Good Eagle ;

Armand raises his head from the neck of the man he had been feeding on. A poacher he had spent the night stalking, as he usually does, until he had broken him down so far he was little more than puddy in his arms. He hadn't finished yet, the man still breaths, but he stays obediently on his knees as Armand raises to his feet to face the intruder.

Dawn is perhaps an hour away. The lack of light reduces him to only a sillhouette, save for the glowing orange eyes that stare her down. If he were in a clearer state of mind he would have likely already killed her. But there is something about her that makes him pause. In Armand's distraction, the poacher attempts to raise to his feet. Armand turns his face to the side. " Rest. " He says, his mixed accent hard to discern, except for a french twinge that is prevalent after his centuries spent in Paris. The man falls to the ground at his command, asleep.

Her left hand slowly move to her dress pocket, feeling around til fingertips felt the hardness of her makeshift knife. A gift given to her in secrecy by her uncle. If her iną́ found out - she would not be happy. She's too young to start hunting. Her uncle and itʰádse would not think so. They would be proud of her to see her remaining calm in front of a settler. Was that what he was? Would a settler feed on a white man? No, she did not think so. Sometimes settlers do kill one another.

....The body!

No, no, no! We can't have this be seen. If a settler saw this - they will be forced to leave. Or worst - a war. She overheard stories of the previous wars from her uncle and parents. No, we cannot have another one. Blood cannot be shed on this land again. No, no, no!

That hand would move to her chest, gripping on to the red fabric - her heart was beating faster. Warmth start to form in her eye sockets, bringing some stinging as she briefly close her eyelids. Was this cause by fear? Yes, but not of him. She was afraid what would happen to them.

"Please," She spoke in a soft voice, her hand tremble as she lift it upward to motion to the sleeping man. Strange how the man was able to put him to sleep after saying one word. "Remove him. Your...actions are putting me and my family at risk." Her voice was shaky, trying her best not to cry. She is terrified - now of this stranger and worrying over someone else will see this.

❛  we'll just have to make do.  ❜ ❛  come on, it'll be fun.  ❜ ❛  wait, where are we going?  ❜ ❛  you can't be here. go now!  ❜ ❛  it's just a dream, a stupid dream.  ❜ ❛  don't be afraid. i'm a friend.  ❜ ❛  i can't stand up. what should i do?  ❜ ❛  now listen, i'l tell you what to do. if you stay here, they'll find you. i'll distract them while you get away.  ❜ ❛  you have no choice if you want to survive here ... and save your parents, too.  ❜ ❛  why do i need a weakling like you?  ❜ ❛  trembling, aren't you? still, i'm impressed you made it this far.  ❜ ❛  what a pain. you're gonna pay for this.  ❜ ❛  keep your wits about you. if you need anything, ask me.  ❜ ❛  hey, are you okay? don't fall apart on me.  ❜ ❛  listen to me. i'll promise i'll save you.  ❜ ❛  what did you expect after all that rain?  ❜ ❛  i'm gonna get there someday. i'll get out of here for sure.  ❜ ❛  i was just coming to wake you up, look!  ❜ ❛  what should i do? he'll die!  ❜ ❛  what's so funny? wipe off that smile.  ❜ ❛  don't do anything stupid until i get down there.  ❜ ❛  you see, someone i really care about is badly hurt. i've got to go right now.  ❜ ❛  this is our little secret. if you tell anyone ... i'll do the same to you.  ❜ ❛  what are you going to do? he needs help.  ❜ ❛  becoming a sorcerer's apprentice is dangerous business.  ❜ ❛  well, getting there is one thing. getting back's the problem.  ❜ ❛  [name], i promise i'll be back. please don't die.  ❜ ❛  don't you understand? it's love.  ❜ ❛  what took you so long? this is a total disaster!  ❜ ❛  what do you want? you can tell me.  ❜ ❛  what, you're still alive?  ❜ ❛  you still don't see it? she's played a trick on you.  ❜ ❛  since when do you talk that way?  ❜ ❛  you held this, and nothing happened to you?  ❜ ❛  i'd like to help you, but there's nothing i can do. it's one of our rules here.  ❜ ❛  but can't you even give me a hint?  ❜ ❛  everything that happens stays inside you ... even if you can't remember it.  ❜ ❛  see? you have a talent for this.  ❜ ❛  [name], i no longer blame you for what you did. but be sure to protect this girl.  ❜ ❛  will we meet again somewhere?  ❜