Saelas responds with a quiet smile. "My companion would probably like to join you. I will try not to be a hindrance." With that, the triaxian closes his eyes.
The morning came cold, but seemed heavy. Not as in the weather, the clouds were thin, and the sky shone blue through them, but it felt like a cloak had been thrown over the day. There was something hanging over this area— it had felt similar at Arevik's as well, now that Saelas can think about it without the haze of recovery. While it did not diminish the brightness of the day, and the light of the morning sun on the snow, it was still there, almost tangible.
Outside, Snow has not been disturbed at all during her time outside, comfortable in the banked snow that has accumulated. Through the night, there were occasionally sounds at the edges of the clearing, but nothing encroached on the area inside this area. Perhaps they were too afraid of what may lie within.
The stew had been at a low simmer all night, and the remainder of it was breakfast. Alyona was ready to go quickly, while Kiva was already sitting near the door, waiting. "We'll go check some snares I put out, and see if we can't find anything."
Saelas is somewhat cheery and optimistic in the morning. Nothing to improve his mood like a warm night's rest, finally. Just before they set to open the door, he reaches out to Snow.
Snow... we're going hunting! Let's go see!
The hunters find Snow sitting on the porch, licking carefully at her already spotless scales. Saelas can easily sense Snow's excitement at the prospect of a hunt and she gambols up to him, for all the world like a large scaly housecat. She even noses at Kiva in her excitement.
"Let's go!"
The "hunting" that Alyona intended to do turned out to be a somewhat tiring trek through the areas surrounding the cabin. Familiar with the land, they took the lead, with Saelas and Snow expected to follow. The snares were light, yeilding only a pair of rabbits that were handed to Saelas to carry, as she reset the snares and continued onwards. Further in the direction that Saelas and Snow had been headed, the trees thickened significantly, seeming more like an actual forest than a small copse of trees. They also stopped and stripped some edible bark that Alyona pointed out as a "Winteryew", bundling the long strips into a tie that she slung over her shoulder.
The sun was overhead by the time that they returned, and surprisingly, a lot of distance had been covered. Snow did get to get some hunting of hers in as well, finding that the squirrels— while frustrating to catch– were tasty. As the cabin's clearing was approached, Alyona stopped, and Saelas could see a curious frown on her face as she looked into the clearing from where they were.
There was a man in the clearing as well, waiting on the small porch in front of the door, easy to spot due to his red cloak, the haft of an axe and spear at his back. While he did not seem impatient, there was a certain set to his shoulders that made it seem like he had something to impart. There did not seem to be anyone else in the surrounding woods, so it might not have been an ambush of some kind, but Alyona did not seem too happy to see him. In fact, she looked fairly tense.
Snow, sensing the man early through her keen sense of smell, looks curiously at the humans for some sort of cue. Hidden behind a small snow-drift the tiny dragon is almost invisible as she waits, somewhat out of her depth.
"Alyona... what's going on?" Saelas, fairly sensitive to the moods of others in general has trouble suppressing his own tenseness in response to hers.
Snow... stay hidden for now.
The expression on Alyona's face was flat. "One who should not have shown his face." You watch as she stalks forward from your vantage point at the edge of the clearing, one hand going back to the quiver of arrows and drawing one as she continued to walk forward. There is no pause as she nocks and releases the arrow, her hand already in motion as she gets closer, going to the quiver again. Another arrow is fired, and her hand goes back once more before she thinks better of it, and closes the last few feet to swing a fist at him.
The man in the red cloak manages to not get hit by the arrows, the first one missing him, but just barely, snaring the other one out of the air with some concern, and dodged the swing she leveled at his face with a casual lean. It is worth noting that Kiva does not follow her, instead looking unimpressed as she watches her companion stalk forward.
Alyona and the red cloaked man exchange words, and then a few more words, his demeanor remaining calm, while the tension that she seemed to be feeling does not dissipate. The conversation seems to be continuing on for a few minutes, during which Alyona yanks her arrows out of the wood and replaces them into her quiver. Finally, she seems to slump slightly, and glares up at him for a couple of seconds before saying something, then she turned to where Saelas, Snow, and Kiva waited and beckoned them over.
Saelas walks forward uncertainly, a nervous expression on his face.
"I... um... if you guys are friends, I'm not sure I'd survive being involved. I could... you know... go."
Snow throws a questioning look at Saelas, and then (assuming she is not stopped), scurries forward through the snow - curious about the man with his red cloak.
Reaching him she sniffs him thoroughly before sitting back to observe him better.
Who are you?
The man looks a bit curious, then wary as Saelas and Snow make themselves known, and Snow speaks. His eyebrows raise up as he looks the two of them over in a few short seconds, and then looks to Alyona with an eyebrow raised. The wariness disappears after a few seconds, and he gave her a slight quirk of his eyebrows. He was dressed in the garb of travelers, his pack set down on the porch, but there were pouches enough on his garments as well. They were not new, and they were not piecemeal, but they were well-worn. Under the hood of the red cloak, his head was shaved bald, and his features seemed to be much like the other— which is to say, "two"– individuals that Saelas had seen. A grey and white beard was on is face, but not in the same patchwork manner that Arevik had. There was an air of competence about him, and considering that there was no beast of burden with him, he either came from nearby, or knew his way around the land well enough to make the trip unharmed.
