RP:Picking up a Stray

Part of the Repairing the Irreparable Arc

Summary: Kang finds an orphan and somehow becomes her foster parent, caretaker, protector.

Somewhere in the Mountains

Casia had been wandering for quite some time on her own. She was tired and really hungry! Casia didn't quite know what to do on her own. For now she just hugged at her wingtips as she walked along the forest path. Those baby blue-golden eyes looking up to the skies - searching for something. A small sigh escaped the five year old's pretty pink lips. Only standing at three feet and seven inches, she wasn't much to be scared of. Her wings were double her height - as they should be. Wings were white with a golden tint at the ends. A very pretty little Avian child at that. Dressed in a rather torn up lil sun dress she staggered along the path barefooted looking for something far above. Taking a moment to stop as she would call out, "Mama?! Papa?!" In a loud and weary voice.

Kang finds himself drawn into the clearing, led by the cries of a young someone. As is his habit, he taps a soft rhythm onto his staff, causing it to hum softly and cloak his features. The hood is normally enough, but mistakes happen, and hooded figures inspire no trust. He pulls back the hood to reveal an aged, elven face, heavy with wrinkles that fail to hide a pair of emerald-green eyes. Below the barrier of solid flesh sits his true reptilian features, all olive-green and muddy brown. Unremarkable, unthreatening, and unwelcome anywhere in Lithrydel. He steps forward and clears his throat to announce his presence. The mare nickers softly to do the same. "Is there a problem, child?" The melodious voice inspires calm. It is uncertain whether the disguise had shifted his vocality or if such angelic tones belong to the lizard himself.

Casia jolted as she heard a new voice, but it wasn't her father, nor her mother in that case. Her heart fluttered as she quickly came closer and let go of her wings to let them stand proudly at the sides of her. "Yes!" Cried the girl as tears stung at her eyes. Looking upon the unicorn gave her complete trust with the man. If such a creature trusted him, she surely could. "I... I can't find my mama or papa!" Shrieked the girl in panic as she started to sob. Her wings moving to wrap about herself. "I'm scared! I'm hungry! I want my mama!" Cried out the girl again as she just continued to sob infront of him and the beautiful unicorn.

Kang is unsure how to procede. The unnamed unicorn had reared back and backtrotted to keep out of range of the child. He has no idea how to cure fear, since he had that part of himself bred out until all that remained was a vague wariness. He could not cure hunger, for he too was hungry and without food. As for finding an avian child's mother, how was he to find a specific avian woman in-- Wait a second. He knew the way to the avian cities. "Ma'am, I apologize for what I cannot cure, but perhaps we can find our way to one of the avian cities. Might be that someone will have more information." Left unsaid is that his disguise would need to do heavier duty in such a hostile, militant environment. Maybe he'd just drop her off, and duck out after seeing to the necessary paperwork. After darting his eyes between the girl and the unicorn, he wonders if he can skip the paperwork.

Casia let out a small crying squeak as the unicorn reared up, "I'm so sorry unicorn!" Cried out the girl as she just shoved her wing in front of her face to try and muffle her crying. Hearing his words of going to an Avian City she just shook her head as she sniffled to him, "No, no... Mama and Papa went on a dragon ride. I don't know why they chose to ride in the mouth of the dragon, but I'm sure there is good reason. They'll be coming back, right?" Asked Casia as she let her wing slowly move back to her side. Trying to stop her crying so the unicorn could come closer now. How she wanted to pet that pretty unicorn! Now coming closer to the fellow pointy eared man as she tried to hold at his hand. "Please don't leave me here by myself..." Softly spoke the child as she looked up to him with pleading blue-gold eyes through her innocent light blond hair. The child really needed someone to take care of her, there was no way a five year old could live on their own!

Kang quickly adds up her story in his head and without hesitation. "Nope, they probably aren't coming back. Not saying they won't, but I think someone was hungry." He sighs as the unicorn gallops away at hearing talk of dragons. A herdmate of hers had been eaten by a black dragon. "They might come back after lunch, or they might need time to digest. Either way, no point in waiting." He taps out a new tempo on his staff and the skin shifts to cover the hand that Casia is reaching for. "I won't leave you. What sort of monster do you take me for?" He stares off in the direction the mare had run. "She's long gone by now. Don't know why she was here in the first place." The old man shakes his head. "We should head into town. Mayhaps we can scrounge some food. I might be able to teach you some handy skills until your parents return." Oh yes, Kang had learned many skills throughout many lifetimes. One five-year old preklek can surely train an avian child. Stealth, assassination, diplomatic espionage. This could be the start of a beautiful friendship.

Casia blinked as she looked up to him, "Oh. They're eating lunch inside the dragon?" Asked Casia as she blinked up to him. "That's some kind of restauraunt! I wanna go!" Cheered the girl as she was no longer sad now about the loss of her parents. "Well, if you say so. I hope they come back. Mama said she was gonna do my hair like she did when she was a child. The true Avian way!" Squeaked the happy girl as she quickly hugged onto Kang's hand that extended for her. "Thank you so much~" Sweetly spoke the girl as she nuzzled her head into his arm lovingly. "Oh yes, food sounds very good! Maybe the unicorn went to the dragon restaurant, too!" Happily spoke the child as she would hold her tiny avian hand in his elven one. "Uhm, what kind of skills is that? Oh, I'm sorry, I'm Casia." The girl would introduce herself as she started to follow alongside of him into town.

Kang said, "Etiquette." Yep, the proper way to kill, the best way to position yourself for a a quick stab-and-grab, and most importantly. . . "Table manners. Sometimes knowing which fork is used for salad and which for meat is a matter of life and death. We should probably teach you some self defense. Staff-work, I'd say. Don't want you cutting yourself. You look old enough to begin staff training." He walks with her, slowly so as not to outpace her. "They call me Kang."