With the stress of the barking dogs and Jigano's fear passed, and now only fondness and trust echoing through their bond, Isuma was perfectly happy to meet Rory. She fit - barely - in his two cupped hands, and settled herself into a sitting position as she looked up at him just as curiously as he looked down at her. The fox watched them both, amusement and approval in his expressive blue eyes at Rory's gentleness and the gryphon's good behavior.
The little one arched into the stroke down her spine, eyes closing in pleasure and a soft, rolling trill that was half-purr emerging from her beak. The trill broke off into an undignified squeak as she was turned and examined, though Jigano just opened his jaws, tongue lolling out in a vulpine laugh at her predicament. He couldn't blame Rory for his curiosity, and though Isuma's tiny pride was offended she was also quick to forgive and forget when chin scratches were offered. She wasn't quite so relaxed and trusting this time, but she clearly enjoyed the attention.
He was, Jigano thought ruefully, almost a little jealous, in fact. But Rory's quiet voice had him cocking his head to the side, and his expression grew solemn at the declaration that he was Attuned. It wasn't as though he'd tried to hide it... not precisely... but...
Before he could worry too much, the hunter offered reassurance, and the fox relaxed. His ears perked forward in gratitude. At hearing that Rory had thought him some sort of spirit the ex-Oracle nearly laughed again, but... it wasn't so unlikely that a kindly spirit would take a liking to Rory, no matter what the blond might think.
He'd traded his dreams to Ludo to buy his friend a lease on the god's cruel tricks, after all, and done so willingly. It wasn't hard to imagine someone - or thing - else doing something similar. He crouched on the chair so he could lean forward and nuzzle the back of his friend's hand as Isuma Reep!ed happily at the admiration in Rory's voice. Then - collar and bag still tied around his neck - he hopped to the floor and took a corner of his friend's coat in gentle teeth, tugging lightly towards the door.
He might not be a guardian spirit, but Long Night was nearly upon them and he knew where some could be found. Surely between the two of them they could coax a few of the little herd back to the farm for hay and treats?
The little one arched into the stroke down her spine, eyes closing in pleasure and a soft, rolling trill that was half-purr emerging from her beak. The trill broke off into an undignified squeak as she was turned and examined, though Jigano just opened his jaws, tongue lolling out in a vulpine laugh at her predicament. He couldn't blame Rory for his curiosity, and though Isuma's tiny pride was offended she was also quick to forgive and forget when chin scratches were offered. She wasn't quite so relaxed and trusting this time, but she clearly enjoyed the attention.
He was, Jigano thought ruefully, almost a little jealous, in fact. But Rory's quiet voice had him cocking his head to the side, and his expression grew solemn at the declaration that he was Attuned. It wasn't as though he'd tried to hide it... not precisely... but...
Before he could worry too much, the hunter offered reassurance, and the fox relaxed. His ears perked forward in gratitude. At hearing that Rory had thought him some sort of spirit the ex-Oracle nearly laughed again, but... it wasn't so unlikely that a kindly spirit would take a liking to Rory, no matter what the blond might think.
He'd traded his dreams to Ludo to buy his friend a lease on the god's cruel tricks, after all, and done so willingly. It wasn't hard to imagine someone - or thing - else doing something similar. He crouched on the chair so he could lean forward and nuzzle the back of his friend's hand as Isuma Reep!ed happily at the admiration in Rory's voice. Then - collar and bag still tied around his neck - he hopped to the floor and took a corner of his friend's coat in gentle teeth, tugging lightly towards the door.
He might not be a guardian spirit, but Long Night was nearly upon them and he knew where some could be found. Surely between the two of them they could coax a few of the little herd back to the farm for hay and treats?
