[h1] Eastern Woods - Robert & Mirik [/h1]

A lone figure walked around the thick foliage and wide bodies of trees while beams of morning sun pierced through where it could to illuminate the area in a warm glow. All was silent in the woodlands, sans for the gentle rustling of leaves caused by the wind or the distant songs of birds or insects to welcome the new day and the soft humming of the figure.

[Color=silver]"Hmm Hmmm Hmm~𝅘𝅥𝅮"[/color] He hummed his song as he strode over a small babbling stream and nearly lost his footing as he stepped on a wet moss covered stone. [Color=silver]"Oop. Close one."[/color] The young man then chuckled to himself at his apparent clumsiness before marching onwards.

One would think it strange that such a young man would be this deep in the woods at this time of day. Even more so that he did not bear any weapons on his person, but instead a couple of his homemade grilled barbecue chicken sandwiches wrapped in brown paper in one hand. And in the other, he held a worn and beaten leather bound notebook.

After a few more minutes of walking through the woods, he would stop at a considerably large clearing. The clearing had a few sizable rocks scattered here and there as well as a small pond where a couple of frogs had taken residence in; but other than that, it was mostly empty space. He scanned the area briefly before looking down at his watch and realize that he was a tad bit too early in meeting his friend. 

Couldn't blame him though, today was a special day for the two of them. The man approached one of the larger stones in the clearing and sat himself down to patiently wait for his friend to arrive.

A fair day for sure, the warm sunlight soaked into his black skin. A near lumbering giant of the forest. The Sarcogan was aware of every step he took. Being this big one didn't want to squash useful critters or plants. Being very quiet for his size the nearly 9 foot reptile was very much at home in the forest.

Making a good pace through the thick brush he was certainly excited. Sporting a primitive stone spear and a stone axe and knife around his belt. A large leather backpack strapped to his shoulders, hand made beads of bone, crude glass, and pieces of gold hung from a necklace around his neck. An old gold arm band adorned with ancient writing and small jewels was clasped around his muscular left bicep.

He was on his way to a meeting with a new friend. Hopefully soon he would meet the rest of his village, they seemed nice when he was observing them but he was definitely new to them. Even his friend was scared when they first met. Soon he was able to pick up the scent of human with another strange smell. Food.

The food they made was very good and strange, something he was looking forward too. Arriving at the clearing the large scaly sarcogan paused for a moment to scan the surroundings for danger before quietly stepping out into the clearing. He quietly walked up to the side of the human and paused. They were so much smaller than him, their very existence a mystery. How could something that looked so fragile survive so well in this place?

[color=00a651]"Friend!"[/color] He spoke with a deep and strange accent, but friendly.

The sudden voice caused the smaller human to get startled and nearly drop both the food and the notebook on the grassy ground. It seemed that he was too engrossed in taking in the sights, smells, and sounds of nature that he failed to notice the large lizard man that approached him. [Color=silver]"Stars above, Mirik! You nearly caused me to jump out of my skin."[/color] The blonde haired human complained to the taller reptile person. 

This wasn't the first time his scaly friend has done this. He knew Mirik was a hunter of his tribe. Hell, he even showed the human a few of the best hunting spots he currently knew. The only thing the human complained about was that for a person his size and distinctness, he was very skilled in moving without being detected.

After regaining his composure, the smile returned to his face. [Color=silver]"You excited about today, big guy?"[/color] The human says as he hands one of the paper wrapped sandwiches to the lizard man.

Mirik couldn't help but give a deep chuckle as his friend reacted to him. Laughing was also new to him, an emotion that the human shared while making horrible attempts at jokes a few days earlier. Mirik answered with an over exaggerated nod. Taking the small portion of food from the human he smelled it. After visibly drooling for a moment, he quickly ate it. Paper and all.

[color=00a651] “Mirik haaave gi-gift fa fa fa for lead er.”[/color] trying to speak their language was always slow going. At least he was learning fast while trying to tell him he had a gift for his leader. [color=00a651]“When go?”[/color] he asked his tail moving back and forth giving away his excitement from the otherwise stoick form.

Robert deadpanned as he watched Mirik consume the sandwich without even removing the paper wraps. He'll have to teach him that he wasn't supposed to eat the paper, but that lesson was for another day. [Color=silver]"Right after we finish a quick review of basic etiquette. That means how to behave in town, buddy."[/color] Robert nods as he opens the notebook he brought and recited the questions for Mirik to answer.

[Color=silver]"You are walking down the street and see someone you know. How do you act?"[/color]

Taking a moment to listen and try to remember what the man was trying to say, a few of them he still did not know. After a few more moments of tail slowly wagging and head bobbing from side to side. Something one would see a dog do when it hears an unfamiliar sound. [color=00a651]“Ssssay Hell hell-ello, sssssmiiiillle an wafe.”[/color] the lizard gave the human a very unsettling sharp toothy grin and wide eyes while also waving his big hand at him. 

 Learning these customs and courtesies was very entertaining for the big guy. Even if he was somewhat aware that he was overdoing it. Mirik had spent some time watching these humans build their homes and village from the shadows and was at least mildly aware of what was appropriate. This however made his human friend react in strange ways and he was trying to figure out why.

To most people, the display would have been unnerving to see the lizardman smile. But to the human, it was amusing.[Color=silver]"Good. Now what do you say when you ask for something...AND what do you say afterwards?"[/color] Robert asked while he pulled out a pencil from his vest and jots down a note.

[color=00a651]“Prease an thhhhhink ya.”[/color] he almost looked serious for a moment, obviously it took him a bit longer to remember that last one. “Go now?” he asked again, the excitement although disappearing for a few moments was now back in full swing.

[Color=silver]"Patience is a virtue, buddy. One last question. What do you do if you get mad or upset?"[/color] A rather simple question but an important one. It was a sad reality that Mirik could be ostracized or maybe even discriminated due to his intimidating appearance. So Robert taught the lizard man a method to keep his cool and see him in a more civilized light. Help others see what he sees Mirik as, a friend.

Mirik shifted his weight for a moment looking around the small meadow. [color=00a651]“Ssssay Ssssarrray an leaf.”[/color] a simple gesture, as his friend explained it. Humans can be very emotional and sometimes act without thinking when afraid. Just like VarKann during a thunderstorm. 

With a quick but confident nod, Robert jots down one final note before tucking away the pencil. [Color=silver]"And we're done. Come on, Mirik. It's high time the mayor and the townsfolk meet you."[/color] He says while gesturing to the tall lizard man to follow him back to town.

With another over exaggerated nod he quickly checked his surroundings and his backpack. He had to make sure that the gifts he had for them were still safe after all. With that final check the Sarcogan quickly fellin step behind Robbie still holding his spear in his hand but using it more as a walking stick than anything.

[hr]

[h1] Hillhaven Main Road - Robert, Mirik, Vera [/h1]

Soon the duo would be walking through the main road of Hillhaven. A number of the passing townsfolk were already giving them looks varying from amusement to outright fear.

Robert's heart beat faster than a pompadour being chased by a pair of wooly raptors. He was so unsure of the result of Mirik's debut in town. He needed something or someone to establish that Mirik was a friend. Just as Robert finished the thought he saw a familiar former knight exit her place of residence and business. A godsend. 

[Color=silver]"Good morning, Ms.Byrnfield! Have you met my good friend, Mirik."[/color] Robert said boisterously before presenting the two meter tall lizard person to her.