Alyona glowers at him, her eyes stormy, then comments to Saelas, "This is Miksa. Saelas, Snow", she said with an accompanying gesture indicating the two of them. Her attitude was more annoyed than it was tense.
Bowing slightly in greeting, Miksa spoke, his voice lighter than expected. "Well met." Saelas and Snow were included in the bow, and he still seemed a bit surprised. "Your goal is Yensa, Alonya says, am I right?"
"Uh.. well met?" The young triaxian seems surprised and unsure what to make of the situation. His whole demeanor is rather meek and uncertain. People are a little more straightforward where he's from.
"Well, I mean, Yensa is the only place I really know about. I'm... uh... not from around here. Is there somewhere better to go? I'm not so good with the cold..."
He looks more than a little ashamed at the last fact.
Snow just sits, watching the two-legs talk.
There was a bit of a frown at Saelas' comment regarding the cold that seemed a bit confused, before there was a glance at Alonya, a bit of disbelief, and a closer focus on the two of them. "You are in Irrisen. Every place here is cold. East or West, it would still be cold. Warmth is south." Peering at Snow with some interest, there was a tilt of his head. "You are remarkable, little one." There was also a hint of awe in his words— it seemed like creatures like Snow were not commonly seen. "The two of you are in luck. We have to head to Yensa soon."
Alyona grumbled something unintelligible under her breath that neither Saelas or Snow could understand, but did not dispute Miksa's words. The wind was not blowing as strong as it had been the day before, and the light on the snow was bright, thankfully the overcast weather kept it so that protective gear was not required.
Saelas smiles gratefully at both the friendly-seeming interest in his companion and the apparent invitation. "We would welcome the opportunity to travel with someone who knows this place better. I'll admit, I feel lost even when I'm not." His smile turns sad briefly before turning to a more neutral expression.
Snow bobs her head in agreement, although precisely who she is agreeing with is unclear. With that matter settled she scurries through the snow to nip at Kiva's tail before dashing off - a clear incitement to a game if ever there was one.
Kiva yipped at Snow's nip, and immediately scrambled to chase after the small dragon. While the wolf had the homeground advantage, Snow was literally in her element once they got off the porch, which left the two of them somewhat even in regards to the terrain. Though, Kiva had learned not to go far, it seemed. The traps arrayed in the clearing were daunting, and Snow could avoid them easily. Kiva however, could not. While the large brown wolf— especially in comparision to Snow– was eager to play, she had learned not to roam.
Alyona glanced between Saelas and Miksa, ignoring the antics of their four-legged companions, and then shook her head. "These need to be prepared. We can leave after tomorrow. Taking their kills from the hunt of this morning, she went to see to them.
Miksa was looking at Saelas' ears, and seemed perplexed. "Those are not fashion, are they?"
The young triaxian gives Miksa a curious look for a moment before responding. "Um... I guess they are different than yours. They're,
well.. somewhat normal where I'm from... I think. Yeah, for the most part."
He does not divulge that they typically come with fur all over them... and on the rest of the body.
"I don't know your kind", Miksa admitted, after a few seconds of looking intently at Saelas. "You do not know this land, and your companion—" he said, looking over his shoulder at the tumble of fur that was Kiva trying to catch Snow and not being fast enough to gain any sort of purchase on the Wyrmling. Snow was exploiting the wolf's reluctance to venture too far from the porch, and the main result of that was explosions of snow as the somewhat one-sided play continued.
He snorted in amusement. "–is the kind that people fear eventually. He shook his head, his beard brushing his chest. His tone was thoughtful, "Strange."
Saelas takes a deep breath with a frown. "Strange... is the right word, I think. I can agree with that."
Conspicuously, he makes no comment about the dragon whatsoever.
The young triaxian gives the man a thoughtful look. "Should... should I cover my ears? Yours are a lot different... more like elves, but round."
"It would be wise." Miksa said with a nod. "I do not know where you are from, but Alyona has not killed you or run you away, so you are not a threat—"
An explosion of snow from the game that the dragon and wolf were playing reached as high as their knees, as Snow's taunting finally egged the wolf to dive into the snow after her harrasser, Kiva's pursuit not nearly as effective as she would have liked. That did not stop her, her actions churning the snow and throwing it everywhere.
He looked amused as he shook his head at the antics of the pair. "–you are not a threat, but others may seek to keep or kill you. The Fey and the White Witches are not to be taken lightly. Their underlings either."
The young triaxian sighs and tucks his ears under his hood. "No... I'm not a threat. I'm barely... nevermind." Saelas shakes his head with another sigh.
"I'm just trying to do what's best for Snow."
Saelas' eyes take on an introspective, worried look as he trails off.
Snow, finally gaining the upper hand on Kiva, whips through the wolf's legs - leaving the long-suffering girl flat in the snow and comes trotting up to the porch.
