Muir nods to the giant tree “Indeed. Here there are those of us who protect the woods and make sure inhabitants of the realm only take what they need from nature.”Muir tunes to Gerwyn curiously “I have read on these things like I have read about Fey and….” Muir pauses a moment as he gives Vin a side ways glance “demons, but until recently have not come across any…”
Nef barks at the tree in annoyance and anger. Vin nods and says "I try to be nice to people wherever I go. Nef says I'm way too trusting." vin pets the large black hound as a way to introduce Nef to the Tree. "I don't want to sound disrespectful and I know I lack knowledge about you and your kind so I apologize in advance, I don't think you mean any harm but Nef brings up a really good point. If they are territorial why would they attack refugees that are in a stationary place? They set up camp to hide and heal their wounded but reported trees would attack them there and many had to guard against them. Do they normally seek out nearby beings and attack like that? Could they be getting controlled as well or is that typical? I guess I just don't understand why they would attack injured, tired and weakened people."
Elthana watches on as the sentiment trees make their way towards the cave and Old Thicket and the others converse. As Vin asks the questions Nef apparently has, she is impressed by them. She wonders how well these trees would actually behave once Old Thicket wasn’t around to direct them. She keeps her focus on them as Maka returns and chats with Vin.
”So now that the way to the cave looks secure for our refuges.. are we going to head to Hokum now?”
Sam looks to Molly and Órga and asks “You two see spirits or anything?” Sam then shrugs and looks back to Gewyn. “You ok? Feeling alright and all?”
“As for the trees, eventually Hokum and they will need to come to an agreement,” Sam suggests. “But that’s an issue for another day and probably other people. We are more fix the immediate problem types so I say let’s get on with it…”
In a less boisterous tone Sam adds “I still don’t like putting the refugees in a cave and nothing here has sweetened that turd but it’s what you all chose so…” With a sigh and a shrug Sam resigns himself to this course of action.
The mighty tree looks a little peeved by, not only the barking, but the very presence of Neferox. "Attack yes, seek out, no. They are beautiful and they are awakened but they are still trees my boy, no way of truly tracking anything, not unless I know to send them somewhere, as their creator I'm the only one who can take control really. So I suppose in explanation they wandered across your weakened, injured people and saw them as a threat.
I hope that satisfies your beast" the tree says derisively looking toward Nef, "I'd watch that one, signs of corruption like those abominations out there.." he sneers, speaking to vin and the group, but narrowing his eyes at the hound.
As Vin talks with the tree they are distracted from the boiling anger that has become their dog. Vin being calm and trying to maintain peace as they say "They feel threaten by injured people? Why wou..." Neferox immediately became angry when called a beast and compared to the not-deer and begins to growl and flames begins to lick her chops. She arches her back a bit as she gathers strength in her hind legs. "...ld they be threatened by that? Is there a way to seem not as..." Vin stops his question of finding out how to make sure these attacks don't happen again as they seem to become aware of what Nef is planning. Vin gets a look of horror as he realizes what's about to happen.
Elthana, always keeping an eye on Neferox, jumps in front of the dog, putting herself between Nef and the great tree. The fight was over, and a deal had been made, she was damned if she was going to let this dog remove that.
She stares at Neferox, spinning her black post, waiting to see what would happen next.
If given the chance to talk before the fire is released, “Stand down Neferox.”
