En route to the flight shed, Thursday evening

[solo_sword]

Today hadn't been bad so far, which was more than a little surprising, and Jaina decided she might as well capitalize on it by doing some training so she could feel more accomplished. After going for a quick run around the island- Myrkr had definitely showed her that keeping up stamina was a very good thing- she was happy to find the flight shed on her first try, figuring she could get some more time in there. Yes, again. Shush.

[Open, should you wanna catch her.]

Comments

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

After most of a day spent in thought and meditation, broken only by an hour or so to play with Evey and Trenor, Karal had asked Altra to help him find Jaina. The 'cat had agreed, albeit reluctantly, which was how Karal found himself interrupting her walk.

"Jaina?" he called, stopping where he was on the path. Altra curled his tail around his paws and played cat statue at Karal's feet.

[solo_sword]

Jaina recognized the voice and wondered whether he'd somehow been taking lessons from Jag when she stopped and turned around. She didn't say anything, but the fact that she was waiting was a good sign.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

He took it as such, and it was more than he'd expected. "Could you spare me a minute or two?" he asked. "I could walk with you, if you don't mind."

[solo_sword]

"If I'm going to get another lecture about how I'm two seconds from going evil, I'd really rather skip it," Jaina said honestly.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"No lecture, I give you my word." He actually looked rather abashed. "But I'll go if you want me to."

[solo_sword]

She really didn't know why she didn't just walk off and leave it at that, and yet. She sighed and nodded back towards the path. "Then come, if you're coming."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"Thank you," he said, quiet and sincere, and followed Altra to fall into step next to her.

[solo_sword]

Jaina waited a moment for him to start off with more of the same, no matter what he said, and finally asked, "So what's up?"

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

He folded his hands behind his back. "I want to say that I'm sorry."

[solo_sword]

Wow, someone who didn't start off expecting her to apologize. "Oh?"

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"I should not have spoken to you as I did. I believe in the substance of what I said, in the importance of it, but I should not have thrown it at you, like an attack," he said uncomfortably, quite glad that all he could see was the ground in front of Altra's feet. "And I'm truly sorry that I did."

[solo_sword]

Jaina paused, and decided she should just get this out of the way. "I'm no one's project," she said. "I did that for long enough. I'm not looking to be saved any more than I already have been, and that's just the way it is."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"I know you're not, and I would never think of you or anyone as a project. That's not why I spoke out." He bowed his head, thinking for a moment. How to explain. "I said what I said, however badly, and you promised to think on it. I can ask no more than that. At the same time, I can't stand by and see someone in pain and not try and help. I simply can't, any more than I could fly or cease to breath or, or see. And you are in pain, Jaina, even if you don't, or won't, see it."

Karal drew in a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "But I won't lecture you, I won't try and take you to task, and I won't accuse you. I will listen - just listen - if you ever want to talk, I will offer whatever support to you that I can, and I will give you whatever help you will accept."

[solo_sword]

"If you really want to help, don't assume you know what I feel, or what I should feel," she said flat-out. Even if it was true, there was nothing she wanted less than a reminder. "That right there needs to stop."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"It is stopped." His voice was very quiet. "I give you my word."

[solo_sword]

She was almost trying to come up with other conditions, but it occurred to her that if she did make any requests, he might actually agree to it. which didn't really help her. Mostly she wished he could care less. "Okay," she said, a little unsure as to what even she meant.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"Okay," he replied, unsure what either of them meant, but it had something of the feel of a promise, and it gave him hope. "I should let you continue to where you were going," he said after a moment of silence. "Unless you want company?"

[solo_sword]

"Won't have time for it," she said, which was the truth. "I'm running through some scenarios, I have to concenrate or I get shot down."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"Then I'll wish you good flying and a good evening," he said, slowing to a halt. "And," he hesitated, then added with a tentative smile, "the offer of tea is always open."

[solo_sword]

"Thanks," she said, nodding and only slowing a bit. "I'll see you later."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

I hope so. I really hope so. Karal lifted a hand in farewell before turning to follow Altra back to the cabins.