Nova

[Fleckvieh]

Caine's expression went from surprised to confused and lastly worried.
He hadn't guessed that Kate, despite having so many people in that asylum who probably loved her, didn't feel like she had a home.
She was probably feeling really alone here, in a world she didn't know, surrounded by people she barely knew.
The more it surprised and confused him that she was out here with him, an animal that she had only known for a couple of hours, instead of spending time inside with Alma, who she at least knew for a few years already.
Till now no one had felt safe enough around him to stay longer than a couple of minutes.

He closed the few feet of distance between Kate and him with just three steps, to gently rest his hands on her shoulders.
He had completely forgotten that both of them were only wearing underwear right now, so he just gently put his arms around her to hug her for a moment.
"you will find it one day. I know it. I mean, look at you, you're a brave, beautiful, intelligent woman with the greatest personality anyone could wish for. You can do everything. You will find something or someone who makes you feel at home... And maybe then you'll think of me and tell me what it feels like. I don't think I will ever see that light... But maybe I can at least get a glimpse of it when you found it, you know?"

Sighing softly, he tightened his hug just for a moment, as it he was bracing himself for pain, and then quickly pulled away, looking away.
"how come someone like you doesn't have a home? I mean, okay, asylum, but still - aren't the men killing each other just for a chance to say hi to you?"

 

[Wyosch]

Catherine had gasped when Caine had suddenly wrapped his arms around her, relaxing immediately when he pulled her into a hug, melting into his arms.
This was what felt like home. A hug that made someone melt, a hug that made someone close their eyes only to press their body closer to the other person to feel their warmth and smell their wonderful familiar scent.

Kate flinched as Caine suddenly pulled away, a deep blush on her face as she looked up at the man's eyes.
She giggled softly at Caine's comment, shaking her head.
"Men? What men are you talking about? The only men I see are insane and have to be kept behind bars.", she replied, her eyes sparkling lovingly as she stared deep into Caine's.
"You know, sometimes the thing you're looking for is not what you think it actually is. Your home, for example, might just be under your nose."

 

[Fleckvieh]

"under my nose? I don't feel particularly attached to my beard stubbles", Caine attempted to make a lame joke.
He just wasn't used to situations like this at all, and it scared him that he had absolutely no idea what to do or say.
He felt like a little puppy in chin - deep snow. Or concrete.

Lastly however, he knew he had to pull himself together and be serious about this.
"Kate...", be sighed sadly. "I wish I could... See it like you, but- look at me. I have more in common with a dog than I have with you and every step you make towards me is a step towards social ruin. Look, if anyone sees you talking to me like this... I am no human. I'm not even close to being a human. Hell i'm officially not even a person! You know what I am? I am property. And as long as the world sees me like that it will see you as someone who gets involved with an animal. Less, even."
He bit his lip, closing his eyes for a second as tears brimmed his lashes, and carefully tested his forehead against Kate's.
"however that's a decision I can't make for you. Just please - be aware of what you are risking..."

 

[Wyosch]

Catherine just blinked a couple of times at Caine, a deep frown on her face as she shook her head, crossing her arms.
"Are you serious right now?", she asked, a sad sparkling in her pretty blue eyes.
"I am actually quite disappointed right now. Haven't I showed you that I'm not like you think I were?", Kate sighed silently before continuing.
"I really couldn't care less about my social reputation and what other people think of me. You really believe I would be working in a mental asylum if I cared about my social status? Hell, working there is seen as even lower than being home- and jobless. So what if people see me as less because I talk to you? Hell, those people aren't even true people if they can't accept your species! Caine, you might genetically have more in common with a dog than with a human, but you are still more human by heart than any other human I've ever met."

Katy closed her eyes for a moment, shaking her head, grabbing Caine's hand as she looked up into at him.
"You are not someone's property. Nobody is anyone's property. And I'm sorry for you if you really believe that, even after being shown that not everyone is the same."
She sighed once more as Caine mentioned that she should think about everything she was risking right now.
"What am I risking then? Being seen as someone crazy, psychotic for being around and believing in 'lesser people'? Having someone as amazing as you by my side? I'd rather have you, me being seen as someone less because I interact with you, than having some social reputation I don't care about and being lonely."

