Bael finally remembered where he had heard it himself, but not exactly what it meant "Yes it's a term of endearment. My ma' used to call me that when I was much younger. 'Course I'm sure there was some older meanin' to it, but I can't really 'member that right now." He explained to the younger cat. He himself couldn't be much older than she was, maybe a moon or two at most, but he spoke as if he was much, much older than her.

when she adds his lost leaf back to his pile he smiled. Now that he had all his herbs back he could head out once he was done here. He twitched an ear as he tried to figure out when he would indeed be done here. So far talking the the she-cat wasn't horrible, and it hadn't ended in a battle yet, but Bael always found himself getting bored in conversations that lasted too long with no real purpose.

the she-cat brought him out of his thinking with an introduction. "It's a pleasure to meet ya' Darya. You can call me Bael." He meowed. He watched her for a second more before she spoke again about how she wasn't a threat. Bael couldn't help but laugh. "That's lovely to hear. Wasn't really in the mood for a fight today." He stated.

With a flicked of his tail Bael settled into a much less threatening position. "So what brings ya' to the meadow Darya?" He asked nonchalantly as he looked up at the moon to try and getting a reading as to what time of night it was.

[Darya]

Darya can't help but feel a little eased by this cat's calm demeanour, despite the odd stare he keeps giving her. She watches as he seemingly puts some effort into easing his gaze, softening it a little in order to ease her worries. She smiles a little in return, a hesitant flicker at the corner of her mouth, and a slight shimmer in her wide eyes. This cat seemed rather...interesting. And he wasn't much older than her, which certainly helps her ongoing fear. However, she is getting a lot better at controlling it recently, a couple of moons ago she wound have bolted the second his eyes reached her.

She notes cautiously how he acts so much older than her. It was something her brother used to do, her father's precious pet. She shudders slightly at the thought, her fear increasing twofold before she reminds herself that this tom wasn't acting condescending towards her, and his face always seems hinted with a warm smile, like he's trying to ease her fear. And something tells her it's not for his own gain. "Oh, I've never h-heard the t-term before..." She responds faintly. His smile as she returns his herb teases out one of her own, though her's is innocent and wary, her eyes wide and her scarred shoulder partially hidden from view. Yet both ears are pricked toward him slightly, showing she's at least not opposed to his company.

"Bael...I-I like it" Her smile widens slightly, before falling as she flinches away at the sound of his laughter, eyes flickering slightly around them as she peers up at him with pure confusion. Yet this softens once more as he speaks, and she realises that he must merely be playfully teasing her. Hopefully. She certainly is glad to hear he doesn't want to fight, and as he settles into a less threatening and more comfortable position, she finds herself doing the same. In fact, she doesn't feel so prepared to run anymore.

However, his next question startles her a little, and she blinks in surprise. 'Is he wary about me after all? Is this an act?' A million questions fly through her mind, before she settles on one, tilting her head slightly to portray her own wonder. 'Why am I here?' She blinks once more, before peering around the meadow. Finally, she returns her gaze to his after a moment of hesitation. "I'm really not sure..." She murmurs softly, studying the ground for a moment as her ears heat up. Is such a thing silly? Most likely.

[Deleted]

Bael knew that some of his terminology was a bit outdated or... unique, but when she stated that she had never heard the word used before Bael still felt his ears grow slightly hotter in a bit of embarrassment. He didn't let it show though. Darya seemed nice, if only a bit jittery, so he doubted she would just be making fun of the words he chose to use. He would try and use more commonly known words and phrases in the future, if just to avoid confusion.

It seemed she liked his name though. Bale grinned and dipped his head a little. "Why, thank ya' ma'am. I've found it ta' be useful through the moons." He stated, joking about the usefulness of his name. He was pretty sure having any name was useful, no matter what it happened to be. "I quite enjoy yer name as well." He compliments her after a few seconds.

When Darya settles down a little Bael smiles. He's happy to see her calming down a little. It makes her a lot easier to predict if she isn't so nervous and jittery. He doesn't like cats being unpredictable. At his question though she almost seems to worry a bit more. She thinks for a while on the question before stated that she's not sure why she came to the meadow.

