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Gale had tried to warn Tav of the dangers of picking up stray furry menaces, especially ones that grew to be great, terrible beasts. But she'd smiled her biggest cheekiest smile and felt unable to continue the argument. In fairness, they got along famously; it followed her around camp, cooing like a baby bird. He could hear her chatting away with both the cub and Scratch from his position by the tents. When last he’d seen, she was feeding them both scraps from dinner.
"Please be polite... see how polite Scratch is when he takes a treat? Yes, exactly, he's letting me keep all my fingers... just..." He heard a small yelp and low hiss of pain. He shook his head; he’d tried to warn her...but Shadowheart had turned in for the night, and it was hardly gentlemanly to leave a lady in pain. He carefully closed his book and strolled over to where he knew she'd be. She was looking with great interest at the tree above her, with her hands clasped behind her back.
"Evening..." He attempted nonchalance.
She pursed her lips. "Oh, hello, excellent night for a walk." a fine attempt at subtlety. He smiled, hoping to come across as charmingly chastizing rather than patronizing.
"If perhaps, someone had been injured in a manner I had suggested was a potential danger... Would someone like assistance with that hypothetical injury?"
She smiled and then winced.
"Hypothetically, that'd be appreciated."
He reached out his hand. "May I?"
She carefully revealed her hand; a nasty gash ran across her palm. The cub seemed to have nipped her near the thumb. She gently placed her hand in his. He brought it up to his face to examine it closely, conveniently blocking his own rapidly heating face from view. Still, he caught her eyes as she watched him with interest; they gleamed.
“So what's the prognosis? Will I live?” With the slightest smile dancing across her mouth.
“I'm aghast you think I'd let any lasting harm befall you. You'll live, at least while in my company.”
“I'll have to keep your company then.”
He cleared his throat, ignoring the rumbling in his chest. He mumbled a healing spell, watching the skin knit itself back together. He absentmindedly ran a thumb down the site where the cut had been, Feeling for any disturbances in her skin the spell might have missed. His thumb slid over old scars, products of misaimed spells or an errant magic surge, so many hidden stories. He wished they had time for her to tell him each of them.
He released her hand, taking a moment to collect himself before meeting her eyes again.
“There, barring any unexpected run-ins with whatever mysterious culprit was the source of this bite, you should be good as new.” He makes a sweeping bow, “Now, if there are any other services a wizard such as myself could provide for a lady such as yourself, don’t hesitate to ask.”
She softly chuckled.
“You should be more mindful of your phrasing; it is why our companions refer to you as ‘My wizard’.”
“There are worse fates…”
Gale suddenly felt he’d very much overstepped as Tav’s eyebrows shot up. He was debating the best option for escape when she smiled at him.
“I’d hope so.” She said softly. Gale’s heart leaped in his chest. Quickly, he nodded and bid her goodnight as he retired to his tent, attempting to soothe the growing light from his chest.