Shael seems to let the threat roll off her shoulders. She's heard worse from the competition in the dvory races after all. In fact, it's because she's so used to that way of talking that she doesn't get how what she says could hurt someone's feelings. 

"Too late," Zarius mutters under his breath.

Seiya was completely right though. One day her words would catch up with her. They already nearly did based on what she has told Zarius and Caedes about her situation with the Red Riders. He'd have to try talking to her again about the attitude, though he doubts how productive that conversation would be given how much she doesn't respect him. 

The teenage elf's exit comes as a relief and hopefully, her absence will last long enough to get some work done. Zarius holds onto the woolful while Seiya works on fixing the broken fence. Luckily the creature is easily distracted with a bit of fresh grass growing on the outside of the pen. 

The fellblood sighs in response to Seiya' question. "It is complicated."

He couldn't exactly tell Seiya about the circumstances that led to Shael being a thorn in his side. It would raise too many questions and given that Seiya knows Cyran, there's far too much of a risk that anything he says will make it back to the older elf. He'd rather not be lectured by the man about how essentially kidnapping a teenager is bad. 

"I apologize for her words. She does not know how to show people proper respect. I imagine her upbringing was not an easy one, but it still does not excuse her thoughtlessness." 

Some of the irritation still buzzin’ through Seiya starts to ebb away as he keeps workin’ on fixin’ up the fence, the rage that was threatenin’ to burst to life fadin’ away as he puts the majority of his focus into mendin’ somethin’. It’s the kind of craft that never fails to calm him down; it’s nice to use his strength to be productive, to give instead of take, to create instead of destroy. It’s just like wood carvin’ or helpin’ his mama out with her process of tailorin’, measuring things out and devotin’ his energy and brainpower into cuttin’ fabric, markin’ stitches, turnin’ things outside in.

It fades even more as Zarius apologizes on that kid’s behalf– even if the girl ain’t gonna apologize to him, at least someone’s doin’ it. And really, she… she probably really did think it was harmless, or didn’t think about it much; and even if it was malicious, Seiya knows better than to get pissed at a teenage girl.

“Nah, man, it’s all fine,” he says, wavin’ a hand to indicate that it’s all fine, all good. “Wasn't like she was all that respectful to you either. Kids say shit like that without thinkin’. She’ll learn eventually, don’t ya think? Everyone’s gotta.”

He turns his total focus back to patchin’ up the fence– last thing he wants to do is make Zarius hold onto the woolful for too long. They’re squirmy little things, after all, and the fellblood had clearly been strugglin’ earlier– would be rude if Seiya got too caught up in conversation and gave the little critter too much of an openin’ to try and scurry off again. So it’s back to nails and wood, back to securin’ the framework, settin’ boards back in place, ensurin’ there ain’t any openings he’d neglected to fix.

It really doesn’t take overly long to fix up the fence in its entirety– things like this ain’t too hard, after all. Just takes a bit of focus, some balance, a good eye for measurement (which, luckily, his mama helped him earn).

“Well, that’s one thing handled,” Seiya says, stretchin’ as he gets back to his feet. “We’re just missin’ the other little critters at this point, ain’t we? The kid should be back soon, yea?”

Zarius sighs. He doesn’t need to be reminded about how much Shael doesn’t show him a single ounce of respect. The teenager makes it abundantly clear that she hasn’t gotten over the whole debacle in King’s Valley.

“I hope you are right.”

He wouldn't complain about Shael just getting over it already. Though maybe if he showed a bit more guilt and compassion towards the girl things would be different. His annoyance hardly makes any apology feel genuine.

Speaking of being annoyed, he's starting to feel a bit impatient about just how long she's taking on returning with the scattered flock. 

Right on cue, there’s a growing rumble from the forest along with the sound of snapping twigs as a whole herd of woolfuls comes barreling through the bushes and back into the open. Hot in pursuit overhead is the large silver storm drake that’s got them all in a hurry to find any refuge from the drake’s presence.

The woolfuls Zarius is holding starts to freak out, simultaneously eager to join it's herd and also flee from the approaching drake. He lets it go, preferring not to get dragged along a second time today.

The herd runs past them and the corral as Indra makes a wide banking turn to tighten them up. Once no stragglers are left behind, Shael has the drake swoop lower to drive them towards the gate of the pen.

And towards the fellblood.

Zarius realizes the stampede is headed right his way and has no intention of avoiding running right over him pretty quickly, and he springs up like a startled cat in an attempt to dodge them. Course the only escape nearby is one tall demon dogman named Seiya.

The fellblood unintentionally clings to Seiya as the herd runs past them and into the corral. Appearing right next to the gate as if summoned by the return of his livestock, a farmer is quick to close the gates once the last woolfuls is accounted for.

Indra snorts and comes to a stop before backing off so the herd doesn't bust through the fence again.

Zarius and the farmer share a collective sigh before Zarius realizes he's perched on Seiya’s shoulder like a frightened kitten.

“Apologies,” is all Zarius mutters as he quickly gets off the man and straightens out his jacket to save whatever face he has left after that awkward moment.

Shael isn't about to not take advantage of it though. A shit eating grin spreads across her face as she leans forward on her drake. “Watch out, woofers. He's got claws.”

“Shush.”

“I’m just warning him before he gets bitten by your boyfriend.”

“STOP.”

Shael snickers.

Zarius huffs and regains his composure as the farmer finishes counting his flock and comes over to them.

“Thank you, they're all accounted for.”

“No need to thank us.” Zarius brushes more dirt off his sleeves. “Especially when someone caused this whole mess to begin with.”

