Heirot

Karne woke to the empty cave and he cried to himself. He had lost the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. It filled him with a strange sense of loss, that he had never felt before. He wanted her back.

Valkyrie could sense the anguish of the waking centaur from her location; she wasn't that far away. A sense of sadness washed over her as well, born of her own heart. Though she was too weak to take on her true form, Valkyrie decided to go back to the cave. It wasn't necessary for her to go to the village, was it? Besides, she had all day to return later on.

Valkyrie was back at the cave within a few minutes. She saw Karne at its mouth, crying silently to himself. Immeaditly, she felt even more guilty. Though Valkyrie knew the centaur wouldn't recognize her, maybe some primordial instinct would let him know that she was the same. She walked closer to the gave, her hand raised in a gentle greeting.

"Hello," Valkyrie said softly, hoping for a good reaction.

Karne jumped at her approach but relaxed, he mirrored her gesture and tilted his head a bit as if to ask 'what's this?'.

Valkyrie smiled at Karne's gesture. She stepped a little closer then, making sure that a smile was still in place upon her lips. Valkyrie gave a short, simple bow, then stood straight once more to watch the centaur's reaction.

Karne bowed his head and smiled "K-K-Arne" he stuttered, seemingly trying hard.

Valkyrie's smile grew wider when she heard Karne speak his name.

"Valkyrie," She said in reply to him.

"VVVVV-Al?" Karne tried he sounded unsure and somewhat confused.

Valkyrie laughed a bit; the sound was pure and gentle.

"It's alright," She said to him, and came ever closer. She wanted to gain his trust, but was unsure about how he would react to her.

Karne smiled he felt better about the task at hand. "V-al"

The unicorn smiled at him.

"Val is fine, if that is the most that you can manage," She said softly.

Karne smiled he stood up and walked to her "Val" he sounded confident mow.