Jan 29 04:16:43 107 - Research and friendship growing deeper?

From Chronicles

Outside Kingsdale - Vadania's Teepee(#440R)

Seems someone has taken over this small offshoot clearing. The opening back to the main clearing hedged in with a thick wall of vines and brush. Inside however it looks like you're stepping backwards into the wilds of the West. Most notably done to this small clearing is that it's roughly divided into two halves. One half has a tee-pee stretching towards the skies above. The hide outer covering decorated in an almost ivy theme. The other half has a lean-to build and sized as if for a horse. The grounds of that half lightly walled around by a simple stick framed fence. A large fire pit sits in the middle between the halves showing much use of late, with a sizable stack of split wood off to the side of it.

A lovely Sunday morning and already there is a fire crackling away in the pit. LightFeather offers a playful whicker in greeting as Vadania emerges form the teepee with a cast iron skillet and a small satchel. "Good morning to you, sister. Are you trying to say that you need more grain wile I make breakfast?"

The sound of a horse approaching is likely muffled somewhat by the ground being warm enough to be wet. It seems a lone rider approaches the campsite. As Sage came without her partner, she wears armor and carries a few weapons should anything try its luck with her. "Good morning, Vadania." She greets simply as she slow walks the horse in.

Vadania glances up and offers a grin. Then adds a couple more eggs to the pan and some more bacon. "Morning to you as well, Sage. Would you like to join us for breakfast?" She tucks the pan into the coals. "I'm certain LightFeather is willing to share her shelter and feed."

Climbing down from her horse, Sage ends up taking a hold of the reins with one hand and her helmet in her other. Once she's free from the expressionless facemask, she offers Vadania a smile. "A little food wouldn't be a-miss. Thank you." She replies, before getting a slightly amused look. "Perhaps more the shelter than the feed." She offers, before heading her horse over towards the forementioned shelter. "Just let me know if you'd prefer me to change out my armor... I have brought a change of clothes if you would feel uncomfortable."

Vadania chuckles softly as she turns and says something softly to LightFeather in her native tongue, who moves over in the shelter to make more room. Then noses at you as you enter the lean-to. Then goes back to cooking breakfast. "The armor is fine. I doesn't affect me unless I wear it. Then it is an affront to the oaths I took to the spirits." A grin showing as she turns her head to watch you puting your horse under cover. "I hope the caravaners were kind."

The nosing is greeted with a kind rubbing of the forehead as Sage settles her horse into the shelter. She offers each horse a carrot stick to avoid them getting jealous over the other's spoils. Then she comes back out. "In that case, I suppose I should consider how long I'll be imposing on your hospitality." She replies with faint amusement, before nodding faintly. "Kind enough, thank you for asking." She walks over towards the fire to sit near Vadania.

Vadania chuckles softly at the quiet chomping coming from the shelter. Her eyes however follow you as you cross towards her. "My camp is your camp. And you are welcome." She glances back to hte pan in time to note she needs to flip the bacon over so it can cook evenly. And the eggs need to be turned to the side away from the flames. "Both you and Tirzah are welcome here. Though I fear Erica may figure out you know where this place is and become frustratingly persistant in trying to get the information from you both." She blushes and shrugs slightly. "Sorry, I told her she would have to figure it out on her own."

A brow raises faintly before Sage smiles at Vadania, "That's kind of you to say." She comments, before she quiets to let the other woman focus on cooking as she settles down on a chair. "That's just as well... if I started to spend much time here, I'm sure Tirzah would come to visit too." Then shrugs to the next comment, "If you'd rather us not to let her know, I think we can be steadfast enough." She takes a breath before looking around. "It would be nice to come out here ever so often and commune with nature some..." She comments, before looking over to Vadania. "Never had an established camp as an option for those times in the past, though."

Vadania grins and waggles her brows playfully. "Only as steadfast as you want to be. She can be..." She trails off and blushes. "Sorry, I should not speak ill of her without her being here to defend herself." Her attention shifting back to the camp and more importantly, breakfast. The scent of frying bacon starting to fill the air. "I find it almost as if the world were crowding in on me when I stay too long within the walls of the City. Plus, out htere I can speak to the spirits when I need to. Or they can speak to me easier as well."

