Not knowing when, Shao Dai Lu was delivered water and prey each day with hardly a shadow of the deity nor the stranger who saved her entering her sights. So much so, that she thought he had just been a figment of her imagination all this time. The first night she received the water and extra fire wood, she was genuinely a bit swayed by his consideration despite her rude actions. Even checking and seeing the stew from the night before untouched besides being left on the side so it wouldn't burn. She understood then he didn't mean to interact with her besides giving her the necessary means to survive. She wasn't so foolish as to recognize goodwill as poison.
On the night she was felt strong enough to depart the next morning. Dai Lu deliberately stood up later to try and catch the noble benefactor who somehow managed to come and go each time she shut her eyes. Somewhat anxiously checking the time on her light brain, Dai Lu kept her eyes on the entrance above her head pursing her lips. Does he plan to not come out unless I'm asleep? Troubled by this thought, she tries to think of any other way to notify the man she was going to leave the next morning. Plus, she still never got to thank him for his help. If he hadn't been for him, she would have died out there.
She hated owing others. And admittedly, she was genuinely curious how he could coexist with such a severe noble silver king. After a few hours of boredom and looking around, how could she not recognize the hole the dragon slept in? Looking closer at the darker parts of the wall when the sun was brighter due to a lighter overcast, she still saw large heavy chains leading towards the surface. Thus, letting the heavy burden in her heart rest easy. Though she doesn't know who he was or how he managed to convince the dragon to let her borrow his den she was grateful nonetheless. Biting her lip, Dai Lu tossed aside all pretenses and calls out cautiously "Sir Deity? Benefactor?" And held her breath trying to find any source of noise, whether it was the sound of gravel shifting or snow crunching anything.
She calls out one more time louder. Yet, not even a single whisper answered her call letting her feel as if she was being given the cold shoulder on purpose. Her eyes flicker in sync with the flames of the fire, and, biting her lip and hiding her shame. Dai Lu said with semi pink ears "...Benefactor, may you help me to the river so I can take a proper bathe? I, cannot stand being dirty for so many days...Please." Haolin who had been practicing long forgotten swordsmanship outside pauses misstep, but only for a moment. Before he very calmly returns the rusted blade from where it came from very carefully as to not shatter the already old sword. Embarrassed but having no other emergency she can think of that wasn't as urgent or shameful, she could only settle for this excuse.
A few minutes pass with no answer once more making her think she was being ignored again. As she was about to give up hope a silver shadow fell from the entrance like angel falling from heaven taking her breath away. Appearing without sound or indication of his presence like a ghost of the night. Dai Lu was dazed by his sudden appearance once more, she blinks up at the towering figure who stood at the bottom of the entrance passively looking down at her. Haolin scrutinizes her appearance, and true to her words although she wasn't as unkept as the first day she couldn't exactly be called clean too. As if time slowed for her Dai Lu watches as the odd yet strangely kind noble lifts a hand in her direction. Patiently, yet ever so indifferent like the frigid dangerous lands he inhabited, the man spoke sending a feather tipped arrow down her spine.
His voice hoarse as if not used much, but still as commanding as the intimidating aura he carried, a husky, silky, ear tingling voice. His eyes were sharp, and so tranquil within it was as if she were peering at a polished bronze plate with nothing but herself being reflected. It was such a familiar, handsome shade of bronze. A bronze she couldn't help comparing to that of the deity dragon. "I will take you there." Her fangs strangely neutralized as if she had been tranquilized, Dai Lu felt a bit at a loss for words but didn't know why. "...Thank you." Finding her tongue, Dai Lu lowers her head to hide her confusion and unease carefully giving him her hand.
And tried not to be openly taken aback by how warm his hand was despite just having come from outside, but what surprised her the most wasn't how warm his hand was. It was the callouses and...scars? Peeking at the hand which took her own, she only managed to get a glimpse of many tiny white marks before she had to choke down a cry of surprise when he leaps to the top with her in tow. It was when the frigid winds above her shelter hit her hard in the face did Dai Lu finally regain her soul. He can wear only a padded hanfu in this weather?! Is he a monster?! Cheeks bright red after being slapped by the cold, only then did she realized her mistake.