Sam sees the interaction of tree and dog and isn’t shocked. Dogs have been pudding on trees since the begin of time, he reckons. Still, Sam considers intervening but pauses, unsure which side he’s on. Before he can make up his mind, Elthana has jumped in the middle of things…
“Enough! Any who hurt those with me are feeling my maul!” Sam calls out. He turns slightly more towards Neferox and adds “Don’t make me hit you again…”
Neferox was about to leap at the tree and with the heat and fire licking their chops its not hard to imagine she was about to set the tree ablaze. Elthana's quick thinking gave the beast pause for just a moment. The black hound's red glaring eyes staring intently at the tree with rage and hate but their focus vision on the tree blocked by the view of Elthana. The pause is enough, Vin is able to put a coherent thought together to command the dog. "NEF!! NO! SHE'S OUR FRIEND!" For a moment Nef just focused her rage on Elthana and the hound gets closer with a contained fury. She growls at Elthana the heat coming from Neferox's muzzle is almost scalding as the hound gets within inches of Elthana's face. Vin pleads with the dog, "Come Nef, lets take a walk, please." Neferox nips at the air in front of Elthana a burst of extremely hot air gusting towards Elthana. The hound just looks at Sam without fear as he threatens her. She stops a moment perhaps saying something only Vin understands. Then the hound turns away from them and makes their way to Vin. Vin seems completely unsure what to do, their youth and inexperience showing. They quickly blurt out "I'm sorry." to everyone then rushes off taking Nef away from the tree and the conversation they were all having. The boy looking very ashamed and apologetic as he takes Nef away from the others. They seem to almost isolate themselves, the only exception is Maka following behind. The grisly shadow creature eeriely floating towards the boy. Vin just begins to walk around in the clearing with their dog one one side and the shadow creature ont he other. trying to keep their distance from the others.. The boy looking absolutely miserable.
As Vin and Neferox walk away followed by the shadow Maka, Old Thicket sighs a little, "ugh tetchy, those from the fire are usually short tempered so I'm not surprised... Thank you for stepping in there, that would have hurt, and I assume me killing your pet wouldn't have done our deal any favours, anyway did we say I'd be making more trees before I move or what? I can't remember, old age Y'know eh?" He chuckles a little and wiggles his roots, as if waiting for the answer before deciding whether to move or not.
"one tree a day but seeing as though this land doesn't nurture me enough more of this forest will be drained" the more observant of the group would have counted 14 awakened trees that went to go guard the cave.
"We need to get word to the refugees. Tell them of the deal. What to expect. Not to freak out," Sam points out. "Take Órga and Molly. Backup, just in case they need it. Reassurance even if they don't. I'm going to go talk to the dog..."
Sam briefly goes to Órga and Molly and asks them to go with anyone who goes to clue in the refugees. Asks them to hang out with them, they could use friendly faces until we get them somewhere safe. "And I'll be seeing you two soon, no worry on that," he concludes, giving them each a good scratch behind the ears. He can't be positive they understand him... but he gets the sense that they do.
Sam then turns to looks at Vin and Neferox... And the shadowy thing. He watches them walk around aimlessly for a short bit before he lets out a sigh and heads over that way, leaving his maul behind.
He uses his long stride to catch up to them, careful not to run or rush and get them anxious. He just meanders over and falls into step with them for a bit. Ten or twenty steps later Sam turns to Vin and gives him a weak smile. "Messy, huh?" Sam says vaguely about everything all at once.
"You think I could talk to Neferox a bit?" Sam asks casually, another dozen footfalls later. "In private?"
---
If allowed...
Sam wanders a different direction than Vin and waits for Neferox to come along. Sam says nothing until he thinks they are out of accidental earshot of the others and then he pauses and looks at Neferox. With a grunt and a groan Sam will then make his way down to sitting on the ground, likely muttering about how getting older sucks...
"I know we can't talk talk," Sam says, stating the obvious. "But I suppose I mainly want to talk at you for a short bit and you'll respond how you respond, huh?" It's hard giving a proper shrug while sitting down so Sam just skips that and continues on.
"Seems your main goal is to protect the boy. I get that. I respect that. It further seems the boy wants to come along with the rest of the group in this nonsense we are doing. Our nonsense seems to be hazardous so the boy can surely use someone looking out for him. So it seems you have a choice... You can either protect Vin by dragging him away from and and all danger, or you can let the kid grow into a man by making his own decisions and you can stay by his side and protect him and guard his back.
"Things is, you ain't doing neither of those," Sam points out. "You are making things more dangerous for him. You being standoffish to the rest of us, you wanting to attack the tree instead of accepting the deal... These things are making Vin less safe.
"Maybe I am wrong. Maybe you want the kid to get hurt or get dead. 'Cause you are acting like you do... Cause protecting him means accepting the people around him who also want to protect him. Protecting him means not attacking creature who can crush him with one thrown boulder. You think you're better than us? Than the tree? Fine, whatever... But if you let your pride endanger the boy.... Well, that's your choice, I guess.
