The endless gardens maintained by the denizens of Wu Yuan, under the direction of the master healer called Great Mother Blue. Here the world exists in colors that are unnatural to the Ether Plane... violet foliage that is not limited to flowers and such. It is cool year round, and a lovely place for a stroll.

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Wu Yuan
Yuan Orchards
Korliss's Keep
Other Side of the World
The Wretching Dragon

YO Archive

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"Did you want to go straight to the lotus orchard, Felina?" Kaies looks out over the rows of rosebushes and lily ponds.

"May as well...no shortcuts, though. It's a lovely walk." The serinian smiles. It's such a nice day.

Kaies nods, and just walks beside her, savoring her company. "I was thinking, Felina..." he quietly begins, unsure as how to put what he wants to say. "... I want to build a home for you here." No ' us ' though that is what he's getting at.

This, of course, is more than enough to get her attention off the flowers and looking quickly his way. She's silent for a few moments, considering. "What prompted this, Kaies...?" she finally tries.

He's quiet a second, hand trailing among the deep green honeysuckle bushes. "Nothing in particular. I simply woke up one morning, and it seemed a good idea. I have wanted to ask you for a while, but... well." He smiles at her, one more time. "I have courage for fighting monsters and facing death. Facing the chance of hearing you say no was too much for me at first."

Felina has to smile at that a little. Really, she's pretty thrown for a loop, golden eyes thoughtful. She looks back to the path, mind going a thousand ways. She's silent for the better part of a minute. Finally..."Kaies...?"

He looks at her, eyes warm and inviting, mood even. He knows she'll say no. For one of any number of reasons, she will. But... he loves her, and will respect her wishes no matter what.

The guardian holds out one of her little hands. "I think...that would be a wonderful thing."

Kaies is practically floored. Dumbstruck. He doesn't realize that he's reached out to take her hand until he feels the warmth of it through his glove. Doesn't realize that his eyes are wet until he feels his cheek warm with a single tear.

Felina has to smile, her cheeks colouring just a little. She looks back to the flowers, though, just holding his hand and letting him process.

A passing pair of hydra coo in unison at them, which results in about fifteen unison coos. Kaies smiles a little at them, but then back at Felina.

"Come on, Felina. The clearing is just over here." He gently tugs her little hand, heart flying, singing for her, and he too moved to mask those thoughts.

Felina is thoughtful, quite a bit so, but smiles and is more than happy to be pulled along. Quiet, but not in a bad way.

Kaies leads her past the vine meadow and into a narrow path through a copse of trees, each as purple and exotic as the next. The way winds a little, and with a few twists and turns Kaies brings them into the presence of the strangely holy-seeming tree. Its soft blue glow illuminates the clearing, and Kaies in particular notes aloud how it shines off of Felina's face.

She smiles at him a little at that...blushes a touch, too. Aww... "Never an opportunity missed." She grins at him. Looks around. "Wow...this is...gorgeous." She blinks. "What is this tree?" She examines it with intent curiosity.

"It is a stardrop lotus. I think it is only called that because the blossoms look the way they do. It is actually a bansai tree." He steps up to it, reaching up to touch a blossom. "Amilei's mother planted it, years ago. She passed it down to her daughter before she passed." It's also the only one he's ever seen.

"It's truly gorgeous," The guardian affirms, smiling. She looks up into the branches, eyes gleaming at the goodness of it. "My father would have loved this."

Kaies groans inwardly, and does mask that. He loves Felina, he genuinely does, but has been tiptoeing pretty well around any mention of her father for quite some time. It just falls into nonproductivity, and generally curtails whatever romance is brewing in the air the time, to discuss that man with her.

"It deserves love," he pleasantly answers, as he begins to set out the picnic stuff. A nice, sizable blanket with a durable bottom and smooth, deep blue silk top is first. They've just eaten, so he hasn't brought much in the way of food. A bottle of hard cider - likely something she won't touch, knowing her - and a few glasses, some chilled milk, and a bit of cream, "it holds a great deal of meaning in those blossoms."

"Like what?" She looks over to him, eyes fairly relaxed.

Kaies kicks off his soft-soled shoes and sits, patting the blanket next to him. "Besides Amilei, some of the most important people in the town here have been tied into this tree. Korliss used to visit it and cast powerful nurturing spells when Amilei was not around. Mother Blue tended it for threats, beetles and the like. If you ever see a crest of house Kuru - Mara, Kaishen, Monrovia, and the rest split from house Ono - you will see this tree on it."

