十二

[anatural]

[action]
[This is the first time in weeks that Naga has left Korra's side. While Korra goes to meet Arthur, Naga finally takes the opportunity to get out of the City. She's a wild animal, and the tall buildings and busy streets upset her.

You might run into if you're at:

• the forest
• the drowning pool
• the city limits

It's been an interesting few weeks. Best be careful around her.]

Comments

[beyourarmy]

[At least he's getting up and has STOPPED moping for the time. All smiles, Setsuna's wings flap just once. But he's not flying. He starts walking deeper into the forest.] There's a very deep pool this way. I never found the bottom when I swam in it.

[Understand him or not, Setsuna will just keep yapping.]

[anatural]

[Naga follows alone, still entranced with his wings. They remind her of prey animals, though she knows that he isn't one.

She can't resist leaning her head over and licking them curiously.]

[beyourarmy]

[He is to some! He would be glad to know Naga doesn't think of him that way, though.

He does jolt at the feel of something on his wings. While it doesn't hurt, the wings are still sensitive. He looks back, eyes wide.]

You aren't gonna eat them, are you? ...I'd forgotten these things were out.

[anatural]

[Naga's ears perk up, and she looks at him curiously. What's he so upset about?]

[beyourarmy]

[Right.... She probably can't understand him, or doesn't know. But as it doesn't look like she's trying to nibble them he calms, some.]

Heh. You wouldn't want to eat those, anyway. Big feathers. They might get stick in your throat.

[anatural]

[This is true. Naga doesn't usually go for fowl in her hunting; seals are her preferred meal. Not many of them to be had here, alas.

She butts her head against his shoulder. Either pet her or keep moving, buddy!]

[beyourarmy]

[A light chuckle at the head-butt, then he reaches out to pet her head.]

I'm going, I'm going. It's not much further, anyway.

[anatural]

[She wags her tail slowly and follows. Being out of the City improves her mood immensely, and she eagerly sniffs everything she can get her nose on.]

[beyourarmy]

[Setsuna waits, amazingly patient (for him), while Naga sniffs things, only when she seems done with the area does he speed up a bit.]

How do you stand being in the City? There's a reason the other animals are in the zoo, or the forest, or the park. They have the perfect environment for their needs.

[anatural]

[She stands it because she has to. This is where Korra is, and while the two of them are not attached at the hip, pack loyalty means that she must always be in howling distance. It's not as pleasant as Air Temple Island, which had more space and fewer people, and it's certainly not home, but there's a forest she can run to when the city streets become too much, and Korra makes sure to take her out into the wild every few days.

Beyond that, it's just a matter of temperament. The same curiosity that has her padding cheerfully behind Setsuna enables her to endure urban life.]

[beyourarmy]

[He studies her - that temperament - fondly as they walk along.] I wish we could have a real conversation. But that's okay. You're nice just to hang out with.

Especially right now.

[anatural]

[Naga is not as perceptive of human emotion as a domestic dog would be, but she's spent enough time with Korra to recognize when things are okay and when things are off. She tilts her head curiously at Setsuna and nudges his shoulder gently. It always works with Korra, at least.]

[beyourarmy]

[That nudge breaks the illusion he's been walking in. He had mostly put aside what he had been out here moping over in Naga's presence, but such a simple gesture shatters it.]

Mmm? I guess I'm that transparent, huh?

Can you keep a secret? [Even if she can't understand, or answer, Setsuna still speaks to her this way, a sort of respect. It's exactly how he would speak to another human with Naga's personality.]

[anatural]

[It depends on the secret, actually, but whatever you tell her should be safe. Her ears are alert and listening, even though she doesn't understand.]

[beyourarmy]

It's actually been a crappy month.

I failed someone important to me. Another of my friends got injured. And my lover told me she doesn't love me. Worse things can happen. I know.

But I'm not feeling good about any of that right now. [He's still slightly smiling, though. A desperate sort of smile, clinging to the not so painful parts, or the idea he can overcome.]

[anatural]

[Naga may not understand the words, but she can recognize the smell that suddenly rolls off of him. Misery. Korra has spent a good part of the past month reeking of it herself.

She whines softly and rubs her head against Setsuna's side. She hates that smell.]

[beyourarmy]

[His smile tightens at that, a bit of comfort reaching him, even in this state. He can't help it; Setsuna turns completely to hug her.]

You're really amazing.

I'll be okay! I promise. I won't let any of this keep me down. And I'll find a way to make things right again. And Sara...I'll just have to move on, like I was ready to before. It'll work out.

[anatural]

[Naga wriggles out of the embrace -- there are certain privileges that are only granted to Korra, and hugs are one of them. Her wild instincts dislike the vulnerability.

But when her head is free, she nudges him again with her snout, offering support in her own way.]

[beyourarmy]

[He's impulsive, but he won't try that again. Still, he smiles gently at being nudged, and pulls away.]

Thanks.

Feels wrong not knowing your name. [He continues walking once more. And just up ahead, there's water.]

[anatural]

[Don't worry, Naga doesn't mind. A name is just a collection of sounds to catch her attention.

When she smells water, her steps hasten. She is a thirsty polar bear dog.]

[beyourarmy]

[He grins and speeds up, too. Just so he can throw a hand out and brag.]

Bottomless pool thing! I forget the name of it. Drowning Pool, I think it was. Never could reach the bottom, and I tried! I swam down there for ages.

Always ran out of air, first.