Broken Buildings - Part 4

MrsEvelyn (Maiara)

"Greetings. I am sorry to have caused you such distress, I ran into Milani after she had quite literally ran into someone else. I took her exploring a bit, and I do apologize for not coming to tell you first." Her words were sweet, but she truly was sorry that she hadn't thought to turn back around and warn him. "I have been having a fun time with your niece. It's... it's been nice to forget about the storm clouds overhead." Maia said with a small tilt of her head. There had been so much panic and fear around, being reminded of the sweeter things was something she could never repay Milani for. The necklace was just a simple token of her gratitude.

JadeRavenWing (Milani&Viktor)

With an awkward clearing of his throat Viktor tilted his head curiously. "So... what brings you to Hearth?" Milani was staring up at him expectantly, and when he finally made an effort to converse the young pup's tail began to wag gently. He had long since learned that if he didn't at least try to interact politely that he would never hear the end of it. Truth be told, some part of him enjoyed the interaction with others, though he would never admit it, and he had yet to fully admit it to himself even. It made Milani happy though, and when she was happy the young pup was far more likely to behave. Besides, it was possible the female knew Hearth better than he, and she might know where to find that blasted fisherman he was supposed to contact.

MrsEvelyn (Maiara)

Maia couldn't help but frown at his words, her ears pulling back slightly as she too looked at the child. He was all on his own with her, and she certainly was a handful. It had been a lot of fun to be with her today, and honestly she wouldn't mind taking her from time to time. Laughing softly when the girl started to play shy again, she turned towards the darker coated man with that tender smile returning to her eyes. "If it's not too bold of an offer, I wouldn't mind taking Milani out every once in awhile. It would give you a little break, and I did enjoy her company today." Maiara said, her head falling to the side slightly as she moved to nuzzle the child and stand closer to Viktor. Her emerald eyes did not notice him grow stiff, he had returned to normal by the time her gaze found him again. Blinking at the gratitude in his vocals, the brown Felvarg took a moment to compose herself again before replying. "I couldn't just leave her there, it's hard to tell who walks the streets, even in a place like this." Maia had a tendency to be kind, but that didn't mean she was stupid. Too many times she had been burned by the 'goodness' of a strangers heart, and wouldn't stand for it any longer. It would have been far too easy for the child to get snatched up, still small enough that no one would look twice. Other direwolves would just think that she was being a stubborn whelp who didn't want to leave. Shaking her head to rid her thought, her heart beat faster in her chest as she saw the obvious emotions that the male had for the small Felvarg. It wasn't hard for that look to warm her heart, followed by the longing of wanting something like that.

She couldn't help but let out a little bit of a giggle at the awkward mannerisms of the male, something that did not go unnoticed by her. Maiara had no issues holding the conversation, it came easy enough to her that it was of little concern. But before she could ask him something, Viktor beat her to it by asking what she was doing her. The woman perked, she had actually forgotten all about that. "Oh, I was just strolling through really. I tend to avoid the towns, but today I felt a little more drawn into the crowd. When I found Milani, the rest was history." She giggled slightly, her whole face lighting up with mirth. "And what of you two? Do you plan to reside here?" It wasn't the worst of spots, she heard that the fishing dire's here were some of the best around. The scent of fresh catch was lingering around every bend. Her bright emerald eyes flicked between both Viktor and Miliani as she waited, folding her bottom half to take a seat.

JadeRavenWing (Milani&Viktor)

Viktor's ears pricked and his eyes widened in surprise at Maiara's offer. He had not expected anyone to look after Milani during one of her adventures, and so certainly was not expecting her to make such an offer. The idea of it hadn't even crossed his mind, and for a brief moment Viktor flattened his ears against his head, finding himself at a loss of words. "Well I... It would not entirely be unwanted but... Her wellbeing is my duty, I cannot possibly expect you to take on the responsibilities of caring for a pup that isn't even yours." But wasn't that exactly what Viktor had done? Awkwardly the male's gaze shifted to Milani, who was, currently, bouncing excitedly at the idea. "Oooh! That would be fun! Can she, can she pleaaaasseeeee Uncle VeeVee!?" Milani's tongue lolled out of her mouth in a happy grin as she stretched up to press her nose against Viktor's shoulder, completely oblivious to the way her usage of his nickname in front of Maiara made him flinch and grimace. When Milani fixed him with the largest eyes she could possibly muster Viktor had to roll his own eyes and sigh. Though the offer was tempting, Viktor knew it would not be plausible in the end. They would only be here for a few days. Once he found the old fisherman, and got the information he needed, they would be off again. His thoughts flickered back to the bag Freyja had bestowed upon him, which was tucked safely away in his pack in their tent. When Maiara spoke again Viktor found himself tilting his head in genuine curiosity, using her question to avoid answering Milani's excited bouncing for a few moments longer. "Hmmn, it seems current events are driving more and more into the villages. I usually only visit Hearth when I need to trade..." but desperate times called for exceptions in his usual routine. "I'm looking for someone, actually." His hopes that the female would know the town better than he died quickly, his tail drooping slightly at the realization that she likely did not. Perhaps... all was not lost though. He supposed that, since she had already returned Milani to him after a few hours of adventure, she was trustworthy enough to leave Milani with her for a few more hours. "An old fisherman. I've heard he lives here in Hearth, old, grizzled." Grumpy. Were Viktor a mind reader he'd have heard the phrase 'like you' pass through Milani's thoughts. "I doubt you'd know of him but..." His eyes flicked to Milani briefly before they returned to Maira's. For a brief moment he found himself reminded of his old mate and he stiffened, feeling as if he was staring right into the past. The feeling was brief though, and he was able to quickly shake it off. "Perhaps I should take you up on your offer. It would make searching for him far easier." Viktor turned his gaze down to Milani, a gentle smile sneaking onto his face. "Would you like that?"

Milani's eyes lit up when Viktor finally gave her an answer. Her tail began its famous routine of wriggling back and forth at a rapid pace and she dropped down into a play-bow, gazing up at Maiara with a pleased grin. "We should go to the beach then! I've never seen the ocean up close! Maybe we can find some fish to eat too! I'm starving!"