Wait It Out [X.open]

[Hyacinthe mab Necthana]

It was all rather strange, and yet, Hyacinthe felt warmed to the very core when Trinket had dabbed his cheeks dry of tears. He had even smiled at her, wrinkling his nose somewhat at the notion of this strange woman genuinely listening to him. He could not remember the last time he had spoken so openly of himself, and that's even considering the fact that Hyacinthe did have genuine friends...well, or so he thought. Nonetheless, Hyacinthe shook his head at her as he bit his lower lip, propping his elbow upon his knee as he leaned forward onto his hand, leaning forward as he looked to the fire.

"Ah, leaking...?" He looked amused and laughed, shaking his head to himself. "It's certainly crying but I'm not hurting...well, I suppose I am somewhat," Hyacinthe reluctantly admitted. "I miss Adara." He confessed, looking to Trinket and smiling at her. "It's been so long and there are times when I fear that I would be away for so long that she would forget my face...my voice," he said and sighed. It was something he had never dared to confess before; not even to his father. Either way, despite the fact that Hyacinthe found it strange to speak to Trinket of such things, not once did he stop or draw away.

It felt right.

He talked about Cillian and himself until he had finally questioned her.

He looked back to her as she spoke of things that she did not understand. It was, for lack of a better word, amusing, but then he remembered that she wasn't exactly human, and if her master had transformed her into one, then that meant Trinket had a long way to go where teaching was considered. Hyacinthe opened his mouth to speak but she continued, and all Hyacinthe could do was gape at her and become wide eyed as she described a place that was undoubtedly a brothel, or mayhap a tavern that simple saw a good portion of bare skin at night. He flushed and took a deep breath as his eyes flitted from her curious face to her hair, fingers stroking and tugging her tresses gently.

How should he answer...?

"Well, Trinket...that's different. It's...well, it's somewhat that a man and woman does for pleasure...comfort, even. It's what they do when they know one another as friends or somewhat more such as love," he said, attempting to explain it. It wasn't exactly easy to say the very least, and Hyacinthe wasn't certain whether or not he should get too far into detail; after all, this was something that her master undoubtedly would be better suited for.

"It's what they do for the release...for warmth," he said suddenly, furrowing his brow for a moment as he stroked her hair. His mind strayed to her, but he cleared his thoughts. He shouldn't. He couldn't. He wouldn't take advantage of the bird turned human. It wasn't something that he should even consider. "It's...It's something I'm certain that your master would be happy to know you're exploring..." He said suddenly, pinching an eye shut as the urge of desire within him churned. It had been so long and she was bare underneath the sheet! His body wanted and even he did, but Hyacinthe knew better.

At least that's what he thought.

He looked onto her and onto the smug look on Cillian's face as the wolf affectionately snuffled Trinket's face, especially more so after the kiss she bestowed upon him.

"Then again, mayhap you will experience it sooner than later..." He said, uncertain why e had. He cleared his throat thereafter. "Anyway, some consider it a private matter and then there are those like the ones you have heard...ones that have no shame," he said and smiled slightly, wrinkling his nose at that, and despite the awkwardness, Hyacinthe didn't mind answering her questions whatsoever.

Fortunately, Trinket asked about the shiny things.

"It's money," Hyacinthe said suddenly, hand dipping to the small purse that held a portion of his coin. He carried it, even deep into the forest, for one never knew whether or not they'd run into a merchant on their way to the next city. He worked the drawstring with his freehand and removed a coin, offering it to her. "You earn it for hardwork done and then you buy things with it such as food, clothes, a place to rest one's head and even some toys...wooden figurines and stuffed dolls," he explained, smiling somewhat. "Here, take this one...It'll be yours and you can do with it as you please when we arrive in Camelot, alright?" He said, offering it for her grasp.

[Trinket the Crow]

Her questions were so childish and innocent. She truly didn't understand many human emotions. There were many emotions, each with a variety of expressions. Sadness was the strangest to Trinket, with the crying and range of emotions that seemed to flow from a human after they experienced it. Her black eyes stayed on his face while he spoke.

He was amused, he laughed even at her comments. His words brought slight confusion to her at one point and she tilted her head to the side. Shouldn't he know if he was hurting? Would missing someone count as hurting? Was Trinket herself hurting because she missed her master? Was she bad for not hurting for missing her master? So many questions cam up after such a small encounter with the action of crying.

