"It was only some bruises!" Gallus protested, "I can do some more searching tomorrow if someone else wants to stay."

Who would or wouldn't be staying would be worked out later. The rest of the night was short for most as everyone enjoyed their dinner and company. Everyone retired to bed eager to continue tomorrow. All except for Tzirret.

Tzirret couldn't sleep even if he wanted to. Between the anticipation of being with La'khay and the excitement of having temporarily defeated his cowardice that day, he had more than enough energy to sit awake for a while. It was not bodily energy - he felt as though he could sleep easily, but it was an anxiety. Once enough time had passed, he approached La'khay as he had the previous night.

With his feelings building upon themselves throughout the entire day, Tzirret was more determined this time around. Once he started kissing La'khay, he did not stop to ask questions. It went without saying that he didn't run off crying that night, despite taking a moment to get over residual nervousness and continually fumbling with inexperience. At any rate, his faults did not include lack of enthusiasm.

After all was said and done, Tzirret then opened up conversation with La'khay. They talked under the moons for a long while into the night, with Tzirret holding onto her with his arms and tail. As promised, the conversation included lessons on mating and with further depth into relationships and women in general where La'khay could help, but it also included getting to know one another on a more personal level. Tzirret in particular confided in La'khay his own secrets, filling the gaps in his past and how he was turned. It gave more context to his timidity. Later on, after a rest, the previous lessons even became more practical. Their tryst ended in the early hours of the morning, with Tzirret making a more appropriate compliment on La'khay's beauty out of nowhere. He commented on her kindness and her eyes. He claimed that it was just practising, but as they found their own bedrolls before sleeping, Tzirret wished he could stay holding onto La'khay for the entire night. The regretfulness showed in his expression.

[hr]
Fendros had awoken early as well this time, taking breakfast with Meesei, Lorag, and Do'ajee. Rather than eagerness, it was a mix of a full bladder and a nightmare that woke him. He didn't disturb Ahnasha while she was still sleeping, but it was not as if she would be long out of bed anyway.

With Peiter's kiss, Sabine woke up from one dream to another. She opened her eyes for only a moment before she brought her arms around Peiter and returned the kiss in full. She didn't care who was watching, but after Janius gave a "'Morning, you two" as he passed by, Sabine pulled back and gave Peiter a wide smile. "Good morning, Peiter," she whispered.

Soon enough everyone was awake and eating. All except for Tzirret. He was sleeping in after staying up so late. He was even sound asleep through the noise of the morning.

Gallus noticed Tzirret and poked him with the toe of his boot. "Time to wake, Tzirret. You'll miss breakfast."

Tzirret groaned and tightened his closed eyes.

"Come on, kid, what's got you so tired?" Gallus started to lean down and caught a certain scent on Tzirret. He raised an eyebrow and stood up straight, looking confused. A possibility crossed his mind that made him chuckle, but it couldn't have been true.

Without words, Tzirret slowly sat up and opened his baggy eyes. He looked exhausted, but his ears were up, listening to everything. He was the last to join everyone for breakfast. It was clear to everyone that his grogginess was worse than anyone else's.