Silhouettes (Nako)

[Kitty]

Her first comment pulled a bit of crimson to his cheeks but he tried rather hard to not only bite back on showing it, but tried to tilt his head in a manner that, combined with his mud colored fur, would conceal it. At her second comment he merely nodded shyly and began to follow her once she moved away, at least they didn't pass to many people ... he'd gotten a bad case of the creeps earlier.

He was a bit unsure when they began to venture into the jungle and curled up his tail in a half loop of intrigue, but followed none the less. He cocked his head to the side, eying the hut's exterior and putting it into his memory before following her inside and looking around once more. Interesting wasn't exactly the most fitting word for her collection, but it didn't really unnerve him. He lived with a Corvie and a Torque ... he was well aware that some cards could have... eccentricities. His ears perked forward in interest at some of the skulls, but a little voice in the back of his mind prodded at him and told him to keep at least some of his guard up. He didn't wish to become another painted and decorated skull in her collection after all.

He nodded his head in the direction of the skulls before turning his gaze back to her, intrigue written plainly on his features.

Did you ... make these?

[Nako]

"Made them? Oh well I decorated them yes.. but technically, they made me." Her smile stayed level as she glanced over her shoulder at him. She had busied herself with something once she'd crossed the room, and was now poking the ashes in the hearth to life and bringing some water to a boil. At his expression, which anyone would assume could be.. confusion at her comment, she giggled.

"It be custom for a member of the family to keep the remains of our ancestors in the house with us. We.. exhume the bodies after a few years and take the skulls into our homes. It may seem odd to you; I'd understand that is the case, but it be our way of showing respect for the dead."

As she spoke, Zuberi picked up a packet of tea leaves and tossed it into the water. The smell of something pungently herbal soon pervaded the air. "You said you were on a quest when we were in town. What can you tell me of your plans?" Her eyes glinted with an almost childish curiosity, but she faltered, wincing at her bad manners. "D'ere I go, askin' questions and not considering ye comfort.. feel free to take a seat." The squirrel insisted, gesturing to the chairs by the table. They were a bit short for a biped but not too uncomfortably so; it seemed most of her house was a mismatch of things suited for both biped and quadruped, as if she merely took what she could get to fill her home with useful furnishings.

[Kitty]

They ... made her? That was, by far, the strangest thing he'd ever heard anyone say and he couldn't keep one of his brows from rising slowly as he mulled the thought over in his mind. Her giggle, however, pulled his attention her and one ear flopped down in a neutral position as the other perked up, why was she giggling? And that's when she started her explanation and he listened. His attention turned back to the skulls briefly about midway through before it returned to her.

It is ... different... but, I-It's not exactly.... um...

He didn't know how to finish that sentence and realized he'd been babbling in a direction that his mind wasn't following. His other ear flicked back and he gave her a a mildly apologetic yet terribly sheepish smile as a bit of color touched his cheeks and across his muzzle. He hoped he hadn't offended her in any sort of way.

The scent of whatever she was making, he couldn't see through her, after all, was interesting but he didn't ask about it. Instead he'd focus on the question she asked him as it was easier to answer things then ask them. Well, for him it was. He wasn't at all surprised that she wished to know about his quest, it'd be a little hard to explain though.

Ah .... t-that.

Her pause for 'bad manners' gave him a little extra time to think things over before he'd start talking, he didn't want to start babbling again. He curled his tail up and out of the way of his feet and headed over to the closest of the chairs and took the offer of a seat .... he'd been walking all day and it would be terribly nice to sit down. He was small, even in this form, so the design didn't really matter, he did give her a small smile of thanks once he was settled.

W-well... I t-think there's ..... something out there.... that I need to, well... find. But... I'm not... entirely sure what it is...

He was trying so very hard to lead a normal conversation, but it was difficult and the last bit was said in a rush and his ears drooped a bit at the sound of his own voice.

[[ Sorry if it's crap.... I'm on dial-up atm. Rofl, and I had to rush.. .n.n; ]]

[Nako]

Zuberi listened quietly as she worked, using a ladle to scoop and pour the liquid into two cups. There was nothing in the way of drugs in the brew, but merely pleasant jungle herbs with a hint of seaweed in the mix that smelled as if it held the very heart of Midori within the liquid.

"Something you need to find? Sounds important.." Zuberi crooned out the words like a patient mother as she brought the mugs to the table, grasping the handles firmly with well practiced paws and careful not to spill a drop. "Sounds exciting. Don't worry so much about not knowing what it is though. Methinks those things come to ye with time." Sitting herself in the seat across from him, she looked at him with giddy humor glinting in her eyes over the rim of her cup. "I'll be curious as to how much you change when you are done.. oh no, not physical. When a person changes on the inside, often one can see the difference even though they may not know what has changed."

[Kitty]

The scent of the tea was ... different to say the least and his little rat nose twitched as he picked the scent from the air. The jungle herbs didn't sway him at all against the brew but he picked up the subtle hint of seaweed and that was... curious to say the least. But she was being kind and offering it to him and he wasn't the type to turn away the kindness of others.

When the mug was offered to him he took it carefully and brought it up to his nose, taking in the scent again, blowing on it a bit and then took a tentative sip of her concoction. It was a bit to flavorful for his liking, but he showed no signs of such thoughts and simply watched her as she spoke. He was beginning to feel terribly self conscious, especially after he noted that giddy humor in her eyes.

You really... t-think I will? How?

A part of him was afraid to get an answer but the larger part was terribly curious. He hadn't changed since he'd been taken away from the capitol, smelling of lake water and roses then, actually he'd back tracked a bit. He was a homebody and hadn't left his home in Corvistowne much before and the only ones he could speak freely to, no hint of a stutter breaking his words, was his family. Everyone else was a potential danger and required a shy sort of caution which turned into him being terribly awkward in any social situation. Could he ever hope to change?