Trinket could not completely say that she was giving Hyacinthe her full attention when he talked about his fears of staying from his daughter for to long. Her mind turned with the question as to whether she should be feeling something from being apart from her master. Sure she missed her and wanted to get back but there was no pain, she did not cry when she talked about the woman. Did that make her a bad creature?

"I am positive she will remember you no matter how long you are parted. I have not seen my parents for three summers but I still remember them." Trinket had only known her family for a year before she had been inured and taken in by the gypsies. She had lived four years, four years as a crow before the recent change into a human. Now it wasn't like there had been a decade of not seeing her parents but even then. Surely Hyacinthe's hatchling would hold on to her memories of her father if he was got for so long. Cling to her memories of him until the time of his return.

Hyacinthe appeared slightly caught of guard by her question about her neighbours. His tone was careful, as he tried to word his answer in a way that she would understand. "For warmth? So we could so what they do and be warmer? Does it warm you more then sitting by the fire wrapped in blankets?" Her tone is questioning. She looks to him for the answers to her inquiries.

He was right though, that her master could explain it all to her later. When the woman had time to do so with all her other jobs that is.

Cillian seemed very expressive for a wolf, as he often cast glances to Hyacinthe. Trinket had notice a few of these exchanged but could not detect what exact emotion he was giving to the man. "You are a very bizarre wolf, Cillian. I think I've come to consider you a friend despite the complete difference in species." Another kiss was placed on the wolf after she said this as though to prove her point.

As he reached into his bag Trinket followed Hyacinthe's movements. He offered her the coin and she took the item in her fingers, turning it over in her hand and staring at it with interest. "I have lots of these! Humans think they are so smart in hiding their shiny things but I am good at finding them. I have many other shiny things as well, and I am good at hiding them. No human shall ever find my treasures!" Giggling to herself Trinket closed her hand around the coin.

Her feet inched closer to the fire, her toes wiggling. Her hair was almost dry with the strands falling in wild waves around her face and shoulders. The wind flitted though the trees though not as strong ad it was before. The rain still fell but the odd group was sheltered by the trees. It was entirely peaceful here. Turning to Hyacinthe Trinket sent him a bright smile, her cheeks now burning a pale rose and contrasting with her otherwise pale skin.

[Hyacinthe mab Necthana]

Trinket was such a strange person...creature, rather. Yet, what she had said had been enough to soothe him in a way. In fact, what she had said had even calmed him and he nodded to the notion of Adara remembering him; after all, she remembered him still...cried his name whenever he had come through the door and clung to him. Yes, she never wanted him to leave afterward and wept when he had to, but his arrival was always full of warmth and would only continue on such a path. It had to.

"You are a very strange young woman, Trinket," he said suddenly, smiling somewhat.

"Thank you though," he added and lolled his head to watch her.

Hyacinthe knew that he should simply watch and protect her. That he shouldn't take advantage of her despite the fact that he hadn't seen a woman, or touched one, in such a long time. Yet, there would always be desire that man tended to harbor, and Trinket, despite the fact that she wasn't exactly human, had an attractive form to the eye. So, Hyacinthe sighed at her words and looked thoughtful when she spoke.

"We could," he said. "It does." He added. It was somewhat that he had savored with former lovers, although he hadn't taken one in years since the passing of Adara's mother. It often brought on a warmth unmatched by anything else. It's a warmth that often left one breathless, flushed and pleasantly exhausted. Nonetheless, he wrinkled his nose. "Yes, far more than the fire and a blanket can do," Hyacinthe said, but Cillian had somewhat to say about that.

"...but not better than a wolf," Cillian said smugly.

Hyacinthe rolled his eyes.

"Trinket...I don't want you doing such a thing with any man though, do you understand?" He asked suddenly. "It's somewhat that you shouldn't simply give away of yourself...It's what you should share with someone you trust only and someone that you care for," he said.

"Like yourself." Cillian added.

Hyacinthe had to resist reaching over and swatting the wolf.

