Forest Nocturne (Research - Blake, Leon)

[Bailey Oleander]

"I see," she murmured, slowly pulling her hands away from the panther.

"Well then, Auroth Lin, let's see how you do now." She'd used two of the longest shafts as a form of splint for the leg until the bone fused together. She had healed Krane's arm, but blood vessels and flesh were quicker to mend than bone.

[Zack Asiv]

Auroth tentatively pushes itself into an upward position, checking the leg before putting much pressure on it. After which it would turn towards Bailey, leveling its eyes with hers before closing them, and lowering its head almost to the ground where it would wait.

[Blake Oleander]

Blake would stand where he was, waiting.

[Bailey Oleander]

Bailey remained as she was as the panther tested its weight and limits, not wanting to move when it wasn't able to see her or feeling vulnerable as it tried more weight on the leg. She blinked when the qi beast closed its eyes and lowered its head to the ground, waiting.

She shifted her weight forward on to her knees as she lay a hand on teh top of its head, mindful not to respect not actually touching its face even with the low bow.

"You're welcome." She removed her hand and rose to her feet, looking from the braced leg to Blake, then back to Auroth.

"That leg's still going to need a bit of time to heal before the splint comes off. What do you think about someone joining us on our way back?"

[Zack Asiv]

You now have control of Auroth

[Blake Oleander]

"Acceptable."

[Bailey Oleander]

"Good." Bailey smiled when it held. She nodded, stepping back from Auroth to stand beside Blake, fingers lacing with his as the beast eyed him, chuffing and taking a step forward to test the leg in question. The panther's gaze was almost calculating, but it took another step towards them, the wariness no longer overly apparent.

[Blake Oleander]

Blake continued to wait in silence, careful to not stare down the beast. No point setting it off.

[Bailey Oleander]

Having it around the other qi beasts may be a problem; they would have to see how the transition was when they got there, even if it was just for the leg to heal. She stood beside Blake, waiting to see what the beast would do, knowing that it would end quickly if it did attack.

After a moment, it let out a low huff and stood beside Bailey, on the side that Blake wasn't on.

"...I think we're good now," she murmured, mostly to break the tension she felt waiting.

[Blake Oleander]

"It seems to like you."

[Bailey Oleander]

"Apparently so." She gave his hand a gentle squeeze. At least it wasn't hostile anymore. She looked at Auroth, then back to Blake with smile.

"Shall we?"

[Blake Oleander]

He leaned in to kiss her.

"Sure."

[Bailey Oleander]

She happily returned the kiss, her free hand holding him close with Auroth making a sound that sounded like the feline version of "oh please." She chuckled as Blake pulled away.

It was time to head home.

[Blake Oleander]

He chuckled and lead the way!

[Bailey Oleander]

"You've got me wondering what kind of surprise we're going to have next time we go for a walk," she teased, still in good humor.

Once back home, she would see about setting up a place for Auroth to rest in peace while it healed! It wasn't a bad setup, vaguely earning the panther's acceptance before the end.

/end?