divinetree | Maya Posting

[Oh she is bound to know well his disinterest in other people. His early days in this world were a game of sucking up his feelings when talking to the natives, putting on good masks and generally learning to deal. He still does to some extent when it comes to his "work".

For now he's trying to picture this 'gallop' in his mind and the one image his brain is supplying is a black Chocobo. He guesses it might be close to the same thing and he tries to recall if he's seen any. He hasn't been around the deserts though.]

Desert travel is probably going to be a little too much for you for a while, darling. And probably too much for a baby after.

[He huffs out a breath, quirking a grin at her before he leans in to nuzzle her on his own accord.]

Not that I need to tell you that.

Of course! We're going to stay up north where it's warm and tropical. Only one of my relatives is south, and we'll have time to go visit them later. All my other grandchildren and great-grandchildren are here and north of here.

[He'd at least seemed softer about the idea of meeting her family, she'd noticed, and kept carefully tucked with her other notes about him. He could go about his 'business' for a while, but she hoped to find him something he'd enjoy more so they could both avoid long term trouble.]

I'm excited to introduce you. And to see them after so long! The proper family reunion is around fall, and I'm bringing you along.

[He'd seemed softer then and he seems softer now too. When she talks about her grandchildren and great-grandchildren he listens with sort of relaxed loving look. It's still odd to think of her having great-grandchildren and likely even more distant relations but he's well accepted it as a reality by now.

It's when she mentions bringing him along that he looks mildly surprised ... and then shifts quickly into that soft expression of his.]

... Does all of your family get along with each other? I can't imagine they'd come to a reunion if they didn't.

There's a few that don't get along with each other, or don't want me involved in their lives. I've never begrudged them that, of course. A few tiffs seem to happen now and then, but even so, I think it's best we still meet and see each other while we can and get to catch up on each others' stories.

[She squeezes her arms a little around his shoulders, affectionately, her tail curling around him.]

So you've got a couple of seasons before you get to share your stories, too. Join them with the rest of the family's tales.

Edited 2023-07-31 02:22 (UTC)

[He'd already peeped through more than a few of Maya's papers of course. All stories more or less, all about other people's lives. He still didn't quite get what she did aside from collect those stories but it seemed important to her. She has spoke so adamantly about collecting his too and while a part of him was warm with the idea she cared ... well, his life wasn't worth collecting, was it.

Now though she phrases it as joining those stories with her family's stories. She almost made it sound like he was part of the family in that way, particularly when she curled her tail around him like that. He couldn't help but laugh just a little.]

What, mine? I don't think they'd fit in.

[It comes out as a slight joke but it did nicely to cover the ache in his heart.]

[That sad, sad expression again! He really doesn't have any self worth - or belonging, maybe? Keeping one arm around his shoulder to keep from tipping, she brought her other hand to cup his cheek.]

It'll fit very nicely with ours, my shadow. I promise you that. We're tying our tales together already, aren't we?

[His expression slips from sad to somewhat amused.]

It sounds awfully romantic when you put it that way, darling.

[Or maybe it just does to him. "Tying out tales together" sounds like something straight out of some poem or some song.

They're slowly coming upon the markets now. Or at least the hustle, bustle and noise of them is becoming more apparent.]

Having a baby together is pretty romantic, I think!

[Ah hah! The markets are near. Maya didn't even bother asking to be put down, simply swinging her legs out front and dropping to her feet with an energetic bounce so she could lead the way in.]

Stay close! There aren't many of my folk here, so I'm very short and easy to lose track of in the crowd.

[Not that Peter was going to be any slouch in keeping a CLOSE eye on her... really, she was telling him mostly as a show of trust.]

[Peter's expression softens.]

It's very romantic.

[He doesn't get more time to gush about said romance before Maya hops out of his arms and off she goes. He's very used to her just taking off at a whim but now more than ever it sends a shot of sheer adrenaline and fear through him. Before if she had gotten hurt while he wasn't watching her he'd never forgive himself and now that she was possibly pregnant he definitely wouldn't.]

I'd never lose track of you, darling ... not without trying to keep up at least.

[The last is said in a rueful tone. Yes he's lost her before, alright. He tried, damn it. Once time she had shaken him for a whole day and her reward for it was him stuck tighter than ever to her from a distance, bright blue eyes in the darkness.]

We'll meet back at camp if we lose track of each other, not to worry. Though I'm sure you'll hear the cart down the path because I'm certainly not leaving till I've haggled for one!

[She wasn't about to take off running into the crowd, anyways. She could hear that anxious tone, and he needed the reassurance that things would be just fine.

There's the usual late morning bustling, the market alive with chatter, bartering and laughter. There were quite a few kinds of folk here - many resembling humans, not all that different from Peter if not shorter and more heavy-set on average, many towering folk with all shapes and sizes of tails to accompany their canine or vulpine faces, and a rare few folk that strongly resembled crocodiles or caimans that were roughly Peter's height. Very few cat-like folk were around, just like Maya said, so she had to sidestep a lot of apologetic people that, thankfully, noticed Peter at eye level first before catching sight of her.]

