Kanan contained his laugh at Elane's worries, "Fine, fine. Give me some clothes."
Elane huffed and quickly moved to a differing closet hoping her quick exit would hide her blush that glowed as red as lit coal.
I am a doctor damnit! Why am I reacting like a teenage girl? Elane pondered as her hands ruffled through to find something decent for Kanan.
"And why do I care if it's decent for him?!?" She unleashed her voice unknowingly but soon realizing what she did, she quickly spun to Kanan.
"You heard nothing!" She screamed with a pointed figure.
"Aw, caring about me already doc? I knew you were cute~" He teased.
"Shut up!" She yelled as she threw the cleanest outfit she could find to Kanan hitting him in the face.
Soon after Kanan dressed himself and found a mirror like structure within the room as he looked over himself. Flexing in different poses he took note of any minor and major changes.
Just as tall. My scars are still here, and my hair length is long again! I missed my dreadlocks I really shouldn't have cut them. The red eyes are a little weird but nothing I can't handle. Kanan thought as he shifted his focus to the armor Elane provided him with.
"Elane, you say this is some type of metal alloy meant to be flexible and form fitting? Where is it from?" He asked as he ran his hand over the armor. Its alloys covering all below his chest acting like bandage wraps while his pants were loose down to his knees where the alloy returned and wrapped around his legs. Its gold bracers catching Kanan's attention at the shoulder length wraps on his arms.
I'm finding the oddest things attractive. Is this a result of my new body? He wondered.
"Typically things like that can be found in the North at the Oni continent. The Oni are famous for their blacksmithing and craftsmanship with anything combat related." Elane answered.
Kanan smoothly made his way to Elane and brought himself so close he could feel her unstable breathing as he looked down at her. His towering presence felt as if a gentle giant was in the room, yet the hunger in his eyes when looking at her never left.
Kanan brought his hands to her shoulders and with a soft grip spoke, "Thank you for this, Elane. I will pay my debt back to you."
His voice genuine made a warmth in Elane grow that she had never experienced before. As she blushed she unknowingly placed her hand on Kanans raw chest.
"Don't worry about it okay. You don't need to pay me back for anything, just think of it as a gift or something." Her voice stuttering as her eyes darted looking for some sort of focal point to pull her out of these new emotions. She gasped as Kanan tugged her closer to himself bringing them chest to chest.
"I cannot do that. You have given me multiple gifts today, what type of man would I be if I didn't pay it back?" His eyes and resolve clearly unmoving and unwilling to yeild caused Elane to sigh as her blush returned ten fold.
"O- okay! You can pay me back by letting me study your anatomy. I- I've never seen someone like you." Her mind wanted to remove her hands from his chest, but her body fought her and instead brought her to move them slowly to his ribs.
Why does he feel so strong? I can't even sense any mana from him. So why does he feel like a mountain? She wondered as her eyes finally stopped wandering and instead focused on the unknown man in front of her. The mystery that was capturing her mind.
These types are always my favorites! Kanan placed his hands over her own letting their weight rest on his body.
He leaned forward and whispered into her ear, "Then my body is in your care, doc~"
…
Hours passed as the early dawn turned into the evening breeze. Kanan lay in front of a small tree glistening with effort as Elane stood next to him with a scowl.
"How many times do I have to tell you? Stop fighting the flow! Let the mana enter through your nose, heart, then stomach, and absorb it into your core! Everything living has a core and at least some aptitude for feeling it!" Elane scolded and cleared her forehead of sweat.
Kanan looked to her as his chest heavily rose and deflated like he was intaking all the air in the world, "I never imagined such strict side to you doc. I think I like it." He teased.
"Stop liking it you pervert! Give me your hand damn it." She grumbled as Kanan rose and trusted his hand into hers.
"Use my hand as a kind of stimulus or tracker. Focus on the air around you first, then on-" Elane's words were interrupted by small tremors and neighs from a distance. Her focus quickly snapped to the far off entrance gate of the village.
She sighed in relief seeing that the wooden gates encircling the village had not been attacked. So it isn't an invasion.
Her worries were clear on her face in the eyes of Kanan. A frown formed on his face as his eyes followed her own. To his surprise his vision managed to gather intricate details from so far away.
"Silver plated armor, a dragon with cross swords for the insignia, four of them. Are they trouble?" He asked returning his focus to Elane.
Her eyes widened as her breath hitched. "A dragon cross impaled? Are you sure?" Her voice was shaken and frail as the life left her cheeks. Her shift in demeanor flavored the air with hostility and fear.
This feeling again? It happened when I was close to her before and even now. Can I taste things in the air? Wait… Kanan furrowed his brows and nodded his head.
"Yes, I am certain but before-"
"We need to hide! Now!" Elane shouted as she gripped Kanan's hand and quickly began to dash far away from the village entrance. Her grip and speed shocked Kanan but he quickly gathered himself.
Soon they arrived at a formation of giant rocks that looked to form some type of symbol. Elane performed a series of hand sequences that caused the rocks to glow and in a rush she stepped into the formation bringing Kanan along.
After entering the formation Elane finally caught her breath and released a deep sigh. "I am sorry for dragging you like that. Those are royal convoys, they must be here because of the earthquake that happened the night you arrived."
"Wait what? An earthquake? When were you going to tell me there was an earthquake?" Kanan asked.
"This village was the epicenter. Did you cause it?"
"No!"
At least I don't think so…
"Does knowing that effect your condition in any way?"
"No…"
"Then why exactly would it be vital information for you?"
"…"
"Exactly, now tell me how many you saw again." Elane commanded as she made her way towards the center of the small room they were in. As she sat unseen torches in each of the four corners of the room lit revealing its interior design.
A cave like room with another formation pattern in its middle. The walls had a soft crimson glow, and all had the scent of Elane. These slight factors reminded Kanan of his earlier thought.
"Elane before we focus on anything else, I think I figured out how to cultivate." He said as he strolled and sat before her.
"Good for you, what does that have to do with the current situation?" She asked, her voice laced with annoyance.
Kanan placed his hand atop hers, "Because you are terrified, and I can help." His tone conveyed no room for negotiation.
Why is he so determined to help me? I hope he doesn't think he owes me so much for bringing him into my patient room. But, I do need the help. Just this once, I will surely pay him back later.
Elane huffed and puffed, "Fine, how can your cultivation help me?"
Kanan took a deep breath before speaking.
"I think I can eat mana."