With an amused expression, Sage makes a mild dismissive gesture. "She tends to behave around me. Flirting aside." She mentions, "But, I suspect you and Tirzah may have seen another side to her." She admits, before she looks towards the other woman as she comments about the city. "I felt out of place myself... so many people, so much technology, but there are little havens that have made the transition a little easier. I also had other people to consider that may have made staying out in a place like this less possible." She comments, before pausing. "Of course, I really only commune with nature rather than spirits... although, that may come in time."

Vadania ahhs and nods. "I have seen the side that seems either to be lost or in heat." A small smile plays over her lips, "But then again I am not exactly cultured as most would view it." She reaches for a bag off to the side of hte fire and draws out a pair of wooden plates. Deftly she transfers eggs to plates and then three slices of bacon apiece. "As I said, you are welcome to commune out here all you wish. This was the closest I could find the wilderness that I craved, with the ease of getting to and from the city." One of the plates is offered. "Fork?"

"It is likely because she views me as taken that I have not seen the latter side." Sage replies with a faint smile and a shrug, before watching the other woman finish off the cooking phase. She takes the place with a murmured 'thank you'. Her smile returns with a touch of warmth, "Should I see to bringing my own sleeping arrangements should I wish to spend a night here or there?" She asks, before her expression shifts as her mind wanders to a sadder thought. "Please." She says simply to the offer of a fork.

Vadania reaches over to get two forks out, offering one to you handle first. "For sleeping arrangements. I think I have enough furs and blankets for all of us to sleep peacefully. Though I do not want to risk Tirzah's anger, it is often more comfortable to curl together as we did after the tickle-fight." She pauses to lift a piece of bacon for a nibble. "Dear, I do not want to upset you. But I need to ask a few things to try to find a friend who has gone missing as well."

"I will likely bring up the idea of using your camp as a place to commune with Tirzah before doing so." Sage comments, "As I'm sure she would be more upset at not being able to find me than anything else." She comments with a little amusement, as she sets her unhappy thought aside for the moment. She takes the offered fork, before moving to take a small bite in from it. She makes a soft noise to show her appreciation for the other's efforts. Then she glances towards Vadania with a raised brow. She takes a breath, "Very well..."

Vadania offers a half-smile as she winks. "I had been looking for Alistair. And what sources that have talked to me all mention three names as who might know where he's gone." She sighs softly, then munches the rest of a piece of bacon before continuing. "Thoe names were your's, Tirzah and someone named Vixen."

When the name isn't Cali, it softens the blow fractionally for Sage but not by much. She purses her lips as she tries not to let her thoughts wander too far. She pokes at her food, but doesn't really partake further for the moment. She gives a sigh of her own. "He... and Cali... along with a shifter recommended by the Monkey-person that runs the arcade disappeared when we were coming back from Madhaven through a portal." She comments, "And, I have been unable to sense what may have happened to them or where they may be now... as if something were blocking me." She drops her gaze, before picking at her food once more and trying out another small portion.

Vadania ohhs softly at that and sighs, "Damn. He was one of hte first to try to befriend me when I arrived at the gates. I owe him much." She blushes a little as she adds, "He was also the first to suggest we might get along as friends." She lifts a hand to lightly cup your cheek as she offers softly. "They will be found. I do not thing either of us, nor those we know are apt for leaving our friends hanging."

Sage nods to the word 'damn' in agreement before glancing toward Vadania a little. "He was Cali's significant other... and Cali was like a sister to me... now it'll be a little strange if I spend nights still at the flat we used to share... so many memories... and so much uncertainty." She comments, before looking more fully at Vadania as her cheek is lightly cupped. She offers a weak smile. "I suspect the only ones that could give us leads... since the Monkey-person doesn't seem to be a help... is asking either Leonard or Vargus about how to find someone that got... lost in transit." Her gaze drops once more as the loss is still fresh... even if it may be mended in the future.

Vadania hmms softly at that. "I do not know this Leonard. But Vargus I have met." Her eyes bright with something before she shakes her head and sighs. "No, I can not do that to him to get the information. We may need his help. Perhaps I will just have to tie him up and ask, instead of blood eagleing him. That we can reserve for if he was the cause of the loss if transit." She offers a tight smile and shrugs. "I am still unsure of his bird. It seems metal, but does not act as tech would."