Shael just rolls her eyes. 

Seiya can’t really help the way his attempt at a smile strains a bit at the way Zarius sighs– this guy’s clearly pretty stressed out, even if it ain’t easy to tell what about. Could be his apprentice and how long she’s takin’, could be lingerin’ unrest from the whole situation to begin with; whatever it is, it’s kinda obvious he ain’t in an especially good mood, and it’s kinda contagious at this point. Which… well, Seiya can’t blame Zarius, and it ain’t like he’s all red wine and good vibes himself, but. It’s gettin’ to him a little.

Still, it ain’t enough to set him off or nothin’– and it’s easy enough to get distracted from when the sounds of a stampede start growin’ louder by the second, hailin’ in from the forest at impressive speed; next thing he knows, that big silver drake’s barrelin’ out from the canopy of leaves, and the woolfuls are chargin’ like sinners outta hell to get away from it.

Well. That’s one way to herd some sheep.

Seiya moves to stand aside, not wantin’ much of anythin’ to do with the big ol’ swarm of sheep chargin’ their way– even if he’s pretty sure he could handle a good hit from a lot of ‘em–, but just as he steps right outta the line of fire, pretty damn certain he ain’t got nothin’ to worry about, he suddenly finds himself stuck with an arm full of fellblood.

Huh.

It ain’t like he weighs much or nothin’. Holdin’ up Zarius is about as easy as holdin’ up a box or somethin’ like it; Seiya doesn’t even flinch keepin’ him up there. [1] Still, it ain’t somethin’ he expected, and the confusion shows on his face, even as Zarius speedily shuffles off of him, gettin’ settled back on the ground, clearly pretty eager to pretend that didn’t happen.

“Uh, nothin’ to be sorry about,” he says, wavin’ his hand in dismissal once again, though he does unsubtly bristle at Shael’s comment. “Not like I’m gonna tell anybody or nothin’. Your… boyfriend…? Ain’t gotta worry about… homewreckin’...? That ain’t my thing.”

Gods above, it really is a mercy when the farmer comes over and thanks ‘em all, sayin’ that all of his critters are accounted for and that everythin’ seems to be settled– it means the work’s over, and that the kid might finally shut up. Seiya knows it ain’t a nice thought to have, but it ain’t one he’s gonna voice, so… at least there’s that.

“...So, then, Zarius,” he says, turnin’ to face the fellblood, feelin’ a little awkward. “You and the lady gonna… go on your way, then? Either of ya got any other business, or…?”

---

1. Bull's Strength Tattoo (hold Zarius like borger)

"Ignore her," Zarius insists.

He really didn't need strangers spreading any misinformation about him around. Seiya doesn't seem like the gossiping kind, but he doesn't know the man well at all either since they just met. Who knows, Seiya could be more than just some random adventurer they just happened to run into. For all he knows, Seiya could be a Stablemen agent or part of the Knight Orders. 

When Seiya asks if they plan on leaving soon, Zarius is quick to answer. 

"Yes, we should not take up anymore of anyone's time." 

"Aw, but I like this guy," Shael whines. 

Zarius glances at Seiya, taking a quick note of his overall disposition and body language. 

"I cannot believe the feeling is mutual." 

Shael makes a stink face.  

"Asshole. I could just strand you out here, you know."

"Do not."

The teen huffs and sits back with her arms folded across her chest. 

Zarius ignores her attitude, pretty unconcerned with her threats to leave him behind even though he has no doubts she would. He instead apologizes once more to the farmer and then turns his attention back to Seiya. He offers his hand to the man.

"Nice meeting you, and best of luck in your endeavors."

Seiya has to bite his tongue to keep himself from snortin’ over Zarius’s insistence that he ignore the little lady; the last thing he wants to do is put this guy in a worse mood, or to indulge the thought of continuin’ to let himself get all pissy with a teenaged girl. He’s got a boatload of feelings and a lotta anger to sort through, but the last thing he wants to do is let himself get all bitter and angry toward a teenaged girl. What kinda adult man goes and does that?

Either way, he once again waves his hand in dismissal at the other man’s comment about his and Shael’s, uh… dissonance in opinions about one another; sure, she hasn’t exactly made a good impression, but it ain’t like he’s that mad at her. She’s just a kid. He can’t let himself get heated at a kid. Nope.

“Nah, it’s fine,” he manages, tryin’ to keep as cool of a demeanor as he can, forcin’ a strained little smile. “No hard feelings or nothin’. Would appreciate it if you used my name instead of all those nicknames, though.”

If they can even really be called nicknames, but. He ain’t gonna think too hard on that.

Seiya watches as Zarius approaches the farmer once again, almost definitely apologizin’ for the whole fence debacle all over again, and watches again as Zarius walks back over to him, extendin’ his hand to him in a gesture of goodwill or goodbye. Seiya doesn’t waste any time in takin’ hold of it, givin’ Zarius’s hand a little shake and shootin’ him a bright, sharp-toothed smile, eyes glintin’ all the while.

“Good to meet ya too, Zarius,” he says brightly. “You stay safe out there, alright? Both of ya. Maybe I’ll see ya around again at some point! Ya never know.”

With that, he withdraws his hand and gives one quick, short wave, before turnin’ and headin’ back toward the woods– he ain’t exactly sure of where he’s goin’, but he’ll figure it out at some point. For now, all he’s got on his mind is that fellblood and all his little strangenesses– Seiya sure hasn’t ever met a guy quite like him.

Huh. Cyran sure does keep some weird company.