[IC] The Dragon Empire

[duskreaper]

Jube cocked his head to the side, "what is it?" He relaxed in the chair more. "I wasn't going to stay home, you were the only person worth staying for." Jube stated calmly.

[Lullyn]

There was an inner turmoil in Kestral, but she couldn't give it voice. It had hit her with him looking at her in that cold sort of way.
But then he tilted his head and it was like he'd become something different.
She couldn't say anything when looking in his face, so looked at the table and pouted, "your parents are going to be really worried about you, Jube."
The cub by her feet tilted it's head, as if copying Jube, looking at her. She would normally have laughed to see it's face.
"You know why I had to leave," she said, clenching her fists on the table.

[duskreaper]

Jube nodded, "of course I know. I don't blame you. I just wish I had gone with you. I left my parents a goodbye note. They will be alright without me. I love them, but our village is cruel to me." He looked down.

He hated how he had been treated there. "It was time for a change." He looked at her with a gentle smile, "I'm glad I found you. I'd have spent my entire life missing my best friend had I not come."

[Lullyn]

And that is Jube thought Kestral, looking at him. Simple.
She sat back.
"I always wondered why your parents stayed," she admitted. "I mean, I know it was their home and everything, but they could see how everyone was with you."
She knew her own parents were not perfect, but they were protective.
She pushed the map toward him.
"Where should we go?"
And that was that. He had come and she wasn't going to send him back. She was surprised he'd reached her, especially safely.

[duskreaper]

June looked at the map, and thought for a moment. "Maybe we should go to the Eastern Kingdom of Devaria. Its big and no one would find us there."

Devaria was a place close to the ocean, and a very common place to find new comers entering the Kingdom via the docks. The kingdom could be a good start for them.

"Let's stay here for a night then go in the morning, yeah?" Jube looked up at her.

[Lullyn]

She nodded. "I already have a room, so you may as well sleep in there with me."
This wasn't unusual. They'd stopped having sleep overs, or at least Kes staying at Jube's only when her mother had started deciding it wasn't appropriate for a young girl. Kes felt this was only an excuse.
"There's only one bed," she beamed. "It will be like we were little. Although Lupo will be in there too. He's taken to sleeping with me."
She reached down, petting the little wolf who licked her hand with affection.
"So Devaria it is," she said. "Have you eaten? The food here is okay and I have money."

[duskreaper]

Jube smiled a little, "I haven't had anything since the early morning. What should I get to eat?"

He felt a rush of excitement. It would be a new life for him and Kes. They would start new with their new pet, and new home. Things were looking up.

[Lullyn]

Kes smiled, "stay there."
The cub remained where it was, as if she'd spoken to it, though it seemed to want to follow her. She wasn't gone long, telling him that she'd asked them to bring some bread, cheese and fruit.
The moment she was back, the wolf move so that it was against her leg, like it had missed her.
Soon the food arrived, and she pushed it toward him.
"You need to take better care of yourself," she chided, pulling the map back toward her and starting to draw a route.

[duskreaper]

Jube smiled and ate while they looked over the map. "Looks like the route through the Elderwood forest is the best way."

He'd read all about the forest so he knew it was an elven forest for the most part. However, other beings still resided inside of it.

[Lullyn]

She nodded, looking up and shaking her head before brushing off some crumbs from his face.
"Elderwood," she murmured, looking back to the map and putting a small line beneath the map. "Our own adventure."
She said this mostly to herself.
"Well we'll need supplies," she added, looking at him. "I'm sure we can get food from here and...."
She looked around and then leanted forward, "I took a hammer from my father's forge, and a small sword."
The hammer had been heavy, but the sword was even more so. The idea of leaving the village without anything would have been foolish, so she'd taken what her father had left behind the forge, stopping only long enough to leave a note for a father saying sorry and her name.

[duskreaper]

Jube made a face when she wiped his face off; she did this often, and he swore it was just to see his nose crinkle. "Would you like me to carry the sword for now? I wouldn't mind doing so."

Jube thought about Kestral's father; surely he missed his daughter, but understood her situation. Their father had always been a very understanding, and caring father. He and Robin were about the only family members Jube got on with quite well.

"We might consider going to our room for the night soon. It's getting dark, and we want an early start on our adventure as you put it." He smiled at her.