 

[Fleckvieh]

Caine let out a silent growl before he carefully cupped Kate's face and looked deep into her eyes, frowning.
Again, his voice seemed to be right in her head.
I'm not talking about what they will think, and I've stopped caring a long time ago.
but they will hurt you.
hurt you.
You will be hurt.
it's not safe.
there are people who want to hunt us to extinction. They attack us. They kill us.
nobody does anything against it. The pro-Cain organisations can't barely do anything. They want to educate.
but nobody listens. they don't listen.
they hate us.
And if you get involved with me, they will hate you too. They will hurt you too. They will kill you too.

Sighing silently, he softly stroked over Kate's cheek, his voice full of pain as he spoke through gritted teeth.
"Don't you get that I'm scared? If they beat the hell out of me, okay, I'm used to it, and I can take it. But you? What do you think will happen if someone attacks you? Fragile little human. I could break your spine with just one finger, and I'm by far not the most dangerous creature out there. I need you to be safe. You are the only good thing in my fucked up life and I don't want to lose that. I don't want...I don't want to lose you..."

 

[Wyosch]

Catherine just stared into Caine's eyes with pure horror in her own. Not that she was scared of him, no not at all. She was horrified by the thought of Caine caring about her that much. She wasn't used to someone caring for her, and the thought of Caine being so scared of losing her scared herself.
She honestly wanted to cry right now. Caine had been through so much in his life, and yet he was still able to care. And he chose to care about her.

"I-", she opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. She just didn't know what to say. Caine seemed terrified of the idea that she'd get hurt, and with him being that afraid of it happening, she slowly started worrying too.
"I- well- Well, if getting involved with you makes people hate and hurt and want to kill me, then so be it.", Katy replied, looking up at Caine with a loving, determined expression on her face.
"I'm used to people hating me. I've been hurt before, I can take that too. And if they want to kill me- then... then so be it. I won't let fear stop me from what my heart is telling me."

A tear rolled down her cheek as Caine stroke over her cheek, physically feeling the pain that she heard through his voice. Her stomach ached, her heart ached - she felt how in pain the Cainsson was, and it made her want to cry for him.
"I get that you're scared, Caine. I am scared too. I'm afraid people will hurt you again. I'm scared that you're so used to pain that- that you don't even know what it feels like not to feel pain. I'm scared too."
Kate frowned sadly, slowly burying her face into his chest, wrapping her arms around him to give him a tight hug.
"I can take it, Caine. I will take it. If pain is the only way for me to be... to be with you then... then I will take it."

She wasn't sure what it was that she was trying to tell him, but she knew that she had to try to make him realize that she wasn't going anywhere, no matter what he said to her. Even if he'd hurt her, she'd stay. She looked like a fragile, little human, and yes, she was only a tiny and fragile human, but she could take it.
"I can only be safe if you are safe. Don't you get it? When you tell me to keep my distance to you you're not only hurting yourself, but me too. If you don't- if you don't want me to be involved with you then so be it... but that won't stop me from fighting for your rights. Even if you'd hate me, hurt me - I'll fight for you and all the other Cainsson's rights to be treated as equals... even if it will kill me."

Katy took a deep breath, looking up at Caine again with big, sad eyes, her lashes glittering from tears that were forming in the corners of her blue eyes.
"Listen to your heart. Does it want you to keep me at a distance, only talking to me when you need help - or does it want... more?"

 

[Fleckvieh]

"what my heart wants-", Caine began to speak, making a step back with a shuddering breath.
However when he wanted to speak on, a blue flame appeared right in front of him and transformed into Jitter.
"What the?!", He almost shouted, startled by the sudden appearance of a whisp.
"You're lost", Jitter said simply, whereas Caine just raised one eyebrow.
"I'm not lost. I know exactly where I am."
"Not entirely."
"Low Under, base floor of the eighth outer skirt stake towers", Caine growled challenging, but Jitter just shook her head. "You're a different way of lost."
Caine's eyes widened at that simple conclusion, before he went on to frowning, arms crossed.
"So? You can't let me out of this, can you?"
Jitter just shrugged.
"I can do whatever it takes to lead you home."
"I don't have a-"

He was interrupted by the whisp poking her finger against his forehead and pointing her hand at Kate. "Are you blind?! It's right there in front of you and still you dumbass don't find a way."
Caine's frown just deepened, but before he could say anything, Jitter spoke on.
"Admit it, Caine. The danger is just really comfortable to use to lie not only to her, but to yourself too. Seriously. What do you do every night? What do you all do? You climb something and howl. It connects you, makes you all feel a bit less lonely, but in the end it only gets you through the night."
"It's the most we will ever have", Caine mumbled in a lame attempt to make a point, but Jitter made him silence with just lifting one hand.
"You have survived so long without it that the fact that you may have found it terrifies you."

