We Were Lit From the West (Avaris)

[Verilidaine von Keladry]

Daine was walking through some brush, taking a shortcut to another part of the trail. She was barefoot, having grown used to it during her time with the wolves. She occasionally went back to visit with them, but spent most of her time working in Camelot. As she came out of the thick woods, she saw a gorgeous horse. It was a dapple grey, tied to a tree. She went up to it and she smiled when the horse responded amiably. She pet its muzzle and chuckled when he nudged at her, asking for a treat. "What's your name, beautiful?," she asked him. "Gavin. Do you have anything to eat? My master is over by the stream." Daine smiled broader. "No, I'm afraid I don't. Are you headed towards Camelot?"

[Avaris Malvallet]

Avaris, finally deciding she was alone enough removed her heavy helmet and tossed it with Gavin's saddle and tackle. It was late afternoon and the spring was well hidden. Her heavy armour clung to the rugged fabric underneath. It was sticky with sweat against her skin and she desperately craved a moment to bathe. With her nimble hands working at the laces, she hissed in pain at a newly found bruise. She flopped the heavy chain-mail over her shoulder and began to work at her boots.

[Verilidaine von Keladry]

"Yes we are," said the horse. "Milady just took a break to clean herself. We've been traveling for a long while, now, and haven't rested since last night; so this is a welcome break." Daine smiled at the horse and reached inside her small satchel for a comb. "I always have one, and it appears that you wouldn't mind a little grooming. Did you guys go through some brush?"

[Avaris Malvallet]

Avaris finally kicked off her boots, and quicker than a blaze of light had slid into the cool spring waters after shedding her clothes like a cocoon. She bit her lip at its temperature. Yup, spring fed. She stood there, freezing for a moment, before dipping under. The water was a form of rebirth and vital energy as it dripped and slid across her dirtied face and skin. She gave a contended sigh and floated on her back for a bit.

[Verilidaine von Keladry]

"We encountered several rough patches. May I move over to that patch of grass before you begin?" Daine simply nodded and led the horse over, where he began to feast on the newly grown, sweet grass. She began to comb through the horse's long mane, working out any knots and various debris.

[Avaris Malvallet]

She dunked under once more and ran her fingers through her thick tangles. Gavin was unusually quiet, normally they would 'talk' between moments like this. Usually he was next to her, flopped right into the water with her. But he insisted on eating, so she tied him up instead. She nestled up and sat on one of the submerged rocks, scraping the dirt off as best she could. She needed a proper bath eventually.

Becoming slightly worried at his silence, she called out to him "Gavin...are you alright?"

[Verilidaine von Keladry]

Gavin whinnied, signaling his presence. Daine bit her lip and whispered, "Should I go?" Gavin shook his head, so she continued to groom him. She heard some rustling from the area of the spring, so she turned to see who was there.

[Avaris Malvallet]

Avaris finished quietly, dunking under once more. She pulled herself up on the bank and shook her head like a wild dog. Fumbling amongst her items, she found a plain brown blanket and held it against her form, before sneaking around to Gavin. At first, she didn't see the woman, only Gavin happily eating. "There you are Mister..."

[Verilidaine von Keladry]

Daine peered around the side of the large horse and saw and heard the woman. She also noticed that she was basically naked, the blanket not fulfilling the task of covering her very well. "Oh!," she exclaimed. She ducked behind Gavin again. "I'm sorry! I saw your horse and decided to groom him. Gavin is a very kind animal."

[Avaris Malvallet]

Avaris was startled and fell haplessly into the grass. "I...I didn't know you were there..." She brought the blanket up as close as possible, somewhat crawling back to where she had just come from. "Give me a moment of decency..." She breathed, edging back around the corner. In about five minutes, she had returned, fully dressed but without her armour. "I am terribly sorry, I didn't notice you.....and yes, he has a heart of gold if a Horse could ever posses one."

[Verilidaine von Keladry]

"I-uh, sure. Of course." Daine went back to combing his tail and had successfully groomed him to perfect by the time Avaris returned. "That's fine. I'm sorry I intruded." She stuck her hand out to introduce herself. "I'm Verilidaine von Keladry. But you can call me Daine; everyone does." She smiled broadly at the woman.

[Avaris Malvallet]

Gavin brought his head back to his master, oddly now that she was fully dressed as if he didn't want to see her indecent. She rubbed his forehead soft;y, giving a good scratch and kiss his velvet nose. "Avaris.." she said simply. The last name usually gave it away, so she refrained. "Nice to meet you." she shook it firmly and went back to stroking Gavin.

[Verilidaine von Keladry]

"Nice to meet you, too." She walked over to her satchel, which she had set down on the grass and picked it up. "So you're heading to Camelot, right?"

[Avaris Malvallet]

"On my way, yes." Gavin nudged her elbow a few times, and she turned to give him a moment's attention. "What is it now? That eager to get going once more?" She chuckled before turning to the young woman once more. "is that where you are destined? You can join if you would like...but I only have one horse and ask no questions...understand?"

[Verilidaine von Keladry]

Gavin spoke to Daine after Avaris' comment on him wanting to get going again. "Tell her about your abilities. She clearly didn't understand my nudge and didn't notice your knowledge of our plans." Daine widened her eyes and shook her head at him before responding to Avaris. "That sounds fantastic. Although I am open to questions, I will ask you none unless given persmission."