Peaceful morning.

[Laughing Man]

<< You can consider my character out of the scene now.>>

Vhe'tra twitched at the elf's motion, his fingers that were holding the crossbow hidden almost shot up to fire at the creature, but instead settled back down. He did not return the nod, but simply turned away and kept walking.

[Omio]

Gadrai blinked at the woman - though she had spoke awkwardly - speaking his language. His level of interest went from moderately low to moderately high. He immediately had a lot of questions to blare out. But, being an elf, he had the old notion of questions being a level of rudeness. "One sees another that one has not seen before. Child of Leaf and Star, be welcome at my home and hearth, for my name is Gadrai."

Anyone adept at interpreting an elf could summarize it to "Welcome to the forest, I'm Gadrai - what's your name?" but Gadrai had the old habit learned - that questions were a means of coercion, and the said coercion was a means of rudeness and imposition. Typical 'perfection' from an Elf.

[JxSlaughter]

((Just keep posting with or without me, I'll post when there is anything meaningful to post. In the mean time, you can assume that he is just following the goddess.))

The wolf was rather curious at the new language. But being unable to speak it, he merely listened. Much like when he was at the village. He was intelligent enough to understand the language of animal, energy, and to categorize different verbal languages from the two-legged. He tried moving his mouth some, but only a squeak that sounded like one second of whimper came through.

The wolf looked down at his front leg for a moment, where uneven blankness of fur was. He started to lick at it, for the corner of the wound started to re-open.

[boomdeboom]

After hearing the elf's reply, she couldn't help but let out another soft childlike laugh. It had been some time since she had been spoken to with some formality, and although she knew well that elves always spoke like this, it always did cause her to giggle, as if she were a . An odd way of thinking to be sure, but she wasn't exactly 'normal' to begin with.

Clasping her hands against her back, she looked skyward. Although the dense trees covered the sunlight from her, she could still see tiny patches of blue here and there. Perhaps she would head to the nearby lake, in order to get a proper view of the beautiful sky. Then, noticing that her mind had wandered off again, she was quickly to reply, although her tongue was still heavy speaking the language.

"You needn't speak so formally. Speak to me as if I were an old friend, that's how I wish to be spoken to. And I'm not new to this forest, so I needn't be welcomed~" Breaking off into a small laugh towards the end, she broke her clasped hands and pressed the fingertips of her left hand to her lips, as if to stop herself from laughing. It had been a first, that someone had not recognized her straight away.

"I also know of you Gadrai, but I'm glad I've been introduced to you properly. As for myself, I am Bel." Hearing an odd noise, she looked downwards, to see that the wolf's mouth was open, and since she presumed that it had made the noise, she couldn't help but laugh once more, to which she pressed her hand over her mouth to try and stop herself. However, her laugh stopped at once when her eyes caught the sight of the small wound which the wolf had. Stopping in her tracks, she bent downwards, placed her hands atop her knees and stared intently at the wound. Then, in almost a whisper, she said.

"You poor thing, you've been hurt." She was always like this with anything that caused pain. Always so....'motherly'. However it was in her nature. She hated the sight of blood, so it didn't please her to see the small drip of blood which was dripping out of the re-opened wound.

[JxSlaughter]

The motherly tone with intelligent two legged animals meant two completely different things in the pack animal's world. A mother in a pack, would push away a weak new born puppy to crawl again back to the mother to suckle, no matter how much the puppy whined or cried, the mother would force the pup to become stronger. It was done out of love, for discipline was first in this world.

When the goddess used her motherly tone, he instinctually growled at her with a warning. To not come any closer with pitying energy. Pity translated simply as weak. He never thought about any of this, he merely reacted.

[boomdeboom]

Not expecting the growl, she held back her hand, which was extended in order to look at the wound. A look of confusion passed by her face at first, not understanding the wolf's hostility, and then her face went back to being calm, after she realized why it growled. Having seen countless wolf pups in her long years of life, she remembered that they were brought up with cold parents, who didn't show affection much of the time. So, although she wanted to help, she refrained, only merely giving a soft smile. This was how wolves were, she couldn't fight with that, she had to go along with it. Giving a soft sigh, she brought herself upwards once more.