Ah hah!

[The careful crowd-weaving pays off! Off to the side of the hubbub is an enclosure with several massive, feathered creatures - even those not dinosaur savvy would recognize that these all looked somewhat like triceratops if they were all feathery, with massive feathery crests and different horns.]

Here we are! And there she is, is she sold yet?

["You're back awful quick, Maya," an old grey-muzzled, jackal-headed man chuckled, wiping his hands clean with a kerchief and glancing in amusement at Peter. "Couldn't resist comin' to pick up Acorn? She isn't sold yet, I saw that glint in your eye." Maya chuckled and got out the pouch, starting to count coins.]

Okay, I'm not that predictable, I'm here because of a change in my plans.

[Peter does smile some at that. She'll actually welcome him into her camp! Meeting up with her isn't just a pipe dream! And yet no, he isn't going to allow "meeting back at camp". He'd have carried her through the market if she hadn't lept down and even now he had to fight the feral urge to scoop her up again. She's so small and some of the creatures he's seen in the markets are so tall and fierce looking that he wouldn't rest leaving her here or just meeting up again.

Never mind he's as fierce looking as some of those crocodiles and caiman. He wears a particularly fierce expression once Maya starts weaving through the crowds, those catching sight of him first getting an eyeball full of his tightly dilated pupils and the dark expression he wears. He'd be good as pegged as some kind of bodyguard with how he follows close behind his smaller companion.

Once they get to the enclosure full of feathered creatures is when Peter's darker look fades off for the sheer intrigue of the creatures themselves. They look far more dinosaur than Chocobo and Peter tries to pick out which one must be "Acorn". Most of them seem fairly mellow to him, though he doesn't try interacting with any of them just yet.]

["Got a cart to go with it if you want to save yourself the trip."]

Aww, but that's your cart, you really don't have to give me any favors just because we're close, Vale. Here, the full price for Acorn.

[There are a few of the dinosaur-like creatures in the pen, though only one is fully vibrant and colorful - probably the male, if they follow more bird-like trends. He's got a strong harness keeping him away from anyone hopping the fence to see the females--

Yeah, like Maya's doing right now. She swings herself right over, ignoring the male's untrusting glare that oh so easily matched Peter's expressions. Though the male's horns were capped with wax, the females horns were just as long and not guarded at all, though it didn't seem to deter Maya from going to one of the females and stroking her feathery down.]

[Close. It's funny because the moment the male glares at Maya is when Peter is busy giving this Vale a glance over. He doesn't glare because he's followed Maya more than enough to understand her relationship with vendors here and there. She made contacts easily, became good friends with them and so on. It pacifies the urge to eyeball Vale real harshly to know she'd come to him when she was in heat rather than someone like Vale.

He only notes she's hopped the fence in the next moment and the worry flits across his face like a wave. He doesn't have to hop the fence so much as step over it some, approaching where Maya stands stroking the duller colored female.

His own hands are in his pockets but he can't help but relax. The animal seems quite friendly and is indulging in Maya's attention the way he would. Peter doesn't have it in him to dislike an animal, particularly one that likes his darling as well as he does.]

Seems like she's pretty taken with you already. [He grins, no sharp teeth but just a genuine smile.] I know the feeling.

Well, come here, give her a pat and let her get a whiff of you! Their eyes aren't very good, after all. If she likes you then she's perfect to bring along.

[Seems she's a mild-mannered beastie no matter what - after a moment for her nostrils to flare and a curious nibble on his pants from her beak, Acorn is perfectly content to let Peter pet her. He's got the right vibe, nonthreatening body language, all that.

Maya herself seems to be switching between inspecting her body for health and just dotingly petting her. The down is a little scraggly, but shiny and healthy looking, and her beak and horn all look unchipped and strong.]

She has such a cute temperament.

[Honestly putting Peter around an animal is the best thing Maya has done yet. While he isn't familiar with all the beasties in this world Peter's love of animals remains true. Once Acorn doesn't seem skittish of him he pats her just as Maya bid him to do and one can visibly see the tension that had lined his body moments before ebbing away.

He even smoothes down the parts of scraggly down and muses a little.]

I never have had a pet with feathers before.

[When Acorn takes a last nip of his pant leg Peter's expression warms into an honestly sweet smile.]

She just wants to be buddies. You'll have to tell me more about the kind of animal she is though, so I know what treats are good for her and how to groom her.

[Do other people groom their pack animals? Maybe, maybe not. Peter sure will though. Acorn will be treated ever bit as good as he treats Rat.]

They're grazing animals, which is quite nice since she'll be able to eat her fill anywhere up here whenever we stop to rest.

[There's a sharp whistle from the gate - it's Vale, who'd gone and grabbed a harness. He tosses it in the pen, and Maya hopped to catch it.]

Thanks, Vale! Anyway, I know it's best not to give them too many sweets, but I do love giving these sweethearts a pear or a handful of berries now and then.

