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Dutiful Cricket	"Go ahead," a whisper behind and above Hoarfrost, whose wide gaze catches eyes upon them, conflicted and forward-facing. "If worse comes to worse, I shall subdue her." Confident for any person to say about this kind of beast! Size or no! But the two monsters on both sides of Hoarfrost are at odds with one another. There needs to be a cleaner solution than what's anticipated.
Hoarfrost	A roar that could shake bone and body alike pierces the air. Crashing and breaking of branches accompany the heavy uneven gait the creature charging. The massive beast even hunched is nearly as tall as Dutiful Cricket. Long forarms dragging its knuckles on the ground along with it with long badger like claws. Its face is somewhere between a wolf and a goat with square iris and long droopy ears. Its fur is thick shaggy and matted in places. Wounds of dried blood cake the fur solid in some spots. Legs are almost comicyl small compared to the wide upper body. Still its rushing right toward the two. Hoarfrost turns moving between her new friend and the lopping monster much like she defended the kits before. Despite the difference in size and ferocity the young woman doesn't seem afraid. Just radiating a feeling of serenity. Its almost disarming how much seems to be conveyed with the simple glance and the slowly raising hand beckoning the creature to slow its charge.
Dutiful Cricket	Hoarfrost gets before the lunging, drooling, blood-soaked beast, her back to Cricket. Cricket scowls fiercely, her eyes opening just a peek to show a livid yellow glare, teeth baring, hair growing wild, and rather than see understanding, she sees with the language of nature, a solid, tree-trembling "HEEL" barking out of her lips, so solid and clear that it's as if the air of it reaching the monster was potent enough to fold it's ears and bristle it's back fur. It lays low, whimpering, and Cricket puts a firm hand first on Hoarfrost's head to pet her wild mane for standing up for her, and slips past, grabbing the mother by the scruff of her neck and lifting the great beast as one might hold a kitten, continuing onward. She pauses for a moment, turning back, her eyes closed again, moonlight through the tree canopies painting her skin. "I am relying on YOU for directions, I might remind you," she speaks in near-whisper again.
Hoarfrost	Hoarfrost peeks up from her mussed hair with one of her red eyes. "I'm glad you found the words." a pleased and perhaps even proud smile on her face. Turning then to the beast voice warm dispite her almost being torn in half by it. "You have been working so hard to keep your babies safe. Relax for a while and let us help. Ms. Cricket will carry you for a bit." "Ummm lets see ..." Giving a nod to Cricket at her request for directions she looks about and gathers her bearings. "I think it should be about ten miles this direction. I have a den all worked out for just this kind of issue." Chewing her nail as if she is not 100% sure before moving in the direct she believes is the best.
Dutiful Cricket	The beast hardly has any complaints to vocalize, looking meek, a clear submissive terror bringing it to curling complacency. Cricket chuckles warmly as she watches her evident new friend pep talk the creature. "Ten miles? Ah, that is a relief. They'll likely be hungry by the time we arrive," she muses in regards to the kits. The rest of the walk shows Hoarfrost where this giant's name comes from. Despite the imposing stature, demeanor, and actions, she chatters idly for the full duration of the voyage. About the import of family, what local teas have been nice to try, how northern gardens are sparse in nutrients but rich in herbal values, among a dozen other frivolous topics that slowly fill the air. It's just a little small talk to pass the time...
Hoarfrost	Hoarfrost for her part is a dutiful ear the whole while. Offering a comment, or subjestion here or there but letting Cricket do the bulk of the conversational heavy lifting. Never seeming board or bothered by the chatter, just happy for the company. After a while the forest begins to charge. The trees taller and older, the undergrowth thicker. Only the moon gives any light at this point for the long day of travel. You both walk into a rather nondescript clearing. An outcropping of rocks gives a good bit of cover from the weather. "A little home away from home for our friends. Momma is going to have to take it from here. Providing is a bit beyond our abilities I imagine." With a relieved sigh she sets her sleeping kits into the rocky cover.
Dutiful Cricket	Cricket has to kneel so Hoarfrost can take them from her arms and set them in their new nest, the dirt from their old one making so the scent isn't unfamiliar. She watches as the mother, released, curls over her babies defensively, still evidently tail-down fearful of Cricket, rightly so, who chuckles warmly and nods. "That's good, you keep that up..." Her white dress is filthy from all the hair, leaves, dirt, and peat, though it just makes her seem to fit in for the situation. Once clear of the new lair, Dutiful Cricket rolls her carrying arm, as asleep as the kits she carried, it seems. Perfect stiffness needing to be undone. "Thank you, Hoarfrost. You've made a somber sojourn a pleasant and warm one. And likely more productive, to boot! The babies will not want for deer meat in this stretch of wood!" She glances around, counting with fingers how many potential meals she spotted on the way over... Counting over five on her fingers and closing a fist to say it's more than enough. "I wish I had a way to repay you for this kindness. I know you seek only to benefit the beasts, but regardless, I am in your debt." She beams.
