Home Away From Home

Taking in a long breath, happy the day was coming to a close. Stress from all its events having her frazzled but it would never show beyond those ghostly pools now. Her mother was okay. Check. Her best friend was in jail? Check. She now had a bodyguard? Check? Elias was…helping…her? The list only got more and more disorienting. It all just felt like a wild dream that really needed to stop at any second now so her head could cease its spinning, if only long enough for her to get grounded again.

There were moments her heart felt about to bust but she had pushed past it all, came out stronger for it. She would like to believe, at least. She felt like she had faced many things she wouldn’t have in the past, things she would have run away from or dodged entirely or submitted. Instead, she was working it all to her advantage as best she could, using each pin on the board. That hand was still shaky but maybe one day she could adjust them with a steady hold.

There was one hurdle she had yet to face as she stood awkwardly within a little room she had just entered no more than a few minutes ago, her ears tilted back as she glanced around the little cottage so minimal from her usual residence. To not be able to go home, the place she had fought to get back to in one piece but weeks ago, now torn from her grasp, making her uneasy. The man that owned the place wasn’t a complete stranger, but she knew nothing of him and details she had been told weren’t exactly crystal clear.

She understood the caution, understood the reason behind this for the most part but what she didn’t understand was why him? Why Khepri out of anyone she could be sent to?

She recalled him coming to the estate, finding it so peculiar. His scent had been on her mother’s coat a few times both before and after that odd interaction. It was perhaps even more noticeable than ever before when she was guided away from the dungeon’s slums by the executioner, it far newer than usual. What were they to each other? Friends? She found that peculiar as a whole, apart from Xandria, she couldn’t recall her mother ever really having friends. The woman is always too busy with work. When would she even have time beside when she was drunk, to be fraternizing?

“E-e-excuse me. Hello, Mister Khepri– um Professor?” she greeted, looking at the man of tawny and wheat as her eyes finally settled on his sleeping form upon a makeshift bed. “I was i-informed I would be staying with you for a w-w-while?” she called like a whisper on the wind as she let out that drawn breath, waiting for him to say that was wrong but surely Victorian wasn’t just sent to take her here for entertainment. Though it had been quite the adventure of talking him into taking detours, making her arrive way later than the soldier had anticipated.

Night had clearly fallen over the land, day having went to sleep. Maybe if she was lucky, he wouldn't wake up and she could postpone this uncomfortable conversation till morning.

table ; bunny -- art ; kimera

@Khepri

“E-e-excuse me. Hello, Mister Khepri– um Professor?” "Hmm?" he murmured in his sleep at the sound of a quiet voice rousing him. He lifted his head and turned it to see Aurora standing in his doorway. “I was i-informed I would be staying with you for a w-w-while?” He groggily stared at her for but a second before shaking his head and slowly coming to a stand. "Y-Yes, of course. Come on in and make yourself at home," he said as he gathered himself. "And just Khepri is alright, you don't have to call me Professor..." he said warmly. He'd barely caught that part in his waking moments but now the world was coming to again. He sniffed slightly and stepped out of his bed so that he could more properly address her. He offered a smile and wanted to draw her into a hug but he didn't know her well enough for that. "I'm glad to see you made it here in one piece." he said. They had both been worried for her safety after the protests, so to see her here now brought him a sense of relief.

Khepri glanced past her and out into the dark night, realizing it was quiet late. His honey gaze shifted back to Aurora's face curiously. "It's quite late..." he said, wondering what had kept her so long. He stepped aside to gesture to another bed he'd made while preparing. It was nestled in a stone inset with straw and random clothes he'd found and he hoped it was good enough for her to sleep in when the time would come. "I hope this is okay..." he said sheepishly.

manip + code: clae

The audible stir would make her tense up, instantly regretting saying a word and waking him when he seemed so peaceful. There was a small part of her that wanted to hush him to go back to sleep but it seemed he was already starting to rise before she knew it, making her glance away from him anxiously before his dark honeycombs could catch her gaze, immediately feeling immense embarrassment. Okay, maybe she hadn’t finally grown up, those social anxieties creeping back in a shockwave, but it might not be so much that but rather who he was and her circumstances with him now. It felt so awkward to invite herself into a man’s home even if it wasn’t of her own choice in the first place.

When his lips dripped of honey just like the rest of him, she paused in surprise, recalling him being just as nervous if not even more nervous than her, their last encounter. Slowly her gaze would peek up at him, taking in his expression, that warmth as if he had known her since she was nothing more than a child and had kept in touch ever sense. It was peculiar and she couldn’t decide if it was welcoming or uncomfortable. Maybe a little bit of both as her heart picked up slightly in her chest, taking in his readiness to receive her as a guest as if this had been planned for months. Then she remembered the letter she had gotten in Perth from that bird and some things started to click.

Still, should doctors be so close to patients that they do things like this, opening their home to someone they didn’t even know directly? Part of her felt like he knew her far more than she knew him.