"I haven't seen much of Leonard lately, but I suspect if I continue to see Vixen around... I'll likely see Leonard soon or later." Sage comments, "As for Vargus, I guess it'll just depend on which one of us see him first." She smiles faintly at the thought. "But, perhaps I should leave that to you... maybe I could even watch." She chuckles briefly as she's able to set aside the reason for talking to the man for the time being. She nods to the comment about the bird, "It is strange... but, Sebastien is able to communicate with his horse in a way that goes beyond just simple commands... and it is no animal."

Vadania ahhs softly at that. "Technology in it's weirdest. I had hoped it was like the birds that there were romors of far to the east and south with just metal plumage." She lightly strokes a finger over the owl feather charm in her hair and winks. "Though I find I prefer the softer things."

Sage can't help but to nod in agreement to the comment regarding technology, "I enjoy the gift I have with animals... so, such things would not be my preference." She comments, "But, they do seem to be formidable things for their owners." She raises a brow at the mention of birds with metal plumage, before chuckling softly. "Sometimes soft can be very nice." She comments simply with a smile.

Vadania nods to that. "On other notes. Have you been approached about the dragon hunt? Twice now I have bene approached about it. I'm starting to think I need to strengthen my armor and perhaps weapontry as I was of little effect with the enemy we fought together."

Judging by her expression, Sage has heard of it. "I have heard of it in passing and Erica has mentioned it as well. In that she has been asking questions regarding it." She comments, before pursing her lips. "But, I haven't been approached directly, no..." She considers the other woman for a moment as she takes in a mouthful of breakfast to chew on. "Although, its beginning to seem that if a number of my friends are going... I may have to look into going myself."

Vadania nods as she turns to finish up her own breakfast. Cold eggs getting forked up into her mouth as she mulls over something. Slowly she chews the last of her eggs and nods over something. "Sage? Mmm... I'm not certain how to ask this." She looks away as she suddenly feels shy. "I do not know od anyone else who can use the items I craft. But I think perhaps you might be one of the few. If I crafted you something, would you be willing to try it out?" This last is asked as she peers back at you from under a wing of her hair. "I can not even promise that it will work as the spirits must approve first."

With the focus shifting back to the breakfast, Sage is content enough to eat now that her apetite has returned. She seems to consider her surrounds as much or more than her dining companion for the time being until her name is mentioned. She glances to the other woman with curiousity settled into her expression. "Hm?" She replies at first before smiling faintly. "Just ask then." She suggests simply, before she falls quiet to let the other woman work it out. "It would be nice to know what it would be used for... but I think I would be willing to try whatever it is." She comments, trying to offer an open expression with a soft smile to the other woman. She nods faintly, "Things that inventors make rarely work the first time... but as long as it doesn't explode or something, it should be okay."

Vadania chuckles softly, "If the spirits do not approve then it simple would not work. As for what form I am still in the process of choosing. As it is I only have three and all are in use. But your honor calls to me to reward." A slightly sheepish smile shows, "If you could have something easier for you. What would it be? Sometimes hearing what is held most important can help choices become made."

Sage chuckles softly as the other woman assures her that it would simply not work in the worst case, before putting her dish and fork off to the side. "That's comforting, at least." She comments with bemusement, before looking up to the other woman. A brow raises faintly at the mention of her honour. "You may honour me too much." She comments, but doesn't sound like she's about to argue the point. Instead she falls thoughtful when the question comes and her lips purse as she thinks on the matter. "That is not an easy question to answer." She speaks after her pause, "But, I am a healer and a protector in my own fashion ..."

Vadania nods slightly, then teases with. "It is not like it would suck out your spirit or anything." Her expression warm as she nods and mulls that over. "So something or healing or protection. Those are often more interesting ones. Though I must warn that tech may keep it from working as well. As I do not think evne the hardiest healing fetish would touch a metal-man or armor."

"I hadn't quite thought of that..." Sage replies with a playful tone, "...of course, it could well do that for all I know." She teases back, letting her gaze drift to a tickling spot that she'd found on Vadania from the other time. She seems to remember she's in armor before she decides to act on any impulse, however. She returns her gaze to Vadania, before her lips purse once more. "Perhaps I should think of something simple instead of noble then?" She asks, before smiling faintly. "Although, it seems everything has its advantages and drawbacks."

Vadania nods to that and grins. "You, my friend, are as noble as some of the healing shamen I have met over the years. I almost wished I had some of their knowledge during the sickness." She falls silent as she mulls over something that she heard of... Once in her youth. "If I could find a great snake, perhaps." She shakes her head. "Maybe a bear would be better." Her cheeks flushing nearly scarlet as she realizes she was musing aloud.

