She felt dizzy, staring at the branch she held in her iron grip and the distant ground below her. Verdandi had at one point tried not to look, thinking it might help dislodge her from her place in the tree, but alas closing her eyes led only to a momentary loss of balance that might have sent her tumbling towards the ground if she hadn’t opened them a second later. In the end, all she had managed thus far was to make noise enough to alert passersby to her presence in the tree. Both a good and a bad thing, she supposed.
Her ears twitched towards the sound of footsteps and for a moment she tried to glance in their direction. She only caught a partial glance of the approaching party before fumbling with her balance again, however that fleeting glance and her sharp nose and hearing told her just who it was. Why, it was the ragtag bunch of demon slayers she had been patiently waiting for. They were discussing something concerning a bet as they walked towards the city, that is, until the conversation turned towards her.
"Uhh, Nero? I think someone is up the tree"
That statement, spoken by the mercenary, directed all their attentions to the unfortunate beastkin stuck in the tree, who may or may not have flushed in embarrassment at being caught.
"Lady Saga, do you require assistance?" Verdandi cringed at being questioned so directly by the priestess – and perhaps at the unfamiliar label ‘lady’. For a moment, she remained silent but eventually she did offer a quiet and extremely vague answer.
“Uh…well…hmm.”
By this point, it was Nero’s turn to speak, "How'd you get up there?" The question as well as the amused undertone that Verdandi couldn’t help but notice only made her embarrassment worse. Especially, since her answer wasn’t a good one. "Honestly, why did you climb up that high without thinking of how you were going to get down? Unless you intended to fall and hurt yourself."
The beastgirl’s reddened face turned towards the now approaching man, an disconcerted scowl alighting it, “O-of course not! I just…uh…huh?” Her short-lived tirade was interrupted as she observed the warrior start climbing the tree. He reminded her a little of a bull in a china shop since his armor did little to aid him and more to stress the boughs and knock down plenty of apples. Verdandi blinked once or twice while she watched the apples fall before pouting, “…Where were you ten minutes ago?”
In another moment’s time, Nero was seated at the same level as her, an action that made her own perch tremble and sent her into a momentary panic, yet she found that having someone so close was also a comfort. It merely meant if she did lose her balance, someone could catch her. "Seriously how did you even get this high? I didn't know wolf beastkin could climb."
“…I was hungry.” Her voice was just a little whinier than she might have intended. But it was the truth of the matter.
"You'll have to be a little calmer though while you use me as a human ladder, unless you want us both to end up tumbling to the ground." A…human ladder? Her eyes flashed with confusion and curiosity and her head cocked to the side. People have helped her down before, but never using such a method. She glanced towards his outstretched hand, but flinched and almost snatched his shirt for fear he was falling out of the tree when he swung himself down. She counted her blessings that she hadn’t actually grabbed him, otherwise they probably would have gone tumbling to the ground. "And can you make it fast? It would be very much appreciated I don't want too much blood rushing to my head while you make you decision on if you'd prefer to stay up here or not!"
The beastgirl flushed, feeling slightly miffed by his amusement with her predicament, but alas still wasted no time in crawling – awkwardly, mind you – down her human ladder. As she descended she quietly whined her thanks.
The group was now back in the small town where they first met. Instinctually she still felt a little uncomfortable; after all, this was also where she first encountered the demon. Nonetheless that was no longer here nor there and reason told her the danger was no longer present.
Now Nero was talking about his journey, "Any way most of you already decided to come along with me but I would like to ask any way.” Wait, most of them had already agreed? Somehow, Verdandi found this somewhat surprising. Especially when one considers two of the four were a priestess and a seraph. How curious. “This trip is going to be long and I can't really rely on myself forever, so I'm asking would you four like to accompany me travelling across this land?"
Verdandi’s head cocked to the side while she mulled over the pros and cons of joining Nero on his adventure. There were many of both, travelling in groups was generally safer than travelling alone, and she might enjoy the company and security. Moreover, this man had the potential to save her. Subconsciously, she crossed her arms. However, he also may not be able to. Verdandi didn’t truly understand how his ability worked and she knew little of the man that possessed it. Her initial impressions of him have been nothing but positive. Still, who could say what would happen if she were to be revealed. Moreover, whose to say his quest wouldn’t be abnormally dangerous? And if it were, she’d be more a bane than a boon.
