8/10/2024, 8:36 PM
![[Image: dasj6kh-fcc362f4-4eae-4ea0-ab51-566d0609...VRtQg5FHd0]](https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/dc92adb3-a0c8-44d8-a700-f82686783b80/dasj6kh-fcc362f4-4eae-4ea0-ab51-566d06091b70.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcL2RjOTJhZGIzLWEwYzgtNDRkOC1hNzAwLWY4MjY4Njc4M2I4MFwvZGFzajZraC1mY2MzNjJmNC00ZWFlLTRlYTAtYWI1MS01NjZkMDYwOTFiNzAucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.rNDHj-ycuC0jySblHh1U5lqpZDv-L4XVkVRtQg5FHd0)
He was a guiding presence, one that would pick up the reins when she found them slipping from her hands. Readily, she sat atop the saddle behind him and let him lead, content in her trust that he would not lead her astray. With him she moved, his redirect quiet and soft, and Kairos hummed gently in response of acknowledgement. Like a river she bent to the direction she was given, guided by his autumn touched frame, and Kairos felt herself, for a moment, feeling a particular sense of...
Relief.
Relief that it were him that had found her in the smoke.
Relief that he was okay.
Relief in him.
They know each other but not terribly so that already she would be able to predict his reaction to her more stubborn nature, ill-fitting of a lady, and more so like the Vigilante father whose blood flowed through her veins. She watched him at her side as he drank in what she had said, and her smile was soft as she hummed,
I know you would not.She could not picture him causing anyone needless harm, no matter how badly he might be steered towards a path.
In his gaze she found the fire, amber and crackling, but it was warmth and unthreatening and she watched, transfixed, as his emotions were reflected through pools of amber. It was his laugh that drew her attention, her own ears swivelling forward in surprise, but she found a grin starting to blossom upon her lips without much notice from her as she listened to him.
It is not?she asked teasingly, but jut her chin out in evidence of her stubborn nature rearing its head.
Though he gently bumped her back, and Kairos' own laugh, a gentle giggle, bubbled from her throat. There, for a moment, she had nearly forgotten where they were.
He laid down the law to her then, serious and stern, and Kairos felt the way she wanted to argue back at him, tell him she was just fine taking care of herself, but the words remained unfound in her throat. He was concerned, and he was clearly a man who wanted to take care of those around him. She was not as good as letting others take the reins as she ought to be, and looking at him now, when he so obviously meant business, Kairos relented.
If it worsens,she agreed, though the imagery of her atop his back was certainly a little funny.
I would ensure my belly was full, just to add a little bit of weight. Cannot make it too easy for you to cast me upon your back like a babe!Kairos tried not to think how much taller than her he was.
Francis turned sheepish and it ignited Kairos' intrigue as they walked, his admission coming thereafter and she found a swoop in her belly moments later. Well she — well. It had only truly been her parents and Hyperion who would have ever thought to venture to smoke and fire for her, and thus far, apart from Francis, most of the wolves she had met within this world would have likely been just fine to leave her to possibilities.
He had searched for her, when he had noted that most others were safe within Eastbourne. He would have done it for any of them but he did not know how much it meant to her that she fell beneath that umbrella.
I...as Eastbourne started to become apparent, the smoke and fires remained behind them, the only evidence that they been amidst it all was red rims of their eyes, the smoke that would cling to their fur for days — she would need to find a way to have a soak — and the light singes to some of her fur.
You continue to surprise me,Kairos murmured.
In this world, I had all but accepted that I should only expect teeth and claws. Yet you stand once again, presenting me with neither.He was in her corner, it seemed, already putting her safety with the others of the Concord.
Thank you, Francis,the Parthenon stilled, throat tickling, but she swallowed against it so that she could speak unhindered.
But please... do not risk your life for me again,she asks it of him quietly, tilting her chin up so that she can look at him, pools of ice and fire red rimmed but vibrant, and she has a feeling that he will disregard her ask without hesitance.