Sage smiles at what she takes for a great compliment, before dropping her eyes slightly as if to silent convey that she may not be worthy of such. "It was more my abilities than knowledge that guided me through that sickness." She comments, before lookng back up. She raises a brow as the other woman muses oddly. She can't help but smile at the blushing. "You have my intrigued..." She teases lightly.

Vadania offers a small smile. "Was thinking of healing animals. Snake is the mistress of medicine. Bear is wise in the ways of herbs. Buffallo as he lends his strength in battling sickness. And dino as it is a combination of several aspects. That's all."

Sage ahs softly, "It seems we have different aspects to our connection to nature... which is just as well since its enjoyable to hear of them." She reaches out to touch the other woman's shoulder, "I hope we are able to satisfy your conditions for the ceremony to be performed... I feel you are the best choice I could have made." She says softly with a warm smile. "And, either way, I hope that we can be good friends... if we aren't already." She adds with a soft chuckle.

Vadania offers a soft chuckle in return. "I think we are friends. You are one of perhaps three folk to know where I live, if that is not trust I do not know what it is then." Her head canting slightly. "Perhaps some evening we can share our beliefs. To me, everything has a spirit within. I just can not speak with those of technology. And becasue of arguments from among the spirits I do trade with and honor. I am banned from technology. Though they can compensate things to a certain extent." Her hands folding in her lap as she tries not to gestucate as well as talk. "Part of my tradition is to thank the spirits of any animal or plant that is harvested to allow us to further our lives."

"An exclusive club then." Sage replies with a light tone, and a smile on her lips. She nods to the suggestion, "I would like that." She replies, as she listens to the woman make some comments about her own beliefs. She gives a chagrin look as she looks to herself being covered in technology. "I think I will choose to be attired differently that evening." She comments, "It does sound like your ways are based in tradition - to some extent - while mine are more... natural gifts... but I suspect others like me would share similar ideals. I can not know for sure, though."

Vadania chuckles softly, "Ohh. Some of what I am now is natural gifts in a sense. They are natural to me now. Had to make a tough choice once upon a time. Weather to take the shaman's path or not. In taking it I bound myself to a totem spirit and got certain things in return. Access to certain gifts of the spirits was one of them. Living to be as old as the forests is another if I do not get injured enough to end my life. The ability and right to craft fetishes is another."

A thoughtful look enters Sage's eyes as she considers the other woman, "I suppose we all must grow into our abilities regardless oof how we come into them." She comments, before her eyes sparkle a little. "Of course, if you keep talking... you might intrigue me enough to stay through to the evening." She teases lightly, "I think I will find our conversation to be quite interesting." She comments with a smile, "I am not quite sure I understand much about these spirits you speak of... but, perhaps in my own limited way I speak with them without realizing it." She pauses to consider the last comments. "Truly?" She asks with a mixture of emotions in her tone, "I imagine I would long since be a memory by that time... lest I come back as a spirit to torment you with my presence, of course."

Vadania grins and chuckles softly at that, shaking her head. "It is posible that you speak to the spirits a different way than I do. Much as I do not understand all of the things that I have seen other's who claim mystical powers having done."

Sage nods her head faintly before smiling faintly once more, "It is possible... but that seems like a topic best left for the more in-depth conversation." she replies, "Although, I imagine your way of communicating is more... straight-forward than mine in a way." She comments, before giving a faint amused sigh. "You're still making me want to change it something less ... technological and stay a while." She comments, unsure of whether that is necessarily a bad thing. She purses her lips, "Although, come to think of it, your mentioning of Alistair does remind me that I may need to hire on some help for my own private garden... although, most of the produce does benefit places within the city instead of just my own stock."

Vadania quirks a brow up at that. "You are more than welcome to un-shell yourself and slip into something more comfortable." A small grin showing as she reaches over to knock lightly on the armor. "What sort of help were you thinking for your private garden? Plants are the branched path I tread still."

"Well, I did come out all this way..." Sage concedes before she decides to give in to the urge, "Alright... I guess I'll change in your teepee?" She asks as she rises from her sitting position. "Well, Alistair was the one that build the greenhouse... but he also helped out with various tasks around the garden. There's only so much that Isabeau and I can do at times." She comments, as she begins to move towards where she left her horse. She raises her voice a little to compensate for her moving a little away. "But, anyone that could help make our garden more productive would always be welcome."

