Sunset Valley Not Out of the Woods Yet

He arrived at her side without pause and she settled onto his side. Though the airs climate would not cause her to become ill, it was still undesirable. Upon coming in contact with her steed she resisted the urge to nestle into his pelt and partake in his warmth. It would be improper, despite its survival benefits. This man's chivalry was not enough to earn Cordelia's trust, not within such a short period of time. What contact they did share would suffice in assisting Cordelia's thermoregulation, and with the scent of blood no longer lingering in her nostrils, they were free to intake the salty fragrance of the sea embedded within her companion's fur. It reminded her of the sea residing not too far from her pack, a fascination her and her father both shared.

After proclaiming his prioritization of her housing and nourishment over his own cleanliness, they were moving. Had he been grimy she would have insisted. Knowing that his lack of hygiene would smear onto her. Fortunately, he was orderly, not nearly as was Cordelia, but she rarely expected others to be on par with her grade of sanitation and refinement.

Her gut fell when he asked of her homestead. She hadn't had time to fabricate her origins. Lack of knowledge prevented her from classifying a cardinal direction. To the south, east, and west she was oblivious. Claiming root from there could lead to inspection if he were knowledgeable. North was authentic, but precisely the reason she could not give it. But it seemed that the nature of his question was mainly to discover where she acquired her manners. "My local has little to do with my etiquette. Anyone willing to learn and be taught has the ability to convert demure." she stated. It was true she supposed, but her civility was strongly due to her upbringing. Her desire to steer the conversation clouded her from noticing the compliment that lay within his question.

In an effort to deflect she asked.  "This place you are leading us. Is it distant?" she also wondered how much more she would be promenading, still being rather weak.