hallmark

He had been trying to come to grips with the fact that he was going to be playing a lot of catch up when he got on his feet again and was hail enough to resume training. There wouldn’t just be the usual training, but retraining his legs, rebuilding the muscles and tendon. It would take time and careful work.

He was a dutiful patient, never once complaining, and giving honest answers during check overs. But in the times when he was alone with his thoughts, he had to admit—it was hard. It was a sort of depression he hadn’t felt since his mother died, or since they’d learned Geo – Meri, he mentally corrected – had gone missing, when he hadn’t shown at the emergency meeting as the volcano erupted in the east.

There were times where he wondered if he’d ever fully recover enough to be able to serve as he desired… or if something would go wrong, and he’d be a cripple.

A knock at the door. There was no answer from the healer, so perhaps she was out attending to other things in the Armada. But the visitor slid into the cottage anyway. He features pulled into a smile. Lia was a visitor that chased the gloomy thoughts away. Her company was pleasant, without the weight of Sirius’ instinctive suspicion on him. He’d come to look forward to seeing her and her easy friendship.

The food was a bonus. He’d already had some food, but his stomach rumbled eagerly at the sight of the haunch, and the scent of fresh meat.

It was snowing outside, evidenced by the healthy dusting on her back.

“Hey.” His voice was low—he didn’t bother raising it, but his tail thwapped a hefty greeting on the furs as he took in the sight of the young woman. “Looks like a good hunt today, eh?”

Approval laced his words as he smiled at the girl.

Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think