[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/ZgvO2EP.png[/img][/center][color=#A7C7E7]
[b][color=#6082B6]Time:[/color][/b] Morning
[b][color=#6082B6]Location:[/color][/b] Southwest of Roshmi City
[b][color=#6082B6]Interactions:[/color][/b] [@Helo] Bowyn [color=silver]❄[/color] [@Lava Alckon] Bardulf [color=silver]❄[/color] [@FunnyGuy] Mister Luum [color=silver]❄[/color] [@Tae] Brigette [color=silver]❄[/color] [@Pink Khione] Zeva 
[b][color=#6082B6]Mentions:[/color][/b] 
[b][color=#6082B6]Equipment:[/color][/b] Small backpack, two knives, rations, water flask, hygiene products, polearm, [url=https://imgur.com/BjXz8f3]outfit[/url][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/bWNy1S9.png[/img][/center]

From everyone’s attacks, the owlbear was now defeated. Rue let out a relieved sigh, unaware she had been holding her breath. Bardulf had taken shelter behind her after attacking the owlbear; Mr Luum, after stepping away, had returned and melted the owlbear’s face off; the young elven girl had contributed, and Bowyn had used ice to entrap it. The situation had occurred quickly for her, and she had been quietly rooted to the spot. The danger had her adrenaline pumping while her mind’s eye saw the bodies of three dark elves falling to the ground. As a result, the mixture of excitement, anxiety, fear, and will to fight had melted together and forced her to remain still. Rue hadn’t meant to sit there silently watching, yet she seemed frozen herself. 

She stared at the owlbear, contemplating why it had attacked unexpectedly. Had this elven girl been too close to its territory? Did it have a family it was protecting? She had seen owlbears at the arena, trapped and used for training purposes and also fun for the enforcer’s. While she hadn’t been close to the creatures, she had learned they had been stolen from their families. Her chest tightened. She hadn’t been able to save them. Rue clenched her fists and turned away. There wasn’t any use in sitting here deep in thought; they had a human to protect in a hostile city up ahead, with a reckless young elven woman who could betray them and their innocent human. 

Rue tore her gaze away from it and met Bowyn’s. He would be the only one who would've understood her actions and thoughts. Despite the ice they both wielded and the cold they desired, he always created a warmth in her that nobody else could. An apology was in her eyes, before it disappeared, replaced with sorrow for the animal they had slain and pride for Bardulf’s quick reaction. Leaving the owlbear behind without profiting off it and allowing someone to take their victory nauseated her, but protecting their human overwhelmed the need to pull it. Still, she could pay her respects to the creature. She moved over to the owlbear’s carcass to murmur a quiet prayer for it. 

Finally, she joined Bowyn and Bardulf with her usual limp, and wrapped an arm around Bowyn’s side. Then, she set her hand on Bardulf’s shoulder. [color=#6082B6]”You don’t need to apologize, Bardulf. This is new for you, and that was quite a big owlbear. I’m proud of how you reacted, and I hope you can find the pride for yourself within you.”[/color] Rue then let her hand slip from him and turned to Bowyn as she gestured with her head towards the elven woman. 

[color=#6082B6]”I don’t know how I feel about her right now. I’m not sure if I want her around Bardulf.”[/color] Rue remained cautious and kept an eye on the newcomer, while beckoning Starfire to join her. The pegasus joined and huffed at the stranger, letting it be known she would not tolerate any tomfoolery towards the group. 

[color=#6082B6]”Stay close to us, Bardulf.”[/color] Her voice was quiet enough for only them to hear.Rue held onto the polearm and eyed the situation with a narrowed gaze.  [/color]