Emberwood retracing his steps over and over

gradually, their conversation moves from the odd position he'd found her in and their light banter over the matter. wintersbane doesn't mind. it's a natural transition and her responses to his comments more or less wrapped it up. she doesn't immediately jump at the information he offers her: a smorgasbord in comparison to the rabbit she'd been intent to chase into foodland and his brow furrows as he tries to puzzle out her seeming hesitance on it. it was possible she didn't believe him. in truth, he'd have been pretty skeptical himself if he was being offered a gateway to a catch by a stranger. especially when said stranger had actually wanted the fawn for himself a handful of minutes ago. understanding dawns on wintersbane when she speaks again. that's a good point, the tundrian thinks but has enough courtesy left within him not to say it out loud, at least. rabbits were fairly easy ...but in her defense she'd stood no chance when it disappeared into it's burrow.

"well," wintersbane draws on a contemplative breath, turning glacial gaze skyward for a moment before it lowers and focuses back upon her. "at least a fawn's not fitting into foodland either." so that was an advantage for her already. if she didn't want to pursue the lead he gave her then wintersbane wasn't going to push. he'd continue exploring for a while and double back. except, the stranger turns her sky blue eyes to him, looking at him with hope in her gaze. it does something strange to the tundrian. it's been a long time since someone looked at him like that and for a second he struggles to process that what that simple look floods him with: charity. the desire to be worthy of that hopeful look in her gaze because he's been the antihero for so long he's forgotten what it's like to be anything else.

damnit.

"c'mon. their trail intersects with mine at a crossroads a few yards back." he turns and peeks a glimpse at her over his shoulder to ensure she was following before he assumes the lead and begins to retrace his steps ( ha. the irony @ the thread title ).