Childish Games <Shai City, North Pole>

[desna]

As ready as she was to put her socks and boot back on it seemed Hebirei wasn't finished with his work It felt fine, why wasn't it good enough? Why was it that of all the things she could have hurt she had to injure her legs, the things she needed the most. It was almost depressing how misfortunate this was. She blamed the snowman and Aden for cheating during the game but honestly she wouldn't hold it to him for more than a couple jabs when she needed some ammunition. Desna pouted when Hebirei chided her. She set her foot down and allowed him to get back to work. For a while she watched him working wondering what it was exactly he was doing but she knew he wasn't just free-balling it. The mention of staying off the foot though, she wouldn't be able to keep that promise.

A weak smile was forced on her face and she laughed cautiously. " Yeah... stay off of it, got it." It seemed like she wouldn't be coming back into Shai for a while. That was annoying in and of it's self but it wasn't something she hadn't managed before, it would just mean coming in during the weekends instead of staying home to make up the difference. Wasn't much she could do so she sulked a bit eating her soup. It was warm and managed to take of the edge of the chill she'd gotten while playing in the snow.

With only broth in the bottom of the bowl Desna put her lips to the edge of the bowl and tilted it back drinking down the warm soup stock before setting it back down on the stool Aden so kindly bended for her. Aden left leaving Desna watching Hebirei work curiously, having been told to sit still a couple times she merely took in the room looking at the furs and wall hangings, peeking towards the kitchen and waiting for Aden to show back up. To pass the time she hummed to herself but Hebirei's healing seemed to be drawing close to an end. Something she was very thankful for. " Thanks so much, your a life saver." This time she smiled brightly hoping he wouldn't bring up the avoiding putting weight on the ankle thing.

[Nanuk]

Hebirei put the finishing touches on Desna's ankle, it was as good as it was going to get under his care. Perhaps a more skilled healer would be able to reduce the down-time, but it was the best he could do. He wiped his brow with the back of his hand, and then returned the water that he had used to his pouch on his back. Just as he snapped the cover shut on the pouch, he remembered the small block of ice that he had saved in case he would need it. It appeared he wouldn't, so he bent it back into water, and kept it in one hand while he turned back to Desna.

He could tell she was lying about keeping off of it, he could tell, for he had seen it before from countless other patients that wouldn't listen to what was best for them. So, he would merely reiterate the fact, just to make sure she knew the importance of it. If she put too much strain on the newly-repaired chi paths, they were liable to get screwed up again, and the entire thing would happen all over again. It seemed this was his time to go, his work was done, so he walked over to the small leather flap, opened it up, and just before leaving, turned back and said, "Just remember to stay off the ankle, and thank you Aden for letting me use your home."

With that, he dissappeared through the flap, and found himself wandering the streets until he saw his home. Silently, he entered his home, fell down on his bed, and slept.

Hebirei has left the thread.

[aden]

Aden lingered, standing around as Hebirei added his final healing touches to Desna's ankle and gave her some advice to heal faster. Eventually the other boy stood up and took his leave, to which Aden uttered a quick Thank you and Farewell. He saw Hebirei to the door and then secured the doorflap after his exit, and then exhaled a sigh as he turned back toward the center of the room.

Now Desna was the only one left, but despite her ammended leg, he figured it would be rude to toss her back onto the street immediately. "So..." he started to say as he walked over to the couch and scooped up the empty bowl, "How does your ankle feel now?" While he waited for a reply he also lifted up the ice pedastal and melted it back into water. Then he guided it back over to the section of floor he'd gotten it from and smoothed it over nicely.

[desna]

Desna sat up once Hebirei left and she tugged her sock back on then placed her pant leg over top and then tugged her boot back on without thinking really. Her leg felt fine, a little weak but okay. She just hoped that it didn't give out before she got back home. It would be problematic. Once she was out on the shelf in her home it would be okay. She ran her fingers over the ankle through the boot, it felt normalish. Hebirei did a pretty good job.