"Mm...I'd wondered about that, to be honest. I could never get her to sit still long enough to give me a straight answer on the tree."

"That is our Mara for you. Sit with me, Felina?" He fills a glass for her, part cream, part milk.

"Of course." Felina is happy to turn her attention back to him, and sits, smiling. Her head is still spinning about the house thing, really. Of course she understands connotations.

The medium offers the glass to her. "May I ask what is on your mind, dear lady?" 

"Oh, I'm just thinking about the house thing. It's a big step." Felina turns to smile at him. "I guess...it just boggles my mind that you're willing to make any sort of commitment to a headcase like me."

Kaies doesn't even have to think about his response. "If you cannot see in yourself the beautiful things that I see in you, then you are a headcase. I cannot imagine a future more worthwhile than one spent with you."

Felina colours a little at the swiftness of his reponse. She smiles a bit, almost tentatively. "And I think...here, with you, is a good place to be. For a long time."

She's always been difficult to approach. Kaies knew that from the start. This, however, is certainly progress.

The temperature in the clearing lowers a degree or two quite abruptly. Kaies smiles as a fine mist - the stuff Korliss had collected in his bottle - sprays from the stardrop lotus and fills the area with its sweet, dreamy scent. He hadn't told Felina about this part, but he does hope she enjoys it.

Felina looks up suddenly. Takes a few moments to determine it's not a threat...then smiles. "Ah...it's lovely, Kaies...!" and it really is. She blinks a couple of time when the mist alights on her eyelashes.

"It certainly is," he agrees, eyes locked upon her, his hair and skin sparkling with stardrop mist. Tentatively, he reaches out to lay his hand over hers - so much has happened, so many outings ruined by cataclysms, so many chances to be alone disrupted by some atrocity, that he cannot help but believe it is about to happen again. Still, right now... is their time.

Felina looks down a moment when his hand touches hers...then looks over to him. Just...a small smile on her face, eyes snining. It's such a freaking good day.

He lets his eyes linger on hers for a moment, but just. He knows how she doesn't care to be looked at directly. "You look fantastic today, Felina." Yes, she's wearing what she usually does. But that makes it no less true.

Felina smiles. She appreciates the thought, anyway. "It's hard to go wrong with such a lovely bracelet," she acknowledges. Smile changes, and she gazes at it fondly. "I know it's been a such a long time since you gave it to me, but...thank again, so much, for it. It was such an amazing gesture, at exactly the right time." When she was a wraith. When it couldn't possibly have been anything about her appearance he was so attracted to. And when she really, really needed to feel loved.

"Sure," he chuckles, "blame it on the bracelet. If you only knew how much good it did for me to give it to you, Felina, you might not see it as such an unselfish gesture." He squeezes her hand a little, warm all over.

Felina smiles, and blushes a bit. "Well. I'll still give you the credit for one, how's that." Grins slightly, and leans up to kiss his cheek. Jaw. Whatever. Short is a funny thing.

He closes his eyes at the gentle touch of her lips... fights the urge to to turn his head and kiss her back, let loose with all the feeling he's been building all this time. He knows she can sense it, he knows she understands his every thought. And so he lets it go, weaving the words "I will always love you" into his maelstrom of thoughts.

Felina smiles faintly. She thinks...she does love Kaies. She's having a hard time telling, deciding if she's defining "love" right. But...she thinks so. Thus, she sighs quietly, a good kind of sigh, and leans up against him. Just...enjoys this place, and his presence, and the warm feeling extending to the core of her being.

The medium fights with his urge, and then gives in, lifting his arm to wrap around her. Carefully, so as not to restrain her, of course. Just... holds her.

"The mist flows for an hour or so," he tells her, quietly so as not to break the spell they are under. "Once every twelve days."

Felina is happy to settle in exactly where she is. He's very good at watching out for her quirks, he really is. "It's beautiful," she affirms. Smiles. "A good call on destination. And so nice on a hot day."

"It is now," he whispers, allowing himself to stroke her hair a little. "Without you here, this is just another plant, another day."

Felina's cheeks color again, but...it's a good feeling. She just smiles faintly...so comfortable. She really is still sleepy, and ends up dozing lightly right where she is. It's a good place.