It wasn't long until Trinket had kissed Cillian and the wolf leaned into it with a smug gleam to his eyes. Hyacinthe wrinkled his nose. "He likes you too," Hyacinthe said. "I daresay a lot to the point where he's rubbing my nose in it," he said, smiling somewhat as he looked from Cillian, whom was nestling his head eagerly beneath her chin, to meet Trinket's gaze.

When Trinket spoke of treasures, Hyacinthe laughed and looked somewhat horrified over the fact that she had undoubtedly stolen a few from others. Nonetheless, his laughter still came, ringing strong and true. "Well, if you ever wish to part with your shiny treasure, Trinket, mayhap you could buy other treasures," he said, pointing out to her. He watched her soft, small hand close around the coin as she turned to him.

Everything about her was strangely sobering and arousing all at once. The animal like way she moved...the way she spoke and looked at everything with such a genuine curious air. She seemed so clean and clear of any grime that would paint her as somewhat else. He watched her and Hyacinthe couldn't resist as he reached out and touched her cheek, that warm flush beneath her pale skin.

"Mayhap you should rest," he said suddenly, trying to pull his mind off of her.

It was easier said than done.

His thumb trailed, smoothing across her lower lip for the briefest moment before touching her chin.

"I'll get you to Camelot, Trinket...I promise."

[Trinket the Crow]

His words confused her; surely being strange was a bad thing wasn't it? He was smiling though, so maybe it wasn't so bad? Tilting her head to the side he questioned him, "That is a good thing, right?" Her dark eyes met Hyacinthe's her confusion evident in the blackness of her irises

Fully unable to comprehend the idea of intimacy as a means for anything other then breeding Trinket just became more and more confused by what her savour was saying. It seemed strange to Trinket, and like many other things she wondered if she would ever understand humans. Sure, she'd made great strides but there were many things that were still confusing regardless of all the explaining done to her. There were many things that humans did that were so different then animals.

What he said next just pushed the limit on her misunderstanding. What was she giving away? What were the people doing? All he'd told her was that it warmed a person up, that it could be done for pleasure, so be done with people you considered close. He'd told her it was a private matter, but if it was private why did the people next to her master and herself do it so loudly? It made no sense. "But what are they doing? What is it called? What is its purpose besides keeping a human warm? It seems so unnecessary it that it all it is used for. You have hair on your bodies, you have clothing and nests and fire, why do you need this?" He stared up at the man who she hoped would give her all the answers and make her understand.

There were moments through out her conversation with Hyacinthe that he made funny little movements. This time it was the rolling of his eyes and finally curiosity got the better of her. "Why did you roll your eyes? Did I do something to annoy you?" It all seemed a little distracting to her, these little movements that he made. It made her wondering if she didn't act entirely human and he was reacting to something she did. She tried all the time to act human, to fit in better each day. She'd always wondered if she was going a good job of it.

Cillian was quite pleased with his place and the crow wasn't about to complain. Obviously she wasn't going to think this of every wolf that she met but she did have to say that the creature keeping her warm was growing on her. She wouldn't mind meeting him again, maybe not in bird form but in this form, where she could guarantee that he could recognize her.

How could a wolf rub something in Hyacinthe's face? She hadn't seen the creature reach out and rub the man's nose in anything. "I do not understand that expression. Cillian hasn't moved from here, how could he have done that?" The curious air about her only grew and spread. Most of what she had spoken to the man had been questions, and probably the strangest questions that man had ever heard.

With her circular treasure firmly grasped in her hand, Trinket listened to Hyacinthe laugh. She liked his laugh she decided. It was nice. Thinking about what he had said she spoke, recalling a memory from a day before. "So I can trade the many little treasures for a big more shiny treasure? But will people still chase me if I do that? The men in shiny skin and red come after me when I get my treasure, but I am faster and better at hiding. Those predators never caught me!" Her chest puffed out and there was evident pride. Being faster or smarter then the predators was everything to animals; it was the different between survival and death.

His hand touched her cheek, she leaned into his warm touch and her gaze met his wondering what was going through his mind. There was such a peculiar expression on his face, one that she couldn't place. Trinket didn't ask though finding comfort in the strange silence that came over them.