She turned a smile on Aden and tilted her head to the side casually. "It feels great." She chimed in using one of her best sing-song voices.Carefully she rolled to her feet and leaning on her other foot she tested out her ankle. Seeing as it didn't hurt or give out beneath her weight she was content with the job. Her attention returned back to Aden and she beamed. "good as new, no thanks to troublesome snowmen." She had to get another jab in at him of course. It just wouldn't be her if she didn't.

[aden]

Aden had started over toward the kitchen area of his home and found his mother cleaning out the interior of the soup pot, a hefty iron container that was used for all manner of cooking. While Desna was putting her sock and shoe back on, he placed the empty bowl along the raised counter where they piled their dishes and started back into the den.

"Did the other boy leave?" his mother asked him curiously, and after recieving a nod he added, "Ah well. I would have liked to say good-bye." Aden shrugged and then casually strolled back into the den, where Desna seemed to be testing out Hebirei's work.

"What can I say..." Aden said with a helpless shrug after Desna brought up their snowball fight, "Those snowmen keep you on your toes." He managed a smirk at that as well, and for a moment he thought to himself before deciding that he should at least offer some continued hospitality before pushing her right out the door. "And if you'd like..."

"Don't tell me you're leaving already, Desna?" his mother's voice interrupted him. Aden turned around to see her enter the room with Tuli at her heels, a piece of some leftover from the soup protruding from the side of his mouth. The older women looked at their guest and then at her son. "Aden, shame on you for kicking her out when she was just carried in a few minutes ago."

"But mom, I was just going to-" Aden attempted to inform her, but she had already turned her focus back toward Desna.

"Of course you're welcome to stay as long as you need to recover, or as long as you'd like... Whichever comes last." Aden's mother smiled warmly at Desna and then cast a look Aden's way; the sort of look that only a mother can give and that could give precise orders and promise stern punishments within the blink of an eye.

Aden could only do his best to contain a groan of annoyance and embarassment.

[desna]

A playful smirk befell her features, it was a rare treat to see the tight laced grumpy guppy smile. Her body leaned towards him subtly, no one might notice it at all, she certainly didn't.Her eye brows arched and she placed her hands behind her back for some reason finding herself coy. " like...?" She repeated hoping for him to continue but his mother seemed to burst in on the scene confusing her and flitting about like a bird.

Her mouth went to open and protest but it seemed Aden was more than willing to take over those reigns. The poor boy being chided by his mother, it was a perk she seemed to have over her companions, no one told her what to do or tried to make her behave. She was able to choose for herself if she was acting in an orderly fashion or not. Surely any parent in their right mind would try to shake out her rebellious nature and playfull ways.

Still to those who didn't have the luxury she did feel for them. Aden was left to feel awkward as his mother assured that Desna could stay. Yet her hands went over her mouth as she couldn't hold back a bit of a giggle. " Thank you, the soup was delicious and the service was great." The last bit was in jest, who could complain when there were two boys waiting on you, hand and foot, the second more literal.

When did the shift happen that she would be willingly shoved off at the first chance to where Aden was willing to keep her around. A couple more weeks and he might be begging her to stay. The day that happened would be the day she wrestled up her grandmothers recipe for stink squash casserole and ate a whole serving of it.

Thankfully it wouldn't come, at least she didn't think it would. " but honestly I'm going to need to head back home soon." It wasn't as if she wouldn't take the woman up on the offer, just not today. She shrugged a bit, it wasn't anything she could stop or change, hanging around with Aden wouldn't make the walk any shorter. " Since my leg is feeling pretty good right now I should get moving, Rather have it go wonky on me at home then on the ice fields."

Desna added a signature smile to the phraseing to let them know she was kidding, for the most part. If it got too bad she'd sit on the sled and rest for a while.

[aden]

"Thank you," Aden's mother replied to Desna's compliment on the soup, "And you're very welcome. Have a safe trip back." She then glided across the furs o briefly embrace Desna before retreating from sight. On her way out of the den, though, she caught her son's eye and gave the slightest gesture toward Desna with her eyes.

Aden regarded her with a twitch of a raised eyebrow, but then turned his attention back to their guest. Honestly, was his ability to socialize so lacking that his mother felt the need to guide him through every subtle nuance with baby steps? It was truly embarassing, and even though he was planning to keep to the manners he was taught, part of him felt like just leaving it at a simple 'farewell' just because his mother commanded otherwise.

