Thread: Unlikely Saviors [-:Haru|Luana:-]

It was pointless to explain how she compared the other Gnome's work as quintessential slave labor. Biggins never seemed to understand the position. To create and have your creations mass produced, sold off and then work on by another Gnome. Almost worse than slave labor. The other Gnome was close to a traitor. Probably never made something in her life. Tika kept her mouth shut on the matter though. The lion wouldn't understand and she wasn't about to try and argue. Kion huh? Well nice ta meet'cha. She said with a grin then a laugh at 'fluffums' which was a name she tended to like better. After a little she had settled with her sketch pads and began sketching out just how a harness would work. She had only made a few, faint lines when he spoke again. Tika looked up and gave a puzzled frown. Strange, it was something she had never thought of. I suppose...whatever comes to mind or something I need. Most things are just experiments. My greatest attempt right now... she lowered her voice and leaned in. A self propelled carriage. Like a train or airship but smaller so only a few people can fit. But then individual travel would be faster. No more slow, dumb, bitey animals to hitch up. She sat back up and went back to her pad. 'Course....might break my own rules. Sell them I will. But not to biggins so they can make money. No. Build my own factory. Hire biggins to do the boring work of building lots of them. Not gonna let them take my invention like they do everything else. She glowered a little at her sketch pad and shook her head. Be an old, salty little Gnome by that day thought, she said with a little laugh. How come ya left yer city? Don't see Pneumafera 'round much. Figured yeh didn't leave much. She paused and shook her head a little. Not that I don't understand wanderlust. All Gnomes do. Some just resist better. Kion could see how she grew silent on some topics, and it was none of his business. She was a woman grown, he thought though in truth it was hard to tell, and she could do as she pleased. Showing his fangs as she said it was nice to meet, Kion responded. Nice to meet you too Little One. he replied. He hoped she didn't take offense to it, and so far it seemed to be ok, and it was also the truth. It was hard to believe she was so tiny. As she explained about her inventions and then her future plans he rubbed his chin. That could be very advanced. Faster than any horse, or even pneumafera, and it wouldn't get tired either. That's the thing about machines. We lived so long without them, but they do not get tired like flesh and bone. he admitted. You mean as opposed to the young salty gnome you are now? he teased with a grin, his golden eyes full of mirth. Kion shrugged. Wanderlust, as you said. There's such a huge world out there to experience and see, why limit myself to my homelands. The flying islands are magnificent, and maybe I can take you someday, but they are also very insular and I found the attitudes of some of my people to be maddening. he admitted. He knew he skirted dangerous territory with such a subject, considering how Peanut had spoken about her own feelings on people, but it was the truth. At his teasing she grinned and laughed. Not wrong, she agreed. Meant more with t'hair though. Sad day that'll be, she said as she fiddled with the end of her fire red mane of hair. Not many Gnomes born with this color. Earthy and such. Ma was certain it meant great things. Some day she wanted to get back to wild styles. While traveling it was just too tedious. Not to mention being busy with inventing. Making her horseless chariot took a great deal of time. Tika nodded a little as he spoke of his reasons for leaving. She could understand both sides of such a tale. Gnomes were wanderers by natures. At the same time they didn't much interact with others. Even their own kind. Like that I would...never seen on in person. Can't imagine many have really. She nodded some more and grinned again. Can't blame em bein' that way. New race aren'tcha? Made by th'ravaging. Saw the looks other big folk gave ya. Still scared. Still don't trust yer kind. So, kind of makes sense yer kind keeps themselves t'themselves. Tika paused a moment to think more on her words. Not that it's right, mind. 'Course...I find humans and elves th'worst. Pretend to be all friendly then take what they can. Plenty a Gnomes lost inventions to em. Kion was entirely unsure how she might react, but he leaned closer as she fiddled with her hair and right beside her own fingers he caught a little between thumb and forefinger. It is certainly an interesting color. Do you use it as some sort of camouflage? he asked, quite curious. Most animals he knew of that used bright colors used it to hide, or to proclaim how dangerous they were, or poisonous. He wondered what the utility was behind a hair of such a vibrant hue. Maybe it does mean great things. You certainly stand out in a crowd! he said, and as she asked her questions, he could only nod in affirmation. It is something that I am used to, but most of my kind are still friendly. he said, and then chuckled at her estimation of humans and elves. You mean like a particular gnome, just taking what she wanted? Are you just being friendly now so I'll be your meat shield. I'm allergic to arrows you know. he said with a grin. Kion was simply teasing her, but he sort of wanted to press her buttons and see what her tolerances were. Right now, despite her words, she did seem pretty nice. She was starting to grow on him a little. Like a little mold or a fungus. Like most cats, I do love my sleep. Do you mind if I catch a few winks? he asked. I trust you to protect me. he told her. Tika cringed just a little as Kion reached out for her. That big paw coming for her face was intimidating at first. He could probably grip her head and smash it like a melon if he desired. Not that she honestly thought he would. She looked at the flame red strands that made an interesting contrast with his snow white paw. Her eyebrows quirked at him and she laughed. Camouflage? Not very good in any terrain, yeah? Stick out easy enough. Just th'color I'm born with. Humans get color from their folks but we Gnomes are...random. She just grinned a little at his return jab about taking what one wanted. He wasn't entirely wrong on that point. Suppose so. Just on a smaller scale. She laughed again at her own pun. Know better than t'steal from ya now. When he mentioned wanting a nap she nodded and glanced around. The place wasn't ideal for such a large creature. She set down her sketch pad and hopped off of one of the sofa beds. It was certainly a cabin for two. Two humans. Though they might be able to make it work for one seven foot Pneumafera and one Gnome. She got behind one and gave a mighty shove. The beds were pushed into a L shape. There ya go Fluffums. Maybe more comfortable. She settle at the now shorter bed with her sketch pad. Sweet dreams Fluff. Tika was more than happy to stay up and sketch. If they got attacked she could handle it. Or at least scream. That would wake up her fluffy, biggin companion. During the time she made a few sketches of harnesses andor saddles. As she settles on a specific design she drew a surprisingly well done rendering. Kion with his double ended axe looking positively ferocious with her seated in the harness in his back, firing arrows at whatever baddies were beyond the edges of the page.