Sharing the Fire

The fire crackles softly in the cave. Shadows dance along the walls, their shapes shifting to the rhythm of the flames. The warmth gradually fills the space, driving away the biting cold of the forest outside. Veil sits close to the fire, placing the items he had scavenged from his battle on the rocky ground before him. The rudimentary dagger, bandages, and small pieces of meat land with a faint thud. Alynia watches silently, her wolf ears slightly perked. Her sharp gaze scrutinizes each object, though she remains quiet. Veil (internal monologue): Not much, but it'll have to do. He grabs one of the pieces of meat, skewers it on a stick, and plants it near the flames. The grease begins to melt, dripping into the fire with a soft sizzle. The aroma of roasting meat fills the cave, an inviting scent that makes Veil's stomach growl faintly. Carefully turning the meat, he glances at Alynia. She remains still, but her eyes are locked on the meat. Veil (with a faint smile): "Want some?" Alynia narrows her eyes, but a faint grumble escapes her stomach. She pretends not to notice, though her ears twitch slightly toward him. Alynia (coldly): "I don't bite strangers, but I don't expect anyone to share with me, either." Veil (chuckling lightly): "It'd be dumb to eat alone. Food tastes better when you share." He pulls a piece of the cooked meat off the stick and offers it to Alynia. She eyes it cautiously, her gaze shifting between the meat and Veil as though searching for a hidden trap. After a moment, she takes it silently, pulling it from the stick with her fingers. She bites into it slowly, her sharp teeth briefly visible. Her jaw moves deliberately, savoring each bite. Veil (internal monologue): She eats carefully... Looks like she hasn't eaten well in a while. Silence falls again, broken only by the faint chewing sounds and the fire's steady crackle. Alynia shifts her gaze toward Veil while still chewing, studying him with a poorly concealed curiosity. Alynia (fixing her gaze on Veil): "What's your name, human?" Veil remains still for a moment, staring into the flames as if the fire itself had asked him the question. Finally, he draws a slow breath and turns his head toward her. Veil (hesitant but firm): "Veil. My name is Veil." A flash of recognition flickers in Alynia's eyes. Her tail sways gently behind her. Her gaze becomes more calculating, though tinged with a playful edge. She takes another bite of the meat, a faint half-smile forming. Alynia (mocking tone): "Alright, little Wolf. Thanks for the meat." Veil (surprised): "I give you my name, and you change it immediately?" Alynia raises an eyebrow, her tail wagging more energetically. A teasing smirk spreads across her lips. Alynia (with a sly grin): "I'll call you by your name the day you're my equal." Silence. Veil stares at her, then lets out a quiet, frustrated laugh through his nose, tinged with defiance. Shaking his head, he picks up another piece of meat to cook. Veil (muttering to himself): "We'll see, Alynia. We'll see." The fire continues its endless crackling. The sound of wood snapping fills the space with its soothing melody. Alynia crosses her arms, leaning against the wall with her eyes half-closed. Her tail sways lazily to the rhythm of the flames. Veil (internal monologue): If I have to become her equal, then I'll do it. No matter how long it takes.