But, after entertaining that thought for just a moment, the young warrior suppressed it in favor of proper manners. He hated being babied, but it was not something worth acting rudely over.

"Okay then," he said at length, and after a cursory glance around the couch he confirmed out loud, "Got everything you came with...." Aden then straightened up and took a few steps towards the door, grasping the edge of the doorflap. "Well, it's been fun... Would you mind if I accompanied you up to the Wall?"

Aden managed to keep his face very straight as he threw out that offer, almost as if he'd rehearsed it beforehand. Quite the contrary, though, considering he had surprised himself by thinking of seeing Desna all the way to the Wall instead of just down the street.

[desna]

" Good bye, I'm sure I'll see you again soon." Desna embraced the woman warmly, she was very nice regardless of the leash she kept her son on regarding guests in their home. It was more entertaining than anything to her. She left leaving Aden and Desna alone once again. The poor kid, being told what to do like a toddler, why he was being lead about was beyond her but perhaps she'd ask, later of course. Out of hearing range.

" Yep" Desna chimed in when Aden asked about her things, she didn't really bring much in the house aside from herself and her clothes which were back in place. She wandered towards the door that Aden so politely held open for her. Even though she felt her leg was better she favored it encase it would take anymore damage. Desna paused in the door way noting that Aden wasn't finished with his farewells.

Her eyes narrowed at him suspiciously but she figured it had something to do with his mother prattling on him. She shrugged once more and smiled a bit at him walking outside and down to where Pikatti was anxiously waiting for her. " Up to you." She called back to him but it was implied that he could walk with her. A social butterfly like herself wouldn't cast aside the chance to talk.

Desna stroked Pikatti and checked the sled waiting on Aden to come after her. The dog's little stubby tail wagged, happy to see that his master was standing on her own, he had been worried and being left to wait outside wasn't too helpful to the situation but with the girl back and better all ills had been amended without question. Glancing over her shoulder Desna looked at Aden with a playful smirk. " Are you comming or what? I'm supposed to be the gimp here."

[aden]

Desna's reaction was mild enough, and Aden felt a bit of relief wash over him. The last thing he wanted was that awkward feeling lingering between them if she thought he was trying to impress her or something. Her nonchalant and kidding tone made it much easier for him to see her to the edge of the city without considering it anything too special.

"All right," Aden said after Desna beckoned him to hurry up. He started to step through the doorway, but Tuli mewed from between his feet and gave him pause. The little kitten seemed to be curious about what was going on outside and had his forepaws braced against the threshhold. "No-no," Aden told the baby sabertooth, and he used his foot to scoop Tuli under his belly and lift him back into the house. "Stay here... Mom, I'll be back shortly." He called the last part out so his mother could here and then stepped out into the street, closing the flap behind him.

Desna had already begun making her way down the street and Aden walked swiftly to catch up. "Some gimp you are, then," he quipped back at her. "Try adding some agony to your step."

[desna]

When She saw Aden was coming she was more than happy to get moving down the road, Pikatti plodded along side her with the sleep gently scrapping along the ground. Aden was close behind her, ever quick with a little quip to toss back as her. Desna rolled her eyes at Aden flashing him a bright smile " I'd humor you but my acting may hurt my ankle more than trekking across the ice."

The walk wasn't a long on but she was in no hurry, a couple minutes, maybe ten at most before they reached the lift to the shelf, she imagined that would be where they said their good byes, she couldn't see Aden going any futher than he had to. Het lips pursed as she thought about how exactly to put what she had in mind but she'd figure something out. Her head turned toward Aden as she allowed him to catch up. " I guess you don't have many friends over, it looked like it broke your mothers heart to see me go." She didn't exactly know much about Aden, she could prod around for a while but it wouldn't do much.

Honestly before he came back from war or whatever she couldn't say she'd ever seen him around. For someone like her it was odd, even if she didn't know names it was easy enough for her to recognize faces.

[aden]

Aden caught up with Desna in short order and settled into step alongside her with a respectable distance between them. "Oh, that's just because she just wuvs you so much..." he replied with a heavy emphasis on the 'wuv' while he clapped his hands together in front of him. He tossed Desna a smirk and then lowered his hands back to his sides, trying not too sound too sarcastic.