Bael shrugs. "Well I'm sure glad ya' did 'cause otherwise my leaf would've blown away." He meows. His paws absentmindedly knead the ground as he thinks. "You don't seem like the type ta' be involved with a big group a' cats, yer a loner no?" He guesses. Bale has been trying to get better at reading cats and predicting things about them. It's makes it easier to gather information that way. Having information leaves less to the unknown.

[Darya]

(This is the calmest she's ever been around another cat. I think she's picking up of his energy or something, lol. Oh well, it's nice RPing her somewhere near happy)

Darya watches the tom with something like a wary fascination. This is the calmest she can remember being, the only time her memories haven't wreaked havoc upon her already frail emotions. That's what tended to cause her fear, those memories of her past that made her just want to run away and give up on other cats all together. Yet she found she liked this cat. His company was...pleasant, and he seemed to be trying his best to keep her calm. What that could mean, she isn't sure, but she tries not to dwell on it. 'Not everyone is out to hurt you' She reminds herself, yet finds she still has much trouble believing it. So many had told her such a thing, yet she wasn't sure who she could trust. If she could even trust anyone.

At his first comment she can tell he is joking around, and yet she still finds herself rather confused. Tilting her head slightly she peers up at him for a moment, trying to gauge from him what her reaction ought to be. Yet after a moment he returns the compliment. She's a little surprised by it, and the slight widening of her and flittering ears show this. And yet still she smiles slightly, and can't help but purr in response. Yet the second she hears the rumbling purr her ears switch back and she jumps, startled. The sound abruptly cuts off in her sudden fear and she peers around frantically before realisation hits her. 'Was that...me?' She wonders, despite the fact she already knows the answer. After a few calming breaths she returns her attention to the other and forces herself to relax, allowing her slight smile to shine through again to show her appreciation at the compliment. "Thank you" She responds, her voice timid but grateful.

Darya watches the other, ears heated up slightly in embarrassment over her reaction to her own purr. Having now calmed herself down a little once more, back to her state of wary hope that this guy is as friendly as he seems, she sort of just feels a little stupid. Like she's constantly overreacting. And yet she's never heard herself purr before, perhaps once when she was a newborn kitten and all life was about was her mother and littermates. Yet by now she's grown unfamiliar with such emotions as joy or amusement. Is that...bad? She isn't sure, yet at his next comment she feels that same spark of surprised gratitude toward Bael. "You're...glad I'm here?"

The second her brings up big groups she tenses, and then when he mentions her loner status her ears heat up slightly and she lowers her head, kneeling the ground slightly with her paws. Yet her eyes never stop wandering around, always afraid someone will jump out and find her or something will happen. She glances over her shoulder briefly at the thought, far too used to watching over her shoulder, before reutening her attention to the tom before her with a quick nod. "Yes, I am" She admits, torn ear twitching slightly to show her usual discomfort. Yet her fear is half as 'there' as it usually is, which must mean she prefers being in this feline's presence then with any other. She hesitates, before meeting his gaze once more. "And you?"

[Deleted]

It seemed like Bael might finally be getting through to the nervous cat. Sure she had been constantly calming down as they talked, but now she finally seemed actually calm. It made Bael more calm in turn. He finds himself not exactly hating her being around. Keeping her calm and explaining his weird mannorisms to her is letting Bael actually focus on something in the conversation rather than just glide through it easily and get lost in his thoughts and plotting every move. It's a habit that Bael will probably never shake.

when he compliments Darya's name he find her reaction to be more surprised than he thought she would be. She has a very unique name so he doesn't see why she should be surprised that somebody likes it. Still Bael earns a small smile and what can almost be described as a small purr. This seems to freak Darya out again. Had she never heard herself purr before? Bael watches her calm herself with a small smile tugging at his own lips. When she thanks him he dips his head as a way of saying that it truly is no problem.

Bael hadn't meant his statement of her being there to catch his leaf to be taken so much to heart, but he's beginning to realize that this cat might have had a bad past to be so nervous and seemingly unfamiliar with happiness. "Why of course. How else was I s'posed to get ma' leaf back. Plus ya' make for some pretty good conversation." He stated, giving her another compliment. If she did have a hard past then Bael only want to be nicer to her.