Caine's entire expression dropped from annoyed and offended to entirely dumbfounded. He didn't even say a word when Jitter pushed him right back into Kate's arms and just stood there, staring down at Kate as if he was seeing her clear for the first time.

"You're welcome", the whisp chuckled, before she made her way into the house, leaving Kate and Caine alone again.
"I'd like to bite her ass, but she's right...", He mumbled silently.
When suddenly ta howling was heard in the distance, dreadful and hoarse, singing of loneliness and pain, Caine's ears twitched forwards. "This is how we are connected. That one just told Al the others able to hear him that he escaped his owner and seeks for a place to hide."
Then Caine himself howled as well, a bit higher than the stranger and less hoarse.
"And I just gave him directions to a hidden underground shelter and told all the others that our pack has a new member."
Smirking softly, he looked down at Kate and gently wrapped his arm around her waist. "I'd suggest you introducing yourself, but I doubt you speak our language... And most of us don't speak yours."

 

[Wyosch]

Katy was just watching Caine discuss with the whisp, her eyes widening as Jitter suddenly pointed at her, an akward frown on her face - that turned into a confused one when the whisp mentioned Caine lying to her. What danger was he using to lie to both himself and her? The danger of being hurt?
Catherine really wasn't dumb, but she honestly didn't understand most of what the whisp was saying to Caine, even though they spoke the same language. Maybe it was just her freaking out, or her not being as smart as she thought she was, or maybe it was just something else, but she really had no idea what the two were talking about.
So it confused her even more when the whisp just pushed Caine back into her arms, then leaving with a simple 'You're welcome'.

Kate just smiled akwardly at Caine as he spoke about the other howling Cainsson, wrapping her arms around her chest as if she were hugging herself, taking a step back out of Caine's grip.

"I- I'm confused.", she mumbled, a mix of emotions showing themselves in her teary eyes, her body slightly shivering.
"I don't understand- what... what did she mean? Why are you lying to yourself and me? About what danger? What is it that terrifies you of having found? W-why did she point at me?", she asked, her eyes growing bigger with every word she said. "Are you- are you scared of me?"
She breathed sharply, looking like a child that was about to cry because they lost their parents in the big, scary mall.
And honestly, Kate did feel like she was in a big, scary mall - but instead she was in a new world with lots of danger and with this man that made her feel things that confused her and - she was scared. She didn't know what would come. She didn't know how he would react. She didn't know anything. And that terrified her.

"Did I do something wrong? Did I say something that made you feel lost? Or did I make it worse? Alma said a whisp appears when someone's given up and doesn't know the way anymore. You- you didn't give up, did you? You can't just give up on life! That's not fair-"

 

[Fleckvieh]

For the first time in years, the frown had completely vanished from Caine's face and made space for a slightly concerned yet soft smile as he carefully wiped a tear off Kate's cheek.
"Hey, take a deep breath", he mumbled softly, pulling her back into his arms.
"As if I'd ever be scared of such a witty pretty little human."
He winked.
Damn he hasn't even known that he was capable of winking!

"What the whisp was talking about... Was a home. A family. Happiness. My kind doesn't know these things but you... When I look at you I see everything I need, fragile as glass. I hadn't given up on life; honestly I just didn't care, but I had given up hope to ever come home. And that's what called the whisp."

Sighing softly, he carefully stroked through her hair once, and put one streak back behind her ear.
"I thought I was pulling away to protect you, and to a certain level it's right, but what the whisp said was right, too- in the end I was scared of something new- of feeling at home. I guess I was just... Too spineless to admit to myself that I'm scared of everything changing so apruptly. I'm not used to that. So I ran away from my fear and tried to make it easier by convincing myself and you that I was running to protect you."

Caine took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment, and let go of Kate, making three steps back.
With a nervous, slightly helpless smile, he held out his hand for her to take it.
"If I haven't blown my chance yet I'd like to try listening to my heart for once", he said silently, not looking like a fierce fighter at all right now. He was defenseless, his ears pointed forwards and eyes resting on nothing but Kate. "Are you gonna stay over there because you realized I'm a social wreck or are you gonna move your witty pretty butt over here and give me another chance?"