"But no, I don't usually have visitors my age over," he continued after a moment or two. Aden ran a hand through his hair, dragging his nails lightly across his scalp and then hooking that hand over the right side of his neck on the way down. "For the last few years it's been nothing but the training grounds, day in and day out. No slumber parties for me..."

Aden smiled slightly at Desna then, sort of hoping the humor at the end would prompt her to keep the conversation light. He could already feel his mind slipping back into memories he was none too fond of, and he didn't feel like bringing that level of seriousness to their exchange.

[desna]

" That would explain why I've never seen you around before." She started looking off and pondering it, honestly she hardly stopped by the training grounds, the people there were so dull and couldn't take a joke, she'd tried to get people like that to lighten up but it was honestly like they have a vendetta on the world and she didn't generally associate with that sort of machovist. What was Aden doing there? One day she'd have to have a serious heart to heart with the boy, he was still water and she wanted to find out just how deep it runs.

" I mean I'm a rage at all of the slumber parties." Desna smiled and stretched a bit, remembering that she shouldn't be prancing about and acting a fool so she just stretched her arms out glamorously. " Everyone loves me, no one can resist my charms you know." Tossing a wink to Aden she began to giggle, so far she'd made a lot of friends, lost a lot of them too.

No one really knew what was in store for you down the road and it was hard to say if what was coming next was good or bad. The smile wore off her face a bit. How long would Aden stick around, maybe she'd get bored and peter off into the distance, she just couldn't tell for sure with these sorts of things, but she'd only managed to wade into him so far. Before they parted she'd want to dive and see if there was a current under his guise. Maybe even a sunken ship... or sea monkeys.

[aden]

"Oh, I bet..." Aden nodded along with Desna's proclamation. As conceited as it may have sounded, he could tell it was all in jest. He appreciated that sort of self-assurance and good humor... and he also enjoyed the good-natured ribbing that such people could take and dish out.

"Except-," he added after a moment, "except for snowmen, who seem to be immune to your charms..." It seemed like the day's event was becoming quite the inside joke between them, even if its use wasn't exactly consistent or specifically meaningful. Simply the mention of a snowman brought back the entire situation to memory, and that seemed to be enough for a chuckle or two on both accounts.

"Yep, cold-blooded bastards with their hearts made of ice..." Aden went on, staring ahead and keeping a serious look on his face, like he was the chief dolling out a speech before battle. "They stop at nothing... No ankle is safe."

[desna]

She hung on his every word like she was receiving a report of a serial killed on the loose, he was being playful and she of course could dish it out as well as she could take it. The smile faded from her face as she watched Aden, just winding up for her delivery.

Desna gasped a bit and put a hand over her chest like she'd been shot in the heart with an arrow, of course she didn't loose the playful glitter in her eye through the action but it was enough. She stopped in her tracks and looked at Aden a gasp. " No ankle! I only have two and one was harmed already! woe-is me!"

Honestly she could only hold it for so long before she grinned widely and kept walking shaking her head and shoving Aden playfully. He, of course, was larger than she was and wouldn't be affected too much by her little love tap. Nonchalantly she shook her head and tossed her hand in his direction. " Honestly I could melt any snow beast with my womanly charms, and by womanly charms I mean my kicking non-exsistant curves."

[aden]

Aden managed to keep a straight face and continue nodding through Desna's declaration of despair. Her following shove resulted in little more than a single cross-step by Aden, who almost immediately returned to his previous path. However he did release his grip on his neck to help regain his balance, and the sudden absence of that hand made him realize he'd been covering the upper edge of his burn. The hood lining of his parka already did a good job of covering it, but the fact that his hand had drifted there anyway gave his thoughts pause.

Thankfully, Desna's next comment was comical enough to bring him back to the present, and after a brief moment of looking her over he actually started laughing. Not that he spent an appreciable amount of time evaluating girls' appearances, but Desna was definitely a far cry from curvacious. And for fear of commenting something else about her form that might end up offending her, Aden simply left it at a light laugh as they made their way down the street.