Shroud is as grave and still as the dead.
Her eyes fail to leave him in their cautious perusal for signs of acceptance or expectation. The shuttering of lid over eye in a slow blink or the sudden twitch of an ear might be all the warning she has before more pain is administered. She has learned quickly that pain is quite an effective tool and attention-getter. Perhaps that had been his mission all along and now, her face smooths out into an expectant look.
Shroud assumes the mantle of obedience, shuffling her wings to her sides so that the only noise from her on occasion is the rustle of feathers resettling.
He is swift though to boss her about with his heavy touch and hot breath. It tickles the sensitive spot behind her ear. Her initial reaction is to squirm but she thinks better of it and clamps her teeth together against the impulse to shake him away. He shoves at her again and she realizes his intent: the large conifer that will pass as shelter for what will be an interesting night.
She gives the conifer one look before settling next to it, mindful of her wings to keep them from snagging on the rough bark. Shroud is entirely too aware of him beside her even as his teeth run over her withers then he pulls her close. She assumes that mother must have done this too, only lacking the possessiveness that he has. Confusion is a shadow on a face already dark in color as his touch turns gentle on the spot previously bitten.
Shroud almost relaxes into
His side rather than holding herself stiffly there before her name leaves her lips in a blasphemous murmur - “Shroud.”
It is followed by a bold hurried question as her face turns up to him one more and her eyes - brown as mud - hold fast to his; “Why me?”
Because she is nothing special.
Just a girl that wandered too far from mommy.
@[Tunnel] gah sorry this took so long!