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"I don't see why not." unless something absolutely stupid happened, Night Sky was not going to let this friendship lapse again.

She laughed and lifted her head up to try and pet the tressym. "He's cute. Never thought you would be a cat person." And then, to Elion, who could actually understand her: "Are you being a good boy for Gadriel?"

"I would like that." He has no intention of being stupid again (no promises, but the intent is there).

"He is exceptional." Obviously. "And he understands companionship." Like a true brother, Elion always wanted to be with him.

Elion for his part, wasn't used to talking to people, so if she got anything from his empty orange brain it was that he thought she was really pretty.

She would take the compliment. Night Sky laughed and scratched under Elion's chin. "Is he coming hunting with us?"

Like his dad, Elion is a fairly simple creature. And the chin scritch pulled a rumbling purr from him, as he squeezed his eyes shut.

"He could, but he should probably stay here and guard the camp." Someone has to keep all these pillows safe. And he didn't want Elion distracted by the dogs.

He's so cute. Night Sky could sit and pet him all day.

Alas. They had things to do. "Aww, okay. We'll be back with dinner soon, little guy. Then we can cuddle." She smiled up at Gadriel. "I'm ready when you are."

Elion would literally let himself be pet by her all day. Unlike Gadriel he's very open about enjoying things he wants.

"What?" Don't look at him like that, Elion. "She said she would come back." Ah yes, reason and logic and delayed gratification: things all cats understand.

Elion pouted, but went back to the door of the tent, trying to look as pitiful as possible, wrapping his tail over his feet.

Gadriel turned to Night Sky. "It will feel good to chase something." Kill too, but sometimes he just wants to hunt something.

"I promise I'll come back and pet you for as long as you want! And bring you back dinner. That sound good?" The purring like a motorboat suggested yes.

She laughed. "Yeah? I know you hate sorcery, but I feel like you would love to just run around as a wolf. Or a bear. You give big bear vibes."

Do not try to steal Elion from him, Night Sky. Gadriel will be sad.

"We will bring you something too big for you to bring down yourself." So, like...a treat.

"I can also just enjoy you running." The same way dog owners enjoy watching dogs race around. He doesn't really need more than that. It's just good to spend time with her again. "I know you know a good spot for this."

But what if she stole him and Satchel and they had a cat tea party in little bonnets?

"Yeah? If you wanted me to transform, you could just say so." So she would do that once she trotted ahead a few feet, shifting into her antlered lupine form. Of course she knew a good spot, too — a clearing not far away where deer tended to wander in an out would be a perfect place to hunt them down.

Elion would probably love it, that's what would happen.

"I...?" Ma'am he would not suggest such sorcery. But he's not going to complain as she changes shape in front of him. She was beautiful and recognizable in every form. "I will keep up." And of course, he's a weirdo, so he could, only without the lissome grace of a wolf, and more like the dead sprint of a transhuman science project.

Close enough. Night Sky hurried through the trees, keeping him on his toes when she zigzagged around a few thicker trunks. She only began to slow when they neared the clearing, crouching down low on all fours. A few doe were grazing not far off, ears swiveling to keep alert for any predators.

Terrifying news for them — these two were surprisingly quiet. She grinned, sharp teeth bared, and nodded her head to Gadriel. Ready?

He nodded back, his mouth curling in an almost unaccustomed smile. It felt good to work as a team with someone, good to run, full speed, and move. He loved Melinoë, but he could not share her sorcery and she could not share his with him.

As she ran, Gadriel darted out to one side to flank the does as they flicked their ears, catching some coming sound. He drew his knife but thought better of it. Much better to take it bare handed. After all Sky didn't have a weapon, either.

Night Sky took off after him, darting right once he picked his target to snatch up the one beside it. The remaining two doe in the field managed to hop off — but these two? Not a chance in hell. She pounced, teeth sinking into its neck, snapping it quick and efficiently before she tossed it to the ground, the body falling limp in the grass, blood staining the blades red.

She turned to see how Gadriel had fared with his.

He was not going to use his teeth--does he look like some savage Blood Angel?--but he did have a combat knife, which he used, fast and quick. Heretics and xenos should suffer. Innocent meat sources, though, should not. A skilled warrior can make it fast and...as painless as possible.

He looked genuinely happy as he looked over at Sky. It was good to be alongside a partner. "Do you want help butchering it?" Not that he thinks she's not capable, but he does have a knife which is a slightly better tool.

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