Hoarfrost	Hoarfrost looks not much better but her clothes look more accustom to the kind of mess animals make. Has the effect of her just looking like she is in her element rather than just a plain mess. Taking the babies and doting on them each In turn for a moment before helping them settle in. Almost reluctant to step back and leave the family to their business. Wanting to do more but knowing there is a line with nature that it can become dependent on such help. "And I in yours Ms. Cricket." Dusting some of fur and grim from her own dress. "I hope if we find our selves faced with such a grim task again we can find each other to handle it together. Pardon me from asking ..." bracing herself for a hard question. "You don't seem to be ... well your unusually strong even for your size. The way you handled the beast...."
Dutiful Cricket	Cricket mirthfully puts a hand up to hide a little laugh, a palm on her chest as well. "Oh, I'll admit, I'm not fond of getting rough with others..." Hoarfrost recalls the image of the clearing of trees knocked over on their first meet. "But.... And...Correct me if I'm wrong...." Her laugh-hiding hand chin-cups to a pensive expression mixed with a grin. "....Pallas cats ARE native to this region, but they're normally a tad more averse to approaching others outside their territory, are they not?" Cricket's grin grows. "It has been quite some time since I've run afoul of another as you. But do not worry. Your truths are safe with me."
Hoarfrost	"I am had" Looking a hair embarrassed, pink coloring her otherwise pale cheeks. Eyes hiding behind her long hair shyly "I wish you had said, it would have been much easier to travel as something else." No frustration in her voice just a bit of playful mirth. "Are you exalt as well?" now suddenly more hopeful. "I'm sorry that is prying" The growl of the nearby creatures reminds the young woman that this is not the best place for a pleasant chat. "Ah-Maybe we should find a better place to talk. I think the mother has had plenty of us for today." Carefully stepping away from the clearing and tracing back the path they traveled. "I'n any case I might owe you for keeping my secret."
Dutiful Cricket	Cricket walks with her for a bit, and in their walk, she remarks, "I can still carry you back if you like, little one." Her head-sized hand slips over her bare neck and some of her draped shoulder, implicating a place to relax. "I am merely an over-exertive medicine-woman of the Hidden Valley of Skandhar-Bhal. You flatter me with such words of praise!" "I do think I would like to turn in on this favor of yours, though. Unless you are being generous tonight. I could use accompaniment back to Khirihal." The little lakeside fishing village that Hoarfrost traced the attack from. "There are wounded who will need bandages changed, wounds cleaned. I sense you may prefer the beasts, but would an old woman convince you to test your patience with men for a day?" She may be a giant with long white hair but Cricket still hardly looks older than 30, if even that....
Hoarfrost	Glancing about for a moment looking up at the large woman considering the offer, that blush from before has returned just a bit. "If it is no imposition? I admit it has been a long day." Taking a step closer. An awkward moment as she is not sure if she should try and clamber up or wait to be picked up like one of the pups. "Of course sorry to ask, its is lonely some times. Meeting your fellows is a kind of relief. Not that you aren't wonderful company! -I oh you know what I mean" The blush just getting worse as she hides back into her hair again. Seems without a task to overcome or a animal to save she is a bit more of a meeker creature. Happy instead for the change of subject. "You don't do yourself justice you hardly look a year over thirty, and yes! I'm happy to join you. My skills are more used on the beasts, but I'm sure I could be of help." Opening one of her side satchels on her hip. Bandages and brown glass vials clink within.
Dutiful Cricket	Cricket seems amused by her sudden lack of forward confidence, picking her up mid-satchel-dig to sit her on her shoulder. Not an unfamiliar height to one who bounds through nature in various forms, but the giant's arm across her lap to hold her steady is new. She's a little oversized for the perch in her human form but weight seems no item to the Dutiful Cricket regardless. "I'm sure you will do wonderfully," she assures her with warmth, as if looking forward to seeing that presumption come true...
Hoarfrost	There is a soft "Eep!" of surprise as she is caught in a moment of focus. Clutching onto her gear to make sure nothing spills out. Set onto her new perch, carefully settling in. Even as big as she is its odd to ride along on someone's shoulders such as this. Leaning in a little to Cricket's head, wrapping an arm about for support. It takes a few moments before she has enough confidence in the giant's stride to balance on her own. The whole way back she happy listens to the chatter of her new friend slightly more encouraged telling her perhaps too many facts about any creature they find along the way