 

[Wyosch]

Catherine was looking up at Caine with big eyes while he talked, trying hard to process everything he said.
Did he just really say that he saw his home when he looked at her? That she was everything he needed? And that he was scared of that? Scared to... to love?

Katy blinked a couple of times as Caine backed off, a soft smile appearing on her face as he asked her if she'd give him another chance.
"Social wreck, my ass. You're even worse than a social wreck.", she replied. "A good thing I'm a social wreck too and don't mind."
She walked up to him, her eyes sparkling lovingly, grabbing his hand and pulling herself towards him.

"You honestly made me speechless. I don't know what to say. I'm- I'm super proud of your quick progress and change in behavior, but I'm also... confused. No, baffled.", Kate mumbled, looking into Caine's beautiful green eyes, softly raising an eyebrow.
"Did you really say that... you see me as your home?"

 

[Fleckvieh]

"c'mon, don't make me repeat it", Caine mumbled with a deep red blush on his face, awkwardly running his free hand through his hair.
He felt defenseless, as if the whole wide world could see and judge him and wreck his ass.
It was scary, but at the same time it somehow felt good, too.

"Katie-", He mumbled silently, looking up at the fireflies with a peaceful smile.
"I'm a pessimist, but this seems like the beginning of something great."

Smirking, he looked down at her again, his fangs shimmering in the soft light.
"So, I'm curious; I'm fairly sure males of your kind don't have fangs- yet you say they are cute. How come? Most are rather thrown off by our animalistic looks."
Just as before, he ran the tip of his tongue over one of his fangs and raised one eyebrow, before he slightly tilted his head aside, a look of curiosity on his face.
"I bet our kinds are quite different in some aspects... What do humans do when they found their special someone?"

 

[Wyosch]

"I'd love to hear it again.", Catherine replied, watching Caine with big eyes. It was cute how he blushed to a deep red, how his eyes were sparkling nervously and how he seemed to be afraid, yet also extremely brave at the same time.

She giggled softly as he mentioned male humans not having fangs, shaking her head.
"No no no, men usually don't have fangs.", she winked, frowning thoughtfully for a moment before she spoke up again.
"Well... I think it's probably because I think you're cute, and your fangs are a part of you so... they're cute as well. Just as your little pointy ears."

Katy tilted her head as well, playfully raising an eyebrow at Caine, biting her lip.
"Well- humans kiss. There are short pecks on the lips, long and passionate kisses, shy kisses... and they cuddle and hug, and do things together like watching movies and eating popcorn, or go for walks or go to restaurants... and they listen to each other and try to help as much as they can when the other isn't feeling well... they sometimes give small gifts to the other, to surprise them and make them happy. Like maybe they saw some pretty flowers on their way back home and thought of their significant other and... well that's how humans should be when they're in love. They should accept their partner, love all their little quirks and flaws, help them, care for them, cheer them on and cherish the little things they do... sadly there are many humans who aren't like that anymore. They hurt their significant other by cheating, sometimes they physically hurt them, or they make their partner feel bad about something they did or they don't care for what their partner did or wants to talk about. Yeah, most humans are pretty shitty when it comes down to trust and love."
She smiled softly, grabbing Caine's hands and just staring at her - in comparison - small ones.
"I'm old-fashioned. I'd love for someone to bring me flowers and send me good-morning texts and take me out to dinner... okay enough of that. What do Cainssons do when they've found their significant other?"

 

[Fleckvieh]

Caine smirked softly as he closed his fingers around Kate's hands, that almost entirely disappeared in them again.
She was so easy to break; one flicking if his hands and hers would be gone.
But he'll he would protect her and make sure she'd be good.

He listened fascinatedly at everything Kate told him, already wondering where he'd get flowers.
He already had an idea what he'd do once Kate would be asleep...
A small smirk formed in his lips as he imagined her reaction in the morning.

