how should she put it? she feels... uncomfortable? uneasy? as though something was about to pounce at her, but she isn’t sure what? yeah, maybe that’s it. there’s an aura about the stranger she can’t place her finger on, but she feels wary nonetheless. ( and suddenly, she misses those days she traveled alongside her brother, because while strong now, she is alone and she feels she would shatter due to a mere touch due to her fear ). 

       Sometimes he forgets and sometimes he remembers and both come as a surprise. 

       The most shocking is the middle ground, the moment when he remembers that he’s forgotten the beast that has always lived just under his skin, lusting for blood. Around him, the night is still -- the moon is high, high up in the sky, round and full and giving off a more peaceful light than the sun could dream of. Even in life the forest possesses its own tranquility, crickets humming to their own, intrinsic tunes, water lapping against the banks of a creek not too far off, birds rustling in not-flight. 

       Under his hand, the wolf shifts, and it is that warmth that reminds him of the fact that the quietude no longer haunts him. 

       ❛ Isn’t it funny ? ❜ He asks her rhetorically, without explaining his train of thought. She doesn’t seem to mind, only twitching her ear and huffing a little breath. Henry smiles. 

       ( this is not human warmth, and now he knows the difference. the knowing should undo him -- should send him running or seeking, looking for a way to feel even if that feeling comes from blood welling up deep from places even scar tissue can’t deaden. once upon a time, he would have been ravenous and terrified of the reminder of how it feels to be alive. 

       except the knowing is doing. it’s only because of that knowledge that he can see this for what it is now -- that this, too, is being alive. he strains harder to feel it, of course, and even the gentle touch of hand on fur isn’t entirely registered, but the aching, empty chasm within him is satisfied. ) 

       So everything’s great until it isn’t. It’s instinctual, the way the hairs on his neck rise -- and it’s a matter of observation that he hears the sounds of the forest go silent. Hey, even if he didn’t catch the first two clues, he’d be a real fool not to notice the way the wolf picks herself up from her sleeping position, stares deep into the forest’s heart, and then retreats without so much as a backwards glance. 

       Maybe there’s a bit of a curse attached to it, this being human, because he now feels the metallic, rusted pang when she leaves, ringing like one of Frederick’s swords against a shield. But at least he has the mystery of who else is in this forest to distract him from all that. 

       -- Well. Some might call it a mystery. Henry’s never really been one for the subtlety required in all that. So a better term might be opportunity. 

       Better minds, smarter minds, might tell him to observe for longer first. ( he feels like it’s on the tip of his tongue, who’d yell at him for reckless ness. --- but, oh, wouldn’t that be everyone? that’s right, though they’ve largely dispersed, the shepherd army was always a cautious one, relatively speaking. ) But where’s the fun in that ? The guy’s right there, and if he’s going to scare off the animals, then Henry’s really got no one else, does he ? 

       ❛ Ooh -- some late night exploring? Great minds must think alike, hm ? ❜ 

She studies Robin, concern etched onto her features. Something about him isn’t right, and she fully intends to find out what it is.

“You haven’t been eating as much lately.” She comments. “Right about now you’d be helping yourself to a light snack, usually fruit or something sweet. I’ve also noticed at supper you’ve eaten a smaller portion than usual.” She recites. 

To anyone, it would be creepy and downright horrifying that she memorized someone’s eating habits so well, but in Tharja’s eyes, it’s all out of love.  

“Have you fallen ill? Do you have an upset stomach?” 

❀ ˟ ˟ 。

       Little did she know today was probably her worst day of her life. She had gotten lost with her pegasus no where to be found and due to her clumsiness she had twisted her ankle on the branch she had stumbled on. She cursed herself as she looked around, not exactly sure what to do, if the pegasus was around she could easily jump on it’s back and fly to her friends. Maybe ... Someone could hear her voice? It was a long shot and could also land her in serious danger if bandits were around but the throbbing pain almost made her think it was worth it. It was worth a shot.

      ❝ Hello?! Is anyone out there?! Can anyone hear me?! ❞ 

        Sumia called only to hear the sounds of nature. No luck, of course, she had no choice but to scoot across the ground floor in pain to the closest town.