It makes him regret bringing up groups. She seems to grow uncomfortable with the thought and even looks over her shoulder as if she's scared somebody might pop out of the bushes. He was right though, she isn't part of any group. He nods thoughtfully and when she asks about his own group status he feels his ears heat up.

"Well, I prefer the whole 'strength in numbers' sayin' so yea I joined a group." He regards Darya for a second before he continues. "I actually don't have any claws so I figure havin' somebody else there ta' watch my back is smart." He explains. He doesn't usually bring up his lack of claws, but Darya seems nervous and Bael figures that this at least will calm her to some degree more than she already has. His only true weapon is his teeth.

[Darya]

At her sudden fright of her own purr, he seems to be trying his best to be even nicer. Her ears hear up more and she ducks her head a little in embarrassment, yet her eyes don't leave him or her surroundings for a moment. He goes on to compliment her even more, and his words coax yet another hesitant smile from her, eyes fluttering slightly. She likes this cat, she really does. He smells like herbs, and he seems to be trying his best to be as nice and friendly to her as he possibly can. And plus he deals out compliments like her father dealt out threats and punishments. She forces the thought of her father out of her mind before it can do any real damage, brushing her muzzle over her scarred shoulder as it seemingly throbs at the slightest reminder of her father.

She's still blushing a little as she turns her attention back to him, and her ears twitch slightly in acknowledgement of this fact. 'Ya really don' have to complement me so" she offers lightly, mostly because his niceness is so incredibly unfamiliar to her, and it's making her far too relaxed in his company. That too is a feeling she's unfamiliar with, and her tail tip flickers slightly amongst the meadow's grass. She likes this cat, but perhaps she's getting to like him too much. It's not safe for her too get to close to anyone, she's always been told that. "Love is weakness, Darya. If you give away your heart they'll crush it in an instant." She doubted she'd give her heart to a stranger, but such words to her had become a necessary precaution per say.

His opinion makes sense, and she nods in understanding. Yet the mention of groups still makes her a little jittery, and she finds herself trying to still a shudder, to no avail of course. She masks it as the chill of the night air by tucking her small body closer in on itself, yet this too is more of a nervous habit. She doesn't tend to register the cold much. As he goes on to mention a lack of claws, she finds her eyes widening slightly as she lets out a slight gasp of surprise. The sound is clearly muffled, and with effort as well, yet her surprise is no less...there. "No claws?" She murmurs, not sure if she's speaking to him or herself. She unsheathes her own claws and flexes them as though to remind herself they're still there, before quickly tpsheathing them again and tucking her paws away once more.

Her eyes stray up to meet his, again hesitant. "I in't never had anyone watch my back, not since..." She trails off and shakes her head as though to clear it, body tensing up again at the memories. Yet then again, had anyone truly watched her back then either? No, not truly. She brushes her scars again as she ducks her head a little almost in shame. This time her muzzle lingers upon the markings a little longer before drawing away like they'd burned her.

[Deleted]

Bael might have been overdoing it a bit with the compliments, but he found no reason why he shouldn't compliment others if the compliments were true. It was an added bonus that it seemed that Darya didn't get a lot of compliments and everytime he did compliment her she seemed to get embarresed. When she mentions that he doesn't have to compliment her he chuckles. "Technically I don't have ta', but I enjoy it. It also makes it easier ta' avoid fightin' and all that stuff." He told her with a smile. He had considered complimenting her again, just to prove that he could, but he didn't want to push his good stance with her.

It also seemed that she had quite a dark past. With the paranoia she had showed in the beginning and her continued unfamiliarity with compliments and purring it made Bael remember his own past. At her surprise with him not having claws he gave a small, sad, chuckle. His eyes seemed to almost glaze over as his mind drifted away and he thought to his past, but it was short lived as he snapped back into focus. He cursed himself for fading out like that. Usually his mind was too caught up with planning ahead to think back too far into his past.

When Darya starts another sentence Bael finds himself falling into a frown and when she doesn't finish it his frown deepens. Something bad definitely happened. "Well if ya' ever need some backup I'd be happy ta' help out. I might not be much, considering me not havin' claws, but I'd be willin' ta' try." He states and gives her what he hopes is a comforting smile. Bael has decided that he likes Darya and he finds that he doesn't mind offering to have her back. He kind of wants to ask about her past, but it seems painful and Bael knows a lot about not wanting to bring up old memories.

