She was blissfully unaware of the massive fucking tiger that was seemingly seconds from pouncing on her, happily farming various herbs and ingredients for potions that she could make and bring back to her Patron. If she would have known, maybe she wouldn't have embarrassed herself with the squealing sound of death she made as she felt the massive paws collide into her, nor would she have allowed herself to be brought to the ground ...
As it were, both things happened, a dust cloud puffing from under her with the impact as she looks up to the tiger that had sneak attacked her. She could only pout at Cassian, ignoring the way anxiety snaked its way into her stomach and her body shook, "That was mean." she knew he wouldn't hurt her ... but her body wasnt' convinced.
The tiger chuffed at her, rubbing his face against hers. He didn't mean to upset her so. It was easily to forget how stealthy he was in his form. He only wished to make it up to her as best he could. Looking at her with the biggest yellow eyes he could, pleading for her forgiveness.
"Worried? Nonsense, I'm just fine. A small pain within the chest, but nothing compared to the torrent of blows we had just released onto our foes. I will be fine. Once we find somewhere to settle down, I can-"
Another wave of pain from the Netherese orb shot through Gale, causing the wizard to stumble and clutch his chest in a desperate attempt to contain the agony. Oh, it felt as if a displacer kitten was playing with his innards as a cruel toy.
No, he could no longer entirely hide this condition from her. He was so afraid of being cast out by the group if he revealed his needs; they were so low on materials to begin with. Gale had hoped that he would come across a ring, a trinket of some sort blessed by the Weave, but his pain was stifling his search.
"I have a condition, no spell can cure. Oh, I have tried. I- I require magical items to contain it. I must consume the Weave within, or else it may consume me, and believe me when I say that would be perilous to us all if I am unable to contain my condition."
There was a sense of begging in his words amid the warning. He sincerely hoped that Aubrey would understand.
{ ♪ } -- She worked carefully, doing her best not to disturb the bees. Thankfully, she'd managed to get a little smoke going to calm them. Still, she had to be careful as she tried to pry the section of honey comb from the hive.
The sudden sound of footsteps startled her, causing her to knock into the hive. While it helped pull her treasure free, it unfortunately roused the bees. A loud yelp sounded as she felt them start to sting, and she lost her footing only to fall to the ground.
Red eyes opened once she felt the swarm dissipate, only to find the Archdruid standing over her scraped, bruised, and stung form. Smiling sheepishly, she held out the small bit of honey towards him.
Perhaps Perses was too nonchalant about the events that had caused his scars. Too trained to focus on survival. The victory over those out to hurt and kill him. Each of them had taught him important lessons, but he would never allow them to break him. He would still go out there. It was never the cause of why he doubted what he was doing with his life.
When they first became intimate, Perses had wondered what Aubrey would think of his scars. Whether they would put her off. Instead, she had reacted with compassion and sorrow for him. And in a way, he should not have been surprised by it. “We can both keep our opinions on them,” he offered as a compromised, fingers brushing through her hair. As her lips connected with an old gunshot wound on his shoulder, a soft sigh escaped him. “I’m glad, too. I’m glad to be here with you.”