[Tale] Don't worry he doesn't bite...a lot. (Uzu x Padma)

[scarlett arbuckle]

Sabra Knight

This boy? Fighting away creatures like witu? She couldn't imagine it, and under the mud and dirt she couldn't see the healing scars. She did, however, see others - scattered around his body, like a tapestry of negligence, only serving to add to the gnawing concern she felt.

After a long, drawn out moment in which he circled her intimidatingly, he finally seemed relaxed enough to eat (or, at least, deigned the clearing safe and calm enough to eat, even as he continued to crane his neck around, eyes caught between skimming the tree line and staring at her in equal turns), and Padma relaxed, slowly shifting off of her knees, and instead sitting cross legged, her bag settled in her lap.

The stares should be off putting, but the girl could only rationalize that if he was out here on his own, as he seemed to be, then he may not see a lot of people, and was certainly just as curious about her as she was of him. Though, again, he must have SOME contact with others, since he seemed to at least understand what she was asking him! Who had taught him?

The first nod proved little. He could just be moving his head because she was talking, after all, and she was hardly satisfied with his answer - how was he okay, when he was out here, without others, alone? But the way he cast his dark green eyes around the clearing, nodding once more with a sort of proud finality, it was as if he had heard the doubt in her mind and was shrugging it off. He looked thoughtful - and then, his eyes once again shot to her, this time more frantic. The gesture was ...
confusing, at first, and she tilted her head to the side, auburn hair shifting into her face and eyes with the motion.

What? .... Oh!! Padma smiled brightly, turning just enough so she could pat her hand against her dagger, sheathed in leather that had been pressed with designs of swirling vines and berries.

"Yes! Yes, I'm fine. I have my dagger - and Ishtar usually warns me before anything gets too close." She pointed towards the aldabuck, who was standing meters away, nibbling at some candy-colored grass, looking for pods.

Padma, however, looked giddy, eyes bright and lips curved into a pleased smile. He was talking to her! This was good, right?
He, however, seemed to have lost interest in her, and continued looking around the area, eating through the snacks until he ducked his hand inside once more - and realized that the bag was empty, save for a few crumbs.

He looked so horribly disappointed that her smile fell. "Oh... I'm sorry. You're right, it wasn't that much, was it?"  

[Sabra Knight]

Scarlett Arbuckle

A piece of clothing was supposed to protect her? Though he did vaguely recall seeing weapons in sheaths before because of his uncle's own sword he had never seen something so tiny nor so ornate. It to him just blended in with the decorative wear she had covering her body. So when she called it a dagger he found himself baffled. Uzumati raised a brow, a strangely human gesture for him, before shaking his head. It was so tiny could it really pierce anything? He had seen claws larger than that!

And then when she pointed to the aldabuck as a protective piece he found himself grunting in protest. That thing? It would probably just run away - was that her warning signal to run like it? Uzumati's brow furrowed in concern and confusion as he tried to imagine how likely any scenario could be, especially if something like that witu came back to the area. If it came to challenge him and found a stranger like this instead how badly injured would she get? The thought caused a deep rumble in his chest and with some surprise he realized he had growled. That was how angry it made him to think of something bad happening here. It was all the more reason for him to awkwardly scoot a bit forward before settling back again, his feet resting beneath his legs as he crouched there as if prepared to spring against anything at any given moment. Still being on edge did not stop him from eating and then studying the empty bag as she watched him and it was when she apologized that even more confusion furrowed his brow.

To see that smile fall made his own heart sink. Had he down something wrong? Was he not supposed to chew on the cloth too? He had only contemplated putting it in his mouth, never did he truly mean to eat it! Well maybe a bit but still! She had been so giddy before that even his own lips had curved upwards in a copy of the motion! But now it was like the light was slipping from her and Uzumati found himself scurrying forward, the cloth tightly clutched in his fist, and as he got within a few inches of her the boy halted. His nostrils flared a bit as he sniffed her before slowly, ever so slowly, reaching out the bag towards her with his gaze surprisingly gentle as his freed hand gently poked at a cheek as if it would bring back that smile.
 

