A/N: Thank you to those who reviewed, I'm very glad you're enjoying it! And yeah, I did start out a bit bonkers with the italics, probably because chapter one of this was the first thing I ever wrote for this fandom, so I was overcompensating (By now I have so much experience it's slightly sad). That actually makes me a bit of a hypocrite, as the italics in the actual novels drove me up the wall – I remember counting nine words that had been italisized for emphasis in a single paragraph at one point. Anyways, on with chapter two. It's actually on the short side, for which I'm sorry, but the next chapter is very long, so that should make up for it :) Enjoy and please review!
The days passed. Savil and Starwind left Tallo alone for the most part- on the occasions Savil tried to see Tallo, he hardly seemed to notice her, too wrapped up in his own despair; and when Starwind went in, there was nothing but a fearful awe. Obviously this outlander, as most, had grown up hearing stories of the Hawkbrothers. Stories that had been meant, of course, to frighten children.
They had to throw shields around him to avoid becoming crushingly depressed, and as a precaution in case he did something, either accidentally or out of fear, like what he had done to the young man back at his village. However, he'd shown no desire to repeat a display of power like the one that had brought him here. Most of the time, he seemed too miserable to even move. He hardly ate or drank, from Asheena's reports. He'd been the only one able to get near him.
He was on one such mission of observation, when things changed.
:hunger: The impression Starwind received from his bondbird was that of a successful hunt. :satisfaction:
:He is eating? Ah, and just when I thought he had no will to live! Savil?:
A wordless expression of questioning came from her.
:Good news, Wingsister. Asheena tells me he is eating now.:
:Decided to live after all, has he?:
:Perhaps, ke'chara, perhaps.:
Asheena gave him the image of being watched by another bondbird.
For a moment, Starwind projected himself into Asheena - Tallo was indeed looking at him, with a bit of interest. :Approach him, but slowly. Let us see what he does.:
Wordless assent, and he hopped a little closer. At first, Tallo drew back. But then, he very cautiously held out his hand to the gyrfalcon. :reluctance: He slowly stretched out his head, clacking his beak gently in an invitation to touch.
Savil watched her friend, as he watched through his bondbird. Savil was still privvy to their conversation, but she certainly couldn't see what he was seeing. She watched impatiently- she did know what he was doing, of course. She'd done the same with Kellan a fair few times.
Asheena approached closer to Tallo and again lowered his head slightly. The young man reached out towards him hesitantly, brushing his fingers against Asheena's feathers.
Savil watched with a small smile as Starwind shivered, leaning his head slightly to the side, mimicking the motion his bondbird was making. :Maybe you should try talking to him now, Starwind.: She Mindspoke to him.
Starwind's eyes refocused, and his gaze fixed on Savil. "Aye." He said, finally speaking aloud. "Perhaps he will not be so frightened of me, then - he may well have felt me through Asheena." He stood.
"Mind if I eavesdrop?"
"I do not. But I will block you if I have to, if he accepts me and wants only my presence."
They were using a small building on the ground in which to house Tallo, there being no real way to get him into Starwind's ekele while he was unconcious. They decided Tallo would be more comfortable on the ground. The building wasn't used often, only when, for some reason, a Tayledras couldn't climb into his ekele. The buildings were used for guests, creatures who couldn't easily climb into the ekeles, or for activities which required some privacy or containment.
Reaching the door of the little building, Starwind knocked softly. Hearing no answer, he slowly pushed the door open. Tallo was absorbed in stroking Asheena's feathers. The gyrfalcon radiated tolerant patience. The bondbirds were naturally most comfortable with only their bondmates touching them. "Tallo?"
As usual, the young man jumped about a foot, his eyes widening.
Starwind held out a hand in a gesture of peace. "As I have said several time now, I will cause you no harm. I healed you, Tallo. I would not harm you now."
Silence. Tallo didn't speak, but he also didn't back away.
After advancing into the centre of the room, Starwind simply sank, gracefully, into a cross-legged position. He didn't want to come any closer and scare the poor boy. After another moment's silence, he said, "Please, will you speak with me?"
Just as cautiously as he had approached the gyrfalcon, Tallo slid from the bed and lowered himself to sit onto the floor. He kept his unblinking gaze fixed on Starwind.
Starwind graced him with a small smile. "You seem to like my bondbird. His name is Asheena." He lifted a forearm slowly, careful not to make any sudden movements. Asheena fluttered from the table he had been perched on, and settled on his bonded's arm.
Tallo flinched at the movement.
Starwind sighed. "Why do you fear me? I swear to you, there is nothing of which to be afraid." He reached out a hand, palm up. "Come closer. I will no more harm you than Asheena would."
:It's not so much fear, as it is awe, if you ask me.: Savil Mindspoke.
:Which I was not doing.: he returned dryly.
He reached out further, wanting Tallo to take his hand. The young man simply stared at it a moment. Then, very, very slowly, his frightened gaze locked with Starwind's welcoming one, he rested his hand on the Tayledras'. Starwind gave him a dazzling smile, and gently tugged on his hand, drawing him closer. Tallo complied, and soon they were only a handspan apart. He was still watching Starwind with awe, but now it was mixed with something very like shyness. He did not let go of the Tayledras's hand.
"Now… why do you fear me?"
"I…" A tiny, weak voice. Finally, Tallo looked away. "At first…" He halted again.
"You may tell me." Starwind said softly.
Tallo gulped, and then began again. "At first, you frightened me…" His voice was still almost non-existant. "You're a Hawkbrother… but then you were so kind to me." He swallowed again. "But I've done something terrible… I don't deserve your kindness…" His lip was trembling, his whole body steeled against the tears he obviously wanted to shed.
:Told you it wasn't fear!: Savil's voice spoke in his mind.
Annoyed, Starwind blocked her from his thoughts. He placed two fingers under Tallo's chin and tilted it upwards, so their eyes met. "Tallo… I know what you did…"
Tears filled the young man's eyes and ran down his cheeks. He looked absolutely stricken, and turned his eyes away despite Starwind's gentle touch.
"No, no…" Starwind said, his voice still kind. "I know what you did, yes. I do not blame you for it."
Tallo looked shocked, disbelieving. "I… no…"
"Hush. You need to heal. I wish to help you… but only if you will allow it." Starwind moved his hand to delicately brush the tears from Tallo's cheeks. He opened his arms. "Now… may I?"
The next moment, Tallo was in his arms, sobbing into the nape of his neck. And unlike before, he was entirely aware of his actions.