And most of all... what kind of change did she mean ... exactly?

[Nako]

To find a creature with a naivety that rivaled her own typical demeanor was a rare find indeed, and Zuberi's smile never wavered as she set her cup down.

"Oh, I haven't the foggiest of ideas about that." Zuberi answered quite honestly. She didn't want to play guessing games about a man's fate. She may be turning towards a more.... disturbing road, but she didn't want that to affect the morals she so firmly stood by. Of course, to not appear dismissive about his ordeal she gave pause, her expression thoughtful. "Change... is something constant, friend. It may very well be the experiences of your journey will mold you in ways you can't imagine.. but don't worry about that now.. Change happens whether you think about it or not."

And how right that was. Change was indeed the paradox that ruled Zuberi's life at the moment. So ardently had the stood beside change... advocated the embrace of new culture and new ideals.. but never had she anticipate the change within her. Self consciously, she rubbed her paws together, realizing she'd let a long silence draw out. However.. she rather realized she'd been doing a lot of talking lately, and merely smiled and sipped her drink to either allow the silence to go on, or for her guest to fill it.

[Kitty]

As she spoke his ears twitched and swiveled ever so slightly at certain natural pitch changes before returning to their casual position. He ran the curved edge of one violet claw along the edge of his mug, caressing it in a thoughtful manner as navy visionaries shifted their gaze to the table top.

Change happens whether you think about it or not.

Well, now that he did think about it he realized everyone in his adoptive family had indeed changed. Xylia had grown up into a lovely women inside and out and had moved on in her life, Cecilia, well... he wasn't going to think about that and even Isolde had changed noticeably. She had grown up as well, and set off to indulge her curiosities about life. Even Maxwell and Ophelia had changed to a small degree... but he hadn't really. Perhaps it was because it was so easy to just... sink into the shadows when you lived with a scientist and a mechanic?

He sighed softly and lifted his gaze back to perhaps meet hers with an expression that was a mixture of his natural shyness along with a bit of... sadness maybe? Or perhaps... something else?

I don't... think... I'll ever really ch-change...

And by the suits did he ever want to be different. At the very least he wants to be able to just... hold his head up high, maybe even give a genuine smile that went beyond the small ones he was capable of now. He'd spent the second half of his childhood around proud, outgoing cards and he'd always thought he'd paled quite a bit in comparison to them. Hell, he was lucky if anyone even remembered his name in a conversation.

He was nobody.... and he was sensitive about it.

He did, however, not wish for the mood to be killed so suddenly and forced a little smile back onto his muzzle as he peered at her, curiosity glinting in his dark eyes.

W-what so you... want to.... accomplish in ... life?

[Nako]

Zuberi's polite smile slowly turned into an expression that was more thoughtful at his self doubt. Strangely though, she was actually silent, not bringing forth any sort of encouragement or assurance. No, that would be something he'd have to find within himself.

She'd tried to mimic his own smile with her own, but it was quickly thrown off her face by his question. A year ago she'd have been able to tell him just what she wanted to do, but things.. well, for lack of a better way to put it.. they had changed. Unable to answer his question right off the bat, she took a distracted sip of her drink, using it as an excuse to not speak just yet.

"Well..." She tapped her claws on the cup, a touch of anxiety clashing terribly with the general cool demeanor she displayed. "Before.. I had thought I wanted to live in the Capital.. but circumstances demanded that I come back to Midori." She omitted the fact that it was a particular highlander that was forced to be bald for a month that suffered a bad concussion from her doing that would still -love- to have her head on a platter.

Still.. she hadn't really answered his question, and she bit her lip thoughtfully. "I suppose I'm still searching for that answer."

[Kitty]

The Capitol? He had to try very hard to keep himself from frowning or bristling his fur at the very thought of it. He'd spent roughly half his life there and it certainly hadn't treated him well. But .... to each their own, yes? His feather tipped tail curled around his own ankle in a somewhat comforting manner. The only good thing the Capitol had was that little 'oasis' with his wonderfully flawed wild roses.

Roses, how he missed them. That was one thing Corvistowne lacked.... well that and most anything natural really.

The smile, which had faulted momentarily, came back along with a distant look in his eyes as he thought about his little beauties and mused over how they were fairing. He spoke even as that distant little glaze lingered for a few words.

I've always.... been rather fond of.... flowers. Roses in ... particular. I want.... to work with them.

But except for the Palace of Hearts.... where did one acquire such a job? There was absolutely no way he'd ever be welcome on the grounds of that court.... no possible way. It was frustrating to say the least. And it was entirely because of his regions.... surely his kind wasn't welcome there, especially with a Jossigy Queen?

[Nako]

"Roses?" She sounded somewhat surprised, but in retrospect, she found herself not all too shocked. Zuberi's expression was fascinated yet incredulous as she propped her head up on a paw, grinning in wonder at such a thing. "You've a.. tender personality. Dealing with such delicate things suit you." Most men would probably take offense to such a comment, and the only reason Zuberi found it tactful to say such a thing was.. well, Tavor wasn't really like most men out there.

"Roses really are an interesting flower.. needing such care to grow.. and care to handle as well. We don't get many growing in these parts.. Roses don't always do well in tropical climates." Personally she didn't feel much at a loss; she much preferred the lotus and hyacinth flowers that flourished in her home region to the thorny temperate bushes... but she wasn't one to deny that they had great beauty.

"If it's what you truly wish to do... I'd certainly say you should pursue it. It's such a lovely idea." Zuberi said encouragingly. "If you'd like, I could show you some of the flora that grows in Midori. Some of them are bizarre by foreigner standards but if you've interest in botany then maybe you'd enjoy it."