Thread: Light in Shadows (Fates and Flame)

Aezon watched Kaia with uncertainty. No one outside of his immediate family had ever gone out of their way to be kind to him, so needless to say he was skeptical when she reached into her pockets. When he saw what she retrieved, however, his demeanor softened even as his suspicions remained. Was this some sort of trick? Leiku didnt seem to think so. Revealing himself to her was one thing, but allowing her to approach them was truly unexpected. Aezon decided to follow his example and sheath his swords back where they belonged. Looking at the Shadow Root, he could scarcely believe it was the real thing. His mind ran with questions of why she would do this for him. As far as discourtesy went, her father was on the pleasant side of things. At least he hadnt attacked or outright insulted him. But he wasnt about to argue with her decision his need was too great. And so he accepted the mushroom from her, uncertain of what to say. Fortunately that didnt seem to be a problem, as Kaia could talk enough for both of them. Aezon had never seen anyone quite so bubbly and exuberant. He didnt even have a chance to turn down her offer before she pulled a knife and was skinning the animal right in front of him. His brows rose as he watched her clean her kill with a practiced hand. It was a rough and tumble approach he never would have expected from someone like her. The prim and proper ladies of Radiance wouldnt be caught dead eating a snake, let alone butchering one. Um Aezon hesitated, spying the grubby hand she proffered. He didnt want to be rude after shed gone out of her way to help him, so he reluctantly shook it. Aezon, he modestly replied before wiping his hand clean on a pants leg while she returned to her work. Seeing the girl would not be persuaded to just leave them in peace, Aezon passed a hopeless look at Leiku. However, if the spirit had plans to run her off for him it seemed it wouldnt be anytime soon. The great black wolf had taken to lying down and watching Kaia prepare the snake with a keen interest. Seeing as he was stuck with her for now, Aezon tucked away the Shadow Root and followed her advice. He sat down next to Leiku, his stormy eyes following the girls actions just as closely as the shadow spirits. While Leiku was interested in the process, Aezon wanted to make sure this wasnt some elaborate way to fool him. He couldnt remember the last time his food was prepared by someone other than himself. It was an uneasy feeling watching a stranger suddenly take on the responsibility. His doubts nagged him, but he couldnt quite shake his curiosity either. He pegged Kaia as hailing from Radiance the moment he saw her. It wasnt often their people left the walls of the City of Light, but hed seen enough of them in his travels to recognize the silver hair and fair skin they usually bore. Yet, she called the shopkeeper he father. With their dark hair and bulky shapes, people of the Mist looked nothing like the beauty before him. He knew there had to be an interesting story of what she was doing out in the wetlands, but it didnt feel right to ask about it. He had no desire to share anything about himself, after all. It didnt feel right sitting in complete silence either though, leaving Aezon to contemplate on something to say to his unintended dinner guest. No matter what false pleasantries came to mind, he could only think to ask the one that he truly could not figure out. Why are you doing this? He looked at her critically, as though she were a puzzle to be solved. Dont you know what I am? What my people are responsible for? His attention fell to the gutted viper, at which he frowned. And arent those things poisonous? he added at the end. Perhaps that was her plan all along to literally kill him with kindness.