Lets Walk

As much as Haydée tries to hide it, she knows that Eltrys can see just how bad her stamina has become. When he silently leads them to the edge of the staircase to sit, she breathes a soft sigh of relief and settles in next to him. Emerald eyes look out over the ocean, enjoying the way the soft autumn light sparkles on the rolling waves. She asks about Saga and how they both have been holding up and his words are somewhat… worrying.

It does not escape her notice, the way he skips over himself and her brow furrows as she readies to poke him about it again when asks something that immediately steals her voice away. Shame draws her gaze down to her paws as she softly says, “I… I don’t want to drag you down right now. I need to work on myself so that…” voice falls away as tries to think of exactly what she needs to be. Stronger? Less fearful? As long as Haydée does not know what she needs to be, she refuses to drag down the man she has fallen in love with and all she can do is offer him a small shrug.

The topic shifts and she blows out a soft sigh, a mixture of relief and guilt as Eltrys speaks of the Boneyard. Green eyes lift to catch his glacial blue gaze and sadness tugs at the corners of her eyes as she offers him a gentle smile. Carefully, she asks, “And how do you feel about fighting?” When they had first met, the man had been a pacifist and she had respected that. Yet, when everything had come to a head with the raiders, he had stepped into the role of protector and a part of her felt ashamed that she had required that of such a strong, gentle soul.

His question catches her off guard but it is welcome and a bright smile finds its way onto her lips. The schoolgirl who tries to hide the fact that she is falling for the handsome jock is suddenly back in full force and she ducks her for a moment as a blush floods her cheeks. A soft hum fills the air as she thinks, really takes the time to think about her answers because… well, no one had asked her before. After a moment, Haydée lifts her eyes to catch his brilliant, blues and offers, “Gazania. They are my favorite flowers.”

Paw lifts to gentle touch the flower behind her ear as the smile grows. Eyes take on a faraway look as she explains, “Gazania aren’t just beautiful, they remind me that after every storm, the sun will once again shine.” Paw drops as she thinks about the bright flowers that burst to life after the spring rains touch the lands, their yellow and orange faces reminding the world of the sunshine that surrounds it. Haydée shifts her weight, leaning her body in toward Eltrys so that she might rest against him.

No matter what her shortcomings might be, he is still there, asking the questions no one thought to ask and making sure that she doesn’t simply waste away in her den. Humming with pleasure, she allows her small body to sink in toward his… if he allows it. Another, happily sigh is released before she says, “As for prey, I enjoy impalas the most. Luckily, they are relatively common and I always find it satisfying to feed on one after chasing it down.”

They were long-legged, gracefully, almost regal creatures and Haydée had always enjoyed feasting on them. Emerald eyes brighten as she offers Eltrys a small, playful smirk and declares, “My turn. What is your favorite food? What do you like to do for fun?” Eyes search his face as she asks, wanting to get him better so that, when she has figured herself out, they might do things… together.


"Haydée Kedieo"