[scarlett arbuckle]

Sabra Knight

Oh boy. Even this boy wasn't impressed by the dagger. In her mind,
the precautions were clever - but hearing it, out loud, and with such clear disbelief on his face, she felt foolish. Though, in retrospect, the soft noise he made was the most adorable thing he had done, such clearly alarmed by her plans that even he had to verbalize his disapproval of it.

He seemed to fall into deep thought again, while Padma flushed and self consciously ran her fingers against the grooves and dips of leather on the dagger's sheath - when he growled, a noise so feral and sudden that she stopped, frozen in confusion. Had she done something? Was-- was it because of the dagger?

But as she watched him, somewhat wary despite his continuing lack of aggression, she relaxed once again, heaving a quiet sigh of relief when he continued to nibble at the crumbs. She shifted slightly, fingers tugging at the tight knot of cloth that held the dagger to her belt - and, after a few moments of fumbling, was able to tug it loose, holding the weapon in her hands, so distracted that she completely missed the smile that graced his face.

Padma raised her eyes to his, only to find him staring at her once more, his brows creasing slightly. She felt the ridiculous urge to reach out and smooth them out, but somehow resisted.

The boy was a constant shift of expressions, mannerisms, and movements. One moment, he was happy to crouch before her,
but then he was moving forward, stopping just inches from her. She squeaked, but otherwise remained motionless, eyes wide at his closeness, flushing when he gave a none-too subtle sniff.

Then... he slowly held up the discarded bag, his eyes shifting - soft, vulnerable for a moment. A dirt-lined finger poked at her cheek.

Padma couldn't help but obey, even if she didn't quite realize that was what he was asking for. She cracked a smile, eyes dropping to the bag in his hands. "No- it's yours now. You can keep it, if you want it. And... and you can take this, if you think it'll help at all." She slowly offered the dagger, eyes sliding back up to his face, feeling inexplicably shy.
Her father would kill her if he knew she was giving it away, but ... she rarely was out in the wilds, and even if he was certainly capable, there had to be SOMETHING he could use a knife for. Assuming she couldn't convince him to go back to the village with her.  

[Sabra Knight]

Scarlett Arbuckle

Ah. Uzumati couldn't even begin to express the happiness he felt when she responded to his actions with a smile. It looked so much better for that to be on her face than that sorrowful and worried look. The boy shifted back again before pausing as she held out another piece for him. The...small claw...no she called it a dagger. Uzumati's brow furrowed in confusion as he reached out a hand slowly to take the dagger. The wild part of him wanted to snatch it and run before she changed her mind, but the human part that was so entranced by the pretty girl found himself hesitating. How would she be safe...even though it was such a small thing wasn't she relying on it?

He tilted his head as if asking if she was certain before tightening his fingers over the dagger along with the cloth that she had given him. They would both be precious prizes for him to remember this meeting by and the selfish part of him really didn't want to offer them back. But...his uncle had always said something about trading for goods...the thought made him frown but then as he puzzled out something Uzumati shifted with what could be read as excitement. He could take her to safety! He could prove that he was better than the item that she had given him and that way he knew she was safely out of the woods.

Taking a deep breath Uzumati pressed up from the ground and stood, his shoulders pushed back to help show his confidence. He glanced around before placing a hand on his chest and gesturing with another hand towards her. He took a few steps away from her and returned again as if to motion that they should leave and he could take her wherever she needed to go. The plea was silent but the desire to protect and help out the girl was shining in those golden-green eyes.
 

[scarlett arbuckle]

Sabra Knight

He was taking it! Padma sighed softly in relief, pressing her hand to her chest as she leaned back once again. She couldn't hope to interpret his thoughts, but after a few long moments in which he looked conflicted, his expression shifted to one of near giddiness. Padma looked up at him, curious as he stood up, but quickly did so as well, brushing dirt from her knees from when she'd tripped just minutes earlier.

"Is something wrong..?" She asked, concerned as she took a few steps to follow. Deep down, she recalled her father's warning voice, telling stories of mischievous spirits leading travelers deeper into the wilds, to be never seen again. The thought sent a chill through her - but... he wasn't a spirit, right? He was a boy, just as solid as she was - and the look of reassurance in his dark eyes quickly smoothed out any misgivings she may have felt.

Clicking her tongue for Ishtar to follow, Padma padded forward, surprised to find that now that he was standing straight, he was taller than her. "You can... show me back? Really? Thank you!"