[Darya is such a cute kitty! I just want to protect her and keep her safe!]

[Darya]

(Aw, thank you. And I know, I love her *hugs Darya*)

Darya isn't sure what she thinks of all his compliments. It almost seems like he's trying to lull her into a sense of security, perhaps planning to attack. Yet he's been so kind to her, and he says he merely enjoys complimenting others. It's certainly a better hobby then her father's. That thought, along with the mention of fighting, causes her muscles to tense slightly and ears to flicker. She's never liked the mention of fighting, and the added though of her father only makes it worse. However, at his smile, she allows herself to relax a little once more, ears flitting forward again as she tries to return it with a little ghost of her own. "Well, it's a better habit then some" She offers, voice quavering a little at the mention, tail swaying uneasily. Perhaps that wasn't the best road to head down.

He apppears to be thinking, at first merely studying her and probably mulling ofpver what she said said and done so far. Her thoughts wreak havoc upon her emtotions once again, and at his unattentiveness she tenses slightly. 'What if he's planning to attack me? Has he got others nearby to back him up? He mentioned being of a group...' At these thoughts her eyes flit around her, and she raises her head slightly to test the scents in the air. Yet once more all she can catch is his scent, hers, and the scent of the herbs trapped beneath his paw. She forces her paranoia down with great effort. 'Nonsense, he must be thinking of something else...perhaps I upset him?' Her heart clenches at the thought, especially at the glazed, faraway look in his eyes, recognition hits her slightly, she's familiar with this. She's always staring off, deep in thoughts and memories. Even now in the lapse of their conversation she's trying her best not to think. Not to remember. Memories are a curse, ghosts only their to haunt. She shakes these ghosts off as he returns his attention to her and the waking world.

He almost looks...worried. Darya isn't sure what to make of it, for she knows it's not of their surroundings. It's her. Perhaps her words, or maybe she said something bad...Her ears flit forward as he speaks and her eyes widen once more in surprise, whole body stilling slightly as she listens and repeats his words in her head three times before their meaning finally kicks in. 'Hes offering me...protection...' She blinks once. Twice. Her mind flits back to all the days she's spent scared and alone, always looking over her shoulder, worried her father will one day find her. She's not sure of his sincerity, but the offer is too much to pass up. He's been so nice to her, and such time alone is bad for ones mind, their soul, whatever. It's no good, and she knows this well. Too well. Her gaze shies away before flitting up to meet his, wide and wary but hopeful. Too hopeful. 'I don't care.' She decides. "Really? You'd...you'd do that...for me?" She tests, reminding herself not to jump into a offer head first.

[Deleted]

Darya is quite interesting in a way. She seems to constantly be falling into a state of varying anxiety and then pulling herself out of it and calming down. Bael quiet enjoys her company, despite her being so nervous. It was almost as if that made him want to be more calm, if only to make it easier for her to be calm. Her mention of habits makes him flick his one ear slightly. He nods slightly. It seems that there had to be somebody with a bad habit in her past because she seems very uncomfortable with the topic. Bael tries to remember not to bring it up again.

When he zones out he notices that she starts to worry again, but it's only a second glimpse that he get when he looks back up at Darya. There's a pause that comes after Bael suggests that he could be somebody to watch her back. She looks to be almost confused for a second before it slowly shifts into a hopefulness that makes Bael giver her a warm smile.

"Of course. Ya' seem like a lovely cat and I don't know what happened in your past, but it doesn't seem all too good. I understand if ya' would prefer ta' not ally with me, but it's an option that I wouldn't mind givin' ya'." Bael told her. He didn't want any cat to have to be alone and so worried all the time. While he wasn't prepared to completely leave Deathclan to protect her he would definitely be willing to help her. He's only known her for a few moments, but still she has already talked to him for a while and saved his leaf from blowing away. He probably owes her one in some way.

