Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2012 19:25:54 GMT -5
That was the beauty of the mind. Raw honesty, more often than not, did more harm than good. So difficult was it to be honest and believed. Lies had been invented to cushion the blow. Lies calmed the mind and eased the spirit, their greatest damage done to the one who'd dare to spin tale tales and nontruths. Honesty, on he other hand, affected the listener. It caused doubt and disbelief, questioning and shock. And, most importantly, it unwittingly caused others to let their guard down.
Not that Hadrian had been trying to disarm the young female in any way. Quite the opposite, really. His left ear flicked uncomfortably in the silence, wondering what was going through her mind. He had only meant that her need to be alert was well founded. The difference was in perceived threat. Whereas she was potentially frightened of him, it was the land that set Hadrian on edge. Though naturally a light sleeper, he was still disadvantaged. The injury had never set well with him and, though he had learned to live with it, he did not like the lack of hearing.
At least she seemed more open to the idea of learning. A soft smile graced his maw as he followed her, head nodding slightly when she glanced at him. It was a deal then. And she seemed to be in agreement about the cave as well. "It seems great minds think alike." Words mumbled around the plants in his jaws, he paused to let Vega settle in first. Then, checking behind him to make sure the area was clear, he followed her in. The herbs he deposited in a small nook for safe keeping. Then he turned about twice in a tight circle before settling in to lay down. Carefully positioned so that his better ear was facing the outside world, Hadrian settled his chin on his front paws and peered at Vega, alert but comfortable.
For a few brief moments he considered her question, mapping out his days mentally. When finally he spoke, it was not without much consideration. "I'm afraid I must return home by morning. If you would like, you could join me. Or we could meet again in the free lands sometime soon. To the east of here are mountains, the Kinath. If you howl for me there, I'll come find you." It seemed like the best response he could give. Unless Vega wanted to join him within the borders of Amar, it would be easier for her to come to him. She was the one who still held the freedom of a loner, after all. And it would mean she was at liberty to learn as she pleased rather than being pigeonholed into something she found unpleasant.