At her question what his kind did, he slightly bit his lip.
"Well, my kind is a bit different there", he explained thoughtfully.
"I mean, normal relationships with quite similar, I'd say- not that I have first-hand experience, but that's what I heard from others- but there's a... A higher kind of connection as well."
He nodded at his own words for a moment, as if he was double-checking they were chosen well, before he explained on.
"Sometimes it happens that a male gets imprinted. It only happens in males, only once a lifetime and changes everything. When you are imprinted, It's not the earth holding you here anymore, she does… You become whatever she needs you to be, whether that's a protector, or a lover, or a friend. You would do everything for her, and without her, you are nothing. Cainssons who lose the one they are imprinted on drive insane of pain. It doesn't happen for everyone, actually it's fairly rare, but when it happens, its forever."

Smiling sadly, he lifted his shoulders and looked up at the sky. "You know, those people out there only see the wild animal, but they overlook that we are one of the most social species in Nova. Most of us have never even met each other, but still we are connected, we talk every evening, and we'd go through hell for each other. Or, Well, that's how we used to be, before so many of us broke under the regime and imprisonment cast upon us by blind people."
He just shrugged.
"So yeah, I kinda trailed off, I guess, but that's how we are- we are wild, but when you reached our heart we love with all of it, unconditionally."

 

[Wyosch]

Katy fascinatedly listened to Caine explain, slightly tilting her head as he mentioned males being able to become 'imprinted'.
"So you're saying that those males kinda become connected to their partner? For forever? And they'd do anything for their significant other? And without them, they'll drive insane?", she asked, her eyes sparkling softly.
"That's so romantic. Just- that's like being soulmates! Wow."

Kate smiled lovingly, gently leaning her forehead against Caine's chest as he talked.
"Your species sounds so sweet. I really do not understand how all those others can just- just think that they're better than you and command you around and-", she just shook her head, sighing frustratedly before she just looked back up at Caine.
"Wild and unconditionally. Really cute..."

 

[Fleckvieh]

"yes, but it's different than you imagine", Caine tried to explain. He really wasn't used to explaining anything at all, let alone people being interested in what he was saying, so he just hoped he was making himself clear enough to be understood.
"For example, a brother could also be imprinted on his sister or brother. Then he'd be the best brother you could imagine. It's not necessarily about romantic love, you know? It's about being... Like a guardian angel. In fact, imprinted Cainssons tend to grow wings. We believe that happens because even their physique is changing to make it possible for them to always be able to reach their Imprint, alas the one they are connected to, no matter how far away they are."

Shrugging, he scratched his left shoulder before he shrugged and pushed his shoulder blades together. "Talking about backs, mine is aching...", He grumbled.

"Dinner's ready!", Alma called from the kitchen, and Caine was immediately grinning as he pulled Kate along back into the house, where the Aeterna had already prepared a dinner table.
"Wait for it!", Caine said, now looking like an excited child when Alma set the dinner on the table.
"Caine? What do you want?"
"Drumsticks!" He already cut one if the legs off the turkey, and as soon as it was off the bird, a new one appeared on it.
"Time loop chicken!!", Caine cheered like a happy kid.
Alma just crossed her arms.
"Excuse me? This is finest D'moore Turkey, Mister Mercy!"
"It's bird and it's tasty and it won't run out, no need to say more", Caine explained, celebrating the two drumsticks in his hands like he had just won an Oscar. Yep, he was starving. And he had never gotten to eat more than leftovers in his entire life.

 

[Wyosch]

((sorry for short reply!! my phone's battery is at 5% but I still want to to reply xD))

"I'll give you a massage if you want.", Katy replied, winking at him - a big grin appearing on her face as Alma called that dinner was ready.
She followed Caine out of the water, quickly putting back on her clothes before she entered the building, smiling as the wonderful scent of the food filled her nose.

Catherine blinked a couple of times as Caine cut off one of the chicken's legs, the leg just growing back immediately.
"What the-"
She shook her head, just sitting down behind the table, watching Caine enjoy his food before she cut off some of the chicken herself.
"Alma this is amazing! I bet it tastes even better than how it smells.", she said, flashing the Aeterna a big smile.
"So where will we be going tomorrow? I mean it's quite late now so I don't think we'll go looking for more people today, right? I mean - I'm honestly kinda tired from all this freaking out today.", she explained, giggling softly while she smiled softly at Caine, winking at him before she looked back at Alma.
"Oh and Mister Caine here is in the team!"