Kaies is, of course, accustomed to sleeping sitting up. He shifts Felina - with the utmost care - until she's in a more back-friendly position, kisses the top of her head, and simply holds her until she is ready to move. He could not be happier than now, even in his most dear fantasies.

It's actually quite awhile later that she awakens. It's easy for her to sleep well when she feels welcome and safe...infinitely so, actually. The right energy signature nearby is everything. She yawns quietly. "Ah..dozed off, yes...?"

"Yes." Kaies smiles to see her awake, but doesn't let her go, or hint that she should move. "Do you feel better, Felina? You were awfully tired."

She smiles. Sleepily, but that's because she just awakened from a long nap. She's content to stay where she is. "I think so, yes. Good company does that."

"I am glad you enjoy it, love." Kaes squeezes her just a little bit - she's awfully small, after all. "Take your time. There is nothing better for me to do than hold you."

Felina warms a bit inside at his choice of words. She settles in against him again, content. "So this is what it feels like," she muses, "to be just an ordinary person with ordinary, wonderful feelings and cares." To love and be loved and not think of anything beyond that reality.

Kaies nods a bit, hands beginning to wander without his direct instruction. He rubs her arms, up and down, simply enamored with her every aspect. "All there is for us is here. Now."

She warms at that, and just nods. He's...so sweet. So wonderful. And he somehow wants to stay with her, to commit to being 'them'...? Life can't get sweeter.

The mist, by now, begins receding. Kaies smiles a little more as the violet foliage returns to domination of the color scheme, still stroking Felina's arms and kissing her hair now and again. Sweeter? Not a chance.

Felina's pretty silent for a little while, although quietly enjoying the attention. She doesn't know how to do this, she really doesn't. Isn't sure what to say, how to suggest or act. Finally, almost timidly... "what was that Mara was suggesting...?" She looks up to Kaies, chin leaning against him.

Kaies's entire body thrills for a second. He isn't sure he'd heard her right, doubts it, but...

"Mara has her own ideas about things," he quietly says, reaching out to lay his hand against her cheek. Now or... later. No. Now. "Felina... I want to ask something from you..."

Her eyes shift immediately to question, of course. "What's that...?"

Kaies turns a little bit, his muscular arm supporting the Guardian's back to keep her from moving much. "Stay just as you are," he whispers, trembling a little, but leaning close to her nonetheless, gaze flicking to her lips, eyes slowly closing. He wants it to be up to her, yes. But damned if he isn't going to be aggressive, for once.

Something like the smallest of smiles flicks to the edges of her lips. She's a little unsure, of course she is, but...she wants this. And just nods a little, however ineffectually.

It's all he needs. Kaies's lips, quivering in fear of doing something wrong, lightly brush his Serinian beloved's own for a fraction of a second. The brief touch warms him to his deepest core, and before he knows whether he ought to let her consider it he kisses her again, fully on her gently curved mouth.

Her eyes widen a moment, then relax profoundly. The long-aloof construct finally wraps her arms up and over his hardened shoulders, kissing back without confidence or skill...but with feeling, anyway.

It's more than enough for him. He lets his mind think thoughts that will help her, broadcasting some of the deep, consuming affection he holds for her, giving her reassuring messages - relax, love, I will never do anything to hurt you - and so forth. His arm circles around her and he begins, slowly, to lie down with her so that her head reclines on his forearm and he lies upon his elbow, surrounding her with his heavy, muscular arms.

Felina's cheeks are flushed, eyes sparkling with mixed emotions and open just the littlest bit. That slight smile remains. She's conflicted, of course she is. But...Kaies's thoughts, the feelings, abolish any doubt. She wants this, but even more...she wants it for him. She wants him to have...well...if it's something that can be earned...no one else will ever deserve it more. She's sure of that. And whatever hesitations she has she sets aside, her head resting on his arm, ready to just...follow, wherever he moves her.

He has no intention of going any further than he feels she will be comfortable with. For now he is content to simply hold and kiss her, his purpose in life to warm her heart first of all. He takes his time about it, cupping her prettily marked cheek, keeping his hands to dedicated neutral areas so that she will be able to relax. His heart hammers, of course - he feels as though they are floating just above the ground together. She, so powerful, so wise, and yet so vulnerable... nestled safely in his arms.

It never occurs to him that, by human standards, Felina is not really a sexually attractive creature. That aspect of her is not what draws him to squeeze her shoulders and nuzzle her neck, or kiss her forehead, though he does each happily. He isn't sure why he is so attracted, really- just that he is.