Once she was standing straight once more, she raised both of her hands, and stroked her twisted tree branches with her fingertips. She did this as a fleeting habit, as it gave her comfort and set her mind at ease, since it was buzzing at what had happened so far in her day. Seeing a man, whom had a body of a wolf on his back, then to see a animal who was hurt, and to be rejected, even though it was merely normal for a wolf to act like this. These things made her mind rather uneasy, and so this habit made her calm once more, making her mind less restless.

After a few minutes of this, she brought down her arms by her side once more, turned on her heel, and began to walk once more.

[Omio]

Gadrai had been quick to react, a hand flying to the top of his quiver with the original intent of drawing an arrow, but seeing the growl not really last, his hand soon relaxed. His intention of talking further to Bel had been subdued, uncertain if she was truly calm, or merely putting on a good act. He didn't want to test the theory, and simple followed for the time being. If there was anything large and dangerous coming, he was going to be the fastest hope of victory - and maybe the only one.

[boomdeboom]

As she walked, she closed her eyes, dodging any tree that came near her gracefully. In a way, she almost 'sensed' trees, having been with them for her whole life. It was a thing she couldn't easily explain anyway, not that she was good at explaining anything anyway.

Then, hearing more footsteps, she paused. Opening her eyes slowly, and then blinking them, as if she had just woken up, she saw that to her right on a path were two humans, whom she recognized as the locals from a nearby village. Having seen her, then both fell to their knees, their baskets of fruit placed by their side, bowing and praying. Yes, this was what she was used to. Something familiar. Not like today. So, taking slow graceful steps towards them, again dodging each tree which stood between them with ease, she stood in front of them. Placing her childlike hands on their bowed heads, she said a prayer. It was in an old language, one that had been long forgotten and only her and the goddess knew of it. It loosely translated into "May these souls pass through these forests with ease, having received my blessing." After saying her prayer, she raised her hands and let them down by her side. Quickly the locals stood up and said their thanks before continued onwards, not after giving a few back glances, to which she wasn't surprised. It was usually a rare site for someone to see her, rarer still to be in her presence.

After the humans had gone from her sight, she turned once more, walking back to where she had been before. Yes, this was what she was used to. People praying to her, treating her with respect. Almost....afraid of her. This was the usual.

After arriving to where she had left, knowing the exact spot, she began to walk on, unsure as to where she was going exactly, but merely decided to follow the path and see where it took her. A mystery in a way.

10 minutes later of walking, she pushed past a thick bush and found herself among a field of flowers. A dazzling array of colours, which spread as far as the eye could see. She was outside of the trees, but still within the territory of the forest. This place was not known to many people, and she had been here a few times, she had faint memories of it, but it had been some time since her last visit, so this was pretty much all new to her. So, upon seeing the flowers, and the beautiful colours, she laughed and jumped into a sprint, twirling around on the soles of her feet. Her nightdress spun around with her, as did her locks, which whipped back and forth. Again, as if she were meeting old friends, the flowers touched her with their petals, giving soft touches, welcoming her. As did the wind, which was heavily scented with the smell of flowers as it almost mimicked her and blew all around her. Throughout her spinning session, she laughed. A childlike laugh, which went with her childlike appearance, even though she was 200 years old.

[JxSlaughter]

When the two humans came along, the wolf recognized them from the village he came from. He lowered his head and merely retreated from their sight. He was close enough to observe them, but soon came to realize what he had been waiting for wasn't coming. The non-wolf part of him, had been waiting upon the idea of killing one of the animals attracted by the goddess's song.

It was the first time he ever had a seemingly dastardly idea. But since it didn't happen, the idea faded, and he became a mere wolf yet again. His intelligent side was suppressed yet again, and thank goodness for that-- because this time his mentality wasn't to seek knowledge, but to see a satisfaction though by using someone. He went to go find food the honest way, the animal-predator way.

<Wolf leaves scene.>

[Omio]

Gadrai smiled at Bel's actions, and relaxed some. He was quick to feel at ease around the goddess. He spoke again, finally, curious. "One wonders upon the interest of the other to nature, the Wood, in particular." He was intrigued, and interested. He was also wondering if he had found companionship, but he left that aside. He was focussed more on Bel.

