Silhouettes (Nako)

[Kitty]

Both of his ears perked up at the subtle hint of surprise in her voice, was it a bad thing? No, no.... it didn't seem that it was, if he took the following sentence the right way. It was still difficult to just another card's intentions by their words alone sometimes, pleasant tones could cover negative comments rather nicely when worded the right way. Of course he was already under the assumption that she wasn't this type of person.

He continued to listen with a curious form or intensity as she continued on with a little speech about roses. He of course had reasons to be specifically interested in the one variety or flora specifically, but really, flowers were pretty... and fragile and most of all.... they didn't judge. The subject was calming, and it helped give him just a touch more confidence.

When she offered to show him some of the local flowers, well, his features brightened considerably.

R-really? That would be.... wonderful.

The smile that he wore previously broadened just a touch and he relaxed his wings a bit, he no longer felt the need to hold them tightly against his body.

Is there... anything I can do for you.... while I'm here?

[Nako]

Zuberi had hoped that Tavor would be interested in her idea, and the obvious signals of his smile and relaxed body language were key indicators that she was aiming in the right direction with her ideas. Also, it was helpful that many of the things she could show him were away from the towns, which would probably make him much more comfortable in the long run. It was so strange, how his.. gentle nature made her want to protect him. Sadly, this would not be the case on most of his journey.. people with a Midori's level of hospitality were few and far between outside of the realm, and lately was rare even outside of the smaller towns regardless of who you were.

She was surprised once more when he offered his assistance. It was she that was supposed to be extending hospitality, yet here this tender soul was, not looking to merely laze about, but to make himself useful. Her smile turned into a somewhat mischievous grin."You really want to subject yourself to what my whims would have you do? You might want to be careful about what you extend to me because unlike some people, I take things at face value." But it seemed this wasn't a guy that was saying something as a gesture that he figured he'd not be called to act on, but instead it was rather genuine. Her grin stayed, and she leaned back in her chair as if to scrutinize him. "But if ye be serious about that offer, I actually might have a few things that would need the assistance of someone of your... height." True, the rat was short for a biped, but compared to Zuberi's animal form, he certainly had more reach than her.

[Kitty]

Being away from the town would help his comfort level considerably, crowds just... made him a little edgy and nervous. Strangers did as well but he did so much better when it was just one on one. He did enjoy the company f others they were just... difficult and unpredictable and that, that was a bit frightening.

He was mildly alarmed by her mischievous grin, good things didn't generally follow those sorts of looks, but it was an innocent gesture and he relaxed all over again. He went back to watching her, one ear perked up a bit more then the other.

No.. .no, really! I'll do.... just about anything.

His naivety would be apparent as he grinned at her as well, despite the fact that that statement could be taken in a number of ways. He simply wanted her to know that this was not an empty offer, he certainly didn't want to feel like a burden. In fact, he enjoyed doing odd jobs for those kind enough to extend him a bit of hospitality.

[Nako]

Now, Zuberi was not a particularly perverse creature by nature, but she couldn't help but have her mind wander in that direction if only because of the obvious naivety of the statement, and the corner of her mouth gave a bit of a wiggle as she restrained her expression to keep from giggling. It was a funny thought, but the thought of his heritage was a lingering one and soured it into something that was... instinctively revolting. Her perverseness and conflict was a short lived moment before she merely sighed with a smile.

"Well, I'll assure ye that your help will more than assure you a place to stay without further charge. I need more maintenance help than I do money as technically I can forage and barter for most things that I need." The simplicity of such a life.. gratified her more nowadays than when she was young. When she had first started out her adult life she'd been quite intent on acquiring wealth, but lately... those things had been mattering less and less.

Then, she sat up on all fours and jumped off her seat, flicking her tail absently as she pondered things before speaking. "Well, if we want to get something for dinner before dark, we should head out now. What sort of foods do you like, Tavor? I'll do my best to accommodate you. I'll warn you that fish, fruit and greens tend to be the staple around these parts though."

[Kitty]

Good... I like to... help.

The statement was a bit childish in nature but it was the truth. He'd been warned against offering or accepting offers to help others in Corvistowne, and for good reasons, but now that he was out and away... well, he just wanted to show that he wasn't a useless member of society. It was also somewhat relieving to not be thought of as an experiment or a pet of the famous geneticist that had ended up taking you in. Corvies could be rather... to the point.

But Zuberi was pleasant, and hadn't once called him any sort of negative name, and he was in a rather good mood because of it. That feather tipped tail of his curled up into a happy little 's' shape and he lifted a hand and chuckled softly into it. He knew she knew nothing of his background but really ... the day he becomes a picky eater.... well...

I'm not... picky. Whatever... suits you.

He tilted his head to the side a bit, flicking one ear forward again in curiosity.

Am I... going with you?