Vadania chuckles as she leans back on her hands to keep watching you as you move over towards where the horses are. "If you want I can help some with the garden. It is always interesting to speak with plants that are tamed verses the ones still wild in the woods." She hmms softly, "Herbs... I wonder if there are any that would be good in the upcoming issues. I may have to start seeking out some more."

With a couple more carrot stick bribes, Sage makes her way into the horse shelter to reclaim her bags. It doesn't take long before she's stepping back out with a bag in tow. "That would be great." She replies, "I'm not sure I could promise much money... but with the greenhouse, we can grow and sell stuff off all year round... and we can always take some for our own purposes." She comments as she makes her way towards the teepee. "And, I may have some extra herb plants now that I might not be spending as much time living between two apartments." She adds, before ducking into the teepee to begin changing out of her armor.

Vadania hmms softly at that. "I have little need for money. I live mostly off the lands. And trade for what little I can not get myself. But then again I also have been seeking some employment as a guide and tracker to help some of the refugees."

Likely underestimating the time that it would take to change out of the armor and into more comfortable clothing, Sage doesn't comment on the woman's response. She wears a little bit of a sheepish look as she steps out, "Sorry..." She comments simply, before walking back towards where Vadania sit. "You were saying something about being a guide and tracker?"

Vadania grins as she tips her head back to look at you albet upside down. "Mmm hmm.. It seems a traditional position for one such as I. Our histories tell of the times when there were no other people than those people call the red-skins. Often they were hired as quides and trackers by those arriving into the area."

"I imagine I could be a guide as well... although, I normally provided guidance of another sort to small wilderness communities myself." Sage replies, "Well, as much as I could at the time." She remains mostly behind Vadania for the time being as she approaches.

Vadania keeps the head back position as you are walking up behind her. "Lending aid is much of what the shamen do as our life's work. Helpers, healers, guides and wise men. Sometimes even Elders once we settle down in a given place. Though I think the closest Elder of that kind is about three moons ride west of here."

"Then, perhaps you could lend me some aid now..." Sage comments, before playfully pouncing forward the last few yards to be able to reach for a tickling spot on Vadania's body with a chuckle. "I could use a little laughter about now..." She tries to explain as she potentially provokes a tickle battle.

Vadania eeps and squirms as she's pounced. Her body starting to curl, before she forces it to straighten and starts tickling back. She almost convulses with laughter as you do find not one but closer to three ticklish spots as she's not in her usual leathers so lacks even their protection. She does try to give as good as she gets though.

A playful grin plays on Sage's lips as she wriggles her fingers against the other woman's tickling spot. With her coat open and a somewhat light shirt mean that her own defenses aren't much better than Vadania's. She doesn't even make a move to defend herself and soon she too is laughing beyond her ability to hold it in. Whether the other woman realizes it or not, it had been her intention to let the other woman win. Eventually her decreased efforts lead her to rolling into a submissive pose as she tries to recover her breath.

Vadania gasps softly as she took advantage of the light defenses to hold her own. Though all the laughing has left her a bit winded. She finally just half-collapses to rest her head against Sage's shoulder. "F-feelin'... Better... N-now?" she inquired between ragged breaths, while still tickling occationally.

While it would have been nicer if the laughter was more genuinely inspired, it did provide ample distraction for Sage. Even if it is leaving her a bit breathless as she gasps in breath herself. "A ... l-little..." Sage haltingly replaces between breathes, before she eventually makes a noise of complaint as the other woman continues to tickle at her occasionally. She makes little attempts to fend the other woman's hands off while returning the favour a time or two. Once her breath is a little less ragged, she gives the other woman a light hug. "Thanks."

Vadania stops tickling at the noise of complaint, instead just settling in to gently hold the other woman as she chuckles softly still. "You are welcome." She blinks as she looks over at Sage. Then grins rather impishly. "You do know that if someone were to walk in about how with as tossled and flushed as we look. They might think we'd bene up to something other than a ticklewar."

The chuckling seems a little infectious as Sage find herself chuckling at the foolishness she just provoked. Her gaze directed more skyward rather the other woman, until Vadania speaks with an impish look. With the comment, she finally takes a look at how they'd ended up after their playful war had ceased. Faint amusement comes to her expression as she looks to Vadania. "Just as well that it happened out here then." She replies, "Or it might be a foregone conclusion." She begins to move her arms to allow the other woman to rise if desired with a chuckle.