[boomdeboom]

After a few minutes of her spinning session, she came to an abrupt stop, her head spinning, making her sway back and forth for a few seconds before she regained herself. As the elf spoke, she turned her gaze towards him, holding back the urge to laugh again at his formality. Then, after thinking for a few moments, she answered his question, her tongue still heavy as it spoke the language.

"This forest is my home. And everything in this place, they're my family." As she said this, she bent down, and ran her delicate fingers among the flower petals, as if confirming that they were real, and they were always here, protecting her if the time came. Keeping her company, so that she didn't feel lonely. And yet, even though she thought this, there was something at the back of her mind which made her doubt her thoughts. Was she really born in this forest, raised by the animals and goddesses? Or was it something else? Not wanting to dwell on that thought, she quickly threw it away, knowing that of course she was born and raised in this forest, as she didn't remember anything else.

[Omio]

Gadrai blinked. "The Wood... ...raised you?" He wasn't entirely sure how to take the discovery, and his exile wasn't a help - it was still a prominent thought, and a frequent issue, as his loneliness was beginning to really get to him. And now, here was another who was probably even more lonely than he was, people-wise. "Leaf and Star, you must bear great gifts to be raised under the care of the Wood..." Or great enemies...

(( Sorry to keep posting a single small crappy paragraph, but Gadrai won't be interacting with the environment, and won't come physically close to Bel - yet. ))

[boomdeboom]

Her head went up as she heard the reply. Was that doubt in his voice with what he first said? Or was it her imagination? Nevertheless, she was quick to reply.

"Yes, I was born in this wood. All goddess of this wood are, it is tradition." It was a...'odd' life to say the least, being born as a goddess. There were strict rules to follow which caused her to be isolated. It was a hard life, but she knew no different, so it didn't bother her, although she sometimes felt a pang of jealously as she saw travellers, such as the ones earlier, being so free, travelling wherever they pleased. But, these emotions usually washed away quickly.

Laying down among the flowers, she wrapped her arms around her knees, bringing them close. Then, raising her head, she stared up at the sky, which was now a bright blue, replying to the elf in a dreamy tone.

"Gifts? Hmm, I've never really thought about any gifts I've received...."

[[ hurhur, it's grand (: I'm also sorry if my posts are awful, everytime I seem to reply, my mates come over and totally distract me OTL ]]

[Omio]

Gadrai blinked, then chuckled. "No, I mean gifts as in talents." He then lowered his head, wandering over to Bel. "Like your gift for understanding nature's ways..." He understood them as well, but it was because elves were usually hand-in-hand with nature. He took a seat beside Bel, some distance between the two, yet. "My talents... ...have me exiled from where I was born..."

Gadrai let out a bread crumb, information-wise. He also dropped the formality a little, beginning to mention 'I' for once. Gadrai began to feel a bit exposed, and looked around, seeing nothing large and capable of understanding his tones too well - other than Bel. His expression was a bit dark, with a rather strong look of depression evident. It was obvious that past had always been eating to him.

(( Yaaay, more than a fscking paragraph! xDD ))

[boomdeboom]

"Eh? Talents?" As a light but noticeable blush crept its way onto her cheeks as she realized she had misunderstood, she laughed, nodding as she closed her eyes.

"Ah. Yes I suppose I have some talents, not too many though. I guess my main talent is that....I can 'feel' the beings in this forest." It was hard to describe the way she felt the things in the forest, so she somewhat hoped that he could understand enough from what she said, as she wasn't sure if she could describe the feeling she got. It was just there.

As Gadrai spoke, she couldn't help but feel sorry for him already, even though she had not listened to his story yet. He just seemed so sad, from the tiny bit of information which he gave her. She could see in his face the sadness which lurked in him, and it pained her. She hated to see people so unhappy, and so she wished to help. Raising her hand, with her intent to be to put it on his shoulder for comfort, she paused, not knowing whether he wanted comfort. And so, to be on the safe side, she let her hand drop back down to the ground, however she did lower her head and gave a smile towards him.

"It seems as if you too have suffered exile among your race. If you don't mind me asking Gadrai, what are these talents in which you speak of?" Although he probably wouldn't tell her, she just wanted to at least let him know that she was a listening ear. Again, this was apart of her nature. She was brought up to be kind and to listen to troubles. Then, saying softly, she said.

"I often hear of humans saying that to talk about a problem makes it less of a burden."

[[ Ahaaa xD ]]