A smirk toyed on Iris's lips as she explained, "It's a way-beast. Powerful creatures, but simple enough to tame. A few elves back in Yrna kept them as pets, companions." Her eyes drifted to behind the beast, back into the brush. Nothing else, the beast came alone. The elf sheathed her sword and held her hands out, showing that she possessed no threat or intent to harm the animal.
Clare being the closest to the animal, gently brushed her finger tips along it's forehead around the base of it's horns, "See we wont hurt you fella." She had also switched to Craision instinctively and was murmuring encouragingly at the animal. "Now just why did you come here, do you need help with something ?" She scanned the animals body searching for an injury.
Walking next to Clare, Bella began to stroke the way-beast. It was so cute! But why didn’t Azriel recognize it?
(oh yeah. For Emmy's knowledge: Alteira has completely different wildlife than the lowlands of Medeis. Because angels rarely leave they don't encounter them very much)
Iris wasn't really one for stroking or petting or… her silver orbs glanced at the humans. Cuddling. She shuddered. But a somewhat encouraging nod was thrown at Azriel and the elf slid a step aside, allowing her angel passage if she so desired to… buddy up with the way-beast. The sunlight was seeping into the clearing, pooling ever so slowly over the grass. They would have to depart in about an hour, no doubt.
Bella noticed the rays hitting her face and looked towards the sun. They would have to leave soon. The human began to look for anything eatable, she doubted that Clare would share her precious crackers again. She began to search the land around them for who knows how long, until she found a pool of water. She suddenly realized how thirsty she was, Arabella fell to the ground and began to cup the liquid in her hands, causing the glassy pool to shimmer with ripples in the morning light. She drank to her hearts content and then looked at her reflection. She looked awful. Her red hair was all tangled and she was covered in dirt. She washed the dirt off herself and then began to brush her fingers through her hair. When she was satisfied with her appearance, she jogged over to the others to tell them about the water.
Clare began combing her fingers through the way-beasts fur unsnarling the snags and twigs, "We should be off soon, we have lots of ground to cover." she gave up on using her hands and pulled a brush from her bag.
She eyed the beast from a distance, wondering why it appeared alone. They didn't have food and couldn't afford to spare any if they did. Layers of clothing would be ideal, and an emergency kit could be compiled. Iris prepped her mental list of supplies, eyes tugging back to the way-beast every so often. "We have an hour, at most," the elf approximated, calculating. As if finally being enlightened, she declared in Medein, "Comb, feed, care for the creature. A companion will be helpful. And welcome."
Arabella began to run back towards the ground loving the way her ginger (and now deranged) locks flew behind her. When she made it back to the group and managed one word between her pants. “water!”
Clare glarred at Iris, "What do you think I'm doing Elf." She continued to brush the way-beast till it's fur shone. She pulled a cracker from her bag and fed it to the creature, she was giving the beast another one when Arabella stormed into the clearing. She looked at Arabella like she was a crazy person, "Uh, did you need some?."
“No. I found this lake. It’s beautiful and the waters clean. It’s like a mirror it’s so shiny. We have to go. It’s different..” Bella heard how crazy she sounded but the lake seemed magical.
Azriel cleared her throat quietly. "What are we doing?" She asked Iris, her voice still a bit raspy from sleep. She was trying not to seem nervous about the beast that she had been told wasn't harmful.
"Befriending a way-beast and now… let's lead the creature to water," she said, translating the later portion to Medein, directed at Clare. Taking a final scan at their little clearing, Iris looked back at her angel in confirmation. Azriel was still a bit hesitant of the animal, and the elf decided to let her keep her distance.
Azriel nodded hesitantly. "Um… alright, then. I, um - yes. Right. Okay," she managed awkwardly, still not daring to move any closer to the "way-beast."