Felina is shivering and short of breath, but in a good way. There's little reponse at first, but before long...everywhere his lips touch is pure fire, wholly unfamiliar feelings that...are wonderful. She has no doubt they wouldn't be were this not Kaies, though. She just clings to him, and feels...not so tightly that she can't be moved about. But to be separated from him right now is utterly unthinkable.

Kaies is so glad that she's responsive... if he thought for a moment that this was one sided, he would be stopping in a hurry. As it is, though, he begins to let his stroking hand wander a little bit, cautiously petting her hip. 

"Felina," he whispers, nuzzling her and kissing the tip of her ear. He can't finish the thought vocally. He can't, his heart is in his throat. But... his mind asks the question anyway, laced and wrapped in sentiments of adoration.

My shirt, Felina... may I remove it...?

She smiles faintly, and just nods, touching his cheek lightly as she does. Just...examining his face fondly.

He lets her head fall gently to the blanket, smiling at her in a subdued, reverent sort of way. He sits up, slowly, and peels his shirt over his head. His skin glistens just a little bit in the lingering mist, sparkling over his taut, broad shoulders and smoothly defined abdominals, still written with flowing, lovely tattooes. He reaches out, cupping her cheek, and just... lets her look, if she wants. She needs time to digest this, so he lets his fingertips caress her face for now, waiting.

She does...of course she does. Golden Felina eyes travel slowly down his body. She's seen him a thousant times without his shirt...of course she has. But...it's different, somehow. Now. Still...he has a body to launch a thousand gay ships. Bodybuilders the world over would kill for his clean-cut musclature. But...her eyes travel back up to his face, eyes gleaming quietly, still bearing that faint smile. But this is the part of him she likes best.

Not too far away, a pair of hikers are turned away from the path to the lotus by a glowing 'closed for holidays' sign. Mara made sure that they could have their peace, she did.

Kaies accepts her little smile as permission to continue. He lets his hand drift, inch by torturous inch, down her cheek. Down her neck. Her chest, his eyes always set upon hers, his mind open, streaming reassurance to her. Looking for a button, a zipper, whichever device Felina has chosen on this day.

Simple clasps line the seam of her vest, disappearing beneath her belt. The turtleneck shirt, tucked beneath it, is a simple pull-over-the-head sort. She certainly makes no move to warn him away.

He wastes no time, then, in slipping the clasps - not too difficult, since he can see them easily - and tugging suggestively on her vest. "My love..." he whispers, unable to ask her if she is okay.

After a few moments...a small little grin splits her lips. "The vest will be okay a few minute without me," she observes softly.

He chuckles a subdued little chuckles, and makes no show of pulling the vest away. "Then it has no idea what is good," he says, setting it carefully aside. He lets the tips of his fingers - thankfully, encased in the softest material he could find to surround his claw-guards - dance along her belly, petting her here and there, testing her. 

His eyes soften, sparkling, and he lowers his voice to make a request of her. "Give me your hand, Felina."

She's more than happy to acquiece, of course...glancing down to find his hand, and taking it lightly. Almost hesitantly, anticipating something to come.

His lips settle lightly against her knuckles, once, twice, before Kaies lays her hand against his sculpted chest and covers it with his own. Over his heart.

This is yours, he mentally promises, no matter what. Felina, I will not push you, but... let me make you mine? His stroking hand moves slowly upwards, settling just at the edge of her little chest, entreating.

She's trembling a little, both at the words, and the sensations. After a few seconds, it's all that she can do to smile, faintly but genuinely, and nod a little. Of course. She's already his, after all.

Permitted, then, Kaies leans down again to nuzzle her, to kiss her, to cover her face and neck in loving affection. His powerful arms wrap around her, lifting her, pulling her little body closer to his until he is sitting up with her, holding her, ensnaring her so that his hands might be free to rub her shoulders and caress the lovely curve of her spine. And still, calming thoughts dominate his mindset, failing to completely conceal the depth of his want for her.

Felina's breath is quick. She's still warming to this, but...with each thrill, each kiss, that becomes more literal. She wraps her arms around his neck again, just thrilling at being close to him, and close to him like this. Returns kisses occasionally, and even more rarely confidently. By and large, she waits in tense, nearly eager anticipation for...something. She doesn't even know. The next kiss, the next touch...the next bit of him.