"So point is, you can drag Vin away or you can become a team player. Anything less is endangering him," Sam concludes. He stays sitting there looking at Neferox for a spell, allowing the beast a chance to respond in whatever fashion it chooses... But Sam has had his say and barring anything dramatic from Neferox his will eventually get up and walk back to the tree...
---
If not allowed...
Sam will nod in understanding and give a shrug. "Well, fair enough I guess... But Neferox... Your actions are endangering Vin. If that is what you want, keep acting the prideful ass. And Vin? I don't know the story with you and Neferox here... But let me say this. You don't need them. You deserve to be on this team on your own merits. You have the rest of us to defend you, if you even need defending. Don't let Neferox drag you down, eh?" And Sam will shrug. He shrugs a lot. But Sam is uncomfortable with reaching out emotionally... He knows he is no good at it and would rather just avoid it. He'd have rather just tried to get the beast to straighten out than try to buck up the kid... But he had to do something.
"Well then... You just need to know that we value you, with or without Neferox. Truth is, Neferox is more trouble than they seem worth. But we like you. We're here for you. And if we have to put up with them for your sake... Well... We'll try. Just know that we like you... And don't blame you for their issues." Sam then gives Vin a friendly clap on the back and will look to walk away if not stopped by more emotional claptrap he can't stand.
As Sam walked up to Vin the shadow seems to nod to Vin and vanishes. Seeming to have reached the limit of the summoning spell. Sam would hear the boy say "Take care Maka. I'll get you to smile yet." The shadow doesn't seem to believe the boy as they fade away. As Sam falls in step next to Vin in the place Maka was ask the boy seems nervous. Like they did something wrong and are about to be scolded. When Sam merely says 'Messy, huh?' they seemed to have braced themselves for a lot worse. Instead it wasn't scolding but just a statement of how badly it went. Vin nods and says "Yeah. I'm always messing up like that." Nef brushes up against Vin on the other side to comfort the boy. A bit a whine of concern for them. Vin looks to them and gives a weak smile then back to Sam "I'll do better though. Is Old Thicket mad at me?" Nef looks back at the tree clearly still not trusting it.
When Sam asks to talk to Neferox alone Vin seems very nervous but says "Yeah, if she wants to." Nef looks to the boy and seems to shrug then points with their nose towards a set of trees off to the side. Vin says "I'm... I'm going to go talk with Elthana while you two... talk." Vin looks nervously between the two then makes their way over to Elthana. Neferox seems to watch the boy walk off for a bit and then lets Sam lead them away. The duo get to the tree line that Nef motioned to and the dog plops down sitting and looks to Sam with an expression of waiting and annoyance but they are undoubtedly paying attention to the big man.
"I know we can't talk talk,"
Nef rolls their eyes in agreement and sarcasm clearly not expecting much from this.
"But I suppose I mainly want to talk at you for a short bit and you'll respond how you respond, huh?"
She looks at Sam waiting for him to continue. Again seems annoyed but is listening.
"Seems your main goal is to protect the boy. I get that. I respect that."
The hound nods in agreement.
"It further seems the boy wants to come along with the rest of the group in this nonsense we are doing. Our nonsense seems to be hazardous so the boy can surely use someone looking out for him."
She growls, not aggressively but more like she agrees and wants it to stop. She stops though and seems... worried? Confused? She looks towards the boy then back to Sam.
"So it seems you have a choice... You can either protect Vin by dragging him away from and and all danger, or you can let the kid grow into a man by making his own decisions and you can stay by his side and protect him and guard his back."
The hound becomes still, seeming to take it in. Contemplating? Pondering? Something here is making her think.
"Things is, you ain't doing neither of those,"
Her eyes snap focus onto Sam glowing red as anger creeps in at these words. An unmistakable disagreement. She believes she is protecting him.
"You are making things more dangerous for him. You being standoffish to the rest of us, you wanting to attack the tree instead of accepting the deal... These things are making Vin less safe."
She growls again. She looks at the tree and gives a few woofs as she goes from looking at Old Ticket to Sam. Clearly expressing things far more complex then just a few growls can convey.
