The serval smiled and giggled gently at Larkspur's response to xer flirting. This was good, her flattery was working well. Although they'd admit, they weren't sure of the final purpose of this. Really, swidling was just second nature at this point. Perhaps this one could be just for fun... Disapora awed quietly at the wolf's wings disappearing, an added bout of impressiveness to such an already intriguing thing. It was quickly added to the list of things to talk about with Larkspur. Then, they complimented back and the small cat allowed xerself a short purr in response. "They're quite common in servals, but thank you nonetheless," her smile stretched her maw. Her constant magical mist brightened, like a peacock displaying its feathers.
The serval blinked rapidly, this time subconsciously, out of mild confusion. The idea of giving away something that benefited you had rarely occurred to the feline, and especially not when it was something so pretty. Still, they were being complimented again and that fueled them. "Then I must visit you again come this summer, hm?" she hummed thoughtfully. Then, xe were back to focus as the wolf spoke again. The pain made sense to them, although they still didn't quite get why someone would give away a piece of themselves so easily. She'd never share her mist (if she could), or a piece of fur, that was certain. Well, it did make one of her missions easier. Then, Larkspur demonstrated their point. Disapora allowed xer eyes to widen, watching as two flowers landed in front of xer, one with blood and one without. Her smile had finally dropped as she stared down at them for a moment. If they'd been more artistic, they could've waxed poetic about the metaphor there. Instead, they gingerly picked up both, placing the flowers in a satchel.
"I..." The serval drew a breath, composing themself as their smile slipped back into place, albeit lighter now. "I'm not quite sure that was necessary, but thank you anyway." She looked away, then back at them. "Impressive you're able to do such a thing to yourself." Xe'd seen that wince, almost felt the pain xerself. She watched the bee passively, considering, for a moment, biting it for them. "I see your point," they leaned into the larger animal, slowly so Larkspur could pull away. Her mist lightened, retreating into her fur as though she could get it on them.
"Perhaps but I suspect I would know yours from a crowd," Larkspur remarked, glancing toward the burbling geyser. This little one didn't seem to go off as frequently as the ones around it which was good, or else wolf and serval alike would be a great deal damper. More importantly to Larkspur though, it meant they only had to step a bit into the drizzling remnants of a shower for a moment to finally chase the bee now buzzing annoyingly on their shoulders having danced between two of their flowers off to wherever it deigned to visit next. They huffed with satisfaction - then immediately muttered an apology to poor Folke who had not consented to getting wet for the moment, though the serpent did at least seem to understand where the wolf was coming from.
"I am certainly not opposed," Larkspur agreed with a light laugh. "Take as many blossoms as you want - and perhaps a meal. I do warn you though I am an unusual wolf: I don't settle for long. Presently I am exploring northward, I intend to follow this river to its source and when I get there... find another river and follow it out I think."
That would be fun now that they were considering it out loud - following rivers in and out. Rivers went everything, brought you to everyone practically. It would be a brilliant way to see as much of the land as possible and the neatest possible method for avoiding confusion while they were still in the midst of attempting to map things out.
They shook their head a little, attempting to peer through the hanging mist, ear flicking in mild annoyance - they had known it would be foggy and vision would be fairly obscured when they saw the hotsprings and the plumes of white steam floating into the air but they had to admit, they'd only landed so late in the day in the hopes that the sun would have burned most of it off. Clearly though they were wrong.
"It isn't a problem - I certainly grow more than enough for any collector," Larkspur chuckled, adopting something of a slightly more serious expression as they explained. Folke twisted around, stretching out toward the serval now pressed into Larkspur's legs to offer a curiously flitting tongue and tilted head that unknowingly mirrored the wolf it was draped across. "It's not a fun feeling but I am rather unfortunately used to it - sometimes they get caught on branches or twisted while I'm laying down. At times a bird will deign that I carry perfect nesting material and so on. It hurts but it's a hurt I'm long used to - if anything, it's nice to experience it of my own will for once."
---
Disapora's smile widened back to its normal levels as the compliment was furthered, giggling spritely. She watched the wolf go under the spray, joining them just for the sensation of water upon her fur. Xer ear perked at the muttering, but hearing it directed at the snake instead of xer, xe returned to xer spot, sitting peacefully. Xer tail attempted to curl around xer paws, not quite making it.
"Yes, I've been travelling as well, although not by choice like you. I'm on... a greater mission, let's say." The mood was so light that she deigned not to bring it down with talks of missing brothers. "Mind if I follow you on that path for a while?" It fit where she was supposed to be going next and, "Company helps liven up long journies."
The fog didn't bother Disapora, used to seeing through their own mist when it decided to travel to her head area. Really, the white plumes were almost comforting to xer, reminding the serval of when xe had much less control over said mist as a child. Of course, childhood wasn't always a pleasant place to go, but these particular memories were good, and these days, the fact that her brother was in a memory made it good. Xe did notice xer companion's dislike of it, however, so xe said, "Here, let me help you there," conjuring a sky blue fire from the ground. It was small, but tall, positioned on the left side of the two of them. The heat from it helped to disperse the fog, making it easier to see. And, due to its magic, there was very little smoke to hinder their sight. A few of her sparkles, like in her mist, were within it. She smiled sultrily, "Now we can see each other better."
The serval sat quietly, allowing Larkspur to speak. When the snake neared her, she tensed, but decided to try pressing her nose against it in a friendly manner. When Larkspur was done speaking, xe looked up at them, eyes blinking slowly as xe processed. "Yes, I suppose that makes sense. Better to rip out the knife yourself and all that." There was a layer of unasked questions under their understanding tone.
