[D2 A] Who Do You Belong To?

[Ferris Cafferen]

He observed her doing so

''Have you traveled far then?''

[Kaliya Redding]

"Aye," she confirms, returning her attentions to the huntsman, "though not nearrly as farr as I should like to. I hail from a little town on the coast of the Summerr Sea. If you werre to go due south frrom herre until you hit the ocean, you would be close to the place I was borrn."

[Ferris Cafferen]

He listens quietly as she speak, trying to picture the distance

''That is further then most would ever travel in a single lifetime...what location would you wish to visit?''

[Kaliya Redding]

"Morre than anything," she said earnestly, "I wish to look on the Summerr Sea again. But I am told the Vale is beautiful, and I think I should like to see it forr myself."

[Ferris Cafferen]

''I was told once that the mountain roads offer a breathtaking view.''

He looks up at the forest

''I have been wondering about traveling outside the Stormlands myself''

[Kaliya Redding]

"Then you have made the firrst step," she replies good-naturedly. "Might we stop a moment? I fearr I need to strretch, I am not so accustomed to rriding sidesaddle."

[Ferris Cafferen]

''Certainly'' he brought Lily to a stop and offered a hand to help Kaliya descend

''You are used to ride differently then?''

[Kaliya Redding]

She accepts the hand gracefully and drops down lightly. Almost stumbling, her toes numb from the awkward posture of sidesaddle, Kaliya finds herself bracing against the huntsman. She neither apologises, nor withdraws, meeting his eyes. "I have always simply rridden, unforrtunately this skirrt will not perrmit for such things."

[Ferris Cafferen]

For a moment he had been worried but now he was visibly surprised and blushing. Taken aback, he blinks several times before he gets enough blood back in his brain to formulate a reply

''Ah...are you allright lady Kaliya?''

He briefly looked over the skirt and could not help but consider that removing it would be a pleasant way to solve the problem but he was certainly not crass enough to bring it up.

[Kaliya Redding]

A cat-like smile creeps across her lips, "quite, thank you. I am most forrtunate you werre herre."

[Ferris Cafferen]

And soon another was there as well. Probably excited by the commotion, little intrepid Dusty surged from under Ferris's cape to give a few dog kisses on Kaliya's cheeks

[Kaliya Redding]

Laughing, Kaliya fended off the pup's advances, wrapping her arms about the creature and scruffing him behind the ears, "someone's a jealous little thing."

[Ferris Cafferen]

Wagging his tail, the pup seemed quite happy despite not understanding anything. Its master simply grinned wide

''I don't know if it is jealousy or unconditionnal love''

[Kaliya Redding]

Kaliya happily nuzzled Dusty, petting the pups fur, "perrhaps he has has the instincts of a hunting dog afterr all. I cerrtainly did not hearr him apprroaching until it was too late."

[Ferris Cafferen]

Ferris watched the situation unfurling in good humor

''A rare happenstance in itself, he certainly took quite a liking to you Lady Kaliya.''

[Kaliya Redding]

"And who could blame him?" she cooed over the rambunctious pup, unperturbed by the sequence of events. Kaliya looked up and stretched languidly in the dappled sunlight, letting her glossy hair brush against her back, feeling quite cheerful.

[Ferris Cafferen]

"I do wonder" he replied with a half smile

More then then that, he also had to wonder if her graceful motions were natural or deliberate. Not that he minded either way: that a woman like her would spend time with him was something quite rare and pleasant.

Still, he had to assume that she knew well enough what she was doing.

[Kaliya Redding]

With a smile, "I am most glad that I encounterred Dusty today, this has been so lovely. I rreally must thank you both. And Lily, too, who has been most generrous and patient. Would you find it terribly botherrsome if I should like to see you again?"

[Ferris Cafferen]

The smile was returned ''We are glad to have met you as well this afternoon. I am sure all us would be pleased to have you with us again''

[Kaliya Redding]

"If you prromise not to laugh, perrhaps you can teach me a little something about shooting a bow? I have neverr held one, but it is a fascinating thing to me."

[Ferris Cafferen]

He kept his smile but narrowed his eyes, seemingly focusing on some thougth.

''If this is your wish I am sure we can come to an arrangement.''

[Kaliya Redding]

With a tendency towards astuteness, she raised an eyebrow at his expression. Then, smiling slyly, Kaliya looked the huntsman up and down and closed the distance between them, purring, "orr perrhaps you werre hoping forr a bout of sparring?"

[Ferris Cafferen]

He raised an eyebrow

Ah!

''Are you a swordswoman as well? You seem to have many talents Lady Kaliya''

[Kaliya Redding]

"Perrhaps you shall have to test me and find out for yourrself?" Kaliya placed both palms on Ferris' chest.

[Ferris Cafferen]

''Perhaps. Challenge does bring the best us us, no?''

He raised his free hand and grasped one of hers

''Do you hunt? You do seem like one who could enjoy it.''