[Nako]

Zuberi paused mid-step, her ears flicking about her head for a moment of confusion before giggling. "Yes, m'friend. I figured you'd like to come along.. the task isn't near as strenuous as it sounds."

~~~~

"Ahh... here we are. This is by far the best of places to fish." Zuberi said with great satisfaction as she set her end of the canoe down on the shore, gesturing for Tavor to do the same. Before them was a great cove, a majority of the small area shaded by towering trees, lily style flowers grew near the shores and great vines draped down, many of them covered with exotic tropical blooms.

Her canoe was not large by any means, but it would do a sufficient job in carrying both of them in the water to catch their dinner. With a grin, she pushed their poles and bait to the side to make room for them both. Then, without further ado, she pushed the canoe into the water, using her webbed feet to swim it out into slightly deeper water.

"Okay then, jump in! I'll get us out a bit further.. come on now.. don't be afraid to get those toes wet!" She couldn't help but tease him a bit. If anything, he probably needed a bit of gentle banter just to get him -used- to it. Goodness help the poor soul if he didn't.

[Kitty]

His ears were tilted into slightly different directions as he concentrated on the task at hand, wouldn't do to get distracted and drop the canoe now would it? However, he wouldn't need to carry it to much further and, at her urging, he set his said down gently. With this done well, he could let his gaze wander.

And wasn't this place just so pretty? As dark eyes scanned the area slowly his ears both came forward with interest. And, of course, the flowers snagged most of his attention... he'd never seen tropical types of flora outside of books and they certainly were more lovely in person. He was slowly getting more excited for when the squirrel took him out to see the local flora, up close they just had to be even better!

He'd aloud his mind to wander and get entirely wrapped up in it's thoughts and when she called to him about getting his toes wet it made him jump, bristle slightly and the feathers on his tail fanned out as well. Well, now he just felt silly, he had no real reason to be frightened and he shot her an apologetic look as he moved forward quickly so he needn't stay in the water for long. It was fairly shallow but he unfurled his wings a bit and held them up, out and away from the water. He didn't want them getting wet... at all.

He was a bit apprehensive when it came to actually getting in the canoe.... but after a moment he was able to successfully climb in... and all without getting those over sized wings of his wet in the process! His tail, however, was a different story entirely and the feathers there were entirely soaked... especially since the tip of his tail was resting in the water.

[Nako]

Zuberi couldn't help but laugh at his antics, waving a paw apologetically as she held the canoe steady for his awkward boarding. It was... painfully obvious that he didn't spend much time in the water, much less a boat. "Why you came to a beach when you don't like water, I'll never understand!" She crowed, barely able to maintain a grip on the boat. "Oh Tavor, you'd done wonders for me! I haven't laughed this hard in so long.."

For the sake of keeping herself above water (she had conveniently left the boat at the edge of the shallows for his boarding and she herself was in the deeper end) she would have to sober up, using her powerful webbed feet to propel them further into the cove. When they were out far enough, she too brought herself up into the bow and wrung out her tail. Unlike the lowlander mix, her own fur was more suited to the water.

"Alright then.. This seems as good a place as any..." Picking up one of the poles, she was quick to attach a line and hook, baiting it with practiced ease. She'd only assumed that Tavor would need her help with such things. "Now, just toss your line into the water and wait for a bite."

Her own line would soon be tossed into the water, and she leaned back, grinning. "And now.. we wait." Rolling her head, she looked over at Tavor, regarding him for a moment before speaking. ""Not much for the water, are ye?"

[Kitty]

At the sound of her laughter his ears drooped ever so slightly and he turned a rather bright shade of red as well, and it traveled all the way up to those drooped ears as well. It had been quite awhile since he'd actually been laughed at, even if it wasn't in spite. He wanted to hide behind his wings just then, but he didn't want to move them to much... not around the water.

I... w-want to go... t-to... every region.

He was feeling a little uncomfortable now, and it was terribly obvious, but he was going to try and ignore the little nagging, negative voice in the back of his mind for the moment.

Instead he concentrated all his mental energy on watching what she was doing and storing the information away in his mind in case he'd ever need to use it again. So... just cast and wait for a bite? That sounded simple enough... he just might be able to do this without messing it up. And ear twitched at her question though and he once again took on a rather sheepish look.

Well... I... no. Feathers... don't mix well... with water.

[Nako]

Zuberi propped her head on her paw, smiling up at the taller biped. She'd noticed his obvious discomfort, but decided against making too much of a big deal of it just yet. Instead, she listened to what he had to say. Goodness at the stuttering! Would he ever get past that? For a moment she felt a bit guilty about baiting him so much. It was obvious that he just couldn't take it gracefully. When he mentioned feathers, she perked up. This would open up an avenue that she had wanted to talk to him about.

"Yes, I suppose they wouldn't.. not unless you were part waterfowl. My father is actually part seagull. Sometimes I regret not having inherited those wings. You can fly with those, yes?" Now, Zuberi seemed quite interested.. maybe even a bit wistful as she leaned in closer towards him. It was an innocent enough gesture, though it might not be construed that way.