[html]
[/html]His response was simple, but his body language spoke volumes. He got to his feet and watched her, with a dip of his head, as she spoke. She wasn’t quite sure what to make of it, or him. What exactly did he want? He explained that few knew of him – or what he used to be, and Tayui wondered if he wanted to know more about his old self, whoever Maluki had been. She flinched as he examined her more closely, wondering what he could be looking at. She had not said anything to offend him and she was unsure why he seemed to be so intent on watching her. She couldn’t read his expressions and she didn’t know what he wanted. Information? Help? Solitude? She was at a loss. His scowl returned and she was confused: had he not liked Skoll or Jantus? Did he resent their journey to Phoenix Valley? She tried to figure it out, but his negative attitude was making it difficult to read him. She flicked her ears forward when he spoke again, nodding slowly. He hadn’t known Skoll, so why had he consented to Jantus’s group squatting nearby for a few days? Perhaps there was some sort of benevolence she had missed at first glance.
She hmm’d in reply when he mentioned Skoll’s funeral. She was surprised to see bitterness creep into his tone. What exactly was he so angry at? And Tayui thought she had become bitter. Perhaps she still had a long way to go before she reached the level of ‘Jefferson’ bitterness.
“He was a good warrior,” she replied. She frowned and then tried to offer some sort of help. “I used to be a Baird in Jaded Shadows; is there anything you’d like to know? About Skoll or your family?” Her offer sounded weak, as if she was trying too hard. She didn’t know how to phrase it, but she tried her best. She hoped she could help this male to recover some of the dignity she’d lost and perhaps help him regain his.