[For as small as she is, Maya has no trouble hopping up onto Acorn's back with harness in hand, nor does Acorn seem at all bothered to be climbed on - probably the temperament that drew Maya's attention in the first place. Draping it and making sure not to roughly pin any of the feathers uncomfortably, Maya slid off as abruptly as she had hopped on, reaching underneath to pull the belts together.

"Don't get stomped on, Maya!" Vale called from the fence line in amusement. "Just 'cause it won't do nothin to ya."]

It's fine, this girl won't cause any trouble.

[Peter can barely keep up with all the hopping and jumping she's doing. One moment she's going for the harness, the next she's on the back of this creature and then she's off of it again. He's genuinely impressed with her speed given this is the first time he's had the chance to watch her up close. That and she'd never had a pack animal for as long as he'd been trailing her around.

When Vale makes a joke about not getting stomped on Peter can't help but pale.]

Uh, you sure you don't want me doing that?

Edited 2023-08-06 20:35 (UTC)

You stay there, my shadow.

[Tightening the belts and making sure no feathers were snagged or skin was pinched, Maya hopped back up and fastened the harness around Acorn's collarbone as well. The creature shifted a bit, but didn't seem to be distressed and didn't offer any resistance as Maya grasped the harness at her shoulder and started walking Acorn towards the gate where Vale had already opened it up - and brought out a cart.]

Vale! I already said I don't need your cart, I can afford another.

["That you can, but you're giddier than I've seen you in years. I've got all week to buy a replacement. This fellow your new traveling companion?"]

Mmhmm. I've taken a tincture.

[Whatever that phrase meant, specifically, it made Vale's brows raise in surprise. "Really, now! Will we be seeing him at the family reunion, then?"]

You sure will be.

[Peter comes close to arguing with her but it's not like she isn't already doing what she set out to do. He admits defeat this time as she starts walking Acorn towards the gate.

Vale waiting right there with a cart in tow rouses that hard, harsh anger back up again though. Sure the cart is nice but he's the one who's supposed to be taking care of her after all. She's his and that possessive part of him sure doesn't like others doing her favors.

Thank God he brings up the family reunion though. That stops Peter's displeasure in it's tracks and as quick as the anger in him built it's doused out like water poured on a campfire. One of her children? He looks older but he gets the whole 'immortal' thing. Considering all of the routes he's been through he's probably far older than he looks if you want to get technical.

He offers what he hopes is a friendly smile, the juxtaposition from being so mad to this being a little odd emotions wise.]

If she doesn't shoo me off before then anyhow.

[He says it in a light joking tone.]

["Honestly, if my love's grandmum doesn't drive you bonkers first - that's usually how it goes, eh, Maya?" Vale chuckled, elbowing her shoulder and getting a laugh and a swat to his arm from her.]

Yeah, yeah! Janni is coming this year, right? I haven't seen her grey hairs yet!

["She's excited to see you again, I'll tell her to expect a new aunt or uncle, too." Smiling, Maya took Peter's hand. "Your fella got a name?"]

If you don't make it, I'm glad you two got to meet. And no, not yet, he's yet to pick a name for himself. For now he's my shadow.

Edited (punctuation funni) 2023-08-06 21:21 (UTC)

[Peter manages to shrug a little as he adds:]

You can call me Shadow is that makes things easier.

[He huffs, giving a lopsided grin at the now non-threatening Vale.]

She sure likes it anyhow.

[It's amazing how easy going he turns the moment there's no threat and his darling has a hold of his hand. He's very much like a house cat that way.]

[Taking a hold of the other side of Acorn's harness, Vale joined Maya in hitching the harness to the cart.

"Pleased to meetcha, Shadow. You wait right there, I've got one one gift to send you two off with," he added, walking off again. Maya gave Acorn a doting pat before finding Peter's other hand.]

Just two more stops and we're finally off together. I hope you don't get too overwhelmed by traveling every day. It's really nice, I think.

[Peter is preoccupied momentarily watching Vale walk off. It's an odd feeling thinking of family as people that give gifts, not to mention doing nice things for one another but here he is silently marveling at it.

Maya taking his other hand draws his eyes immediately back to her. Then he huffs out a laugh, quirking a brow at her.]

Darling, I've been traveling as much as you have for months now.

[Just, you know, never with her.]

But you always have a bed to go back to. I know it can be hard transitioning away from that, for most people.

[She smiles, though... he'd probably been spending quite a few nights in the trees or bushes near her camp, not really sleeping. Brushing her hands up and down his shirt, dusting it off...]

I hope sharing my tent will be comfortable in the same way.

[He gazes down as she dusts him off and can't help but be caught by it. It's such a little gesture but it's a nice little gesture. Give him a moment to bite his lower lip and restrain himself from reaching down to hug her.]

I'll always be comfortable with you no matter where it is.

[Then a slight little smile tugs at the corner of his lips.]

The place I was staying wasn't anywhere I was really attached to after all.

Maya Posting

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