Remembering the discussion that he had with Ariel and Meesei on the matter, Janius held a glimmer that it might be possible. It faded into the ambiguity of the situation. The cure might be taken too late. She might contract the disease anyway. Janius closed his eyes and sighed, feeling horrible for putting a mark on Kaleeth's day like this. "The risk is enough," he said finally, before letting her go and retrieving his belongings so they could get going. "Let's head back to the village."

When he turned, Janius had an epiphany. He hadn't felt this way in a long time, but it was recognisable. He wasn't just attracted to Kaleeth, he wasn't just feeling bad for giving up the opportunity of finally bedding someone in year, or for hurting her feelings. He was afraid all along of falling in love with her. He was acting this way because the pack would leave eventually, and he knew that if he let himself fall for her that it would hurt even more to leave. In his feelings, he didn't realise that he had already fallen in love with her until now. He knew it was probably for the best that he tried to keep her away, but it didn't stop it hurting worse than any wound he had sustained. He bowed his head and kept silent on the way back.

---

"Hmm..." Fendros' mouth curled into a more sly smile. He toyed with the thought of what he could get Ahnasha to do. This time, though, there wasn't much else that he thought Ahnasha would refuse to do that he would like her to do, so he let it go. "As much as I'd like to see you in a dress just to get you back, I don't mind much." He turned his head to her briefly, "How about a kiss, then we can call it even?"