Nephthys didn't know where Bhaskar had gone after dropping her off at the Oasis, but she doubted he'd stuck around while she stayed the night. She was grateful for that, honestly, because avoiding him was now on the top of her to-do list. Her father had agreed to a betrothal, yes, and she didn't want to let Bhaskar know it was the route she would be taking -- not since he was so openly against it. Her heart hurt in simply knowing he wouldn't approve, that he might even be furious, but it wasn't his decision to make. Nephthys had chosen it for herself, happiness be damned. She moved along the jungle floor fluidly, hoping to avoid detection by anyone. The scarlet yearling just wasn't in the mood to talk.

@Nephthys wasn't the only one in a bad mood.

He had spent the whole day looking for the red Tollaire girl after she had not shown up around the Wolfbron border, where he usually lurked. There was both fury and concern in his heart, but the fluttering worry about her well-being prevailed. What if she had gotten herself in another fight? What if she lost? And then they threw her in some god-forsaken trench and he could never find her?

Trying to chase away the intrusive thoughts by gritting his teeth vigorously was only giving him a tooth ache. His feet trotted across the fresh snow of the Grove's floor. Maybe she came here to look for him? Although it made no sense, his head perked up like a deer in headlights at the sight of a red pelt in the distance. Making a beeline, all the while praying it was her and not another stranger who will look him sideways, Bhas managed to catch up to the ruby girl. Neph? With furrowed brows and a distraught expression the realization that it really was her hit him when her scent wafted in his nose. Neph, he tone was full of relief, but then it quickly changed like the weather. Finally found you. He mumbled, mildly irritated, but thankful that she looked healthy and fine.

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When she returned to Wolfbron, Nephthys had no clue what to do. Busywork only did so much, and she didn't know how much more she could add to the cache without overkilling the herds. Unfortunately there was such a thing as hunting too often, and Neph wasn't going to be the reason everyone starved, thanks. She'd let someone else take that honor. There was always culling the caches, she supposed. Keeping herself occupied by getting rid of spoiled meat didn't sound like a fun afternoon, but it was either that or nap or brood some more. Maybe she'd just do all three. The afternoon was hers, so why not live her best ass life? She was almost home, too! Somehow she'd managed to bypass Bhaskar's typical haunt without snagging his attention -- success!

... Successful failure!

The phoenix paused as she spotted him approaching, unable to quell the anxiety in her stomach. So close. She had been so close.

Hey, sorry, you were looking for me? Probably to figure out what Drakon had said about him, see whether or not he'd spun any tales to warn her away from the peach man. Nephthys turned to him, her face innocence as though she would never have thought him interested in finding her. She even tilted her head, tail twitching. What's up?

@Nephthys' innocent expression managed to fool him, but let's be honest, it was an easy thing to fool the brooding giant. Perhaps his soft spot for the Tollaire girl helped in that regard. His expression quickly softened, but the dark worry plastered across his face remained. Yes, yes I was. His grey gaze once more went over her body, doing a double check if she had any injuries. Thankfully, she had no signs of fresh wounds or bruises. He assumed she had listened to him about staying away from the North. Honestly, he should've thought before mentioning the bear of a woman that had attacked him considering how reckless the maroon lioness was.

Perhaps he was being pushy, most likely annoying too... but the red-haired man couldn't care less. Nothin' much. Just didn't see ya at Wolfbron, so I got worried. He shrugged his shoulders as nonchalantly as possible. So, did you talk to your dad? And what kinda crap did he say about me?

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Nepth watched him expectantly; she assumed that by looking for her, he'd had a reason to do so. They were friends (bestest) but surely he had a reason to hunt her down, right?

Ah, yes, there it was. He hadn't seen her return home, sure, but then the crux of it all came slipping out. Had she talked to her dad? Yes, she said rather blandly, brows furrowed. And then I stayed the night with my family to catch up. You know, in case he was wondering about her tardiness from the Bluffs.

He had nothing bad to say about you. You can choose to believe that or not, she said with a light shrug. You ended up not being the main focus of the conversation after I told him you didn't like me like that. Love, actually, but she didn't even want to say the word out loud. If you see a grey lioness with black unders and the same eyes I have, don't insult her though. She'll eat you alive. Free tip. Hecuba wasn't quite as forgiving, unfortunately.

Beneath his frantic worry about Neph's safety laid a selfish desire to know how her meeting with Drakon had gone. According to the firecracker girl, she had stayed the night at the sandy Oasis. Ah, that explained why she didn't return to the Bluffs. This information calmed his racing heart if only a tad.

So... daddy Tollaire didn't say anything bad about him? Should he believe that? He hummed, considering her words with a single lifted brow. If you say so, There was no reason for her to lie to him. Unless she was trying to avoid hurting his feelings. Oh well, whatever the pale lion had said, Bhas couldn't care less. Yep. The old man's opinion totally didn't matter. Like at all.

He is intrigued by what the father and daughter conversation had shifted to, but he chose not to butt his nose in. He had done enough butting in, time for a short break. @Nephthys' warning about the grey lioness was noted, because he assumed she was talking about her mother. Yes, ma'am. I ain't one for insulting ladies anyway. He smirked, peeking at her with the corner of his eye. So, what are ya doing today? She hopefully didn't mind him tagging along. Even if she did, she had no choice.

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Not one for insulting ladies? Nephthys didn't believe that for a second. Clearly he'd done something to upset the woman from the north. What else could he have done? Unless she was offending by giant peach men in particular, Nepth could only assume he hadn't approached with a bouquet of daisies and professed his undying love for the lady. That would have been hilarious though, she would have paid to see that. As he let the conversation drop, Nephthys was happy to let it go. She didn't want to get into anything too deep at the moment; she was already struggling with her own issues enough that she didn't necessarily want to upset Bhaskar as well. Too many feelings.

What was she doing?

I don't know. I was just going home to figure out something to do.. why, do you have any better ideas? Nephthys was open to suggestions, of course.

The mottled man reclined back to sit, after all they weren't going anywhere yet. Neph didn't seem to have any particular ideas in mind, her question allowing him to give an offer she most likely cannot refuse and one that he had thought about for a while now.

I was thinking, since your wounds are healed and all, he began, pausing to look at her healthy sides. - maybe we could spar a bit? I'm feelin' quite rusty recently. He lifted his arm, testing his shoulder. Plus it will be good practice for both of us. He had lost to that bear of a northerner, can't say that hadn't hurt his ego. @Nephthys had lost to someone recently as well and he wanted to make sure she'd learn a thing or two before she inevitably throws herself in another fight.

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Now that was an unexpected twist. Nephthys blinked at the offer because it felt so.. wrong? She couldn't put her paw on why, necessarily, only that she recalled him being wary of sparring at all in the beginning. Although she wasn't sure what changed, she wasn't.. displeased. Still, it made her hesitate how effortlessly he'd offered it up like it hadn't once been a giant chip on his shoulder. I thought I didn't need to fight anymore because I had a bodyguard. How are you going to fight yourself? she asked, shifting her weight with a thin, shit-eating smile on her lips.

Things really have changed ever since his arrival to Amaryllis. Or was it just him growing up? Both his views on the world, relationships, and fighting have shifted and will shift ever so slightly with the flow of the valley. At first, Bhaskar had felt uneasy with the circumstances forcing change upon him, but he had no choice but to adapt. It was that or let others do with him as they please.

And he had sworn to never let anyone control him again.

Hmm? If you'd like me to play the bodyguard and you the frail princess, He rolled his broad shoulders in a shrug. ... That would be fine by me. Two can play that game.

@Nephthys

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