"Maybe I am wrong. Maybe you want the kid to get hurt or get dead. 'Cause you are acting like you do..."
The hound looks like they've just been slapped a stunned look on their face of disbelief.
"Cause protecting him means accepting the people around him who also want to protect him."
She tries to protest a bit of a woof but Sam cuts her off with his next statement.
"Protecting him means not attacking creature who can crush him with one thrown boulder."
Again tries to protest but Sam continues
"You think you're better than us? Than the tree? Fine, whatever... But if you let your pride endanger the boy.... Well, that's your choice, I guess."
She's quiet for a bit. She says something but again, it's complex and without being able to understand all Sam can see is her looking at him keenly without blinking.
"So point is, you can drag Vin away or you can become a team player. Anything less is endangering him,"
She barks out something. Clearly upset but also seems uncertain what to do. She gets quiet, very quiet and although hard to pick up on Sam gets the sense she said something very important. Something that truly upsets the large black dog. She waits a bit and then seems to realize that Sam cannot understand and this seems to upset the hound in a way Sam hasn't seen before. She walks off not directly to Vin but to curl up and lay down in a spot away from everyone.
As Neferox goes over to talk with Sam Vin makes his way over to Elthana and at first seems like he's going to say something then seems to get all flustered and just blurts out, "I'm sorry Elthana." Vin seems genuinely sorry. The young half-elf clearly troubled by what happened.
As the others walk off to have their conversations, Gewyn stays by Old Thicket, listening absently to its conversation with Muir as he inspects his hair and face in his hand mirror. It seems his scratch from Muir's thorn whip is healing nicely. Shouldn't even leave a scar.
He stops for a few moments, going still as he listens to the wind. Then he shakes himself free of whatever thought he is having and puts the mirror away. He walks over to Muir and whispers:
"So... a demon. Is that what Nef is? All I know is that she isn't a proper hound"
Muir snaps from looking at his feet and whispers back to Gewyn
Yes, I have known for some time but did not want to say as a newcomer to this group. There are......other things as well.....You mentioned something about a spirit when looking at me....What did you see with your mirror?
“Not you. The situation… it’s all just messy. I prefer a hood bar fight where it’s easy to k ow whose side you’re on…” Sam say in reply to Vin.
“The tree? Ah, no. Not you. Nobody blames you for anything,” Sam says and almost reaches out to ruffle Vin’s hair but can’t quite bring himself to do it.
Sam just nods when Vin says ok and when they say they’re going to talk to Elthana, Sam nods again and tells him to remind her that word needs getting to the refugees about the deal…
—-
During his chat with Neferox Sam was glad he hadn’t asked Muir to cast the spell that would allow the hound to talk. Being able to talk at her seemed far simpler. No arguments, no questions, no straying off topic… Sam was pretty sure things wouldn’t have gone half as well if they could have responded.
He wasn’t sure if Neferox took the comments to heart or not, but Sam suspected they were at least considering them. Fair enough. It’s about the most ge could have fairly hopes for. Sam sits and thinks for a bit after Neferox gets up and leaves. The kid is a hood kid but he’s surrounded by darkness… So far it doesn’t seem to be turning the kid that way but it sure isn’t making him happy. But what would…?
As Elthana stands there, face to face with the hellhound, Nef threatening her with her breath, she doesn't move. She wants to slap the damn dog on the nose and say bad dog but knows that will only escalate the situation.
As Vin and Neferox walk away with Maka, Elthana just stands there watching. She figures it is only a matter of time... they need to focus on the mission at hand.
When Vin comes to talk to her, she motions for them to sit on a couple of tree stumps nearby. She can tell he has a lot to say, but when he just bumbles out "I'm sorry Elthana" it actually takes her by surprise. "Well, as much as I appreciate that. You aren't the one that should be apologizing. I don't know what is going on between that hound and you, but she is going to get one, or more, of us killed. And by the looks of it, by her own jaws. Why? None of it makes sense to me. We have a mission and we should keep to it."
