@BadDo9 Maesanai's imp-like grin persisted through the exodite's fumbled excuses and the stammering, positively feasting on the rewards she'd reaped from the playful prodding. Cleaning the comb, she slipped it back into her coat pocket and cast her hair back, returning it to its flowing mane. She glanced back at him as he started speaking about the young radiotech's plight, and the tenderness seemed to strike a chord with her. She favored him with an endeared smile. "I'm sure she's in good hands with your care," she offered in return, then huffed, lips pursing as she attempted to suppress a smile of her own. "I, for one, would like to get my hands on that Dire Avenger that strolled into camp last night," she said, enounciating the words with a playful twang. "He's quite easy on the eyes, that one," she admitted.
< @Kalle > Talis couldn't help but blush a bit more as he felt the Corsair's eyes on him, his face burning ever more as he spoke with Mae. Especially at her comment about the new arrival, he gulped and quickly glanced away from Avrielle, lest his gaze be accused of lechery. "N-no, that's not it." he said, playing his hands together and adamantly staring at the meat strips. "I-I mean.. not that she isn't pretty. She is. No, I mean-" he fumbled over his words once more. "I-I-It's not just because she's pretty." he said, suddenly realizing what he all but admitted.
@BadDo9 The Corsair of Saim-Hann smirked at him. "Now, tell me, Talis, how long do you figure you would have waited before saying so, if I had not... nudged you along?" she mused, offering him a broad grin afterwards. "I will share a piece of advice with you; nothing in this world waits, do not let an opportunity slip by. You never know when you might regret timidness," she murmured, before she glanced back at the cooking tea. "Is it ready yet?"
@Kalle Talis blinked and opened up his mouth to answer her, but blushed and stopped himself. He really had no idea if he would even had said something, and he played his hands together as he thought about what she was saying. He couldn't help the worries that were in his head.. he wouldn't tell her when she woke up, but soon.. right? "The tea? Oh.. yeah, it's ready to drink." he said, trailing off as his eyes once more fell on Avrielle. "Do you.. really think so?" he asked softly, turning to get her a cup and pour the tea in. "Why do you.. why've you nudged me?"
Maesanai accepted a cup of drink. She blew on the hot tea, before closing her eyes and inhaling from the fumes, smiling softly, half to herself, perhaps reminded of some other place, some other fire, some other tea. Who knows? Regardless, her eyes eventually opened again and she looked back to Talis. "Only the Serpent knows," she suggested in return. "Perhaps I saw an opportunity, perhaps I thought it was 'the right thing to do'," she went on. The Corsair gave a weak shrug of her shoulders.
The conversation was not loud, but neither was the Saim-hann girl particularly discreet in her tones, which fell naturally as one used to freedom would speak her mind. Perhaps this was why the slight form of the little radiotech stirred in her sleep. Perhaps she was simply well enough rested? Avrielle turned over and sat up, still holding the blanket around her as she took in her surroundings. She blinked, still sleepy, and saw that the young Exodite and the wild Corsair were nearby in friendly conversation. The scent of tea was in the air, and some delicious cooking meat was on the coals. She glanced around, and, finding no emergency, smiled at the two. "Good morning," she said brightly. "Thank you for the advice about the stone, Talis. It kept me warm last night. That breeze picked up and I would have been cold without it."
< @Jorimel @Kalle > Talis hadn't said anything to the Corsair's words, but simply let them stew in his head as he took the strips of meat off and to the side to some cooler coals, which wouldn't cook them anymore but would keep them warm. And he began to lay some more strips on before he suddenly jumped in surprise and dropped one. He looked over to the sound of Avrielle's voice, doing his best and failing to hide the blush that came to his face. How much has she heard? Though he couldn't help smiling at her words and nodded, rotating around a little to face her with his body as well. "Good morning, Avrielle. I'm glad that I could help a little, how was your sleep?" he asked, his tone honest and soft towards her as he gave her his attention.
Seeing the interaction between the two taking place all Faenkon was grin and shake his head before walking the perimeter once more. They had quite the journey ahead of them and it wouldn't do them any good to be delayed by any surprises. Faenkon enjoyed the peacefulness of the area while he walked in solitude. Thoughts about their mission creeping into his mind, would they truly find the treasure they were seeking? Was it merely a dream they were chasing? Certainly the signs pointed to it being atleast somewhat true. The harlequins did visit them, that must be a good sign right?
Maesanai was unfailingly roguish; her hand shot out like a striking viper and she snatched a strip of meat off the coals, earning herself a nice breakfast while the Exodite was distracted. She chomped down on the juicy flesh with delicate care and enjoyment while she listened to the two youngsters interact. One brilliant sky blue eye rested on them while she gloried in the snack and helped herself to another. She looked back to the wakening girl. "And the morning greets you, as well," she announced cheerily, leaving the rest of the talk to the young Exodite.
Alo woke up to the sound of cheery lighthearted conversation. Rubbing the night off his eyes, he wearily got up and stretched. Something about such innocent and cute conversation made him nauseous. He joined the fireside only to grab breakfast and tea, mostly keeping to himself but nodding a grumpy morning greeting to anyone who made eye contact with him. "I can take point. Or the rear guard." His voice lacked his usual strength and edge, he noticed it himself as well. Winterheart clenched his jaw and drowned the thoughts by sipping tea. "Where are we exactly headed?"