 

[Fleckvieh]

Caine was just joyfully gnawing around I the bone if his drumsticks when he heard his name being mentioned.
He looked up from his loaded plate with big, questioning eyes, a spot of sauce on his nose tip.
"Hnh?", He made, Alma just shaking her head.
"Manners, Mister Mercy!"
"Mmh nt Mffer Mffy-"
"Good God...", Alma sighed facepalming, before she turned back to Kate. "I'm glad to hear that. He might have horrible manners, but his skills will surely come in handy."
"Grrmmhh-!"
"Excuse me?"
Caine just held up his thumb, looking between Alma and Kate before he rolled his eyes, swallowed and gently tested his hand on Kate's without even really noticing.
"As long as dinner's on the plan, I'm in." Smiling sweetly, he turned to Kate. "And as long as you are on the plan I'll keep fighting, Sunshine."

Shit. Had he just said that ourout loud?!
Blushing once again, he cleared his throat and turned back to his food, while Alma raised one eyebrow.
"You? And her? Caine Mercy, are you out of your mind?"
"I-"
"She's human! Her kind is already everything but well-liked in our world, and you- they dislike humans by default, what do you think will happen when they see you together? It will only fuel their anger!"
Caine was growling by now, leaning over the table towards Alma.
"If anyone tries to lay a finger on her they will regret it." His voice and expression were full of determination, his eyes narrow and fangs bared in a deep growl.
Alma however didn't seem to be scared, but fascinated by Caine's reaction, at least she was watching him with raised eyebrows, looking between the wolfsman and Kate.
"Why would you- Caine are you imprinted on her?"
Caine's gaze nervously flicked to Kate for a second, before he side-glanced at Alma. "So? where will we be going?"
"I was thinking either Marmoria, Ajolos Harbor or Cer Paravel", Alma suggested. "And Jitter is travelling to The mountains of Glaceis to try and recruit someone there right now."


Just as Alma had said, Jitter was flying through one of the most horrible snow storms she had ever encountered.
Her being an astral being, she could survive the extreme cold of this place, though it was particularly enjoyable for her either.
When the wind blew so strong it almost smashed her into the next mountainside and the snow blocked the last bit of view that had been left, the whisp fled into one of the caves, breathing heavily, her wings hurting.
Okay actually, everything was hurting.
Sighing, the small women crouched down on the ground and leaned against the stone wall.
"Just...a short break...", She whispered exhaustedly to herself.

(Byyy the way, profile update for Jitter because I found some better pics for her fc^^ *click* *click*)

 

[Wyosch]

Catherine was just akwardly watching Alma scold Caine, wanting to defend herself as Alma mentioned that her being with him would fuel the other species' anger - yet not being able to say a word after Caine growled that he'd protect her.
What really made Katy speechless and drop her jaw was Alma asking Caine if he was imprinted on her.
And Caine not replying really made her wonder -

"Caine... are you- are you imprinted on me?", she asked silently, gently grabbing his hand and stroking over his palm with her thumb.
"...is that why you're back is aching?"
Kate really didn't know what to say. If Caine was imprinted on her, that meant they were connected for forever and he'd protect her and all, but what if Caine didn't want that? If he'd get sick of her at a point? What if he didn't want to become like a guardian angel?

Catherine swallowed thickly, pulling a streak of hair around her finger and nervously playing with it.
She honestly thought that imprinting-thing was cute - and romantic - and she wanted to squeal and blush, but she couldn't help but worry that Caine wasn't happy with it.

"Eh- so where would you suggest we go first?", she asked Alma, not wanting to annoy or bother Caine with any more questions about the matter.
"And Jitter - the whisp, right? - is now somewhere trying to recruit someone?"

__________________________________________________

As a whisp flew into the cave, seemingly exhausted and weak, the griffin stayed hidden in the shadows, watching the woman closely.
She didn't seem as if she were in a state of being able to hurt, but one could never be too cautious.

"Who are you - and what do you want?", a deep voice echoed, some big yellow eyes staring right at the whisp before an 8ft. tall, completely black griffin (or gryphon) walked out of his hideout, gritting his teeth.
"Answer."

((Ohhh she's so pretty!!))

 

[Fleckvieh]

Caine just swallowed nervously.
Why was hate thinking of him right now? Was she thinking he was weird for developing this deep connection after such a short time?
Though his kind really had no influence in when it with whom it happened...