“If that is w-w-what you prefer, consider it done. Khepri,” she said softly, obediently, though it was curiosity that played past her lashes rather than that demure hesitance that usually lingered. “I had been a-a-at the library reading about a fr-friend’s ailment at the time of the catastrophe. I was plenty away from any harm. I hadn’t heard of the riot u-until it was already over,” she confessed, recalling the sudden wave of injured that would swarm in and the medical staff that would leave to assist on the field. It was quite a sight to see but not one she wished to see again. Unless he had meant just getting here from the dungeon? She wasn’t sure.

Riverstone eyes would skim to where he gestured, appraising the less than comfy looking bed compared to the one she usually slept on but she would just turn her head to offer him that porcelain smile. “It’ll do, thank you,” it wasn’t a lie but it was close to one, not really wanting to sleep on it at all. If she could sleep here after the maze she had just gotten out of, leaving her brain in disarray and he was only so much distraction from those thoughts.

“You were wh-who sent the bird, right?” she asked softly, wanting more information but having no desire to be rude about it by being too forward. Maybe asking less direct questions would help uncover what she wanted to know without pressuring him into any corners.

table ; bunny -- art ; kimera

@Khepri

He smiled as she obliged him; there was no need for formalities here in his home. He was just Khepri and she was Aurora-- though he supposed he should ask what she prefer to be called. His ears flicked as she told him she had avoided the riots altogether thankfully and he nodded his head. "I'm glad to hear you weren't involved," he said. It had turned violent and her among it all was frightening. “You were wh-who sent the bird, right?” at this, he perked up a little bit and nodded his head. "Yes, that was me. Your mother was too sick to come find you herself," he recalled. He had hoped the bird would find her well and he was glad that it had.

Khepri shuffled his paws a little before sitting down, not entirely sure what to say next. "I'm sorry I'm not more talkative, I'm still waking up a bit." he said with a small yawn accompanying his words. "What were you doing in the Highlands, anyway?" he asked curiously.

manip + code: clae

“I’m glad you appear t-t-to not have come to any harm either,” she replied, trying her hardest to keep up basic conversation, knowing pleasantries were needed but they were so tiring. It wasn’t just natural for her like it should be, though at least she wasn’t being consumed by anxiety right now, finding his calm helping her remain for the most part calm as well. Had he been anxious and fidgety like the last they met, she would have most certainly closed up and wanted to run off. No, it was peaceful right now as she pulled her gaze away from him after ascertaining that he did in fact carry no wounds upon his body, at least none that were exceptionally dire to the point they would show past the fur that covered them.

As he answered her question, her ears would fall back, glancing up at him before her tail swayed just a little from being content with his answer, unraveling just how bad her mother had been at the time. She just didn’t understand how she went from seeming perfectly fine in their travels to falling out so badly within the day, perhaps she would need to bring it up to Dantes, feeling like it was the perfect topic for his interests and she might learn something brand new in the process. She worried what might have happened had she roamed much longer up there, having not eaten pretty much the whole time due to no hunting skills to speak of. She needed to become more self reliant, her adventures opened her eyes to that, there was never such a thing as being too prepared.

Though who could she even ask to teach her to hunt without being laughed at? She inwardly grimaces at the thought and embarrassment she will likely endure until her thoughts are interrupted with apology.

“I shouldn’t have w-woke you and just waited outside till the morning,” she quickly would shift the blame to herself, so used to her uncle turning it on her she had grown accustomed to carrying the weight whether she was at fault or not.

She was a bit surprised by the question that followed, thinking her mother would have told him already. “Mother often will take l-little breaks for us to spend time in her birthplace, teaching me her c-c-culture or just bonding. I had asked her if we could go a little further n-north. I wanted to learn of… um well the fae,” she averted her gaze, feeling a little silly saying that after how Gwydion reacted. “I was meeting some locals while mama took advantage of checking on how things were with the army stations up there. I split from her and f-f-found a long-lost princeling I thought was dead instead of the answers I was seeking,” she confessed softly, seeing no point in hiding the truth.

“Khepri, if you aren’t a-a-a doctor anymore, why does she keep coming t-to you for care?” she decided to just ask what was on her mind if he wanted to get personal on matters, though she still avoided being as curt as she would like. Dodging the biggest two questions she had for him.

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@Khepri

“I’m glad you appear t-t-to not have come to any harm either,” she said, though he suspected she might just be saying that because it was the right thing to say more than anything else. It would seem the apple would fall far from the tree when it came to the way Aurora acted in comparison to her mother. Though he would have to agree that she was a little more well-versed in at least what one should say, versus saying simply what was on their mind at the time. A small smile would edge his lips at the thought. "I wasn't present, thankfully." he told her. He had avoided the protests for the sole reason that they might grow violent and he had been right to do so. He understood the need for the people to have a voice but it seemed to always come at a cost these days.

As young Aurora shifted the blame to herself he shook his head. "No, no. It's quite alright," he said. He wouldn't want her sitting outside all night anyway when she was more than welcome here despite them not knowing one another very well, if at all. He was sure that would make for an awkward stay, but they would just have to get over that. Especially if he and Sif were to be spending more time together (hopefully) after what had transpired.

