she is happy for the conversation to turn from the past to the present, the future, and she basks in the thoughts of safety and sunshine and flowers. it is far easier to think of these things than those that haunt the past -- far easier to imagine the newborn spring than to the remember the muck and blood they had left behind.

elswyth does not want to think of war; elswyth wants to think of the flowers.

she giggles, then, and shakes her head as if she were admonishing him. "we don't have to wait, nico!" a paw swept across the air in front of them, gesturing to the snow sparkle ground and the sunshine peeking through the clouds. "it's beautiful in the winter, and we can explore now!"

she tipped her head towards him, realizing then that the cold was harder on him than it was on her - "if we wait for a sunny day, maybe we could go a little ways?" she didn't want to push him and she would likely set out to do her own exploring, but she knew also that if she was away too long she would worry her friends.

@Nicodéme

Art by Aurora

her laugh helps chase away the lingering ghosts, leaving them behind as they both look forward. he... is not sure he shares her blinding optimism, but that does not matter. he does not need to -- the only thing that he needs is her. she can hope enough for the both of them, it's what she is good at. she dreams while he keeps her grounded; she keeps him moving, keeps him focused. she is.... not wrong, he knows. the snow does not mean it is impossible to adventure, even if he'd been quick to dismiss the thought. after all, it would be easier to wait for a sunny day and warmer weather -- once the snow melted, and the ground was firm, it'd be easier to traverse. but... they did not need to wait. @Elswyth seems to realize her mistake and immediately offers a second option and a small shake of his head is his immediate answer. we can go now, he murmurs, a soft edge to his voice. just -- we will go slow, yes? here a wry smile touches his lips, brief but warm. and not to far, either -- he did not think his leg could take it, nor did they want to worry lilibeth by being gone for too long. toes flex against the snow as he edges forward, stepping with as much care as he can muster, not for the first time longing for claws to help steady himself. come on, then, he says -- shooting her another smile before continuing forward. lead the way.

elsie worries for him as much as he for her, but she is careful with how she does so. she tries her best to be subtle about it, to avoid drawing attention to his weakness and planning a path or a day that will simply not put any strain on him. he would hate to know that she thought of him so, that she always considered what he could and could not to, and so she does her best to hide her concerns.

her lips purse when he insists that now is a good time, knowing full well how arduous the journey had been. but she does not argue because to do so would be to draw attention to that which she did not wish to draw attention to. so she nods and smiles and pretends that all is top notch, while also making a mental note to keep a steady pass and chose the safest path.

she bounds forward, though, in her usual sunshine way, and she is very good at acting her part. "i bet we'll find something cool!" but not too far and not too long -- she was as sure as he was that the others would be waiting.

a gentle brush of her shoulder against his as she takes up her spot in the front, as keen to lead as he was to allow her so. "come on, then!"

slow and steady, even if she skipped every step of the way.

-exit with nico-

Art by Aurora

after you, he says with a close-lipped grin, as they make their way. she bounds forward and there is no hate in his heart. nor does he hold it against her. instead he watches with a small smile at the way she bounds forward and then doubles back, helping guide him through their new home. the terrain is not great but it's not as treacherous as he'd feared. if he weren't so tired from their journey it would've been a much easier walk. alas, he is too stubborn to rest -- not when there is so much here to see. and not when the company is as sweet as her. exit w/ elsie