Verdandi realized he had been speaking and she may have been rudely ignoring him, but to her defense she had many things to consider. She did however catch the tail end of his speech; apparently, his goal was his hometown and someone by the name of Dalmera, who apparently knew more about the corruption than she or he did – and admittedly her curiosity was peaked at the thought of learning more about her own ailment. However, she was unsure whether she had the strength both physically and mentally to take up the mantle of ridding the world of all the contamination that had infested it. That kind of quest – that kind of responsibility was beyond the reach of someone who couldn’t even do anything about her own arm.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a young knight who had stopped the walking group right in front of the bookkeeper and Alisa’s, who she noted with great optimism had recovered, book store. He carried with him a parcel and a letter addressed to Nero. For a moment, Verdandi had to fight the urge to read the letter from over his shoulder, her curiosity egging the impulse on, but eventually she gave in to the proper etiquette of allowing Nero his privacy.
Besides, she found herself busy avoiding eye contact with the bookkeeper that kept sending her conflicted glances. It made her uncomfortable to know someone knew her secret – though she hadn’t verbally confirmed it. She much preferred knowing other people’s.
"Curse you Johnathan,” The beastgirl was startled out of her musings by Nero’s own remark. A quick glance towards the young man and Verdandi realized she couldn’t quite understand why he was cursing his old friend, after all: He had a bittersweet smile on his face. That didn’t usually prompt cursing, did it? “I was hoping not to think about my dad until I got to his grave. When I see you next time, I'm seriously going to punch you so hard you'll be seeing stars for a week." Verdandi frowned for a moment, confused by the violent intentions from what she had thought to be a rather kind man. Until, that is she realized his intention did not arise from negativity as much as playfulness. Still, she made a mental note not to mention his dad until she was certain they were on pleasant grounds.
After his little outburst, Nero turned back towards the rest of the group and spoke once again. "Well we should head out no need to stall any longer."
She supposed he was right; it was time to make a decision. The beastgirl could sense that whatever decision she made, her future had already become unavoidably tied to this man’s mission. Perhaps, she could avoid it for a while but – her arm throbbed – not forever. Plus, she was curious. And when had curiosity ever killed anyone?
Better not answer that question – "Right Nero! Ladies! We're off! To a grand adventure of unknown promises!" Verdandi watched Cain for a moment, amused by his enthusiasm she grinned. "Belzedar, I swear by all the Dragons I can name, I do not have sugar for you!" Her grin quickly grew to a poorly hidden giggle. At the very least, this would be an entertaining adventure.
“I suppose…I could join you.” She cleared her throat and walked somewhat ahead, “I’m travelling in that direction anyhow…” She blinked once before realizing her folly and turning awkwardly back towards Nero, “Um…that is. Which way are we headed?”
Her ears twitched towards the sound of footsteps and for a moment she tried to glance in their direction. She only caught a partial glance of the approaching party before fumbling with her balance again, however that fleeting glance and her sharp nose and hearing told her just who it was. Why, it was the ragtag bunch of demon slayers she had been patiently waiting for. They were discussing something concerning a bet as they walked towards the city, that is, until the conversation turned towards her.
"Uhh, Nero? I think someone is up the tree"
That statement, spoken by the mercenary, directed all their attentions to the unfortunate beastkin stuck in the tree, who may or may not have flushed in embarrassment at being caught.
"Lady Saga, do you require assistance?" Verdandi cringed at being questioned so directly by the priestess – and perhaps at the unfamiliar label ‘lady’. For a moment, she remained silent but eventually she did offer a quiet and extremely vague answer.
“Uh…well…hmm.”
By this point, it was Nero’s turn to speak, "How'd you get up there?" The question as well as the amused undertone that Verdandi couldn’t help but notice only made her embarrassment worse. Especially, since her answer wasn’t a good one. "Honestly, why did you climb up that high without thinking of how you were going to get down? Unless you intended to fall and hurt yourself."
The beastgirl’s reddened face turned towards the now approaching man, an disconcerted scowl alighting it, “O-of course not! I just…uh…huh?” Her short-lived tirade was interrupted as she observed the warrior start climbing the tree. He reminded her a little of a bull in a china shop since his armor did little to aid him and more to stress the boughs and knock down plenty of apples. Verdandi blinked once or twice while she watched the apples fall before pouting, “…Where were you ten minutes ago?”
In another moment’s time, Nero was seated at the same level as her, an action that made her own perch tremble and sent her into a momentary panic, yet she found that having someone so close was also a comfort. It merely meant if she did lose her balance, someone could catch her. "Seriously how did you even get this high? I didn't know wolf beastkin could climb."
“…I was hungry.” Her voice was just a little whinier than she might have intended. But it was the truth of the matter.
