You’ve Got a Friend in Me

JP with Hunter and Gonyaul:

Hunter left to meet with the Odonine at the request of Alexis, with his pack only to be told to wait for them to get organized. So he walked a bit to pass the time. it was then that he was Gonyaul looking nervous and skittish. Seeing as this was going to be a problem he approached Gonyaul and sat next to him quietly.

Gonyaul was trying to keep calm, but he felt like time was playing tricks on him. He felt it was frozen; they should already be heading out. He felt it was racing; how long had it been since they left the mine. It was constantly changing like a stubborn illusion he couldn’t figure out. He bowed and signed a greeting to Hunter, remembering the man who had escorted him home.

Gonyaul didn’t speak, he was lost in his thoughts and more his feelings.

Hunter then looked at Gonyaul as he spoke up, "Your feelings for Voah are obvious. However you do her a dis-service by your dark thoughts. I have been on quite a few missions with her and she is by no means weak. She and I have been through many battles and survived great horrors. Not to mention Tarmen has been through a lot as well. They will find a way to survive and we will find them."

Gonyaul appreciated Hunter’s counsel in setting the record straight. He took hunters word on it in addition to his experience with them. Voah and Tarmen exceeded expectations in their capability. He questioned himself now, was his behavior going to hurt them?

“I should no leave her in the cave.” He wasn’t just referring to exiting the mine, but having left the group in the waterfall room. “If I no leave she no be lost.” He was feeling guilty for exploring his curiosity when it may not have been wise.

Hunter nodded as he replied, "That might be true, but then again you dropped your guard because you saw Voah as strong. You have an innocent way of thinking unlike the rest of us. We have seen a lot of messed up stuff in our time. I have fought alongside Alexis, Tarmen and Voah and I am well aware of their skills so don't count either of them down till you have proof. "

Gonyaul nodded, once again easily accepting the advice as the truth without resistance. “You all very better. I do work hard to keep up.” Up till now at most all he had really done in a pickle was to push some people and run. Perhaps cause a distraction or two, nothing like the rest of the skilled individuals.

He managed a smile to Hunter. “My heart is glad you come, for you know how handle self all times.” With Hunter and Alexis he felt a spark of hope; after all that combination saved Islana from doom.

Hunter nodded as he looked at Gonyaul and paused for a moment. Then he spoke up, "I was trained to deal with these kinds of situations, but I am coming because Voah is my friend."

Gonyaul liked what Hunter said. “You special friend that do what can to help.” He affirmed.

He then looked to Hunter with an arched brow. “I train all life and I still no not how deal with many things.” Gonyaul wondered if he was doing it wrong?

Hunter replied, "We can't be good at everything. I may be good at killing, cooking and a few other things but I am lacking in many other things. Voah is helping me with that stuff. Since she is my only friend I rely a lot on her."

Gonyaul nodded. That sounded correct to him.

“You want two friends?” He jovially offered, referring to himself. His Gonyaul optimism rekindling.

Hunter chuckled and then spoke up, "I doubt you would ask that if you knew who you were talking to."

It wasn’t a no. “You no friend because you had earn it. You friend because I choose and you let be.” He smiled.

Hunter looked at Gonyaul as he smirked at him, "Well that all depends."

Gonyaul looked back with curiosity. “Depend what?”

Hunter looked up at the sky as he replied, "On whether Voah can prove that a monster like me has a soul."

Gonyaul just sat there is silence. Sometimes silence was best. He followed Hunter’s gaze into the night sky and found constellations waving back at him. He knew Hunter had a soul, everyone did. It was like a seed. You just need to plant it in the right place and nourish it correctly and it will break out of its hard shell, push against the darkness, and rise towards the sun. From their it can blossom and bear good fruit. Hunter would get there if he kept trying; to each their own timing.

Hunter may not have realized it yet, but he now had two friends.