- You think that you're the man. I think, therefore, I am. -
The honesty was refreshing, washing over her with a vulnerability that she could relate to even if she didn't show it beyond a silent nod of her head. The movement had her dark curtain of hair shifting around the base of her horns, hiding the moment the tension in her shoulders eased a touch, barely noticeable as she turned her attention back to the cub making herself very comfortable in the crook of her arms. She wasn't someone who welcomed physical touch, but the cub's soft fur and insistent batting of her paw had Thal biting back a smile. She smothered it with the experience of a seasoned captain, only the flicker of amusement in her eyes giving away the emotion when her hand curled to press a thumb playfully against the wet black of the leopard's nose.
Her eyes moved back up to watch the man, tracking his hands as they reached into his bag to reveal a worn and frayed rope that he began to twist into an amateur attempt at what she assumed was a harness. She raised an unimpressed brow, having worked with lines and ropes enough to know that it wouldn't hold for long, but she didn't say anything as he offered it forward like a promise that he'd 'do better.' Paired with the sincerity in his eyes and the honesty from earlier, she was inclined to believe him.
Reaching out one hand, she accepted the harness along with the provided names, still deciding what to make of the idiot who almost got Aria killed even if he'd convinced her it wasn't intentional. Her gaze scanned him as she moved to kneel - hiding a wince from her hip in the process - her fingers holding firm yet gentle against the cub to keep her from bolting. "Thalassa." Her voice wasn't any warmer, but the bite was gone, the anger dissipating in light of his open admissions, giving nothing more to spark her ire - even if she didn't feel compelled to share much more than her name.
The coarse rope slipped easily around Aria, who wriggling and squirmed to play with the end of the line. Thal skillfully adjusted the knots so they'd fit comfortably on the cub's shoulders as she thought of what she could possibly want from Damien. There was always money, manual labor, a favor... but something else came to mind as she watched Aria nibble on the frayed pieces of rope.
Setting her jaw to discourage arguments or questions, Thal stood to address him, obviously used to her directions being followed. "Let me know when she's old enough to hunt. I'll teach her." That way he didn't get the cub killed when she failed to recognize a predator on her trail. At least, that's the excuse Thal used to justify her choice.
Her eyes moved back up to watch the man, tracking his hands as they reached into his bag to reveal a worn and frayed rope that he began to twist into an amateur attempt at what she assumed was a harness. She raised an unimpressed brow, having worked with lines and ropes enough to know that it wouldn't hold for long, but she didn't say anything as he offered it forward like a promise that he'd 'do better.' Paired with the sincerity in his eyes and the honesty from earlier, she was inclined to believe him.
Reaching out one hand, she accepted the harness along with the provided names, still deciding what to make of the idiot who almost got Aria killed even if he'd convinced her it wasn't intentional. Her gaze scanned him as she moved to kneel - hiding a wince from her hip in the process - her fingers holding firm yet gentle against the cub to keep her from bolting. "Thalassa." Her voice wasn't any warmer, but the bite was gone, the anger dissipating in light of his open admissions, giving nothing more to spark her ire - even if she didn't feel compelled to share much more than her name.
The coarse rope slipped easily around Aria, who wriggling and squirmed to play with the end of the line. Thal skillfully adjusted the knots so they'd fit comfortably on the cub's shoulders as she thought of what she could possibly want from Damien. There was always money, manual labor, a favor... but something else came to mind as she watched Aria nibble on the frayed pieces of rope.
Setting her jaw to discourage arguments or questions, Thal stood to address him, obviously used to her directions being followed. "Let me know when she's old enough to hunt. I'll teach her." That way he didn't get the cub killed when she failed to recognize a predator on her trail. At least, that's the excuse Thal used to justify her choice.
Thalassa
- I'm not your friend or anything, damn -
