The Forgotten Zodiac

Now it was Eve's turn to blush, and her whole face turned red. "Verloen, are you saying what I think you're getting at?" she asked.

"Only the truth," Verolen shrugged. "I'm tired of lying to myself. From the first day I saw you, I thought you were beautiful...and then you fought alongside us, I was so afraid of you getting hurt. Even now, I worry about what could happen to you and Manny..." He turned to look at her, taking her hand in his. "But I think you'll be okay. If you're not...well, I'll be right there to make it okay."

Eve smiled, squeezing his hand lightly. "I just hope you know what you're getting into," she said, shifting a bit closer to him.

"I've been through torture in Oceanica, drowned in a deep trench over 400 times in the same season, fought my father multiple times, had my arms broken in six places each, had my soul ripped out and replaced with another, only to return to my body and endure more fighting and pain." Verolen smiled a bit, taking her other hand in his. "I think, whatever could possibly happen, whatever I'm getting into now...I think I'll be okay."

"Careful, there, this is starting to sound lik a proposal to marriage," Eve said, beaming brightly at him. The thought struck her that it might be a moment later, and her face darkened a shad or two more.

"That's a bit too fast," Verolen chuckled. "We've got time. The world's not about to end now...we can take it as slowly as you want." He brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.

((This is too much fluff. Must...resist...murder urges...

I've been considering bringing in Centaur tribes...))

((HORSEY MEN))

Eve smiled brightly at Verolen, then leaned forward and gently kissed his cheek. "Very well," she said.

((Yeah except they'll be mad over the whole war thing and probably attack and carry off little Allie and Tobias or something.))

Verolen hugged her close for a long moment before they were interrupted by Manny. "Hey! I'm done lifting things, mom!" He greeted, but paused and stared at their embrace for a few minutes in mild confusion. "Is he hurting you, mommy?"

Eve laughed slightly, pulling back from Verolen. "No, dear," she said. "In fact, he's making me very happy," she assured.

"Oh, okay. That looked like a hug, but I couldn't be sure because I've only seen myself hugging you..." He looked down and kicked at the dirt, but he smiled a bit. "It's good that you're happy. Happy is good."

((Do I have approval for such a thing? Centaurs are only half-foresters, technically, but still obviously against the humans.))

((I always pictured centaurs as not really caring about anything enough to attack unless their kin were attacked first.))

Eve smiled warmly, then held out her hands to Manny. "Come here, you," she said.

((Hm. What would provoke them to attack Tinyville, then...? That makes sense, I'mma go with your idea.

OH, A MISUNDERSTANDING. PERFECT.))

Manny was quick to jump in on the hug, squeezing her tight. "A happy mom is a happy Manny!" He proclaimed loudly. But something caused him to stop and frown, looking towards the city. "Do you hear that?"

"Hear what?" Verolen questioned, before he heard it too. A very familiar wail, that could come from no one but Verdi. "That sounds like that moot...we better go see what's up. Sounds like he's in pain..."

Eve slid off the box she had been seated on and hurried towards the noise, concern sharpening the features of her face. "I hope it's nothing bad," she murmured as she, Manny, and Verolen hurried to find the Moot.

"Oh, darling," Eve said, stroking Verdi's head and ears gently as Verolen examined his wounds. "What happened here? Who did this to you?" she asked.

"Horse men? Do you mean, men on horses?" Eve asked. "Were they demons, or humans? Wait... why would humans attack other humans?" she muttered.

"I don't see any footprints. Just hooves..." Verolen pointed out.

"No, they were horsemen! They all had horse legs..."

"Wait, you mean centaurs?!" Verolen exclaimed, rounding on Verdi. "I...guess it makes sense...but...why? We have to find them!" He took off towards town, only to return a few moments later. "We should get you to Bershee first. Sorry, Verdi."

"Whatever," The moot sniffed, licking his flank. "The horsemen went that way," He pointed off to the east. "Just so you know..."

"Right. Eve, we should get Verdi to Bershee, then get Sylas, L'arc, and Kendra. We'll go find them together."

"I'll take Verdi," Eve said. "You go on ahead and find the others. It'll be faster that way," she said, and ran off, trying not to jostle the moot in her arms.

"Got it," Verolen hurried off. Manny followed Eve, pouting greatly.

"Oh my goodness," Bershee exclaimed as soon as they arrived. "Get him inside, quickly." She ushered them in, taking Verdi and quickly inspecting the wounds.

"Will he be okay?" Manny whimpered.

"He'll be alright." Bershee nodded. "You were good to bring him here. These bruises look like hoofprints...did he get too close to the humans' horse?"