"I eh-...", He mumbled, nervously scratching his neck. "Do you think it's creepy or so...?", He lastly asked silently, looking at Kate with puppy eyes; his dinner completely forgotten now.
"I mean, I really don't want to scare you-all"

He just carefully rested his arm on the back of her chair, looking at Alma with the same questioning expression as Kate.

"Well it doesn't really matter as we have to visit all places anyway...", Alma explained shrugging. "It really just depends on what you want to see first... And what people you want to meet first. "


Jitter looked up, blinking a couple of times to get the snow out of her eyes.
If she would have just a little bit of power left in herself, se would probably have run away or tried to hide or teleport, but to be honest- she was completely and utterly exhausted.

"I... I just need a rest...", She whispered tiredly, looking up at the gryphon carefully. "Just allow me to stay here on the ground for a while... Please... My wings are completely done..."

 

[Wyosch]

Catherine slightly tilted her head at Caine, a soft sparkling in her eyes as a loving smile appeared on her face.
That look on his face made her want to melt.
He was so sweet how he cared so much about her opinion.

"I said that I think it's extremely cute and romantic, why should you being imprinted on me change my opinion? It makes me want to squeal because it's just- it's just so sweet and I can hardly believe it.", Katy replied, leaning her head back against his arm, smiling.
"Nothing you do could creep me out or scare me. Don't worry, alright? My guardian angel.", she added whispering, winking.

"Eh so Marmoria, Aiolos' Harbor or Cer Paravel, you said?", Kate asked, addressing Alma. "Any of those places with heights? What kind of people can we expect from those spots?"

________________________________________________

The gryphon watched the woman for a moment, contemplating wether to allow her to stay in his cave or not.
She's an exhausted and weak whisp, what damage could she do?, he thought to himself, stretching his pitch black wings before he shifted into a tall man with dark blonde hair and beautiful light green eyes.

"Killian.", he mumbled, sliding down the stone wall opposite of the whisp until he sat down as well.
"I got some blankets if you need. Hot beverages too. Just make sure you're up to go fast again."

 

[Fleckvieh]

Caine smiled relieved when he slid his chair closer to Kate's, gentlyresting his hand on hers while he was listening to Alma's explanations as well.
They were important after all, with the whole world saving thing going on...
But he couldn't help slightly cuddling against Kate while Alma was talking.

"Well, Ajolos Harbor lies high up in the sky", Alma explained thoughtfully. "I was hoping to recruit a sailor there, in case we'll ever have to cross distances on a ship.
Cer Paravel lies near the ocean. Even though it's very unlikely, I want to try to get an Oracle on our side. It's always useful to be a step ahead with their ability to foresee the future.
Marmoria is still quite medieval, people lead a calm life there, but recently rumors have spread of a necromancer showing up there, and If that's true, we need that one."


"Marceline Jitter", the whisp sighed softly, leaning her head against the wall for a moment before she pushed herself up again, taking a sharp breath, and hobbled towards the entrance, staring out into the storm frustratedly.
"And don't worry, I'm not planning to stay for long. I have no time for that; I need to find a hero."

She side glanced at Killian as if she was trying to determine what kind of person he was- seemingly with an unsatisfying result.
"Someone brave and strong in the face of danger. Certainly not easy to find anyone at all here...", She sighed.

 

[Wyosch]

Catherine listened closely to Alma's explanations, slightly leaning against Caine to be able to cuddle him better.
Honestly none of those places really were places Kate looked forward to.
It was either heights, emotionless robot-like people or a necromancer.

Katy frowned for a moment, thinking.
Getting that oracle on their side would very probably be her most difficult task - for now.
And honestly, if she had to choose between someone creepy who could bring back the dead to command an army of undead and heights, she'd choose heights; even if she had vertigo.

"Eh well- I believe finding a sailor would be easier than getting an oracle and a necromancer on our team, so maybe we should try Aiolos' Harbor tomorrow?"


Killian let out a noise that sounded like a chuckle, shaking his head while making a small fire to help the whisp warm up.
"Good luck with that. The only ones living up here are Frost giants, Daemons and Dark Ones. Not really hero-material.", he explained, leaning back against the wall once the fire lit up the cave.

"And if you don't wish for your wings to freeze I suggest you keeping away from the entrance of the cave before you're good to go again."

 

[Fleckvieh]

"Ajolos Harbor it is then", Alma said nodding, and got up after she had made sure everyone was done eating.
"We should go to bed soon then, tomorrow will be a long day and we will have to get up early.
You two can have the bedroom, Aeterna don't sleep anyway. But before we go to rest- Caine, would you please ask your network for informations about that story about the necromancer? I want to be prepared when we'll meet that man."

