From the top of the harsh cliffs the world appeared to be bathed in warm sunlight. I watched the wheat fields wondering if I'll ever see them again. I could see waves and glints of light as it bounced off flaxy textures and smooth stalks. I am feeling a bit nostalgic. Knowing that I've been here for years…but I feel like I'm seeing them for the first time in a long, long while. I turn around letting the wind toss my hood and back and play with my hair. Lawrence approaches me with a strong stride. He looks down at me. I smile. He smiles back, if a bit sheepishly. I studied his features. His jaw was unshaven, his hair unruly, and his eyes weary with travel. Yes. Even I could say he was no less handsome than the average human. His stares back at me with little intensity, probably watching my ears with a surreal wonder.

Watching his eyes, I feel naked. I don't feel prodded but accepted. That's fine because I'm a Kenrou.

And…

He's a human.

We headed back to the wagon, side by side. He gets in first and then I take my place beside him. I suppose he's being a bit humble by asking if I want some jerky before heading off again. I decline politely. Lawrence shrugs and gets the wagon rolling. As minutes passed I could feel his awkwardness. He was not embarrassed. Nor was he flustered. He was puzzled by my presence. Lawrence didn't know how to react around me.

He can hide it all he wants but I know. Ha, ha…he's fun to watch. So instead he resorts to what I like to call his 'permanent merchant face'.

I've come to the come to the conclusion that he treats me like another individual. Not a woman. Not a man. Something like an obstacle. Only not. But sometimes I startle him with my (sometimes) careless and childlike remarks. His honesty is appreciated. He doesn't mind when I'm in the nude and he doesn't seem to care when he's in the nude. I trust him. He can lie. But they don't hurt. He means well.

By now the sun had already descended the horizon. It was still windy. I wrap my tail around me and brush my lips with the fur. I'm sure any human would like their greedy little paws on my coat. I guess that was where I tested Lawrence back in the village. I can say with a grin that he was more than agreeable. Lawrence pulls up a stretch of fur from the back and wears it like a shawl. We're both cold. And it's only going to get colder as we progress to the north. The horse, being the fickle creature it is, refused to move unless it had it's own blanket. With a sigh I watch Lawrence heave himself off the wagon and walk towards the back. As he returns I greet him a tender smile. He seems lifted with my action.

Eventually twilight settles in so we stop in a small brush and Lawrence produced a quick fire. I watched as he pulled out two carrots from a pouch on his side and began to cut them into a small pot. My hands held my head as I soon fell into a sort of hypnosis watching the movement of the blade of his knife crunch into his thumb and listening to the 'thdd' of the carrot piece bouncing off the pot's walls. This continued in silence until Lawrence announced that the carrots were boiled.

My senses rush back as I eagerly sit down beside Lawrence as he divides the food. Steam rises up and frames our faces. I breathed in the scent of carrot holding a small excuse of a plate readily in front of Lawrence. I found myself lost in his eyes again as he dug in his pouch groping for jerky. The flames of the fire danced in his eyes ignorant of the bright blue they were supposed to be. But the flash of red and brown in hands were more interesting. I took the jerky from him and devoured it. I let the salt linger as I licked my fingers clean. My plate was already empty.

Lawrence seemed uneasy but kept his mouth to his food. I wonder if he thinks I'm going to eat him or his packages. The thought makes me laugh out loud. I should think not! Lawrence hardly seemed aware. He asks if he can ask me a question. Which is silly enough seeing as he already has.

I say go ahead, not surprised he would have things to ask me. He looks at me with a somber expression. He even seems a bit uncomfortable. Curious, I urge him on with a smirk. Lawrence turns away with a 'never mind'.

What was that all about?