Isuma, ever curious, usually courageous, had no qualms at all about pattering over to investigate Hazel's outstretched hand, nibbling fingertips gently with her beak in avian investigation before butting her soft feathered head against the Fae's palm in an age-old entreaty for scratches behind her rounded feline ears. She chirruped encouragingly, even as the young woman spoke of more serious matters and Jigano tilted his head to the side in acknowledgment, though his lips quirked in a wry smile.
"Delah does not approve of anything that comes from within the Barrier," he agreed with a soft chuckle, able to laugh now in spite of the pain and fear the the warchief had caused him with her wordless kidnapping of his friends. "And I won't disagree that her caution is probably wise. We are a people like any other: some are good, some are not, and most fall somewhere in the middle, just trying to get by from day-to-day and feed their families, with little energy left over to worry about those beyond the bounds of their homes and normal routines. Though I think most who are brave enough to step outside the safety of what they know will come here with good intent in their hearts, I don't blame her for assuming the worst and being quick to protect her people." He tilted his head at the young Fae, expression lightening from the solemn lines it had fallen into.
"Arduinna, though, was the one who led me to the Sidhe Village and helped me to recover those companions Delah had kidnapped when we first set foot in the Greatwood, knowing nothing of the Fae or the world beyond our barrier, and seeking to learn what had been lost." He hesitated, then raised a brow at his reluctant companion on the log. "I don't know what the Fae know of those who were trapped within the barrier, either," he admitted. "Or how much is true understanding, or ancient misconception. We have so much to learn..." And so few Fae willing to even speak to them, to begin the process. How could they even know what to offer in trade, when the Fae would not tell them what they liked or wanted? When those from the Hollowed Grounds didn't know what the Fae lacked - or had more than enough of?
He shook his head ruefully, reminding himself to be patient and move slowly, and he was rewarded with his companion's smile - small though it was, still a victory of diplomacy - and a tidbit of background that he could spin to gold, he hoped. He smiled back encouragingly, reaching up to tuck a pale tress behind his ear. "May I call you Weaver, then? Your baskets must be in great demand for catching the sun this time of year!"
"Delah does not approve of anything that comes from within the Barrier," he agreed with a soft chuckle, able to laugh now in spite of the pain and fear the the warchief had caused him with her wordless kidnapping of his friends. "And I won't disagree that her caution is probably wise. We are a people like any other: some are good, some are not, and most fall somewhere in the middle, just trying to get by from day-to-day and feed their families, with little energy left over to worry about those beyond the bounds of their homes and normal routines. Though I think most who are brave enough to step outside the safety of what they know will come here with good intent in their hearts, I don't blame her for assuming the worst and being quick to protect her people." He tilted his head at the young Fae, expression lightening from the solemn lines it had fallen into.
"Arduinna, though, was the one who led me to the Sidhe Village and helped me to recover those companions Delah had kidnapped when we first set foot in the Greatwood, knowing nothing of the Fae or the world beyond our barrier, and seeking to learn what had been lost." He hesitated, then raised a brow at his reluctant companion on the log. "I don't know what the Fae know of those who were trapped within the barrier, either," he admitted. "Or how much is true understanding, or ancient misconception. We have so much to learn..." And so few Fae willing to even speak to them, to begin the process. How could they even know what to offer in trade, when the Fae would not tell them what they liked or wanted? When those from the Hollowed Grounds didn't know what the Fae lacked - or had more than enough of?
He shook his head ruefully, reminding himself to be patient and move slowly, and he was rewarded with his companion's smile - small though it was, still a victory of diplomacy - and a tidbit of background that he could spin to gold, he hoped. He smiled back encouragingly, reaching up to tuck a pale tress behind his ear. "May I call you Weaver, then? Your baskets must be in great demand for catching the sun this time of year!"