Vadania doesn't seem to want to move much at all as it is rather comfy where she's at in your arms. "Mmm... You want to move so soon? And yeah, I seem to recall all three of us piled up barely able to catch our breaths in the teepee over yonder. Probably a good thing we had a night of sleep and then the morning to get ourselves all put back together. Otherwise people would think we were all three lovers." Her cheeks flushing again.

When the other woman reveals that she wasn't hinting at wanting to get up, Sage lets her arms relax back into place. "Suit yourself." She murmurs, finding the moment comforting. She grins at the memory of the night, "At least it kept the night from being awkward..." She points out, before pausing at the comment. "Suppose that would make things easier with Erica if they did... well, unless it make her sulk." She adds before looking over to the other woman and getting that certain smile as she sees the blush.

Vadania sticks her tongue out at you as she catches sight of that smile. "I think she would sulk for about as long as it took her for another person to catch her eye. I'm almost afraid that for her the chase is more important than the end results."

Sage makes an amused sound at the tongue sticking out, "Perhaps..." she replies, settling to look up at the sky once more. "She seems nice enough when she's just flirting a little and talking to me like a friend, though." She pauses, "What about you?" She asks simply, unsure of whether its too personal a question at this time. "Or should I tell you a little about how I get along with nature instead."

Vadania hmms softly at the hesitance she hears. "What about me? She comes on more than a bit thickly. I often feel like the hunted doe around her." She reaches up to tap the tip of your nose, "You? I care for you as a friend and it could be more. But you are also bound to another that I care for and could become more as well. So it would take a mutual agreement fomr three sides for things to get any farther than friendship." She winks and lightly pets the fur of your jacket as she draws her hand back. "Now how do you get along with nature?"

"Now that brings up interesting imagery." Sage muses softly before the tap on her nose draws her gaze back to Vadania with a questioning look. Her hands grip fractionally firmer at the mention of more, before relaxing as the woman continues. "I didn't know you felt that way." She replies softly, as her gaze becomes a little unreadable for a moment as if considering whether to say something. Then a different topic is offered and she lets herself go with that topic like a leaf on the whim of a breeze. "There is more to it than this... but, I feel impressions from animals... like a bond of friendship... it manifests itself differently between wild, domesticated and intelligent... a kind of empathy if you will. It is like I am one of them... free to roam without causing a panic." She relates softly.

Vadania ohhs soflty as she lets the safety of the topic shift settle nicely into place. Her own cheeks still feeling more than a bit heated. "That sounds similar to some of the Animal Shamen I've run into. Is there a certain animal you feel most linked with?" she inquires remembering the snarling and clawing gestures from the night of the hunt.

When her gaze returns to Vadania, Sage's lips begin to curl into that smile again. She raches up a hand to cup the cheek for the moment to hide the redness in it. "In truth, I'm not sure that I do... but, it is often easy to pretend I am a wolf. They are often stronger as a group than they are alone. It seems apt." She comments, "I also find that I tend to gain new abilities based on what I encounter... so, perhaps I may develop a way to commune with spirits of some kind." She says, before beginning to move her hand away from the cheek.

Vadania nods slightly to that and grins. "My own ties are closest with Raven. A bit of a flirt." She leaves out that Raven also once stole the sun as a trick. "But, yes, wolves are far more powerful as a pack and singly. Fantastic hunters." She turns her cheek into the palm to lightly brush a kiss there. "I just gain a bit more knowledge as I grow and spread my roots deeper into an area."

"A raven, hm?" Sage muses softly, "There's an animal that can be seen in different lights." She leaves out the less vituous aspects of the bird, before nodding faintly to the talk about wolves. "They can be, indeed." She considers Vadania with an unreadable expression in her eyes once more as she moves her hand away back down to where it came from. "I guess I'm not the only one that uses root metaphors anymore." She comments.

Vadania hmms softly as she grins and lifts her hand upwards to cup your cheek again. The playful ball of her thumb lightly tracing along the curve of your lower lip. "What is wrong with root metaphors? I deal mostly in plants, so it is quite fitting."

