curiosity always did kill the cat -- and satisfaction always brought it back
"You make it sound like a threat," he laughed warmly - the idea of a family dinner was actually heartwarming to him, though he suspected actually 'enduring' it would be a different story. The mirroring memories of family dinners with doting mothers and warm meals in Australia, and the dinner he'd had with Kia's family warred with his mind for a moment, flashbacks dancing across his vision - he blinked and they were gone, though the feelings they dredged up lingered, and dampened the smile that had sprung to his lips at her words.
They ate, and he felt much refreshed. Slightly winded though he might've been before at scaling such altitudes, he recovered relatively quickly. Halo had been a harsh mentor, and he'd been far more active physically here than he'd ever needed to be in Australia (though a farmer's life was hardly idle). He made noises of agreement, helping her to pack up, and stretching his long legs that he might stimulate blood flow to them before submitting them to more gruelling punishment casual mountain hiking.
He loved Hester, he came to realise, as he dutifully listened to all she had to say, contributing his own observations when he could, but otherwise letting her tell her tale about her home. It felt like a proper induction to the land - where he was from, the aboriginal people would often be asked to do a 'welcome to country' tradition, the only comparison the farmer had to draw on. And as he received this induction, he felt like he received acceptance as well, and with that came a great sense of responsibility, and affection, for the young woman; his friend.
They came to the valley entrance, and he beheld the sight with silent wonder - at least, he and Hester were silent. The mountains seemed keen to sing, a long and melodious tune, unique and unlike anything he'd ever heard before. He looked to his friend, brow quirking as he noticed her digging into her pockets. "What's is it?" he asked, looking back to the pillar - filled with a sense of wonder and awe, and utterly unable to ask all of the questions he wanted to at once.
They ate, and he felt much refreshed. Slightly winded though he might've been before at scaling such altitudes, he recovered relatively quickly. Halo had been a harsh mentor, and he'd been far more active physically here than he'd ever needed to be in Australia (though a farmer's life was hardly idle). He made noises of agreement, helping her to pack up, and stretching his long legs that he might stimulate blood flow to them before submitting them to more gruelling punishment casual mountain hiking.
He loved Hester, he came to realise, as he dutifully listened to all she had to say, contributing his own observations when he could, but otherwise letting her tell her tale about her home. It felt like a proper induction to the land - where he was from, the aboriginal people would often be asked to do a 'welcome to country' tradition, the only comparison the farmer had to draw on. And as he received this induction, he felt like he received acceptance as well, and with that came a great sense of responsibility, and affection, for the young woman; his friend.
They came to the valley entrance, and he beheld the sight with silent wonder - at least, he and Hester were silent. The mountains seemed keen to sing, a long and melodious tune, unique and unlike anything he'd ever heard before. He looked to his friend, brow quirking as he noticed her digging into her pockets. "What's is it?" he asked, looking back to the pillar - filled with a sense of wonder and awe, and utterly unable to ask all of the questions he wanted to at once.
CHULANE