He takes his time, every movement slow and gentle, allowing Felina to get comfortable before moving on. His kisses rise in depth and energy, bringing her along, his heart breaking and mending in every single moment of her touch. He wants no illusions, though - his hold upon her is far from gentle, though not quite rough.

At last, when the urgency in his blood screams to wait no longer, Kaies begins to carefully tug upon the bottom of Felina's soft, white turtleneck.

She pauses at this...shifts a little. Not in warning, but so that it can be pulled over her arms, which looping around Kaies's neck hadn't been helping. Something about being held so tight...for all her fears of confinement, she could never explain why it feels so right.

He senses this, somehow, and for a moment it confounds him. Still, though, he keeps up his relaxing thoughts - though by now, that is becoming difficult for him. The soft cloth smoothly slides up, and up, and over her head... before she can react, Kaies pushes her hands down to her sides and wraps his arms around her, arms and all, clutching her to his chest, sharing his skin with hers. His muscles thrill. His lips seek hers again, and here he slows his movements, gently petting her back with both hands until she gives him permission to go further.

Her eyes snap open at this. She barely contains an urge to struggle. She nearly panics, even as he kisses her again...the only thing that keeps her steady is the fact that it's Kaies. He's lost her a little, though not entirely...panic and pulse slowly, slowly fade...she ends up turning her face from him, just clinging, enjoying on some level the feel of their bare chests together. Just...clinging, not sure what she's after.

Kaies gets the idea. Carefully, whispering all the while, he pulls an arm back and slips it beneath one of hers, freeing it while still holding onto her. Yes, he wants to love her. Yes, he is fighting a losing battle against his male instinct to dive into this; still, the most important aspect of it, to him, is her. And so he settles in to kiss her hair, her cheek, even her ears, until she is ready again. His hands gently caress her back all the while, waiting, waiting.

As long as you need. I will always be yours, I will never give up on you...

Felina just...holds tightly to him. for a long time, trembling lightly, which eventually subsides. Enjoys the feel of their skins together, the closeness. She does know how much he wants her...how much physically, and how much emotionally. It's...with utter regret and sheepishness... "I...can't, Kaies," she murmurs quietly. "Not...right now." Hides her face against his chest. She loves him...so much.And yet....

It's... probably one of the most difficult sentences he has ever had to form, when Kaies slowly says, "I can wait."  With tears in his eyes, formed not from frustration or disappointment but, rather, from empathy, he pours his heart out to her in thought. Kaies loves her. Genuinely - the way he feels for Felina has redefined the word to him. He wants her to understand that far more than he wants to be intimate with her.

Felina just...stays where she is, resting against him. Her eyes are open, but...vacant. Just...wondering where and how this wonderful moment went wrong. But...also aware on what's right. Closes her eyes, just focussing on emotion. "I love you, Kaies," she murmurs quietly.

He'll never be able to say why those words sting so much, just now. But like a thoughtful partner should, he masks that particular thought and instead lets the joy of it flow through his mind. He pets her skin, not suggestively, just... reassuringly. "I love you, as well, my lady." Pauses, uncertain. "Let me get your things, Felina, and get you dressed again. Then... we can go back to the inn and visit with Mara. Would that make you happy...?"

But of course she feels the initial sting they'd had, before it's covered, and closes her eyes. She'd hurt him. Again. And again doubt nags at her...she really can't just be a normal person with normal feelings. She shouldn't be here. She shouldn't be weighing him down. Shouldn't be hurting him, time and again. And he wants to commit to this...? "I don't know," she admits, quietly. After several long seconds' hesitation, she grudgingly sits up.

"I think it will. If nothing else, it is worth a shot." Kaies reaches out, takes up Felina's turtleneck. "Here. We must get a smile on your face again, as soon as possible." Of course he's hurt. A person who has lived as long as he, and done as much as he has, still bears some insecurities, and Felina has a singular talent at making a man feel insufficient. Still, he knows, and has told her before, that the agony of not having her would be far worse than any hurt she could ever do him. It is that thought that dominates his mindscape, as he holds the shirt for her to take.

She takes it, but...only partly so. Hesitant, and deeply thoughtful.

"Felina...?" Kaies smiles a little at her, not letting go. "Here. Let me help you..." If you want me to...

