So what if he suffered a bit more by her side? At least with her, he had some use.
And she needed answers about this place. Someone to fill in the gaps.
So why not him?
—
Back at the small cottage, Kaya changed into her own clothes. She grabbed the hide-woven outfit too—it wasn't bad, honestly. Good for traveling. She figured she'd switch it up when needed. Couldn't just keep walking around in the same damn outfit every day.
She also took the bird and the snake with her. Not lovingly, though. She stuffed them both into her oversized pockets like leftover scraps.
The snake had already lost its fangs—useless now. And if it tried anything funny again, she'd just slice it up and make stew.
When she finally stepped out, she found Cutie waiting by the path with a tiny basket in his hands.
She looked at it. Then at him.
"…That's it?" she asked, one brow raised.
Cutie nodded, lowering his head slightly.
"Yeah. It's all I have."
Kaya didn't respond right away.