She hadn't realized that she was actually tired until he mentioned rest. His finger trailed over her lower lip before touching her chin for a brief moment. Soon after his hand was gone and a yawn escaped her pink lips and she rubbed her eyes. Nodding her head she spoke in a whisper like voice, "Okay… Come on Cillian."| Nudging the wolf off of her softly she held on to him gently to make sure he didn't do too far away and pulled him lightly until he was laying on the ground. From there she adjusted herself a little so that she was cocooned in the blanket and rested her head on the barrel of the wolf's chest.

"Goodnight Hyacinthe, Cillian. Goodnight Bastard." Her voice was sleepy and soft; already she was drifting off with the help of the wolf's breath. It was surprising how fast she fell asleep, though when the day's events were put into consideration it only made sense. Snuggling her head deeper into the wolf's fur she drifted off into the blissful world of dreams.

[Should we continue to the next morning and the trip back to Camelot?]

[Hyacinthe mab Necthana]

It had been such a strange and peculiar day for Hyacinthe from the torrential downpour to the moment he had met Trinket. He didn't regret helping her though...oh, no, never that. In fact, if given another chance, he would have done much the same. Yet, there was something about her that was so strange and peculiar, and Hyacinthe couldn't help but feel protective over her. That and he couldn't help but smile around her...laugh, grin and rub his eyes to weep away any suspicious tears brought on by his amusement.

"It's what men and women do when they wish to have pleasure, intimacy and have children, Trinket. If they love one another," he said simply. "Some like to be more vocal than others is all, private or not..." He added and lifted his shoulders in a shrug before looking pointedly at her. "You, though, will not be doing that with anyone now, will you?" He asked, idly wondering what would have happened if she had met someone who was harsh...then again, wasn't he from time to time? No...No, and then again, mayhap at times he was.

He hadn't seen a woman in so long. He could coax her to open the sheets and tell her he'd show her...he'd show her and...no, it wasn't right. It was wrong for him to even think of such a thing. Nonetheless, he spoke of the act with a passing fondness and a longing that he hadn't felt in such a very long time.

"It gives you a different sort of warmth...to watch your partner in pleasure...ah, anyway..." HE trailed and lifted his brows at her query about being an annoyance. "No," he said. "No, not at all. It's just a reflex, Trinket. You really are a bird, aren't you?" He asked and smiled, although he still believed her to just be a daft girl. Yet, when talk went to Cillian...Hyacinthe couldn't help but feel that Trinket was smarter than she let on...or maybe she just had the potential which needed to be groomed. Whatever the case was, Hyacinthe smiled.

"He's a different sort of wolf, that's why," he said and left it at that.

When they talked of trade though, Hyacinthe nodded.

"They won't. It would be yours fair and square, and if they do chase you, you may come to me and I'll sort that through, alright? I promise," he said until the moment she mentioned the men in shiny skin and red...knights. They were soldiers...guards...all of the sort. He grinned at the notion of her hiding. "Well, that's because you're a very smart and nimble one, aren't you?" He asked, complimenting her and stroking her ego without a hitch.

Cillian moved enough for her to lay down and when called, he settled beside her and nestled, admitting that he liked her to Hyacinthe...not with words but with thoughts of home. Cillian reminded him of the warm hearth stones, his daughter and father, his bed...he fit Trinket perfectly into all of that; after all, she needed guidance more than ever.

She couldn't be left alone.

"Goodnight, love," Hyacinthe said by way of reflex and the Bastard snuffed whilst Cillian licked her cheek. She fell asleep and Hyacinthe watched the fire before lowering himself down mindfully and following her.

It stopped raining...oh, thank the gods! Yet, that didn't make things any easier. The forest could have shifted with mudslides and left previously negotiable pathways unfriendly for the Bastard and Hyacinthe didn't wish to risk laming the Bastard. So, he continued to look over their perch in the dawn light, rubbing his cheek for the moment as he moved around the sleeping Trinket and the embers of their campfire to the Bastard who looked eager to be on the move other than being kept holed up. Cillian, though, was still nestled with Trinket, although conversing with Hyacinthe through their minds.

It shouldn't be that bad, I think. It'll just take longer. Cillian said.

Right. Hyacinthe agreed and looked thoughtful.

He looked to Trinket then, smiling somewhat, although he was reluctant to wake her then. She looked at peace. He sighed and moved over, lowering himself to the floor and setting a hand to her shoulder and shaking her awake.

"Trinket? It's time to wake up and eat so we can leave."