Her gaze remains far away for a few moments. When you're ready. I can wait. Finally...she looks back up. Her face is...hard to read. Almost serious, really, though not entirely. "Well. Maybe in a little while."

His face falls a little bit, still smiling. God, don't let her be forcing herself for his sake. "I will not complain," he laughs, letting go of her shirt. "But I think you might want to. For your sake."

Felina digests that just a moment. It is mostly for Kaies, that's true. But...it's for each of them. And both of them. She smiles just a little, and says nothing. Just...steps forward and, on her tiptoes, leans on him a little to kiss the base of his jaw. The highest point she can reach, of course.

His cheeks color and warm, shoving his crestfallen expression aside. She's such a sweet creature when she wants to be. Still... his hands find her shoulders, gently pushing her back to look into her eyes.

"Another time, my Guardian..."

She's quiet a few moments, examining his face. Finally, she nods. "Yeah..." Smiles just a little, signs quietly, and just hugs him. He's...one in a million. Much more than that, actually.

He hugs her as carefully as he can, just... cherishing the sensation of her bare skin pressed to his. It may never be, after all. His love for her will last a lifetime, but now he must enjoy a touch he may never get to experience again. Her hair tickling his skin. The warmth of her lips against his jaw. Her modest little breasts pushing against his torso. Her heat, lying in his arms. Never.

It's a long embrace and, really...considering, Fel is happy to let it go on as long as he likes. Especially since she's content to hold on, anyway. She loves him. She does. She's sure of that.

He doesn't hold her long. Doesn't want to risk sending her into another episode. "You know," he smiles at her when they part, "your markings are darling, here."

She grins at him a bit. Hey, if nothing else, he got to see boobies! "Thanks. I tend to prefer your chest, but then...I've seen it before." She smiles, sets a hand on it briefly. Turns to pick up her dropped shirt. "Though, just to note for a future date...these aren't my best ones." Smiles a bit to herself, still facing away, as she pulls on her shirt along with a strange sense of loss.

Kaies smiles again at her. "Let it never be said that Felina could not be deliciously flirtatious." He pulls his own shirt on, stifling a sigh. Yeah. Boobies. "Shall we go back to the inn, then, my love...?"

"I guess so, yeah...I have no idea what to tell Mara, though. They're not going to be fun questions to field." She picks up her vest, trying not to think about how it got there.

Kaies nods a little bit. "Blame me," he whispers, after a moment. "Tell her I had too much to drink. Tell her I am queer. Whatever you have to, Felina."

"No. She's know about a lie both psychically and because she knows us. Besides..." Felina lets out a slow breath, and manages a little bit of a smile. "It was a beautiful sight. The tree," she coughs after a second. Freudian slip if there ever was one.

"It certainly was," he agrees, looking only at her. Subtlety is not his strong suit. Once he's packed up the blanket and everything, he hoists the basket again. He'd actually brought collapsible chairs, which make the thing heavier. The blanket was for the hope of getting to hold her. "Shall we...?"

"Yeah...Kaies...?"

He looks at her, just... waiting. He doesn't know what to say to her right now, not really. Smiles a bit, though.

She smiles in return, a touch wanly and, careful of the response, takes his arm softly. "Thank you." For the lovely site at the tree. For wanting her. For suggesting a house. For putting her first. For...being him.

"You're welcome." For all the same things... but mostly, for her willingness to tolerate his affection.

Felina has to smile at the simple exchange. Yes...in a demented sort of way, they're good for one another. And she just heads along beside him, something closer to content now.

He walks down the path, blinks at a huge, glowing 'closed for repair' sign in the middle of the path. "Felina...?"

She blinks...has to snicker. "I told you Mara was into this."

He has to laugh, as well. "She's so... getting smack hugged when we get back."

"Good plan," she laughs.

Kaies walks with her a moment longer, eyes down. Finally...

"Felina, would you... I need to check on Amilei. Would you see how Mara is doing for me?" Smiles at her, reassuring... needs to be alone. But still.

Nods a bit..."Yeah. She's off with her dad. Want me to take the things back to the inn?"

"No, thank you. I will carry it." He feels he has earned some sort of punishment, this must have all been his fault somehow, and walking across town with this heavy thing will be atonement enough. "Say hello to Mara for me?"

"Yeah...see you soon, Kaies." She smiles a bit...isn't sure what else to say. Just...lets go of his arm, kisses his hand briefly, and heads off towards the wretching dragon.