another eternity

AMALIA

Amalia is surprised as anyone else by Adam's sudden embrace, but she softens into it quickly, her own arms slipping around his narrow form. She does not say anything in return, but the soft squeeze of her hands on his arms speaks as loud as any words. There was never a world in which she left him behind, never a dream of abandonment in her mind. They are friends now, comrades within the pit, and the leopard is nothing if not fiercely loyal, protective of the ones she calls her own.

Stepping back from the dark-haired man Amalia turns to Jigano and Deimos, tilting her head as they plan and scheme. On the one hand an imminent departure seems wise; on the other she is loathe to leave this place, eager to stay and learn what she can for as long as she shall be allowed. The girl doubts Adam feels the same, does not know Caiside or Samuel well enough to judge, but she would bet on the stars and moon that her friends, too, yearn for exploration, ache to see the rest of this place.

She nods in agreement with both of them, chewing gently on her lip. "I will stay until tomorrow, to find Kiada and rest. Adam, should we see if Sam and Caiside are ready to head home?"

You are flesh and blood
And you deserve to be loved
and you deserve what you are given
And oh, how much

Adam

It starts with a teaspoon of trouble - It ends in bliss and penury
There is no pension plan for heroes - So you'll want to get the hell out of my way

Adam let go of Amalia completely unaware of everyone's reactions to the embrace. In his mind she was his friend, she had just saved him from prison and he had always been a physical person. Smiling, he patted her shoulder and stood back.

At her question towards him, he blinked a couple times then shrugged. "I have no idea who the fuck that is. But uh...sure, okay! S'long as I can get back to the town and the bar by the end of the day, and get some food." The stew at the Rathskeller that he had disparaged before now sounded very appetising indeed.

Jigano caught Deimos's glance and gave a helpless shrug. He'd never seen Adam before and had no idea what was happening between him and Amalia, but he knew that the baker could be tactile in her affections for her friends, and perhaps that's all this was? If it was more than that, he hoped that she would have mentioned something to him, or at least introduced him to Adam before this. This wasn't the time or place to dwell on it, however, and he asked his question to try and keep them on track and focused on their priorities: finding Kiada, exploring, and getting safely back again. He nodded cautiously at Deimos' suggestion, glad that someone else was the first to suggest splitting up this time. After the last time he had suggested that his team spread out to make less of a target, well... Everyone knew what happened because of that, didn't they?

His smile tilted up wryly as Amalia stated that she would be staying, calm and confident in her decision and asking no one's permission or advice. Something had happened in the few days they had been parted, and he could only hope the toughening hadn't come with scarring to match the lovely sister of his heart. "Alright. Adam, I'll lead you back to Caiside and Sam and introduce you," he offered. "And see if the three of you are ready to set off. Amalia, Deimos, shall we meet back here after sundown? That should give us some time to find Kiada and get our bearings before we wear our welcome out," he added, with a flick of his eyes over his shoulder, half-expecting the warchief to be standing there glaring at them.

The group split apart to go their separate ways, leaving the Pit empty once more.

Until the next time.