"You'll have to be a little calmer though while you use me as a human ladder, unless you want us both to end up tumbling to the ground." A…human ladder? Her eyes flashed with confusion and curiosity and her head cocked to the side. People have helped her down before, but never using such a method. She glanced towards his outstretched hand, but flinched and almost snatched his shirt for fear he was falling out of the tree when he swung himself down. She counted her blessings that she hadn’t actually grabbed him, otherwise they probably would have gone tumbling to the ground. "And can you make it fast? It would be very much appreciated I don't want too much blood rushing to my head while you make you decision on if you'd prefer to stay up here or not!"
The beastgirl flushed, feeling slightly miffed by his amusement with her predicament, but alas still wasted no time in crawling – awkwardly, mind you – down her human ladder. As she descended she quietly whined her thanks.
The group was now back in the small town where they first met. Instinctually she still felt a little uncomfortable; after all, this was also where she first encountered the demon. Nonetheless that was no longer here nor there and reason told her the danger was no longer present.
Now Nero was talking about his journey, "Any way most of you already decided to come along with me but I would like to ask any way.” Wait, most of them had already agreed? Somehow, Verdandi found this somewhat surprising. Especially when one considers two of the four were a priestess and a seraph. How curious. “This trip is going to be long and I can't really rely on myself forever, so I'm asking would you four like to accompany me travelling across this land?"
Verdandi’s head cocked to the side while she mulled over the pros and cons of joining Nero on his adventure. There were many of both, travelling in groups was generally safer than travelling alone, and she might enjoy the company and security. Moreover, this man had the potential to save her. Subconsciously, she crossed her arms. However, he also may not be able to. Verdandi didn’t truly understand how his ability worked and she knew little of the man that possessed it. Her initial impressions of him have been nothing but positive. Still, who could say what would happen if she were to be revealed. Moreover, whose to say his quest wouldn’t be abnormally dangerous? And if it were, she’d be more a bane than a boon.
Verdandi realized he had been speaking and she may have been rudely ignoring him, but to her defense she had many things to consider. She did however catch the tail end of his speech; apparently, his goal was his hometown and someone by the name of Dalmera, who apparently knew more about the corruption than she or he did – and admittedly her curiosity was peaked at the thought of learning more about her own ailment. However, she was unsure whether she had the strength both physically and mentally to take up the mantle of ridding the world of all the contamination that had infested it. That kind of quest – that kind of responsibility was beyond the reach of someone who couldn’t even do anything about her own arm.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a young knight who had stopped the walking group right in front of the bookkeeper and Alisa’s, who she noted with great optimism had recovered, book store. He carried with him a parcel and a letter addressed to Nero. For a moment, Verdandi had to fight the urge to read the letter from over his shoulder, her curiosity egging the impulse on, but eventually she gave in to the proper etiquette of allowing Nero his privacy.
Besides, she found herself busy avoiding eye contact with the bookkeeper that kept sending her conflicted glances. It made her uncomfortable to know someone knew her secret – though she hadn’t verbally confirmed it. She much preferred knowing other people’s.
"Curse you Johnathan,” The beastgirl was startled out of her musings by Nero’s own remark. A quick glance towards the young man and Verdandi realized she couldn’t quite understand why he was cursing his old friend, after all: He had a bittersweet smile on his face. That didn’t usually prompt cursing, did it? “I was hoping not to think about my dad until I got to his grave. When I see you next time, I'm seriously going to punch you so hard you'll be seeing stars for a week." Verdandi frowned for a moment, confused by the violent intentions from what she had thought to be a rather kind man. Until, that is she realized his intention did not arise from negativity as much as playfulness. Still, she made a mental note not to mention his dad until she was certain they were on pleasant grounds.
After his little outburst, Nero turned back towards the rest of the group and spoke once again. "Well we should head out no need to stall any longer."
She supposed he was right; it was time to make a decision. The beastgirl could sense that whatever decision she made, her future had already become unavoidably tied to this man’s mission. Perhaps, she could avoid it for a while but – her arm throbbed – not forever. Plus, she was curious. And when had curiosity ever killed anyone?
Better not answer that question – "Right Nero! Ladies! We're off! To a grand adventure of unknown promises!" Verdandi watched Cain for a moment, amused by his enthusiasm she grinned. "Belzedar, I swear by all the Dragons I can name, I do not have sugar for you!" Her grin quickly grew to a poorly hidden giggle. At the very least, this would be an entertaining adventure.
“I suppose…I could join you.” She cleared her throat and walked somewhat ahead, “I’m travelling in that direction anyhow…” She blinked once before realizing her folly and turning awkwardly back towards Nero, “Um…that is. Which way are we headed?”