[  sorry this is kind of lazy /:  ]

[Darya]

The silence that stretches between them is almost pleasant, and she finds herself not only wanting herself to relax, but allowing herself to do so. Her ears twitch slightly, curious, nervous, fearful, hopeful. Everything you could think of. Thoughts and memories swirl through her mind, unbidden. At first where she had found pleasentry in the silence, she now only wishes it to end. Yet she can't bring about the roads to break it. It's not that it's uncomfortable, but a distraction. She didn't know how much she needed company until she hapoened upon this cat, and now she doesn't want silence, or to be alone. Yet as he holds his offer steady, she hesitates once more. "Strength in numbers is true, but allies can become enemies quicker then you can so much as blink" her father had warned her once, both during a rare good mood and his usual terrible one. Even her mother had said something along these lines. "Others will use you, child, lull you in a sense of security, and then slowly break you. This will be the death of you, Darya." Her brother, even, had warned her of alliances.

"I...thank you, but..." Her ears twitch slightly, unsure, words and whispers from her past flickering through her mind with warnings and encouragements alike. She opens her mouth once again, preparing to turn down his offer no matter how grateful she is. Yet another whispered memory silences her. "Even so, you'll never gain an ally, child. None will see you worthy. They'll see you for what you truly are, a worthless brat, afraid of her own shadow." Her father's taunting laughter rings in her ears until she ducks her head and closes her eyes, forcing her mind to focus. 'This is my chance...I am not unworthy...' With that she raises her head and peers at him, still wary but offering a single, determined nod. "If you're truly willing I...I would like to accept your offer." She still sounds hesitant, voice a little quavery, yet she at least speaks with a glimmer of conviction.

In the silence that follows, Darya finds that she has ducked her head. The whispers silenced now, she feels a fool for reacting to strongly to them, especially in the face of the one cat able to dissipate her fear so far, if not completely then a great amount. She finds her eyes straying to his pile of herbs, and her ears prick as something comes to mind. If he's willing to offer protection, perhaps... "If ya don' mind, could...could ya teach me?" She asks, nodding toward the herbs. She knows some, but not as much as she'd like. Her expression turns warily hopeful again as she peers up at him. This is one thing she could truly be passionate about. Healing. 'Im not unworthy...'

[Deleted]

For a moment as Bael watched her contemplate it seemed like she was going to turn him down. So many emotions played across her face that he had trouble pinpointing just one of them. It seemed like Bael had started the ball rolling on Darya's thought process. What exactly that meant he couldn't know, but it truly looked like she might end up saying no.

Bael wouldn't mind her saying no, but he felt like she hadn't been around other cats much recently and he didn't want to just leave her all alone again.

When Darya spoke Bael blinked and almost spoke up to ask why she was declining him, but she trailed away before she actually said no. He'd be patient. It was a big deal to align yourself with a stranger after all. Sure Bael thought she was fairly safe to be around, but that didn't mean that she thought the same about him. She could think that he was just trying to get close to her in order to more easily hurt her. He wasn't, but considering her previous behaviour he saw how it might be possible that she would think that.

Eventually Darya did speak again, but it wasn't to say no like Bael had accepted. She said yes. The way she speaks and looks shows her determination, no matter how slight, beffort she ducks her head again. Bael nods. "Then it's decided. I'll be there ta' help ya' if ya' ever need me." He assures her. He truly does find that he likes Darya's company more than some.

As her eyes strayed down to his herb pile so did his. The herbs weren't meant for anything in particular, more so for the probability that him or somebody he liked got injured and sick and he'd have to fix up some sort of medicinal aid. He's not the best medicine cat ever, but he likes to think that he's pretty good. Good enough to help.

at Darya's question Bael's ears perk up and his eyes raise to meet her's. "My herbs? T-teach ya'?" He asks, stumbling over his words for the first time in their conversation. He might think he's good, but he's never taught anybody anything before. He's had lesson instilled in him the hard way and he has a feeling that the way he learned won't work with Darya. His paws flex absentmindedly as he thinks back to his training and he gets a hurt look in his eyes for a moment.

"I-I could try. If ya' really wanna learn then... then I could tell ya' what I know." He stated slowly. Bael's face is masked in his thoughts of herbs and the past. He really didn't like his old teacher.