Laedere

--- I laid beside you and pulled you close
And the two of us went up in smoke ---

She wanted a home, but it was as if no one would accept her and her ancient ways. For, she only assumed they were ancient by the way they treated her thoughts on it. Slowly, awkwardly, she forced her wings from her side - feeling a tinge of pain from how tightly she had wound them up against her bodice. Though, she still didn't know what to feel about it all.

He moved in closer, closer when she had feared he would leave with the information she had managed to spill from her lips. His breath exhaling on her inhale, forcing her to slow her breathing and her heaving sides. But her wings shook, feathers rippling in a manner that might even seem uncomfortable to those who did not know her regular habits to assist in cleaning them. It was a ritual, an attempt to calm herself when she knew she would need to fight. And, though she doubted she would fight now - that she even had the strength to fight anything now - it still served to help steel her nerves. Or… at least she hoped it would.

But, as she explains more of the situation he seems to buck up, head shooting up and away from her as she shudders back, head dropping low and ears flickering backwards. He offers a name and Laedere only shrugs. "Mineself not know of thee name of thine mare." she whispers, swallowing as her heart pounds uncomfortably in her chest. Ardere broke forth just as Einarr spoke her name, though, and flickered before him - giving weird clicking noises in the process. He snorted, saying Ardere was not a slave, that she was happy and then asked what Laedere said back.

She shudders, eyes trained on the ground - even as Ardere splashes water onto her, trying to get her to ease up. "Mineself inquired - asked, mine apologies - what 'sick fuck'… meant…" she whispered, voice cracking as her mind struggled. "Mineself assumes tis bad… She doth not offer response before shouting about enslavement… Mineself said I shan't ever do such a thing… that mineself twas only… trying? to care for Ardere as thine of God of Earth instructed…" Tears. Tears actually began to flow now, as he stretched his wings out to cover her. He had said that she would be safe beneath his wings but she felt so foreign in these lands, so undesired.  

His head pressed up against her shoulder and any strength she had left to fight the confusion broke. She leaned up against him, let him feel the trembling in her bones as she allowed more words to fall. "She spoke of chaining… to mine soul… That mineself would… force Ardere into battles… battles with no good outcome…" She swallows, eyes forced shut. Ardere finally emerges completely from the water, deciding that it was more important to be beside her rather than playing. And, then, curls up against Einarr and Laedere, trying to click comfort and send comforting images to Laedere. "Ye don't possess one…" she whispers, choking on the words, "She hath no animal either…" Every inch of her feels like it's on fire, like it doesn't fit anymore. "Perhaps mineself twas never meant to fit in… but mineself hath no where else to go. Mineself doth not fly… mineself hath tis animal that mineself tis 'pparently forcing to stay with mineself. Aye. Tis doomed to be thine abomination of thine Throat…"

Would he understand those last words? She didn't know how else to phrase it. She didn't know what to do…