Twili eventually turned to her human form, sitting next to Nik quietly. She set her hand on his lap, wishing to give comfort. She actually looked about Smoke's age like this. Derlik smiled gently, rubbing Smoke's cheek gently and pulling him back into his lap.
Nik looked at her, letting out a faint breath. Smoke meowed quietly, leaning into Derlik's touch happily and starting to purr again.
Twili let out a silent breath, glancing at Derlik, then back to Nik, a small worried look on her face. Derlik gave Smoke a smile, rubbing his head again like before.
Nik slowly put his hand on top of hers, his lip caught between his teeth anxiously. Smoke leaned into the touch, purring contentedly.
Twili moved a little, herself between Nik at Derlik. Derlik didn't seem to care, smiling at Smoke. He started to rub Smoke's back, thinking to himself again.
Smoke leaned into Derlik's hand, closing his eyes happily and not really paying any attention to Twili or Nik.
Derlik wasn't paying attention either. Twili looked at Derlik, tilting her head a little. He looked up a bit, sighing.
"I suppose so," he said, but to what? Twili looked at Nik, pulling out her board.
Do you want to leave with me? It'll only be for a bit… But it's the best I can offer you.
Nik blinked. "I…" he glanced up at Derlik for a moment, then to Twili. Smoke opened his eyes, looking at Derlik, then NIk.
He already have me permission, Twili continued. As long as you stay with me, everything will be fine with him. Derlik had gone back to ignoring them, petting Smoke.
Nik nodded a little. "Okay." he said softly. "I'll come."
Twili nodded. She put her board away, slipping off the rock and motioning for Nik to come with her.
Nik followed her quietly, biting his lip again.
Twili led Nik towards the forest. The other minor gods sneered when they caught whiff, but Twili stopped then. She shifted back to her large form, growling a bit as she positioned herself over Nik.
Nik's eyes widened a little, and he shrank into himself slightly.
The other gods backed off, and she turned back human for Nik's sake. She stood next to him a moment, looking concerned.
Nik took a deep breath. "Sorry. I'm…not used to this." He said softly.
Twili pulled her board out.
"It's okay, I understand. It's better to learn with me than with him, right?" She gave a soft, sad smile. "I'll help you get used to it."
He nodded a little. "Yeah. Thank you, Twili." He said softly.
Twili nodded, offering Nik a small smile. She kept her board in her hands, leading him into the woods. The other gods stayed away for now, but they were watching. Waiting, it seemed. But for what?
Nik followed her quietly, running his hands through his hair.
Twili glanced at Nik a moment, bringing him to a second clearing. This one has a small, riding waterfall in it, the small river coming from it tranquil.
Nik looked up at the waterfall, taking a deep breath.
Twili motioned around.
"This is my home," she wrote. "You're welcome here whenever you need to have a little escape."
Nik looked at her, reading what she said, and nodded slightly. "Thank you, Twili."
Twili nodded, giving Nik a gentle smile.
"I know things might get hard, but I'll be here when you need me."