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Muir nods to the giant tree “Indeed. Here there are those of us who protect the woods and make sure inhabitants of the realm only take what they need from nature.” Muir tunes to Gerwyn curiously “I have read on these things like I have read about Fey and….” Muir pauses a moment as he gives Vin a side ways glance “demons, but until recently have not come across any…”
Nef barks at the tree in annoyance and anger. Vin nods and says "I try to be nice to people wherever I go. Nef says I'm way too trusting." vin pets the large black hound as a way to introduce Nef to the Tree. "I don't want to sound disrespectful and I know I lack knowledge about you and your kind so I apologize in advance, I don't think you mean any harm but Nef brings up a really good point. If they are territorial why would they attack refugees that are in a stationary place? They set up camp to hide and heal their wounded but reported trees would attack them there and many had to guard against them. Do they normally seek out nearby beings and attack like that? Could they be getting controlled as well or is that typical? I guess I just don't understand why they would attack injured, tired and weakened people."
Elthana watches on as the sentiment trees make their way towards the cave and Old Thicket and the others converse. As Vin asks the questions Nef apparently has, she is impressed by them. She wonders how well these trees would actually behave once Old Thicket wasn’t around to direct them. She keeps her focus on them as Maka returns and chats with Vin.
”So now that the way to the cave looks secure for our refuges.. are we going to head to Hokum now?”
Sam looks to Molly and Órga and asks “You two see spirits or anything?” Sam then shrugs and looks back to Gewyn. “You ok? Feeling alright and all?”
“As for the trees, eventually Hokum and they will need to come to an agreement,” Sam suggests. “But that’s an issue for another day and probably other people. We are more fix the immediate problem types so I say let’s get on with it…”
In a less boisterous tone Sam adds “I still don’t like putting the refugees in a cave and nothing here has sweetened that turd but it’s what you all chose so…” With a sigh and a shrug Sam resigns himself to this course of action.
The mighty tree looks a little peeved by, not only the barking, but the very presence of Neferox. "Attack yes, seek out, no. They are beautiful and they are awakened but they are still trees my boy, no way of truly tracking anything, not unless I know to send them somewhere, as their creator I'm the only one who can take control really. So I suppose in explanation they wandered across your weakened, injured people and saw them as a threat.
I hope that satisfies your beast" the tree says derisively looking toward Nef, "I'd watch that one, signs of corruption like those abominations out there.." he sneers, speaking to vin and the group, but narrowing his eyes at the hound.
As Vin talks with the tree they are distracted from the boiling anger that has become their dog. Vin being calm and trying to maintain peace as they say "They feel threaten by injured people? Why wou..." Neferox immediately became angry when called a beast and compared to the not-deer and begins to growl and flames begins to lick her chops. She arches her back a bit as she gathers strength in her hind legs. "...ld they be threatened by that? Is there a way to seem not as..." Vin stops his question of finding out how to make sure these attacks don't happen again as they seem to become aware of what Nef is planning. Vin gets a look of horror as he realizes what's about to happen.
Elthana, always keeping an eye on Neferox, jumps in front of the dog, putting herself between Nef and the great tree. The fight was over, and a deal had been made, she was damned if she was going to let this dog remove that.
She stares at Neferox, spinning her black post, waiting to see what would happen next.
If given the chance to talk before the fire is released, “Stand down Neferox.”