“Mother often will take l-little breaks for us to spend time in her birthplace, teaching me her c-c-culture or just bonding. I had asked her if we could go a little further n-north. I wanted to learn of… um well the fae, I was meeting some locals while mama took advantage of checking on how things were with the army stations up there. I split from her and f-f-found a long-lost princeling I thought was dead instead of the answers I was seeking,” she said. Khepri blinked, a little surprised by the outcome of her adventure. He was not surprised Sif would want to take a break from work to spend time with her daughter but he was surprised to hear about some wolf Aurora had thought dead. He was about to ask about this princeling as she called him when she asked another question. "I..." he paused a moment, his cheeks warming slightly. He hadn't known why she still came to him but perhaps now he understood that it was because they now trusted one another more so than she might a regular doctor. He didn't want to assume anything, or speak out of place, so he wasn't quite sure what to say about the situation he now found himself in with her mother. "We've known one another for some time and I think that she trusts me with her care. She keeps me and my skills on my toes, that's for sure." he said with a chuckle. He realized Sif hadn't explained anything to Aurora yet and he wasn't sure he should be the one to do that... "Why don't we, uhm, get ready for bed. You must be exhausted..." he said, clearing his throat a little.

manip + code: clae

She suddenly felt like he was looking into her very soul, her lips parting slightly but would shut just as quickly, having nothing to really say but she felt slightly uncomfortable at that bit of recognition in his eyes. It was like he really did know her more than she knew him and it made her get more paranoid of what that would even mean. Hopefully it just means her mother had talked about her a little too much, though she wasn’t sure if that would be a good or bad thing. Complaints or positivity. She had troubles believing either but she’d take in a breath and push it to the back of her mind as he spoke, carrying on her attempts at holding a seemingly pointless conversation at this point. It would give her a small piece of information however, if he wasn’t there he wasn’t likely a jacobite.

There was a tug wanting to ask if he was voxi but didn’t want to out herself if he wasn’t.

Peeking past her lashes, she would nod slightly in agreement, accepting his word as finality. If he wanted her to bother him, then she supposed she wouldn't leave him to his own devices for now, though it might be a little preferred this second. In the end, she didn't want to be outside alone. A cruddy bed would be bad enough, no bed or protection would be even worse.

As he started to answer her question, she’d lift her head a little more confidently, anticipating…well she wasn’t sure what she expected him to say but something that could be arguably gossip she could consume. She had no interest in spreading gossip but acquiring it was always a welcomed little thing to entertain her, some days the only thing that didn’t make her bored out of her mind was pondering something curious. A soft giggle did bubble up, her tail giving a light sway. “She’s good at tt-that,” agreeing her mother was great at making you never know what to expect with her. It’s been that way since she could remember. Never knowing if she would be tucked next to a maid, bathed in her mothers fur reeking of alcohol or getting the one that wanted to tell her stories before singing her to sleep when she was a child.

"I-i-if she trusts you then I'll t-trust you too. She doesn't trust easy s-so you must be special," she'd smile just a little, not sure what else to say and seemed she wouldn't have to as he followed up with something else she wasn't expecting.

“Oh? Okay, if you say s-s-so Mister- Ummm just Khepri,” she said softly, slowly migrating to the bed he had put together for her. She would pause a couple steps from it, staring at it before glancing over her shoulder nervously before forcing herself to nest into the padding. It wasn’t too uncomfortable, not perfect but as she gently nudged it around with her muzzle and paws, she would get some lumps out of it and make it tolerable. Better than sleeping outside, she reminded herself as she rested there. She was hungry but didn’t want to be a bother by asking, so instead she’d try to at least pretend to go to sleep. “Sweet dreams,” she murmured, resting her head on her paws and closing her eyes. If he would go to rest too, she would find herself watching him once his breathing changed, contemplating the day until eventually sleep would win her over.
[exit aurora via sleep unless stopped]

table ; bunny -- art ; kimera

@Khepri

It would seem Aurora was starting to warm up to him as he noticed her giggle at his comment about her mother; then the sway of her tail and smile caused his own tail to thump on the ground a couple times behind him as he offered a warm smile of his own. He did not wish to make her nervous if he could help it and to see her relaxing was a relief. she said and he felt his cheeks warm with a blush. Thankfully his tawny fur ensured she'd not see such a thing. "Thank you," he murmured.

“Oh? Okay, if you say s-s-so Mister- Ummm just Khepri," she stammered a bit more, and he was beginning to wonder if her stammer was not due to nervousness and simply a part of her speech pattern. He watched as she moved to the bed and he did the same, twirling around once or twice before plopping down onto his stomach and huffing softly. She was much more delicate about it as she slowly adjusted herself to make herself comfortable. "Sorry if it's not as comfortable as your used to," he said as he looked over at her. He lived a far simpler life than Aurora did (not that he knew the extent of the Helvig estate) and hoped that she would find it a tolerable change. It wouldn't be forever, at least, just until things calmed down.

Khepri yawned and laid his head down on his paws as Aurora bid him to sleep well. He noticed she did not immediately fall asleep but that was fine, she was probably still nervous being around someone who was almost a stranger. He closed his honied eyes and soon, sleep would take him again.

[ exit khepri via sleep ]

manip + code: clae