Thread: Light in Shadows (Fates and Flame)

Aezon quickly noted Kaias sudden shift in mood. Stiff posture, tight lipped this was a look he was more accustomed to than Kaias bubbly attempts at kindness. Usually people display such traits when they learned he was of the Fade. This was the first time hed seen someone go so rigid at the mention of Radiance. Was it because he offended her with his comment? Or was there maybe something bigger at the root of her shutdown? Kaia was called away to save their meal before he could find out. Aezon watched while she attempted to salvage the neglected meat, his gloomy eyes appraising her with a new level of curiosity. He couldnt help but wonder what she started to say before the distraction. But there was a bubble of tension on the air now. He could practically feel her combating with herself over what to say to him. Too often had he the need to consider his words, to come up with some lie or excuse to keep people from finding out truths about him. No doubt, whatever he said was causing this girl to do the same. So he didnt say anything after that. He let her mull the thoughts over, not wanting to give her the wrong impression. Whatever this girl had to hide was none of his business or his concern. She may have insisted on repasting with him, but he didnt expect to see her again beyond this one encounter. As soon as this meal was finished he intended to be on his way back on the pilgrimage that had brought him so very far across the continent. And there was still a long way to go his journey yet fraught with peril no doubt. Aezon accepted the skewer from her with a nod of thanks albeit it one of uncertainty. Hed hunted and eaten all manner of animals before, but snake was a new one. It was difficult not to think of the deadly venom that would have killed him when the viper was alive, making him somewhat hesitant to take the first bite. But Kaia had done him a great favor, both in bringing him the shadow root as well as slaying the potential threat now thoroughly cooked. So he decided to trust her, hoping for the best as he took a little nibble. It was surprisingly insipid devoid of much flavor, tough to chew and filled with pokey little bones he had to pluck out. The over cooking really didnt help the situation much either. But it did not cause his breathing to stop as feared. So as far as Aezon was concerned, it was just fine. Still, he didnt think hed be traveling back to the Mist for its cuisine anytime soon. He didnt let any of that show to Kaia, though. His face remained placid, wearing an unreadable expression whilst he pecked at the odd food beside her. For the most part, Aezon had been pretty good about averting his gaze from the girl. It was hard not to be shy when he really wasnt very good at talking to people. When she confessed the truth about her past and her parents though, he looked upon her with empathy written in his eyes. He couldnt bring himself to share it with her, but the matter about her parents was certainly relatable. It was a difficult thing to never know your true parents to spend your life wondering. Her discomfort in talking about it was apparent, so he let it go without further comment. His attention shifted up, his stormy gray eyes considering Leiku when she shifted topics to the spirit. The memory of the first time hed met his stalwart friend remained as vivid as though it happened but days ago. But, how much of that could he really tell her? Kaia seemed accepting of them so far, but nothing could fully erase the general fear of his people and their customs. If she knew the truth of where hed been and what hed been doing when he met the spirit, she would surely consider him an abomination along with her father. He was not looking for her to regret the decision of stealing the Shadow Root for him just yet. He saved my life, he told her honestly, thinking of how best to explain things without specific detail. I wont go into the details, but suffice it to say I found myself lost in a very dangerous place. It didnt take long for me to run into trouble and once I did, there was no getting out of it. In that instant, when all hope was lost and death seemed inevitable, Id never felt so alone His voice trailed off as he remembered the horrific feeling remembered how close he came to giving up and giving in. Thats when Leiku appeared out of nowhere, he explained after a moment. He chased off the peril and dragged me to safety. If not for him, I could not have hoped to survive. He looked fondly at the little black spirit that had fought so hard to keep him alive that day. When I recovered and was fit for travel again, I tried to say my goodbyes and my thanks. But as I turned to walk away, he followed in my wake. He refused to leave my side, and has continued to do so every day since. He smiled, thinking back to the earliest days of their partnership. Im still not sure why he took such an interest in me. But full glad am I that he did. It wasnt the most comprehensive story, but it was perhaps one of the most meaningful things hed ever told anyone about himself. For some reason, that made him strangely uncomfortable With his snake skewer mostly finished, Aezon rose to his feet, stretching his tired muscles while Leiku fluttered down to take a place on his shoulder. I owe you my thanks Kaia, he went on to say, looking down at the girl. Ours is a meeting I shant soon forget, I think, but now we must take our leave. The road is long, and I would put as much of it behind us as possible while the daylight remains. It was quite the abrupt decision, but he gave her little chance to contest it as he extended his hand to once again shake in farewell. Aezon wasnt sure how she would take his choice to eat and run, but he never claimed to be good at these sorts of things.