Caine narrowed his eyes at Alma for a moment, but then nodded.
"I will get to it right at sunrise."
Turning to Kate, he smiled a bit insecurely.
"Katie, just- so you know; it takes a certain level of concentration to stay in my human form, that I don't have when I'm asleep. So don't be startled when you wake up at night and find a giant wolf in your room."

While Alma was cleaning up- shooing the others out of the kitchen- Caine yawned silently, before he headed for the stairs. 'what a day...", He mumbled to himself.
"What a day."


Marceline let out a short, frustrated scoff, before she turned away from the cave entrance and sat down by the fire slowly moving her wings to get them warmed up as well.

"To quote a very wise friend of mine-", she explained with a shrug "'not the knight with the shining armor shall be the one to be praised, but the one battered, scratched and beaten. For he was the one who really faught.' As you see I'm not looking for a showoff. I need someone who can kick ass to save this world- as fucked up as it is."

 

[Wyosch]

Catherine followed Caine up the stairs, shaking her head.
"Caine, it's fine.", she mumbled, smiling. "You don't have to be afraid you'll scare me. Come on, wolves are super cute!", she winked, gently swatting his shoulder as she walked past.

Upon arriving in the bedroom, she let herself fall down onto the bed with a soft sigh, yawning.
"What a day indeed.", she said, closing her eyes for a moment as she thought of everything that had happened today.
Discovered a new world, seen a flying train, seen a city with three levels, met someone as amazing as possible: Caine... today really was a day she would never forget. And she honestly somehow thought that everything that would happen here in Nova were things she would always remember.

"Wait - you want to sleep on the floor?", she asked, sitting up on the bed and looking at the Cainsson with one eyebrow raised.
"You're not sleeping on the floor like some animal. Come on.", she patted the bed with her hand, smiling softly before she crawled all the way up and slid down under the sheets, making herself comfortable.


Killian raised an eyebrow at the whisp, leaning his back against the stone wall while crossing his arms.
"You want to save this world? From the shadow army?", he asked, his tone of voice hinting at making fun of her.
"There's no saving this world, missy. But hey, if you wish to try, why don't you ask someone from Nova's military or knighthood instead of going to search for your so-called hero here?"

The man watched the whisp for a moment, just frowning confused. He really didn't know anybody who'd think of going to look for a needed hero in the Mountains of Glacies. One had to be extremely stupid - or brave - to think about that.
"Most of the ones residing here can kick ass, but if you should trust them - I wouldn't."

 

[Fleckvieh]

Caine blinked a couple of times, completely dumbfounded by the fact that he had just been told to sleep in a bed.
in a bed.
a friggin bed!
He hadn't even been allowed to enter his last owner's house and now Kate wanted him to sleep right beside her in a bed.

"Uh-", he just made, before he took off his shirt and carefully poked his finger into the mattress.
"...kinda wobbly...", He mumbled to himself, before he went back to his real wolf form and jumped into the bed, jumping up again right afterwards when it startled him how his see sunk into the soft mattress.
He made some weird yelping sounds before he finally managed to curl up close to Kate and pushed his head under her arm so it was laying over his shoulders, his nose pushed into her neck.

After a couple of minutes, his tensed muscles slowly relaxed and his nervous breath evened.
"Katie...?", He whispered softly. "Thank you. For everything."


Marceline shook her head at Killian's advice to go to the military or knighthood and ask them for help.
"We are travelling with a tree Cainsson and we know what the military and knighthood would do as soon as they'd see that", she grumbled silently. "Those assholes would treat the man like the monster they forced him to be. Even if it wasn't for Caine though- Alma and me don't have the highest of opinions about the forces."

Shrugging, she focused her diamond blue eyes on the dark one for the first time.
"We're gathering a group of outsiders there, yes, but at least they know what it means to be real- something the majority of Nova still is too pigheaded and blind for. We don't have time for crap like filling some idiotic roles. I mean look at me, whisps are meant to be sweet and caring and nice. Well guess what- I don't give a fuck."
Smirking slightly, she held her hands closer to the flames of the campfire.
"If you ask me, we finally have to stop telling people what to be. That caused the whole problem in the first place."