Sam sees the interaction of tree and dog and isn’t shocked. Dogs have been pudding on trees since the begin of time, he reckons. Still, Sam considers intervening but pauses, unsure which side he’s on. Before he can make up his mind, Elthana has jumped in the middle of things…
“Enough! Any who hurt those with me are feeling my maul!” Sam calls out. He turns slightly more towards Neferox and adds “Don’t make me hit you again…”
Neferox was about to leap at the tree and with the heat and fire licking their chops its not hard to imagine she was about to set the tree ablaze. Elthana's quick thinking gave the beast pause for just a moment. The black hound's red glaring eyes staring intently at the tree with rage and hate but their focus vision on the tree blocked by the view of Elthana. The pause is enough, Vin is able to put a coherent thought together to command the dog. "NEF!! NO! SHE'S OUR FRIEND!" For a moment Nef just focused her rage on Elthana and the hound gets closer with a contained fury. She growls at Elthana the heat coming from Neferox's muzzle is almost scalding as the hound gets within inches of Elthana's face. Vin pleads with the dog, "Come Nef, lets take a walk, please." Neferox nips at the air in front of Elthana a burst of extremely hot air gusting towards Elthana. The hound just looks at Sam without fear as he threatens her. She stops a moment perhaps saying something only Vin understands. Then the hound turns away from them and makes their way to Vin. Vin seems completely unsure what to do, their youth and inexperience showing. They quickly blurt out "I'm sorry." to everyone then rushes off taking Nef away from the tree and the conversation they were all having. The boy looking very ashamed and apologetic as he takes Nef away from the others. They seem to almost isolate themselves, the only exception is Maka following behind. The grisly shadow creature eeriely floating towards the boy. Vin just begins to walk around in the clearing with their dog one one side and the shadow creature ont he other. trying to keep their distance from the others.. The boy looking absolutely miserable.
Muir watches the two walk away and turns to the others “If he doesn’t get his demon under control I fear the rest of us will have to”
As Vin and Neferox walk away followed by the shadow Maka, Old Thicket sighs a little, "ugh tetchy, those from the fire are usually short tempered so I'm not surprised... Thank you for stepping in there, that would have hurt, and I assume me killing your pet wouldn't have done our deal any favours, anyway did we say I'd be making more trees before I move or what? I can't remember, old age Y'know eh?" He chuckles a little and wiggles his roots, as if waiting for the answer before deciding whether to move or not.
“Could you make more trees to help us retake Hokum?”
"one tree a day but seeing as though this land doesn't nurture me enough more of this forest will be drained" the more observant of the group would have counted 14 awakened trees that went to go guard the cave.
“No, no that won’t do. Nevermind we will do what we can with what we have”
"We need to get word to the refugees. Tell them of the deal. What to expect. Not to freak out," Sam points out. "Take Órga and Molly. Backup, just in case they need it. Reassurance even if they don't. I'm going to go talk to the dog..."
Sam briefly goes to Órga and Molly and asks them to go with anyone who goes to clue in the refugees. Asks them to hang out with them, they could use friendly faces until we get them somewhere safe. "And I'll be seeing you two soon, no worry on that," he concludes, giving them each a good scratch behind the ears. He can't be positive they understand him... but he gets the sense that they do.
Sam then turns to looks at Vin and Neferox... And the shadowy thing. He watches them walk around aimlessly for a short bit before he lets out a sigh and heads over that way, leaving his maul behind.
He uses his long stride to catch up to them, careful not to run or rush and get them anxious. He just meanders over and falls into step with them for a bit. Ten or twenty steps later Sam turns to Vin and gives him a weak smile. "Messy, huh?" Sam says vaguely about everything all at once.
"You think I could talk to Neferox a bit?" Sam asks casually, another dozen footfalls later. "In private?"
---
If allowed...
Sam wanders a different direction than Vin and waits for Neferox to come along. Sam says nothing until he thinks they are out of accidental earshot of the others and then he pauses and looks at Neferox. With a grunt and a groan Sam will then make his way down to sitting on the ground, likely muttering about how getting older sucks...
"I know we can't talk talk," Sam says, stating the obvious. "But I suppose I mainly want to talk at you for a short bit and you'll respond how you respond, huh?" It's hard giving a proper shrug while sitting down so Sam just skips that and continues on.
"Seems your main goal is to protect the boy. I get that. I respect that. It further seems the boy wants to come along with the rest of the group in this nonsense we are doing. Our nonsense seems to be hazardous so the boy can surely use someone looking out for him. So it seems you have a choice... You can either protect Vin by dragging him away from and and all danger, or you can let the kid grow into a man by making his own decisions and you can stay by his side and protect him and guard his back.
"Things is, you ain't doing neither of those," Sam points out. "You are making things more dangerous for him. You being standoffish to the rest of us, you wanting to attack the tree instead of accepting the deal... These things are making Vin less safe.