Muffling a giggle- wait no, Iris didn't giggle. She didn't. She just doesn't. Iris Glarore most certainly does not giggle. Right? Hiding a snort, the Yrnan explained to Azriel. "It's a creature. Able to be tamed, a useful companion. Won't bite. Can't promise the same for myself, though." With a playful wink, her silver eyes sparkled, and Iris gestured for her angel to join the group.
Azriel frowned and stuck her tongue out at Iris childishly, knowing her fear was unnecessary, but not being able to control it. "Shut up," she muttered, "I don't like large animals. Or medium sized animals. Just - ugh," she broke off, crossing her arms.
Angling her head, Iris pondered, "Small animals? What of your phoenix?" Light was infinitesimally growing overhead, the horizon expanding and rising. A ball of light poked its head over the earth, rays glinting off of the elf's eyes. Her feet began subconsciously treading toward Arabella, persuaded by the promise of water, and what water could bring. Small prey, useful herbs, if they were lucky, people.
"No, she's fine. I trust her. She talks to me. I don't - I don't like things that could kill me. Especially if I can't negotiate with them NOT to kill me," Azriel explained, her face reddening with embarrassment.
Laughing, Iris countered, "But anything could kill you. Intentionally or unintentionally. I could kill you." A hand motioned to the way-beast, now growling softly. "Look, it's basically harmless." If possible, the creature's eyes thin into slits. With a gulp, the elf reprimanded, "Harmless."
Clare petted the way-beasts soft mussel, "It's alright, I know you're a big scary threat, that could take down all of us if you wanted to couldn't you, but you won't right because we're friends now." Clare took a long scarf from her bag and tied it into a make shift lead. She swiftly moved it over the horns and around the animals neck. The way beast stiffened slightly but relaxed again when Clare offered it another cracker. Clare looked up at Bella, "lead the way."
"Yes, that is what I've been telling myself this entire time," Azriel responded tightly. "But thank you for your… help," she shot sarcastically, keeping her arms crossed. This is stupid. You're being stupid
"See? It can't hurt you," Iris mumbled in Brachish, turning away. Even though she knew it was childish, pain flashed past her eyes from Azriel's tone. Helping others gets you nowhere. Your mask is safer. You're not strong enough to face the world without it. Exasperated with her conflicting emotions, she strutted off to the lake, cloak lashing out behind her.
Azriel frowned, crossing her arms at Iris. Then, after a second of deliberation she ran towards her, catching up to her with a hug. "I'm sorry," she told Iris, "I didn't intend to be sharp with you."
Freezing, the elf's body goes rigid. Why was Azriel so warm? Fighting off the urge to nestle into her angel, Iris's lips twitch - the only indication of satisfaction. "You're alright," she murmurs, volume barely above a whisper. Not daring to move, she remains taunt.
"You know you love me," Azriel pouted, not willing to let go. Why are you like this? She scolded herself. That was stupid.
Her form molded into the embrace, and she finally settled her hands over Azriel's arms. Love? Do I really love her? I… I don't know, she realized, startled and shocked. It's not possible to love someone this quickly… right? Numbly, Iris didn't respond, instead opting to stay in her angel's arms. Safe.
Azriel pulled away for a moment, looking at Iris with wide eyes. "That was a joke," she clarified quietly. "Sorry, I - " she shook her head. "I suppose I'm quite tired. Not thinking as I should be."
A pout painted itself over her lips at the absence of heat, but she nods all the same. Dragging her eyes away from her angel, she clasped her own fingers through Azriels. Silent comfort that didn't require confusing conversation. Guilt tread pass her features, but Iris shoved it out.
Azriel smiled quietly, looking at the ground. Everything she did today seemed to be wrong for some reason. Probably that stupid, gigantic, beast of an animal, she decided with a small shiver. It was terrifying.
A tsunami of guilt crashed over Iris as she felt Azriel shiver. Her angel was too good for her. Azriel had wings, was normal, generous. And Iris couldn't do anything in return, not even something as small as provide her angel with warmth. Unintentionally, the elf's grip tightened on Azriel's hand as they walked to water in silence.