For one brief moment her breath stilled and she seemed just as stiff as he'd been. He had a daughter? He had another life, really, she'd known some things, some things were just hard to ignore. A daughter. She wondered what his daughter was like. If she was alive. If Koe had seen her or if.. She could not ask, of course. He had a daughter. Vedette knew she was young by dragon standards, and she knew that Koe was older... far older really. Not that it mattered to her, or to Dragons in eneral. But to think he'd had a full life. A family, two. First his parents, then his daughters, and now.. Vedette never thought of settling before the breaking. And even know, she could not consider Faustben her home. She kept looking at those mountains that surrounded it. The ones they were going to cross.
And hoping. Hoping something escaped the caves. hoping someone would find her and tell her she was not alone. And Koe was there now. Koe was here. She relaxed under his touch. If this wasn't a sign that it was time for her to move on then what would be?When would it come if it was not this?
Vedette kept her eyes on his arm and did not move to look up, but she felt like he was avoiding something. Even with his story having ended. He could have spent fifteen years attempting to build a house, but it didn't seem.. Vedette would have to chalk that up to living with Humans... half elves, too long. They were so wary. Wary enough to accuse their friends of not being what they were.. and being right. Vedette rode the gentle rise and fall of Ke's chest as he changed the subject back to her. If she was imagining him avoiding the truth, or if she was right about it.. she would not press not right now.
"I detect." She began, though her voice was soft and not nearly as accusing as it could have been. She wanted to be happy. Happy that Koe was here again. And she was. She desperately wanted to remind him of exactly where they'd been when they last left each other. "The tiniest hint of jealousy on your part, Assistant." She was smiling now. The arm she'd wrapped around his back reached and pinched his side playfully, then her head rose to look at him in the face.
"In Faustben I cannot fully embrace what I am. Ithunvel always told me to conceal my identity. Though I kept a name I'd used in the past, and a name that had always been associated with me from birth. He told me others would not understand that power is not the end all to everything. That the breaking was a clear example of it. Though I didn't understand what he meant by that, I don't. Not really. But if he never told Ithacles, and they were very close, then I think there's a reason for it. Not that I don't trust Ithacles. But.. well he makes me angry. A lot. Because he doesn't understand, and he can't understand without knowing and I can't tell him so I'm in a hard spot when it comes to if I should stay or go. But I'll never be free if I stay there. And if I do care for him as much as you think I do. Then my only choice really is to leave." She paused there.
Suddenly it felt very cold.
"Are you asking without asking if I love him?" She took a long breath and looked at him.