Outcasts

[Heffy]

Mia's ears wilted at Pico's sudden silence - and extremely evident change in demeanor. She shrunk back a little, biting her lip. She knew she'd picked the wrong question to start with...

Her ears swiveled back up, though, the moment Pico spoke. Mia stared wide-eyed, with both curiosity and... empathy. It was plain to see that Pico had been through a lot. And that was probably putting it lightly... Mia could only wonder, though. But one word incited her interest far more than the others. 'Changing.'

Her golden eyes flashed in the fire's light. Maybe it just... struck a chord, with her. She doubted it had anything to do with what she thought of, yet...

... Momentarily lost in thought, Mia had to take a moment to proces what Pico said next. And once she did, her fur bristled. A tingling feeling emanating from deep within her chest. As if under a spell, she gazed right into his eyes, lips parting. The source of the tingling began to rise up into her throat. A lump. She had to look away into the fire for a moment. A gently clenched paw rose to her chest.

There was a brief silence, until, her head rising, Mia's stupified look gave way to a heartfelt smile that grew by the second. It beamed at Pico. Her eyes looked just a little wet, despite it.

"... Neither do I."

And, for the first time in what felt like ages, Cadet's sole companionship aside... she wasn't.

 

[Roose Hurro]

Alone, No Longer....



Yes, lightly.

For the first time, Mia's eyes met his directly. Her intent gaze caused his mane to ruffle, his ears to twitch in turn. His eyes, so full of memories, one could get lost.......

Yes, for the first time in some time, Pico smiled. His face didn't appear made for it, but, in the early exile of his youth, he'd practiced long and hard to make that oh so human expression, so humans could relate. One thing to allow him to relate, as well, out of many he'd worked to learn. Humans being the one's who'd first cared for him, so very long ago. All dead now. No, not all humans... just the one's he'd cared about. Far away, on Earth.

Learned their languages. Their expressions and gestures and habits. So Pico smiled...

... "Good."

He rubbed both primehand wrists together, then licked at them, before turning back to the fire and what remained of their meal. Turned to a small folding kettle, already unfolded and filled with fresh water. Set it on a rock next to the fire and turned it on. Then poked through his pack for a spare cup...

... "I hope you like tea."

Pico hadn't failed to note the moisture in Mia's eyes, nor her own expressions and gestures.......

 

[Heffy]

... Did Pico just smile? He did...! Mia wasn't even sure he could... The sight of it made her heart soar even more. It was such a healing sight. Warm, and personal - not just politeness.

Mia was quick to rub a sleeve across her eyes before she got a little too sentimental, but her cheek-spanning, whisker-pushing smile betrayed her emotions.

She quickly came to at Pico's offer. "Ah, er... I... don't think I've even 'ad it b'fore!" She giggled good-naturedly. "But there's a first time for everythin', yeah?"

Barely a second or two after she'd finished that sentence, her cap was suddenly thrust over her eyes as something fell onto it. The feel and weight of the mystery object was all too familiar to Mia, enough for her to instantly recognize it. She grinned as she lifted her floppy cap just enough to see. "Well finally you join th' party!"

Down from Mia's cap and onto her shoulder scampered Cadet. Although keeping as close to Mia as possible, he seemed to have finally mustered enough courage to investigate this curious stranger a little more closely. His glossy red eyes stared at Pico intently, his nose a-twitching.

"This 'ere's Cadet," Mia explained with a grin as she readjusted her hat. "Me travel partner, you could say. Hehe."

 

[Roose Hurro]

Yes, He Could...



Deep inside, Pico's heart did its own little thing... call it a twitch, or perhaps a flutter, of sorts. Of course, given he'd been eating with her watching, his smile's sharp-toothed exposure didn't come as a surprise. Still, Pico wasn't used to "such a healing sight" being the response to his smile. Not used to seeing a heart soar. But Mia, innocent, knew nothing of his kind's reputation, out in the wider universe. She had not seen him kill. Not seen him eat the raw entrails of the animal they'd just eaten, just after slaughter. Hadn't seen him wash away the blood from his face and claws.......

Warmth radiated from deep inside his own heart. Just in time for the kettle to whistle softly...

... "Glad to see your... friend has spirit enough to join us."

Pico had two cups ready. Shut down the kettle. And poured hot water into each cup. Each cup, set aside to steep...

... "Cadet, right?" A claw gesture. Flare of nostrils. Ears, tipped forwards. Bright, amber-jade eyes locked on glossy reds... "Well-fit name for a travel partner. Short. To the point." He licked at his wrists again... "Good to have three names, each with just two syllables. Quicker to shout out in needful times."

And yes, he could smile. Roast meat. Make tea. And do many other things.......