A shy smile lit Rilana's face at Svarak's offer to teach her how to cook. [color=00aeef]"I'd like that. I bet there a lot of things you can show me. If I'm going to keep my position as Envoy I should learn how to hold a sword without slicing my hand open."[/color] She lifted her hand where the faint red line of the healing mark was still stark against her pale skin.

Rilana had avoided making plans, as she had said, but letting them coalesce anyways wasn't as painful as she had imagined. In fact, it was kind of nice. Her blue fey eyes settled on his feline ones as he revealed his feelings and he heart gave a flutter that made Kona ruffle his wings. New friendships? Perhaps she could safely take that to mean more.

She turned away from the huge charr, but took it upon herself to scoot closer until her leg and thigh settled against his. She was surprised to find that her dinner was gone, almost proud that after so much anxiousness she'd been able to eat it. Her slender fingers wrung together in her lap.

[color=fff200][i]You're fidgetting.[/i][/color]

[i][color=00aeef]I can't help it.[/color][/i] But she stopped. [color=00aeef][i]You know what I'm going to do.[/i][/color]

[i][color=fff200]I know.[/color][/i]

[i][color=00aeef]You're not mad?[/color][/i]

There was a long silence, as though the distant gryphon were issuing a long melodramatic sigh.

[i][color=fff200]You're going to get hurt, and you're going to regret it.[/color][/i]

[i][color=00aeef]I might regret it more if I don't. I've doubted him so much. He at least deserves to know how I feel.[/color][/i]

[i][color=fff200]He doesn't love you.[/color][/i]

That shut her up for a moment and she glanced up at Svarak's face. That was the risk, wasn't it? That her first time would be wasted on someone who didn't love her?

[i][color=00aeef]If so, I trust him to not let it go too far without saying so.[/color][/i]

[i][color=fff200]Suit yourself. Just remember, if he breaks your heart you still have me.[/color][/i]

[i][color=00aeef]I know. I love you, Kona.[/color][/i] It was a completely different kind of affection than what she was harbouring towards the Lord Knight.

[color=000000][i]Me too,[/i][/color] said another voice in Rilana's head. [i][color=000000]If big cat makes you mad, I can eat. Much meat on that one. Hopefully plenty where it counts.[/color][/i]

A look of incredulous shock made Rilana's mouth fall open, her eyes slightly unfocused in that way it always did when one of her Familiars was dividing her attention.

[color=00aeef]"Ortha!"[/color] The balauradon was lurking on the edge of the camp, practicing creeping through the snow, hoping to scavange for the travelers' leftovers as they abandoned their campfires and went to bed. 

Somewhat scandalized, a pink blush rose along Rilana's cheeks. She cleared her throat, refocusing on Svarak's face with a flutter of her long lashed. [color=00aeef]"...and I'm very glad we did meet. I just want you to know that if we both live to see the other side of this...thing, and if you still feel relish the thought of something new..."[/color] It all sounded terribly awkward, which forced Rilana to straighten her back and make a visible attempt to force ahead, [color=00aeef]"...I've never been in love before but if there was ever anyone, it would be you."[/color]

Her heart was pounding with the effort of telling him, but she lifted her hand and rested it on Svarak's bicep, covering the crystal mark bestowed on him by the God of Ice.