When the other woman traces her lower lip, Sage begins to wonder where this may be leading towards. Her hands move off the other woman's back in a releasing motion as they end up near the other woman's sides. "True..." she replies, before looking a little away from the other woman. "Perhaps you should speak with Tirzah..." She takes a breath, "And, I think it may be more comfortable if we got up."

Vadania erks and hangs her head a little. "Forgive me, I overstepped." She slifts slightly away, then sits up to slip another log into the fire as it's burning down towards just coals. "I forget sometimes that I'm from a bit more touching allowed culture." She glances over her shoulder to you and makes a face. It's a idle attempt to break the mood-killer. "Do you think she'll flog me?" she muses softly.

Feeling a little like she would have angered her partner if such a display were seen, Sage waits until she is sitting up once more. Also being unsure of the other woman's intent, she doesn't respond to the first comment with any assurances. She looks over to Vadania, "Oh..." she replies before finding she doesn't have any words to follow that up with yet. She ends up finally making a sound that could be amusement at the question, "That might depend on what you said." She replies, before giving a soft sigh then finally a chuckle. "In my culture... it was not a bad thing to see others naked... although this was typically during group bathing where no one had anything to hide." She comments, "So... I can forgive you for being from one that allowed greater freedom of touching." She decides, "I... learned something about you." She offers a faint smile. "And... perhaps you don't have to talk to Tirzah if you don't...." She trails off, unsure of how to finish that sentence.

Vadania quirks a brow up slightly as her lips start to form an odd smile. She has to physically fight it as if smiling were as intrical a part of her as breathing. "It was thus with my folk as well. Though as a shaman's child I was seen as a bit different. Almost as if I was not to be touched for fear of angering my parents." She curls her legs under her and asks softly, "Do you wish me to talk to Tirzah?" Her eyes studying you carefully, "I will not if it threatenes our friendship in the least bit. Either friendship, that is."

One of Sage's brows raises when the other woman seems to have a rather odd expression on her face. "Ah..." She replies on the other woman reveals a possible reason for... amusement? "My story is a little different, but that can wait for another time." She takes a breath when asked about speaking with Tirzah. Her gaze seems go far off as if she were considering the question. When she focuses back onto Vadania, there's still a thoughtful set about her lips. "If it were just to explain what happened, then no..." She comments before pausing, "If..." She rises to her feet as her words fail her for a moment.

Vadania nods her head slightly as she nibbles at her lower lip. Then sighs, "Sage, I was not smiling because of anything you were going. In truth I am scared of how quickly things have gone. But Raven was chuckling in my ear about how cute we looked." She rises slowly almost as if with a startled animal she's trying to sooth. "I am sorry that my expression confused you. I would like to speak with Tirzah. If only to see if she still wished me to perform the cerimony. But diffinately for another reason as well."

The explanation of the smile gives Sage pause, before abruptly chuckling at the oddness of it. "I was not worried about the smile... but, the explanation is a little odder than I suspected." She admits, before taking in a breath to try to settle herself. "It was more my own thoughts that flustered me." She comments, before noddding gently. "I had not had a chance to tell her about the conditions... she should know." Then she considers the other woman for a moment, "I will need to think on the other reason and see if my heart would be pure enough for it." She comments, "But, perhaps you have no caught Tirzah's eye either."

Vadania nods to that. "It is true. Perhaps I have not. I am not around her as often as we seem to be together." Her nose wrinkling slightly, "If I have not, then we are to only be friends. Though tickle-wars may still be fair game. I will have to at least tel her about my transgression though, dear-one."

Nodding faintly to the woman's comment, Sage isn't quite sure what to make of her feelings on the matter. "You seem to be enlightened in spirit..." She comments, before reaching up to her hair to undo one of the beads. She offers it on her open palm to Vadania. "Tell Tirzah that I will not rush into this decision, but you have my permission to ask even if I later say no. And give her this." She comments, "Now I wish to ride... but, I do not flee from you, Vadania." She takes a moment to drink the other woman in with her eyes before moving off to the teepee to change once more.

Vadania reaches out to gently take the bead. A perplexed look showing for a moment, before she nods. The holds up the bead and inclines her head. "I would feel horrid if I had done something so wrong that you ran form me. But, yes. Time grows late and if you wish to get a ride in before it is too dark to safely make the trip back to the walls. The nyou should leave soon." She carefully drwas a small pouch u on hte chord around her neck and tucks the bead inside her medicine pouch with all the rest of the important, important things in her life.

Sage goes home. Sage has left.