"Maybe I am wrong. Maybe you want the kid to get hurt or get dead. 'Cause you are acting like you do... Cause protecting him means accepting the people around him who also want to protect him. Protecting him means not attacking creature who can crush him with one thrown boulder. You think you're better than us? Than the tree? Fine, whatever... But if you let your pride endanger the boy.... Well, that's your choice, I guess.
"So point is, you can drag Vin away or you can become a team player. Anything less is endangering him," Sam concludes. He stays sitting there looking at Neferox for a spell, allowing the beast a chance to respond in whatever fashion it chooses... But Sam has had his say and barring anything dramatic from Neferox his will eventually get up and walk back to the tree...
---
If not allowed...
Sam will nod in understanding and give a shrug. "Well, fair enough I guess... But Neferox... Your actions are endangering Vin. If that is what you want, keep acting the prideful ass. And Vin? I don't know the story with you and Neferox here... But let me say this. You don't need them. You deserve to be on this team on your own merits. You have the rest of us to defend you, if you even need defending. Don't let Neferox drag you down, eh?" And Sam will shrug. He shrugs a lot. But Sam is uncomfortable with reaching out emotionally... He knows he is no good at it and would rather just avoid it. He'd have rather just tried to get the beast to straighten out than try to buck up the kid... But he had to do something.
"Well then... You just need to know that we value you, with or without Neferox. Truth is, Neferox is more trouble than they seem worth. But we like you. We're here for you. And if we have to put up with them for your sake... Well... We'll try. Just know that we like you... And don't blame you for their issues." Sam then gives Vin a friendly clap on the back and will look to walk away if not stopped by more emotional claptrap he can't stand.
As Sam walked up to Vin the shadow seems to nod to Vin and vanishes. Seeming to have reached the limit of the summoning spell. Sam would hear the boy say "Take care Maka. I'll get you to smile yet." The shadow doesn't seem to believe the boy as they fade away. As Sam falls in step next to Vin in the place Maka was ask the boy seems nervous. Like they did something wrong and are about to be scolded. When Sam merely says 'Messy, huh?' they seemed to have braced themselves for a lot worse. Instead it wasn't scolding but just a statement of how badly it went. Vin nods and says "Yeah. I'm always messing up like that." Nef brushes up against Vin on the other side to comfort the boy. A bit a whine of concern for them. Vin looks to them and gives a weak smile then back to Sam "I'll do better though. Is Old Thicket mad at me?" Nef looks back at the tree clearly still not trusting it.
When Sam asks to talk to Neferox alone Vin seems very nervous but says "Yeah, if she wants to." Nef looks to the boy and seems to shrug then points with their nose towards a set of trees off to the side. Vin says "I'm... I'm going to go talk with Elthana while you two... talk." Vin looks nervously between the two then makes their way over to Elthana. Neferox seems to watch the boy walk off for a bit and then lets Sam lead them away. The duo get to the tree line that Nef motioned to and the dog plops down sitting and looks to Sam with an expression of waiting and annoyance but they are undoubtedly paying attention to the big man.
"I know we can't talk talk,"
Nef rolls their eyes in agreement and sarcasm clearly not expecting much from this.
"But I suppose I mainly want to talk at you for a short bit and you'll respond how you respond, huh?"
She looks at Sam waiting for him to continue. Again seems annoyed but is listening.
"Seems your main goal is to protect the boy. I get that. I respect that."
The hound nods in agreement.
"It further seems the boy wants to come along with the rest of the group in this nonsense we are doing. Our nonsense seems to be hazardous so the boy can surely use someone looking out for him."
She growls, not aggressively but more like she agrees and wants it to stop. She stops though and seems... worried? Confused? She looks towards the boy then back to Sam.
"So it seems you have a choice... You can either protect Vin by dragging him away from and and all danger, or you can let the kid grow into a man by making his own decisions and you can stay by his side and protect him and guard his back."
The hound becomes still, seeming to take it in. Contemplating? Pondering? Something here is making her think.
"Things is, you ain't doing neither of those,"
Her eyes snap focus onto Sam glowing red as anger creeps in at these words. An unmistakable disagreement. She believes she is protecting him.
"You are making things more dangerous for him. You being standoffish to the rest of us, you wanting to attack the tree instead of accepting the deal... These things are making Vin less safe."
