He did not believe he would find it anything less than strange when... speaking seemed to have an effect on the creatures. First, with the timid woolful, its nature one to flee when it sensed danger, prey that it was; and now, with the owlbear, a predator known for its ferocity when defending itself or hunting. It was against all that he had been taught, all that he had come to understand with the way that the world work, the nature of beasts, of the things that called Charon home, and what first had been just a sliver of doubt now had him calling to question a great many things.

Had he been wrong all his life? Had his family been wrong to act as they had when it came to the hunt? Could things have been different, could he have been different? Or... would everything still have unraveled all the same regardless? If it did not simply become severed earlier because he... disagreed.

Sable didn't know, and he could already feel it beginning to fester within him, a twist of a knife in the vulnerable places he masked and hid at all times. before that darkness could claim him entirely, though, Mikael was turning back to him, was speaking and giving him a vibrant smile that seemed to make his illuminated gaze shine brighter.

Those doubts and questions could wait.

"Thank you, Mikael, but I... did not do much," he said with a bow of his head, his boundaries and barriers known and... only sometimes causing feelings of guilt. "It was you who brought us here, and you who... wished to help the creature. I... simply wished to help you. If I could. In whatever way I... might."

A truth given freely and to one that deserved it. Mikael had only ever been kind and, thus, deserved that kindness in return. Perhaps, from someone better than him, someone who was more where he was broken, but Sable was glad to... give what he could—all that he could despite how little it truly was, at times, for those that were used to that more he couldn't provide.

"...you are welcome, though," Sable added after a moment, his gaze trailing to the trees that still surrounded them, "and we... should not linger too long. The scent of blood tends to... invite other predators," now that they were no longer searching for a creature that might grow aggressive at its sight, Sable drew his crossbow, its weight a comfort in his hands. "...the kind that are large enough to prey on owlbears instead of woolfuls this time."

Mikael listened to him and smiled “you do more than enough to help I really appreciate it” he replied before nodding about the idea of other creatures moving to follow him from the area. It was a comfort having the other around and also he just truly loved his company. He looked around as they walked feeling relaxed though he did keep his ears perked to listen for any signs of trouble though he had a feeling the other would know right away if something was wrong. So with that he just walked quietly with him so they could get back to town easily, smiling a bit as they went as time with the other was quite nice. He looked to the two drakes they carried making sure they were all good and content.

As they reached town he turned to the other happily “thank you again for coming with me and everything it means a lot to me” he replied to him “if I can ever do anything in return just let me know okay? I’m more than happy to!” He said happily to the other looking up at him happily. He wished they could spend more time together but knew the other probably had some work to do

It was as he walked with Mikael through the forest that Sable realized that he had... missed this. He had missed his steps carrying him between trees, following a winding path that was forged by pressing forward as the first to pass that way. Even with the worry that kept him alert for anything that might come from the shadows, even as he questioned a great many things, the peace—serenity in its raw and most natural form—was a balm, a soothing of the mind and soul, one that he knew he needed for all the lies he told himself. One that he thought he'd be denied.

With so many years away, he had been all but certain that he would be deaf to it, that the gentle quiet within the world's untamed places would not settle about him as it once had. Yet it greeted him like an old friend, its whisper heard the first few times his duties and... personal life had taken him past the city walls for it to now reach out to him as he and Mikael made to leave the Shadewood Forest. A caress upon his tangled and weary mind, a warm and inviting smile in all the things that were familiar and not unlike... coming home.

He did not have a home. Not really. Not since...

He had a place that he lived within Eclipse City, small yet well-maintained. But opening the door and entering did not feel as this did. It didn't feel a bit like breathing with lungs embracing the fact that they were no longer starving for air, there was no faint bit of easing to the weight resting upon his shoulders, and nothing within the stone walls of the city could replicate the atmosphere of... life that existed in the wilds.

It was not his place to belong any longer, he knew, having abandoned it and now having... reasons to remain as he was—where he was, but there was some small comfort in knowing that, should he ever need to, he and Celeste might return. And be welcomed.

Whether it was to never have a need to accept that welcome or that someday, he might find himself free to walk paths anew once more, Sable didn't know. As he watched Celeste drift between the lowest branches of the canopy, her wings carrying her on the wind as she flew around them with Darius, he realized that he wouldn't mind... returning. Maybe someday. Maybe when it didn't remind him of all the reasons he had left, as well.

That was some time off, though, and at this moment, it was distant enough that he didn't need to worry about it. All that mattered was seeing that Mikael made it safely out of the forest, and when that was managed, when the trees fell away and they found themselves at the nearest town, there was that... heaviness from before they walked in, but also a different piece of himself settled and stilled. In no small part thanks to his company.

"...you do not need to thank me, Mikael," Sable said softly, a whisper of a smile gracing his lips. "I wished to help and was... happy to do so," more so because it meant he could make sure that the other man was kept safe. "And... you are kind to offer, thank you. I will... be sure to keep that in mind should anything come up, but... it needn't be an exchange."

Considering his words for a moment, icy eyes gentled, a softness coming to sharp features as he regarded his... friend. "You do not owe me for helping you, Mikael," he said, voice and expression tender, open. "It is something I offered... freely and will continue to offer freely should... you have any need of me."

It may have only been the faintest murmur of playfulness, but there was no denying it was there as Sable canted his head ever so slightly. "Alright?"

Mikado relaxed as he walked with the other, pausing and looking at him as he heard his words surprised, looking at the gentle expression feeling his face heat up a bit. His blush only worsened though at the head tilt with the expression causing him to blush extremely “I-y-yes of course” he nodded quickly unable to pull his gaze away from the others expression, making note of it hoping he would never forget such a look on the other and hoping he would see it again as his heart felt like it would pound out of his chest, his tail curling a bit behind him, his ears also burning. What was happening to him? Was it some plant in the woods that made him sick? He looked at the other a bit longer in awe before turning realizing his embarrassing expression “r-right then thank you again sable! See you later!” He waved and ran off