She let the sound of the waves lapping at the shore wash over her. Finch could feel Calliope's gaze on her like a brand from across the den, and she averted her eyes accordingly. She wasn't quite sure what to make of the woman yet - still needed time to figure her out like a puzzle. Every word she spoke now was more careful and measured than it had been before, but it didn't mean her nerves weren't frayed after what she'd seen. The wretched sound of that poor soul's skull as it had cracked as easily as a pumpkin on the ground, spilling forth just as much innards as a gourd might. What were these worms, anyway, but strange, sickly little seeds?
I do believe everyone is frightened. Finch relaxed some at her words, an unexpected tenderness to her words. It soothed her, just like the constant sound of the ocean outside. She let out a small, soft breath and lurched clumsily to her paws. Everything was sore after walking so long, maybe it would feel good to surrender herself to the softness: of the furs, of Calliope. She approached her with all of the same care that you would a wild animal, her steps slow and measured so that Calliope would see her coming and know her intentions. There was no room for mistaking her goal. Eventually, Finch stepped paw on the soft furs and let out an audible groan of satisfaction. Much, much softer than she'd expected. Slowly, she sank to her haunches and then stretched out her forelegs until she laid by Calliope's side.
The young girl held her breath at first, not quite sure what to expect from Calliope. She was... unpredictable, at best. Would this be welcome, or would she turn her out into the cool night? Finch hunkered down deeper into the furs. Her appetite had been waning the last few days, and she was getting a little itchy, but that could be from the grime and stress of travel. Nothing to worry about (right?).
"This stranger was infected by... something. A parasite. His body was completely ravaged and filled with worms," she hissed, an acrid note of disgust in her voice. "His head cracked open right in front of me. It wasn't really the gore that scared me, but the way he seemed completely lost to himself. Like he had absolutely no idea who, or where he was... To lose yourself like that, so completely..." Finch shuddered, subconsciously shifting closer to Calliope. "It's the worst fate I could imagine. And I don't know how to fix that. How to cure... that," she ended softly, turning her vivid green eyes to Calliope at last. The pied female might be her jailer, but she was all Finch had for comfort in these strange times. If she was home in Avalon, she'd have to put on a brave face for her father and Jay - or at least she'd want to. Here with Calliope, she could be afraid. Maybe that was a gift.
"speech"
