In response to Ma'tanza, Tzirret smiled widely and ran his hands through the fur on the back of Ma'tanza's neck. He took a slow breath in as if to speak, but was interrupted as Ma'tanza held onto him more tightly. In his blissful state, he almost said that he loved her, but her comment about the cold and the extra second to let more rational thoughts in put those words aside.

"Oh, you must be cold. Sorry." Tzirret's smile faded, but he had a soft expression, "Tzirret is used to it, but he forgets that there is little cold where Ma'tanza lives. Here," Tzirret kissed her for another few moments, and then smiled and began to sit up.

Tzirret intended to start heading down the hill with Ma'tanza, but looking down the ridge proved it to look more treacherous in the dark, even with the dim definition allowed by their eyes. Instead, Tzirret looked to Ma'tanza unsurely, but not necessarily in his regular defeatist worrying. There was more contemplation to his expression.

After another few seconds, Tzirret made a decision. He stood up, gently holding a hand against Ma'tanza's shoulder. "Lay back for a moment. This one will give you a lift back." With that, Tzirret squatted and transformed. He had not been able to hunt for a while, but with how bold and elated he felt tonight, he felt as though he had enough control for this simple task. Once the transformation was complete, Tzirret's beast form craned his head down to sniff at the air over Ma'tanza. The next movement was more sudden. With a great sweeping heft, Tzirret dug his clawed hands under the bedroll and picked it up in his arms, Ma'tanza, satchel, and all. With Ma'tanza safely wrapped up in the warm bedroll against the wind, Tzirret made his way down the ridge of the hill with sure feet.

The rest of the short walk was at a gentle pace. Tzirret's beast form seemed surprisingly calm as he carried Ma'tanza, gently holding her like something precious. It was in contrast to the excitable creature that Ma'tanza hunted with before they entered the desert. It wasn't until they reached the gate that Tzirret carefully set Ma'tanza down and seated himself on his haunches to try and transform back. It would take a short while, but he wanted to stay with Ma'tanza for a little longer at least.

[hr]
Gallus' brow was still raised, but he gave a tight, sturgeon frown and a nod. "How clever," he commented as he went to retrieve a staff and a chunk of meat, "I'll have to see it to believe it, but if it works, I'll have to tell everyone at home about this. Fantastic..."

Before another moment passed, Gallus held the thorny staff forward with a half a skinned jackal in his other hand. He pulled an odd face for a moment and shook the staff for a moment. "Hmf, my apologies, it has been some time since I have had to use one of...aha!"

A roiling bulb of purple conjuration magic materialised at the tip of the staff. Immediately following was the sound of a harsh thrum and tear as light dilated around an area on the floor. A large purple ovoid sprung out into reality for but a second, shrinking into nothingness just as quickly. In its place was a short, thin, toothy, and pointy eared creature that looked up at Gallus expectantly. Gallus wrinkled his nose at the smell, but stepped back and allowed Ri'vashi to demonstrate the technique.