The fire continued to crackle softly, its flickering light casting dancing shadows along the walls of the cave. The warmth it radiated slowly spread, chasing away the last remnants of the bitter cold that still clung to the air.
Veil, seated near the flames, examined the items he had salvaged from his encounter: a crude dagger, makeshift bandages, and a few strips of dried meat. He placed them carefully on the rocky ground before him.
Alynia, sitting on the opposite side of the fire, watched him in silence. Her wolf-like ears, slightly perked, betrayed her attention. Her piercing gaze flicked between the objects, but she remained wordless.
Veil (internal thought): Not much, but it'll have to do.
With a sigh, he picked up one of the pieces of meat and skewered it onto the end of a branch he had found near the fire. He planted the stick in the ground, letting the meat roast slowly over the flames. The fat began to melt, dripping into the fire with a faint sizzle, as the rich, savory aroma filled the cave.
His stomach growled softly, making him smile involuntarily. He carefully turned the meat, keeping his fingers away from the heat, all while sneaking a glance at Alynia.
She remained still, but her gaze was locked onto the roasting meat.
Veil (small grin): "Want some?"
Alynia frowned, her ears twitching slightly at his words. A faint, almost imperceptible growl came from her stomach, breaking the silence. She narrowed her eyes, pretending not to have heard, but her body had already betrayed her.
Alynia (cold gaze): "I don’t bite strangers, but I don’t expect them to share with me either."
Veil (light chuckle): "Eating alone would be stupid. Food always tastes better when shared."
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With a simple motion, he pulled a well-cooked piece of meat from the stick and held it out to her. She stared at it, her eyes shifting from the meat to Veil, as if searching for a hidden trick in the gesture.
After a brief hesitation, she gently took the piece of meat, pulling it from the branch with her agile fingers. She bit into it slowly, revealing a brief glimpse of her fangs. Her jaw moved deliberately, each bite taken with care, as if she were savoring every moment.
Veil (internal thought): She eats slowly… It’s like she hasn’t had a proper meal in a long time.
Silence settled between them again, broken only by the crackling fire and the faint sounds of their chewing. Alynia continued to eat at a steady pace, but her eyes drifted toward Veil. She stared at him with calm intensity, a curiosity she made no effort to conceal.
Alynia (fixing her gaze on Veil): "What’s your name, human?"
Her voice, though composed, carried a note of firmness, as if the question was less out of curiosity and more out of necessity.
Veil remained motionless for a moment, his eyes fixed on the fire. Alynia’s question echoed in his mind, as if it hadn’t come from her but from the flames themselves. He inhaled slowly, then shifted his gaze from the fire to meet hers.
Veil (hesitant but resolute): "Veil. My name is Veil."
At those words, a subtle glint flickered in Alynia’s eyes. She said nothing, but her tail, white and silky, began to sway gently behind her. Her gaze took on a more calculating edge, yet there was also a trace of amusement in it. She took another bite, chewing slowly before allowing a faint smirk to appear.
Alynia (mocking tone): "Alright then, little wolf. Thanks for the food."
Veil (surprised look): "I tell you my name, and you change it immediately?"
Alynia raised an eyebrow, her tail swaying a bit faster now. Her lips curled into a smirk, reinforcing the air of challenge she always seemed to carry.
Alynia (grinning): "I’ll call you by your name the day you’re my equal."
A brief silence settled between them, broken only by the crackling fire. Veil stared at her, searching for a response or perhaps a way to counter her remark. In the end, he let out a quiet nasal laugh—a mix of frustration and challenge. He shook his head slightly, a small smile forming on his lips.
He took another piece of meat and carefully placed it over the flames, watching it cook.
Veil (whispering, internal thought): We’ll see, Alynia. We’ll see.
The fire continued to burn relentlessly, the sound of wood cracking and consuming itself filling the cave with a soothing melody. Its gentle warmth spread through the space, enhancing the relative calm of the moment.
Alynia crossed her arms, leaning against the rocky wall behind her. Her half-lidded eyes seemed lost in the firelight, yet her attention remained subtly fixed on Veil. Her tail swayed slowly, as if following the rhythm of the flames.
Veil (internal thought): If I have to become her equal, then I will. No matter how long it takes.
His eyes gleamed with renewed determination as he cast one last glance at Alynia, then at the fire. This simple moment, shared between silence and unspoken challenges, felt like a turning point.
The fire still crackled, its dancing light continuing to cast shifting shadows along the cave walls—a silent testament to the unspoken pact between the two souls who now shared its warmth.