Off the Beaten Path

[elven]

Twiggy

He smirked. "No," he turned to look at her, still walking, though now it was backwards. "Birds do not talk," he chuckled. "You must think I am some sort of loon," as he moved farther away the monster, he could see, moved closer to her.

The bird hissed softly. Yes, she had told him about the monster that was following them, but Twiggy would never admit that they had a telepathic connection, because then people would mark him down as decidely insane, as opposed to just slightly eccentric.

He stopped walking, though, when the beast moved; he was not that heartless. "Well, let's go," he said putting his hand out for her. She did not have to take it, he just wanted her to know she was allowed to go with him.

[Aelis.the.Cat]

Mira
Biting down her pride, she chose to take his arm anyways. It added a sense of security, knowing that if the creature were to attack, it would then be attacking both of them. Besides, she knew when something was... false and Mira knew that there was something very... strange about this man and his bird.

[elven]

Twiggy

Once her hand was secure in his own he turned to be walking normally once more. Though, the bird was less than pleased with the situation. She puffed herself up for a moment, released a dark hiss, then nipped at Twiggy's ear. He just dismissed the action of the bird.

~Watch the perimeter,~ he told her, though it did not take any effort, or speech.

~Why should I?~ the bird was upset that her Master was holding some girl's hand.

~Ziva,~ he told her. ~It's fine, I'm just walking her to safety.~

He answer was audible as a sigh but she turned on his shoulder to watch the beast lurking in the shadows. It did follow them, skirting the shadows, but did not make a move -at least yet.

"So," he said, now speaking to Mira. "What changed your mind?" he chuckled. "Didn't want to be food for whatever hungry beast is stalking us?"

[Aelis.the.Cat]

Mira
"Your bird doesn't like me," she told him. "I thought that it should have to deal with people it doesn't like without pecking them to bits. What's his -or her- name?"

[elven]

Twiggy

"Her name is Ziva, and why would she like you?" he said sharply, looking at her as he spoke. "You have given her no reason to like you." He continued walking, though he was still being harsh. "And therefore she does not like you, simple enough."

[Aelis.the.Cat]

Mira
"I'm usually quite good with animals- and plants- so I suppose that I'm slightly surprised that she wouldn't take to me, the way most of 'em do." She shrugged. "I help with the gardens and such back in the Alliance, so I should know about those things. Maybe she smells my cat on me."

[elven]

Twiggy

He frowned at her demeanor towards Ziva's prefence of her. "She is generally a good judge of character," he decided to take the spiteful route, not to mention the voice of the bird in his head.

The bird made a low noise, similiar to a purr in agreeance with the statement and puffed up again.

[Aelis.the.Cat]

Mira
Mira's mismatched eyes flashed. "Perhaps she needs to tune her senses a bit more finely," she snapped. She could be as spiteful as he. "Perhaps with the same amount of precision that seems to be required of her master's manners." She dropped his arm.

[elven]

Twiggy

He chuckled lowly to himself at her reaction. "And what?" he asked turning to look at her and walking backwards. "Would have perferred to meet some worldy genteman here in the woods while you harvested plants."

The bird cooed, laughing to herself.

"Well," he said. "If that was your desire, then you are sadly mistaken, as I am no wordly gentleman, or gentleman at all, as it goes."

[Aelis.the.Cat]

Mira
"No," said Mira shortly. "I have no need of... how did you so charmingly phrase it? 'Worldly gentlemen.'" She thought of Jonathan and shuddered.