for she had eyes but saw little

There is a moment where it might be bad. Where Rixen might hate him; where the girl might flee. But the moment passes, leaving them all unscathed. Rixen says nothing to Seiji, but the expression beneath those graceful antlers is gentle. Seiji allows himself to relax — no — to worry only about the girl. He approaches to a polite distance, where he stills. Watches her brace her stocky body up on short legs, but it seems to take minimal effort. No blood; no obvious injuries. Seiji studies her closely, but he can see nothing obviously wrong. His ears prick when at last she speaks: "Aurelia". A lovely name, a note of song hanging in the air. Seiji smiles. His lean head bobs in a cheerful nod, but she doesn't mirror his enthusiasm. She is, for all the color dancing across her hide, dull. Dull as the dirt staining her lower extremities. So maybe it's a malady of the heart? Rixen speaks next, and Seiji is glad to have someone capable of speech along with him. Even if he doesn't know what Rixen thinks of him, it seems they are united in concern. And so: allies, for now. Rixen's words are sensible; Seiji has nothing to add, anyway, so he just nods. Shifts his weight a little, tickled by the drumming rain. In the back of his mind, some vague hope blossoms and begins to grow: Maybe Rixen can take her back to Halyven. Maybe she can shelter in the spires there, protected by the herd. But then Rixen's next words are directed at him, and Seiji flinches — minutely. He blinks, surprised. Meets Rixen's green eyes evenly, though he doesn't know how he can answer. It isn't dislike that drove him from Halyven; it isn't malcontent. It is.... merely necessity. And what can he do to explain it? When the reason for all of this is the loss of his voice? He can't, so he merely nods, feeling yet again foolish. All he ever does is nod. But he hopes somehow Rixen realizes he means them no harm. Means only to complete himself, once more. Seiji shifts his attention away from the antlered man and rather pointedly back at Aurelia, hoping she might explain what has happened to make her day so long. Hoping maybe he can do something about it, when he can't seem to fix anything else.

@Aurelia