[align=center][div style="width: 51%; text-align: justify; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -1px; font-family: georgia;"]Touching is...unfamiliar. For the longest time, touching was a bad thing. It meant pain, aching bones, and painful breaths. Before the cancer became too severe, Imperia would sleep back to back with her mother, but only occasionally. Only when Pierre was gone hunting. Aside from having to patch up wounds or conduct wellness checks, she tends to avoid situations that would put her into contact with others. Moon has nudged her a couple times. It was shocking at first, but now she is accustomed to it. In the Ascendants, some people are friendly enough to openly touch and grab. It no longer frightens her, but Peri must admit that it feels strange. Strange...yet nice. Comforting. Warm. It's different than how it was back in her natal pack. And Harland only affirms this realization when the child leans forward and touches their nose to her cheek. Har's aura is a soft, warm pink. It is one of the few reasons why Imperia is able to resist the innate urge to duck away from the contact.
A shy, nigh bashful smile tugs at the edges of black lips as the elegant creature slowly straightens, gazing wide-eyed at the child before her. Peri is pleased; that much is crystal clear. Surprised, but happy all the same. In fact, she is practically buzzing with joy when Harland begins to distribute the gifts.
“P-pe... Per like... purple,” says the child.
Imperia melts, her heart overwhelmed with all the love and warmth she feels when Har gives her an embroidered square of delicate purple fabric. It is not the work of a master by any means, but Peri could not care less about technical skill. The fact that Harland felt so strongly towards Imperia and Moonmade that he was compelled to thank them with gifts touches her to the core. "M-merci beaucoup, mon petit canard," she manages, voice thick with emotion. No one has ever done something like this for her before. Not ever. The she-wolf always gives and gives with no intention of receiving anything in return. Peri is so emotional that she nearly misses Harland's final comment.
“Momo like Per.”
Instantly, a surge of heat rushes towards her cheeks. Imperia is positive that anyone who could see auras would know just how flustered she truly is. But aside from an awkward smile, the girl manages to keep it together. She peeks at him from the corner of her eye, as if eager to see his reaction. In her head, she denies the assumptions her brain automatically makes about the statement. There is no way Moon can like her like that, right? He is so fun and witty and there is no way he could like someone as boring as her. If so, then why is she so disappointed when he denies it too? Ouch. For a moment, she frowns. It is soon replaced by her usual pleasant expression, though, and Peri redirects her attention to Harland. "Yes, thank you so much for the gift. I will treasure it forever." In a rare moment of courage, she leans down and rasps her tongue along the top of his head much like a mother would to her pup. Just to return their gesture from earlier.
After that, however, the she-wolf is back to business. "I know you are healing well, but no more talking until the wound has fully closed." She can tell that speaking is painful for the child, and though she is touched, she cannot allow herself to turn a blind eye to their pain. And maybe she is also trying to forget about what Moon said.
A shy, nigh bashful smile tugs at the edges of black lips as the elegant creature slowly straightens, gazing wide-eyed at the child before her. Peri is pleased; that much is crystal clear. Surprised, but happy all the same. In fact, she is practically buzzing with joy when Harland begins to distribute the gifts.
“P-pe... Per like... purple,” says the child.
Imperia melts, her heart overwhelmed with all the love and warmth she feels when Har gives her an embroidered square of delicate purple fabric. It is not the work of a master by any means, but Peri could not care less about technical skill. The fact that Harland felt so strongly towards Imperia and Moonmade that he was compelled to thank them with gifts touches her to the core. "M-merci beaucoup, mon petit canard," she manages, voice thick with emotion. No one has ever done something like this for her before. Not ever. The she-wolf always gives and gives with no intention of receiving anything in return. Peri is so emotional that she nearly misses Harland's final comment.
“Momo like Per.”
Instantly, a surge of heat rushes towards her cheeks. Imperia is positive that anyone who could see auras would know just how flustered she truly is. But aside from an awkward smile, the girl manages to keep it together. She peeks at him from the corner of her eye, as if eager to see his reaction. In her head, she denies the assumptions her brain automatically makes about the statement. There is no way Moon can like her like that, right? He is so fun and witty and there is no way he could like someone as boring as her. If so, then why is she so disappointed when he denies it too? Ouch. For a moment, she frowns. It is soon replaced by her usual pleasant expression, though, and Peri redirects her attention to Harland. "Yes, thank you so much for the gift. I will treasure it forever." In a rare moment of courage, she leans down and rasps her tongue along the top of his head much like a mother would to her pup. Just to return their gesture from earlier.
After that, however, the she-wolf is back to business. "I know you are healing well, but no more talking until the wound has fully closed." She can tell that speaking is painful for the child, and though she is touched, she cannot allow herself to turn a blind eye to their pain. And maybe she is also trying to forget about what Moon said.