[Lullyn]

She nodded, scratching the cub's head and then getting up. She folded the map, then led him to the room.
It was sparse, but clean. To Kestral it was a good room, since she was used to something similar. If the main room, there was a double bed, set of drawers and a window. There was also a small water closest off the room.
The cub bounded into the room like it was used to it. Kestral took the map to the drawers and placed it on top.
"Come in," she said without looking behind her.

[duskreaper]

Jube walked in behind her and looked around. The room was indeed nice. He sat down next to the wolf pup and began petting it gently. "I'm glad we left. I think from here on out our lives will be much better."

All those bullies were far behind him now. He was right where he wanted to be; with his best friend.

[Lullyn]

She shrugged.
"If I'm not marrying Pepper, it's all good," said Kestral with a grin. "I'll be back in 5."
She headed into the closet, leavign the pup to enjoy the fuss, rolling onto it's back to have it's tummy tickled.
She returned in a shirt so long it reached her ankles. It had been one of Robin's old ones and had a few holes in. The first night she'd almost cried when she'd taken it out. It was easier with Jube here, but she wondered what Robin was thinking. She'd need to write to him, but not yet.
She guestured to the bed, smiling as she watched the cub and Jube get on.
"Lupo's going to be like a dog, I can see it," she commented, heading around the bed to the side and getting in. The pup crawled across the bed, laying down so it was next to her, but in the middle of the bed. "We'll want to get supplies in the morning and then head off."

[duskreaper]

Jube nodded. He took off his footwear and baggage. He removed his cloak so he was just in his leggings and tunic. Lying on the other side of Lupo, June let himself relax.

"Supplies are a good idea... Hopefully we don't require many before we reach our next destination." Jube yawned and closed his eyes. He was getting close to falling asleep. Within minutes he was out like a light lying on his back.

[Lullyn]

She lay on her side and watched him for a while, looking so young and innocent in sleep. Not that he looked so much different in waking.
It had been a silly though, gone now.
She lay back, giving the cub a scratch behind the ears before rolling over to face the window, the moon in the sky.
Robin she though as she watched it, don't look for me.

When the morning came she was up early. The light had touched her eyes and the cub, needed a bathroom break, had disturbed her early. She'd taken Lupo outside, careful not to wake Jube. She also purchased some bread and fruit for breakfast, along with some cold meats and some that had been dried.
Putting some down for the cub, she put some out for Jube and then sat on the window sill, staring out to wait for Jube to wake. She didn't want to disturb him. Her first night in the forest had been fitful and not a good rest. They'd need o walk a lot so it was better to let him get a good rest.

[duskreaper]

Jube rubbed his eyes and dressed before heading outside. He was always groggy in the morning, but one thing he had been too tired to notice was his very visible morning... Surprise. It held itself up despite the weight of his pants.

"I'm up." He yawned not thinking about the potential pun in his words.

[Lullyn]

It was lucky for Kestral that she'd known about the difference between boys and girls for a long time. Having an older brother helped. As for sex, they had lived in a village with farms their whole life.
There were several ways to react. One was to ignore it, one was to get embarrassed, but since Kes didn't see Jube in that way, she gave a laugh.
"I see," she said, shaking her head. "Maybe a little too up. You're morning glory is more awake than you."
She turned her head away again to let him sort himself out. He was too simple

[duskreaper]

Jube looked down, his eyes widened and he fixed himself going a bit pink in the cheeks. "I... um... sorry." He shook his head a bit.

He hated that one thing about being male. He couldn't seem to hide it even when he was trying. Eventually he knew it would cease, but for now it was a slightly humiliating circumstance to be in. He walked ahead of her a little hoping that by the time she would see his front again, it'd be hidden again. "So, shall we set off for the woods?"

[Lullyn]

She tried not to laugh anymore, but she had to fight a smile as she followed behind him. He might be a bit sore in the ego, but she was his friend. She couldn't let him wander around like that.
"Tuck it into your waist band," she said simply, trying to make it like it was completely natural.
Boys, she thought with a shake of her head, keeping a few steps behind with Lupo. But maybe that's why mother stopped sleep overs.
"I'm right behind you," she added, giving him a poke in the back.