10-30-2016, 01:30 AM
Ruan
He studied her silently. Waiting. That flash in her eyes told him she'd understood either the word or the tone, and she hesitated. She knew what he asked of her. She considered her move carefully, debating if she'd come out in the open or stay in her little den of cover. He held still and let her work it out for herself.
After a few moments, she came to a decision, and carefully crept from her thicket. As soon as her full body was clear she tensed, ready to flee if she spooked. Seeing her come out though, taking that brave step, made him feel oddly proud of her.
He already knew he couldn't leave her to fend for herself, not after seeing her, but if he tried to take her now she'd be a flight risk. He couldn't chance something frightening her and sending her off into unfamiliar parts of the forest halfway home. He'd have to earn her trust, faith that he'd keep her safe as they passed through strange places. Loud, busy places. Quiet, empty places. And eventually home, another strange place with more strange faces.
He released her from the weight of his gaze, turning to the side in a show of peace. Body language would probably always be her first language. Slowly, he lowered himself to the ground to appear smaller, all the while speaking calmly to her. "You are a brave little one. I've seen it already." What he said didn't matter, he wasn't imparting some great knowledge. He only wanted her to know his voice, learn to have confidence in it.
"I know of a forest not too unlike this one. You might like it if you choose to come with me. I wouldn't force you to, of course. But I'm not about to leave you alone here. I would stay too." And he would. Reagan would know where he was if she tried to seek him out. She'd probably know he'd have a reason for not returning home.
It felt odd to talk so much. He normally wasn't so chatty, but it had its purpose. His eyes scanned the forest before him as he continued, never falling directly on her again. "You could have a family if you want. You could share mine." He was too large to look vulnerable, but he did his best to show his own trust for her; trust that she'd stay and overcome any reservations she might have in depending on someone else.
He fell quiet and waited. He wouldn't push her, she might spook. She'd have to come to him when she was ready.
After a few moments, she came to a decision, and carefully crept from her thicket. As soon as her full body was clear she tensed, ready to flee if she spooked. Seeing her come out though, taking that brave step, made him feel oddly proud of her.
He already knew he couldn't leave her to fend for herself, not after seeing her, but if he tried to take her now she'd be a flight risk. He couldn't chance something frightening her and sending her off into unfamiliar parts of the forest halfway home. He'd have to earn her trust, faith that he'd keep her safe as they passed through strange places. Loud, busy places. Quiet, empty places. And eventually home, another strange place with more strange faces.
He released her from the weight of his gaze, turning to the side in a show of peace. Body language would probably always be her first language. Slowly, he lowered himself to the ground to appear smaller, all the while speaking calmly to her. "You are a brave little one. I've seen it already." What he said didn't matter, he wasn't imparting some great knowledge. He only wanted her to know his voice, learn to have confidence in it.
"I know of a forest not too unlike this one. You might like it if you choose to come with me. I wouldn't force you to, of course. But I'm not about to leave you alone here. I would stay too." And he would. Reagan would know where he was if she tried to seek him out. She'd probably know he'd have a reason for not returning home.
It felt odd to talk so much. He normally wasn't so chatty, but it had its purpose. His eyes scanned the forest before him as he continued, never falling directly on her again. "You could have a family if you want. You could share mine." He was too large to look vulnerable, but he did his best to show his own trust for her; trust that she'd stay and overcome any reservations she might have in depending on someone else.
He fell quiet and waited. He wouldn't push her, she might spook. She'd have to come to him when she was ready.
