only really addressing Aure briefly!

Her attention had been drawn, now, by Kerberos and his... questionable body language. While Giggle had certainly lost track of one question in the chaos, she hadn't lost track of Aure, as Damask imagined; she could tell he wanted out, but she assumed it was from the demanding ones, not from this friendly little bird who'd been around them for awhile, now. No, she assumed that he wanted away from the stress. Away from the... lunacy.

Dark eyes lingered on the strangers as Damask fired a glance her way, and so it was missed; Damask might have seen a thoughtful expression of focus on the hyena's scarred-up face as she observed Kerberos's somewhat forceful help for the others. But-... He meant well; he didn't seem aggressive, really, and he wasn't doing anything wrong, so she did not comment.

With the quiet of Damask's murmur to Nemo it might have confused the hyena to find him still lingering--not like she'd push him away.

Her den was open to anyone here, for as long as it was needed. She glanced after Aure, brief concern flickering up; she wished she'd had time to speak with him briefly, to ask if he was okay, but he seemed to be hurrying off--ahh.

Let me know if you need me, she sent after him--a quiet and unintrusive offer but distinctly her own thought, carefully-guarded so as not to soak in whatever he was thinking or feeling. That was private, and she simply wanted the offer out there.

Then she waited--whoever wanted to further speak to her could do so, but for now, it seemed this meeting had blundered through its chaos to an unsteady end.

rain stock: D Sharon Pruitt wiki commons; hyena Benjamin Hollis on flickr

exit Giggle - let me know if any chars would want to go with her, via PM or discord, it can be offscreened perhaps?

@Aure @Kerberos @Nemo

Nemo

Damask speaking to him draws his gaze up, quickly- almost like he expected to get scolded, or told to leave with the others- but his feathers settle, a bit, at her tone. At least she doesn't sound like she wants me plucked.

"Ah, my fault. It's been... chaotic. Take care, then. The both of you. Hopefully we can actually talk later after we've all... calmed down." A concerned tilt of the head, left wing shifting to protect the small bird in his feathers from the steel in her eyes, his own looking almost like slow melting ice. Defensive, yes, but he's loosening up, and none of the barbs that wait in his chest at the... gall of the others don't really go anywhere.

On one wing, the children had been through a lot. On the other, what they'd said- what had happened here seems to have been more than what he was aware of, and a part of his chafes at others so deliberately hurting each other, and others.

Another part of him almost, almost chafes at the implication that he needs to be taken care of, but it quickly falls flat as the idea actually... registers. Having someone else to turn to is comforting, and he swivels his head to look around and mentally smacks himself up the head as he realizes he's being a hypocrite.

"Pumpkin. Everyone seems to need their space, then. Would you want to join me on a small stroll? I think I saw some neat bones along the wall near the far wall." He's waiting once again for the small bird, and he's growing concerned at the silence.

He doesn't want to be a bother, but quite frankly, is beginning to feel like one once again.

@Pumpkin (plz)

pumpkin looked to damask, best he could, with a nod. he appreciated it.

he looked up to nemo, sighing. "i might need some time alone, but... maybe some other time. thank you." he said in reply.

he got up, shimmying his feathers. "i'll see you soon... thank you, again." he sniffled, before flying off. he had alot to think about.

exit

δεξιά . κέντρο . αριστερά

Kerberos had tried to help, but in the end, everyone scattered-- in pairs or alone, and the dog found himself standing in place, feeling like there had been nothing he could do. He was big, and strong, and listened really hard, but... Reluctantly, he accepted it as everyone left, deciding not to give chase to Pumpkin or anyone else. Even if that had been incredibly difficult to not do. One head turned back to Giggle, another tracking where Aure and Damask had went off to, while the central head watched the strangers shuffle vaguely away.

... It was unsatisfying. The dog whined, but finally remembered that he had told them he would be at the entrance to Orion if they needed him. Better to catch something to eat and make his way over there; in case someone decided... they did want a big softie to talk to. Kerberos was very good at listening now, and he can only hope that the other gembound saw that part of him.

At least no one had seemed scared of him. He didn't like it when he scared others.

With big, heavy paws, the big lug padded his way off to collect a rat or two, and would eventually make his way through Tunnel K. The whole time, he would find it incredibly difficult not to keep two or four eyes out for those who had been shaken by the meeting... he was genuinely worried for them.

;; kerb exit