Damien
the horrors persist
but the wonders prevail
but the wonders prevail
Damien gave a quiet grunt of agreement, crouching to tug Aria upright from her sprawl. She mewled in protest, paws reaching for the sky, but he tucked her against his chest with practiced efficiency. “Time to let the lady get back to her work,” he murmured, ignoring the cub’s indignant squirming. She stilled quick enough when his hand settled firm along her spine.
He straightened, gaze following Lena, the twilight glow of the Celestine stretching long shadows across the ground. “Frey and Safrin? I guess it makes sense a place like this wouldn’t come from ordinary hands alone.” His voice was thoughtful, low, but when his eyes shifted back to her there was a steadiness there. “Still takes someone to keep it going once it’s here.”
He shifted the cub in his arm and tilted his head, pausing for a moment before offering, “If you ever need more hands, just send word. I can build, fix what's broken, or bring supplies if nothing else. In exchange… maybe you could teach me more about caretaking — especially when I'm not so busy with Aria.”
"Anyway," His mouth tugged into that crooked not-quite-smile, wry and self-aware. “You’ve entertained a woodsman and his cub long enough. We’ll get out of your way. Thank you for.. the help.” Lena's suggestions and tips would certainly be helpful in the coming months as Aria grew out of her cubbishness.
He gave a small nod of thanks, then turned to start the walk back with Aria nestled in his arms — the cub still peeking over his shoulder at Mittens as if the snowball might yet give her a proper farewell.
He straightened, gaze following Lena, the twilight glow of the Celestine stretching long shadows across the ground. “Frey and Safrin? I guess it makes sense a place like this wouldn’t come from ordinary hands alone.” His voice was thoughtful, low, but when his eyes shifted back to her there was a steadiness there. “Still takes someone to keep it going once it’s here.”
He shifted the cub in his arm and tilted his head, pausing for a moment before offering, “If you ever need more hands, just send word. I can build, fix what's broken, or bring supplies if nothing else. In exchange… maybe you could teach me more about caretaking — especially when I'm not so busy with Aria.”
"Anyway," His mouth tugged into that crooked not-quite-smile, wry and self-aware. “You’ve entertained a woodsman and his cub long enough. We’ll get out of your way. Thank you for.. the help.” Lena's suggestions and tips would certainly be helpful in the coming months as Aria grew out of her cubbishness.
He gave a small nod of thanks, then turned to start the walk back with Aria nestled in his arms — the cub still peeking over his shoulder at Mittens as if the snowball might yet give her a proper farewell.
