Second chances

Her blue eyes stayed on his, pensive, curious. Should she have asked? There was a distinct quiver in the woman's limbs she watched him. Her empathetic nature had begun to ooze out of her, sympathy in her gaze. But when he spoke it was glib and quick; acknowledgement of her question but as if reminded of pain. The name on his lips was tender and spoken with love lost; stolen from death. She had to take in a breath, seeing the grief written in his golden body. It was a horrid thing to go through; trying to breathe life into the loved ones that should be there. Ones that would have stayed if death did not take them first. She should nod, she should let him forget; but she didn't. She took a step towards him. She didn't touch him but stared up at him, innocence and caring in her eyes. This was something he didn't want to talk about. Something she shouldn't prolong. Yet... "My parents were murdered when I was young," she murmured softly. "I'm sorry. She must have been someone special." She didn't want to skim over the past he had lived; the woman he had loved. She wanted to know this Lillian, the woman that borne him children. But why did she care? She shook her head, stepping back softly, feeling awkward. "Sorry... I-I h-haven't sp-spoken to anyone in a long time," she admitted. There was Noel. But he was her brother and she held him at arm's length. Her face was aflame with guilt over how close she was edging to this stranger. The grieving father. How dare she seek to comfort him, and to take comfort?

There was a smile on his face and he accepted her offer. She was almost surprised. "No problem," she answered, her voice still quiet from before. "It would be good to hunt, to stay in shape." She would loose her touch if she hunted alone forever. She paused, in thought. "I have not seen any, but... I noticed there was some bark stripped over here..." She turned and began to lead the way, checking once to see if he would follow. It would bring him farther from his children, but she hoped not too far. Her nostrils parted and her ears perked, listening for signs of life. She was attentive. Focused. In this she felt confident; strong, able. She would track prey for his family, and perhaps find some for herself, too. She could do this.