She growls again. She looks at the tree and gives a few woofs as she goes from looking at Old Ticket to Sam. Clearly expressing things far more complex then just a few growls can convey.
"Maybe I am wrong. Maybe you want the kid to get hurt or get dead. 'Cause you are acting like you do..."
The hound looks like they've just been slapped a stunned look on their face of disbelief.
"Cause protecting him means accepting the people around him who also want to protect him."
She tries to protest a bit of a woof but Sam cuts her off with his next statement.
"Protecting him means not attacking creature who can crush him with one thrown boulder."
Again tries to protest but Sam continues
"You think you're better than us? Than the tree? Fine, whatever... But if you let your pride endanger the boy.... Well, that's your choice, I guess."
She's quiet for a bit. She says something but again, it's complex and without being able to understand all Sam can see is her looking at him keenly without blinking.
"So point is, you can drag Vin away or you can become a team player. Anything less is endangering him,"
She barks out something. Clearly upset but also seems uncertain what to do. She gets quiet, very quiet and although hard to pick up on Sam gets the sense she said something very important. Something that truly upsets the large black dog. She waits a bit and then seems to realize that Sam cannot understand and this seems to upset the hound in a way Sam hasn't seen before. She walks off not directly to Vin but to curl up and lay down in a spot away from everyone.
As Neferox goes over to talk with Sam Vin makes his way over to Elthana and at first seems like he's going to say something then seems to get all flustered and just blurts out, "I'm sorry Elthana." Vin seems genuinely sorry. The young half-elf clearly troubled by what happened.
As the others walk off to have their conversations, Gewyn stays by Old Thicket, listening absently to its conversation with Muir as he inspects his hair and face in his hand mirror. It seems his scratch from Muir's thorn whip is healing nicely. Shouldn't even leave a scar.
He stops for a few moments, going still as he listens to the wind. Then he shakes himself free of whatever thought he is having and puts the mirror away. He walks over to Muir and whispers:
"So... a demon. Is that what Nef is? All I know is that she isn't a proper hound"
Muir snaps from looking at his feet and whispers back to Gewyn
Yes, I have known for some time but did not want to say as a newcomer to this group. There are......other things as well.....You mentioned something about a spirit when looking at me....What did you see with your mirror?
“Not you. The situation… it’s all just messy. I prefer a hood bar fight where it’s easy to k ow whose side you’re on…” Sam say in reply to Vin.
“The tree? Ah, no. Not you. Nobody blames you for anything,” Sam says and almost reaches out to ruffle Vin’s hair but can’t quite bring himself to do it.
Sam just nods when Vin says ok and when they say they’re going to talk to Elthana, Sam nods again and tells him to remind her that word needs getting to the refugees about the deal…
—-
During his chat with Neferox Sam was glad he hadn’t asked Muir to cast the spell that would allow the hound to talk. Being able to talk at her seemed far simpler. No arguments, no questions, no straying off topic… Sam was pretty sure things wouldn’t have gone half as well if they could have responded.
He wasn’t sure if Neferox took the comments to heart or not, but Sam suspected they were at least considering them. Fair enough. It’s about the most ge could have fairly hopes for. Sam sits and thinks for a bit after Neferox gets up and leaves. The kid is a hood kid but he’s surrounded by darkness… So far it doesn’t seem to be turning the kid that way but it sure isn’t making him happy. But what would…?
As Elthana stands there, face to face with the hellhound, Nef threatening her with her breath, she doesn't move. She wants to slap the damn dog on the nose and say bad dog but knows that will only escalate the situation.
As Vin and Neferox walk away with Maka, Elthana just stands there watching. She figures it is only a matter of time... they need to focus on the mission at hand.
When Vin comes to talk to her, she motions for them to sit on a couple of tree stumps nearby. She can tell he has a lot to say, but when he just bumbles out "I'm sorry Elthana" it actually takes her by surprise. "Well, as much as I appreciate that. You aren't the one that should be apologizing. I don't know what is going on between that hound and you, but she is going to get one, or more, of us killed. And by the looks of it, by her own jaws. Why? None of it makes sense to me. We have a mission and we should keep to it."