She preened under the praise. Then suggested as he was walking away, "Get to know where things are that you might like to use for your earth magic little one. I'll have supper ready for you when you return."

"Thank you." He says with a bow. He starts exploring. He eats a few berries from the bushes and uses his magic to clear the over growth from them so they can produce better. He starts collecting herbs to use in his potions. He finds that there is every kind of herb he could ever want here. Soon he returns. He had made himself a basket out of reeds and has the herbs in it and some roots as well.

Meanwhile Larissa had gone hunting. Returning with a rabbit, she had used the tips of her talons to open and clean it out. She got a fire going with her magic in the large fire pit outside the temple. Wrapping the rabbit in a bubble of magic, she had it floating above the flames so that it could roast. Seeing the mage returning, she moved the rabbit to the stone slab that could serve as a plate and announced, "Supper is served little one. I don't suppose I could inquire into your name?" Magic had strong uses. She knew that your name could give a person advantage over you, but figured it wouldn't matter too much with him. There had been no red taint in the white swirls of magic that came from his hand earlier. He would be a practitioner of the evil arts that were so dangerous.

Kirin returns and smiles as he smells the rabbit. "Oh that smells wonderful." He says with a smile. He starts roasting the tubers he had gathered. "My name is Kirin. And what is yours?" He asks. He would understand totally if she didn't share her name, but it couldn't hurt to ask. When the tubers are roasted he starts to eat.

She is thoughtful for a few minutes. "Kirin is a good name. You may simply call me Gryphon. The last mage to know my name abused that trust on several levels." She shifted as she watched him eat. "I have to leave early in the morning. There is something I must take care of. I don't know how long it will take. Will you be okay on your own for a little while?"

He strokes her feather's with the hand that had not been touching his meal. "It is a fitting name." He says with a smile. "I should be. I don't think any of the villagers would venture this far out." He says going back to his food.

Inside she was startled at his touch. It had been a long time since anyone or anything had touched her. And it hadn't been that pleasant back then. Still, he meant no harm. She shook it off and commented, "I rather doubt any villager would even attempt to come this far. Humans are generally lazy. We are high enough in the mountains that we would have several days warning of their approach. Also, in the 15 years I have lived in this glade, no human has even gotten halfway here. Humans is the last of my concerns for you in this place."

"What other concerns are there?" he asks finishing his food. He goes and washes his hands in the river and takes a long cool drink. He feels at peace here. "For the first time in my life I am at peace." He whispers to himself.

She waited until he returned before answering his question. Without realizing it, he had really asked a delicate question. "The obvious I suppose. Not being around others of your species, being away from civilization, having no one around... possible invading armies." She gave him a gryphon wink and added, "Just joking."

"I have all I need here." He says. Though he does know he'll miss human interaction. But he will deal with that. Besides the only human interaction he had ever had was horrible.

She nodded. Understandable. "Feel free to explore the temple. I am going to run out on a hunt for myself. I'll be back within the hour." She got up and stretched her legs and wings.

"Be safe." He says stroking her neck gently. He picks up the bag with his herbs in it and watches as she takes off. He heads to find a place to dry his herbs. Soon he has an area set up with his magic and his herbs are hanging and drying. He then goes to explore the temple.

Feeling her heart flutter at the gentle contact and words, she could only blink with beak agape. This little one was definitely different than the last mage she had dealt with. Maybe not leaving on patrol tomorrow... no. She had to. Though it had seemed as if invading armies had been a joke, it had been said in seriousness. She was the guardian of the mountain pass found at the northern most ridges of the mountain range. She took to the air in a flurry and wings that beat strongly. Lifting her higher and higher. She circled around and soon found a group of deer. Flying down in a dive bomb, she crashed into her target and tore into it. A feast that would tide her over for awhile.

Kirin has finished exploring the temple and he goes to get himself berries as a snack, he wonders what will happen during the winter months. He'll have to prepare for that. He munches on the berries and then decides to go for a swim. He strips down to his underwear and heads out into the water. His body is very well toned.q

Flying high overhead, Larissa shakes her head. Of course he would go for a swim. The lake was crystalline and beautiful, untouched by man. Until now, but he wasn't going to harm it none. She dived in lower and glided with speed close to the ground, zooming out over the water. As she neared him, she tucked in her wings and divebombed sending a splash of water cascading into the air and towards him.

Kirin sees it coming and tries to get a shield up but can't get it up in time. The waves washes him to the shower. He laughs when he gets his breath back.

Larissa surfaces and smiles with that gryphon beaked smile that is slightly open. "Out for a swim little one?"

"It seemed like a good day for it." He says sitting up. He stretches and rolls his shoulders.

True that. The sun will be setting soon. So if you wish to be dry before it starts to cool off for the night, I advice not staying out here too long. She heads for shore and flaps out her wings.

Kirin stands and moves away from the water. He uses his magic and is soon dry. He gets dressed.

She walks to the edge of the woods and uses her talons to gather a large pile of wood. Moving them to a paved area, she magically sets it in fire and settles down beside it.

Kirin settles down beside her. He watches the fire's glow lost in thought. He wonders if he'll survive without any human interaction. He pushes those thoughts back, as they will do him know good what so ever.

With the sun finally gone down, Larissa stood up and stretched. There is one more thing I wish to show you. Something that will keep you company at night while I am away. She headed to the lake. It was no longer a mere lake in a glade. It had healing properties that at night glowed like a thousand multi colored fireflies. It was very beautiful and could hold your attention easily for a long time.

---------- Post added 06-10-2012 at 10:51 PM ----------

((oc: in less than 12 hours I am going on a trip for 3 days... I don't know if there will be internet available, and if there is if I will be able to use it.))

"Oh wow." He whispers seeing the lake. He is amazed anew by this place. He feels honored to be the only human to have been here in ages. He puts his hand on Gryphon's side.

Larissa glances down at him, warmth warming her gaze. This special place held many secrets and he would be learning more through the coming days. "This place will in itself keep you company. I shouldn't be gone more than a week at most."