"Same, honestly. I've never seen the appeal, but I know it's a case of to each their own. Obviously they see merit in those animals that you and I don't." which was just fine by him, really. If they could enjoy the company of badgers and such more power to them. It wasn't his choice of animal companion in the end and that was all there was to it.

He'd been about to protest that in the end it was all her doing but he merely gave a warm smile instead. "I'm glad you feel protected now." and he was! "You had as much to do with our safety as I did though, the whole water thing was brilliant!" see? He could easily share the praise, but it was also the truth.

"Briar, pretty name for a pretty doe." he stepped closer to her. "If you don't have anything to do, or aren't in any rush maybe we could talk for awhile? Maybe find something to eat? Which is what I'd been doing when I heard the badger, and spotted you." it seemed like a good way to spend more time with her, and get to know her, at least a little bit better.


@Izaeah

(I thought I'd already replied, because my dumb self replied in my head... oops)

"Might also have to do with someone's general behaviour. Someone with, say, a somewhat gruffer behaviour might handle being around these particular beasts easier." There were a lot of potential options as to why anyone would pick a badger as their companion and not, say, a crane. The thought did make her smile slightly but she shook it off after a moment.

She hummed a soft note, taking a moment to shake a final bit of water from her tail as she did. "I'd like to think that as you gave it your best, there was plenty of protection happening. Whether that protection reached its goal... well we're both fine. Wet, a little stinging on the side from someone who jumped into the water too late," a soft teasing note from her, "but we're both all right, so I can agree to shared praise." Truly!

Briar was surprised when he stepped closer, though perhaps it had been more his answer to her name that had surprised her. She certainly wasn't used to this kind of behaviour but it was comforting to think that her naturally aloof nature might not push everyone else away. "I was mostly wandering a little aimlessly; I was trying to clear my mind rather futilely but I think that talking would help with the mind clearing and I can't say I'm against the idea of food." She couldn't recall last she'd eaten properly.

"Lead the way, yes?" Why not?

@Lirilei
(is fine, been tired lately as is, all good!)

"You have a point there. Though the one I recall seeing seemed pretty friendly despite their badger companion so who really knows. Not something I understand, but if it makes a kin happy, who am I to argue right?" well really. It was that kin's problem if they had an aggressive pet in the end, not his own.

"Shared praise it is!" he laughed softly, a smile on his face. "The sting is already fading, so that's a good thing I'd like to think." it really was. "Then lets go find some food, and we can talk. If you want to talk about what was on your mind we can, otherwise, we can talk about other things such as favorite berries, or food in general or..."

his words continued on as he talked, throwing various suggestions for conversation topics out. He was looking forward to getting to know her better after their little adventure back there.


@Izaeah
(Can probably wrap this up yeah?)

"It's one of those mysteries, I guess. There's not much else to it, I don't think." Really. Who knew what kind of kin the badgers tended to be more likely to make good companions to? It was just going to be one of those things and thinking too hard about it was only bound to give someone headaches.

Briar only glanced back one final time before turning her gaze back to him. She offered a nod before she started walking at his side. There was plenty to talk about and, maybe if they did somehow end up getting along well enough, they could, very likely, end up as friends and perhaps even more. By that point, she likely would end up telling him about the troubles that had been swarming her mind; not even troubles but memories of things seen in the fog, she knew.

In time, he would learn. For now, she very well could talk about general things, odd as that would be. She was so used to being generally quiet! Still, this was a good change of pace.
@Lirilei
(all done!)