Stone Circle I am here

"Thanks," said Nikai when Valette brought him the raccoon, though he didn't instantly start eating. He'd wait until after she was gone, he decided as he pulled the food closer to his chest. As Valette sat down and asked The Question (that one question he'd heard a lot lately) he grimaced. Before he could respond she added that he could take all the time he needed. Nikai knew that Valette wouldn't mind even if he'd be useless all day, maybe even forever... But he cared, because he wanted to get out there again and the thought of never spreading his wings and getting out in the world made him sad.

With the grimace still on his face Nikai said, "Pema said there's an infection in the leg. It's on the inside, it seems, which makes it harder to treat..." He glanced at his leg and sighed. "I still can't put any pressure on it at all without pain." His mouth remained open for a moment as he thought What if I never get to use it again? but easily let himself be distracted by Valette's mention of 'the nice girl'.

Alya had crossed his mind several times but he hadn't allowed himself to think too much on her, considering his predicament. "Alya..." He felt another pang of regret. He doubted she'd be very impressed with his current state, though he fondly remembered their trip to the ocean. Things had felt so right then, but Nikai didn't think that Alya or her sisters had spent much time thinking about him since. He sighed and said, "She said she'd visit, but I guess life got in the way. The last time I saw her was somewhere last.. summer, probably. I took her to see the ocean then. I wish there was some way to go see her again." But it looked like his leg would keep him from doing that for some time to come.