Before he could drag her off Dai Lu tugged back showing her resistance, Haolin naturally stopped and sent her a rather inquisitive glance as if wondering why she was making trouble again. Regardless of knowing if she was being seen as a fussy person or not, Dai Lu was still not brave enough to jump into a frozen river and freeze to death just because of her pride. "It's too cold, I'll freeze to death." Dai Lu watches as the man's expression briefly showed traces of irritation before he glanced in a certain direction and the brows which furrowed because of her smoothened over as if he had been soothed by something. He then began leading her by hand once more towards the river without much thought. A bit annoyed at her problem being considered a useless consideration, Dai Lu was about to say she can just clean up with the clay pot when he spoke again.
This time a hint more practiced and smooth than just a minute ago as if he had found the right pipes to sing with after just trying once. "It will not be a problem." Although doubtful she bit her tongue as to not sarcastically piss him off with her wit. His stride was so confident she even found herself believing him on the way there. Of course, when another cold wind blew she regretted opening her mouth in the first place just to get him to appear. She was even more upset when she forgot her blanket in the den and lost her coat during the blizzard. The only warmth she could find came from the man leading her like she was a toddler by hand.
At the river, as expected Dai Lu's lips twitched, as already small blocks of white ice even in the dark could be seen being swept by the rushing waves which she followed with a deadpanned expression. Haolin, seeing the woman's expression by accident, almost smiled. He made to let go of her hand but Dai Lu, feeling as if she was about to be pushed out of the nest by her step mother bird, gripped his hand harder and tried her best to smile stiffly up at the cold man. "Benefactor, the river is almost frozen over. I don't think that you want to save my life only to see me lose it because of natural causes. Not to mention, how am I supposed to make it down the river bank without slipping? I'm still a patient after all." Dai Lu swore she saw an actual smile flicker past the serious man's face before he took her hand and hooked it under his elbow as if escorting her down a simple staircase.
Her feet refused to move. And despite noticing her rejection, Haolin chuckled making that ticklish feeling sweep along her back once more weakening her stance. "You do not fear a dragon's claws yet fear a bit of cold water?" "How did you know-wait!" As she was distracted he jerked her just enough so she took the first step onto the slippery slope. Eyes widening, by instinct she held onto the only sturdy thing within her grasp and clung on tightly as to not slip down entirely. Heart leaping into her throat because of the scare Dai Lu was about to scold him but he started slowly helping her closer to the water's edge. Tensing up, Dai Lu really wanted to curse him for real now yet above her head a deep calming voice reassured her, making the reluctance in her ease up.
It was understanding, calming, and assured. As if not matter what happened, if he said it out loud it would always go his way. "You dare to eat the prey I bring, but dare not trust my words? As you said, I did not save you only to let you die under my watch." Dai Lu pursed her lips, but when he didn't push her in and instead gently guides her hand to test the water first. She hesitates before letting him do so. Haolin watches as Dai Lu's unhappy and displeased face quickly became surprise, then wonder as she peered at the water's surface. A strange feeling of amusement once more bubbled in his chest, and without her noticing Haolin calmly retrieves his hand and assistance. Retreating back into the darkness leaving her alone by the warm riverside still in awe.
"Is it always like this here?" Turning to asking the man this Dai Lu was faintly surprised and alarmed by his disappearance. Yet reassuring herself that the dragon was still guarding the grove and would have disposed of any dangers she somewhat happily and carefully enters the warm waters to clean up. Still amazed by the seemingly magical river. Was it spiritual energy? But I feel nothing, is it the source of the river which keeps it warm? There was obviously still ice when we arrived earlier, how could there be ice in a warm river? Murmuring softly to herself with a barely visible smile "This valley really does give never ending surprises."