"Saelas is nice. And I'm the best Snow!"
Miksa chuckled, an air of disbelief about him, shaking his head as he sighed and seemed to say something to himself in a language that neither Saelas or Snow can recognize. He still has a bit of a smile as he looked at the two of them and spread his hands in a motion similar to a shrug. "I take you at your word, good lady."
Kiva was panting a couple of seconds before she hauled herself to her feet and shook off the snow in a bit of a spray that had Miksa leaning away slightly until she was done. She promptly made her way to just outside of the door and settled down to regain her breath, plumes of vapor rolling from her open mouth and lolling tongue.
Whatever he was trying to determine had been determined, and he shook his head again. "Alyona might want help with what you caught this morning. I'm going to go give her a hand." His footsteps towards the door made Kiva perk up, who managed her feet before he had reached the door, squeezing past him before the door was completely opened.
Saelas raises an eyebrow toward Snow. "It's pretty warm in there, but maybe you should give it a try? Just for a little bit? It's nice to have a place that is safe."
With that Saelas steps through the door and looks back at the dragon with a curiously questioning gaze.
Snow looks uncomfortable, but follows Saelas inside, head drooping like a kicked puppy. She settles right next to the door - staying as far from the fire as possible.
Don't like.
As they all filed inside, Alyona looked up from where she had moved the table in front of the fire to prepare some of the game that they had caught, and saw Snow. She glanced at Saelas, and went back to her work, Miksa joining her for a minute. The sounds were that of a knife against flesh, the scrape of the edge against bone, and the sounds of movement with a crackling fire just underneath.
"What do you know about Dragons?" The question was asked simply, with no preamble.
Saelas wrinks his nose slightly at the question. "I'll admit, my home is somewhat isolated. Dragons are... known but not seen, if that makes sense."
The young triaxian sighs.
"I think people are afraid of them. And I think Snow will get a whole lot bigger eventually."
He shakes his head uncomfortably.
"I don't know enough, I think. What do you know about them?"
"I'm a dragon!" Snow pipes up, keeping up her train of stating the obvious. Her voice turns reflective. "I'd like to be bigger. Then I could keep pointy-ears-friend Saelas safe better."
Alyona and Miksa shared a glance before Alyona shook her head. "They are not so sociable as your companion. They do not express a desire to protect. Most claim a territory and remain as ruthless as any predator on the top of the food chain." Another part of the snow hare that was caught was rendered down for use. Snow and Kiva had been allowed to eat their fill of what they caught earlier, though there were some bits set aside if either of them expressed an interest. "It was that which convinced me that you were not of Irrisen."
"So if I want to fit in I have to be mean and grumpy?" Snow asks, "I don't think I like that!"
The young triaxian chuckles. "No.. I don't think I like that either." Saelas kneels down next to the dragon. "Fit in or not, it's important to be who you are. We'll be alright as long as we stick together." His gentle smile does a fair job at masking his worry.
Too important...
Looking up to the two natives, he asks, "Do you... often help people you meet from outside of Irrisen?"
"No." Her reply was quick and succinct.
Miksa's reply was more informative. "This country is under the rule of Baba Yaga and her White Witches. The creatures of the first world are also known tricksters, at odds with them, taking many forms, and taking pleasure from tormenting those who live here. There is etiquette for them that they must follow, or risk offense." Not unfamiliar to the process, his hands were moving almost as swift as Alyona's were. Kiva had settled near the fire to doze again.
"Your companion is a creature of snow and ice. Warmth such as this—" A shrug of her shoulder indicated the cabin, "–might be extreme for them."
Suiting actions to words Snow gets up, glowering slightly at the fire. "Too hot. Going outside. Hot makes me mean." As she retreats to the door she looks back at Miksa and Alyona.
"You are nice people. You help Saelas-friend, and I like that." She leaves a lot unsaid as she leaves, leaving Saelas to wonder if that was the first time he'd seen Snow as a dragon rather than just a friend.
The young triaxian sighs as he stares at the tiny dragon for a moment as she leaves the house.
I... am not ready for this. But... who else?
With a shake of his head, he stands up and steps over toward the others to watch their work.
"Thank you for the help. Any more you could tell me about this land might be important."
Their hands worked quickly, reducing the four rabbits to meat. Miksa was the first to respond, a headshake coming with his words. "More than a conversation you would need to learn about this land."
"He is right." Alyona's words came right on his heels. "We can teach you, but it will take time. The pair of rabbits that she was working on were done, and she turned to look at Saelas. "It will be difficult, but if you want to learn, we can teach."
Miksa dropped his knife by accident when she said that, surprise on his face. "Kaer'k qarirkoou!", he said, both hands going to the table as if he wanted to protest.
Whatever his statement, Alyona only tilted her head slightly to look at him for a few seconds before he dropped his shoulders and sighed. "Fine. If you want, we can teach."
"I think I have time. I can offer what help I can in return, though most of my experience is with books and not harsh environments and wilderness."
Saelas spends time and focus to really try to absorb anything the pair have to tell him about the land.