Shaking her head to block the memory, she tried to fix her appearance as best she could without a mirror.
She walked back to the two men, unaware that, although she tried to be quiet, as beast men, they were able to hear everything happening in the cave. They were more than aware that she had been crying.
Still, neither of them said anything.
They thought she might be missing her tribe. It was obvious she did not know where she was. So her tribe might be further than either of them thought.
"Sorry about earlier. I just miss home a little."
She did not elaborate on what about home she missed, and they did not ask.
What mattered now was the tasks she needed to take. Since she couldn't go back now, she would help them. Granted, she wasn't sure whether she could help.
When people go camping, they usually have some form of modern equipment to help. Visha is one such person. She usually has camping gear. This time, she was only doing a job for a day and didn't need them.
She was only supposed to be there for a few hours. Now look at her. Only her hands to work with and not a tent in sight.
"I'm not sure what to say. First," she turned to Xeno, "thank you for saving me. Second, " her eyes darting between the two, "I won't be able to go home soon. So, if you don't mind, I would like to stay with you and your people."
If Xeno were transformed right now, his tail would be moving. Everything inside him told him to go outside to roar from happiness. Hearing her say she wanted to stay, even temporarily, made him excited.
If Uri were transformed, he would want to wrap his tail around her. However, he is not sure she would enjoy it. He is aware that many females do not like snake beast men.
Snakes are cold by nature, and while they have tribes, there are still many who prefer solitude. Even Uri prefers this; however, meeting Xeno, he became part of a larger family.
Outwardly, both men smiled, happy to hear her say she would stay.
"It's just temporarily. Until I can figure out how to get home."
"Where is your home?" Uri couldn't help asking.
After healing, he would ask Xeno if he was willing to help her go home. Even if his mind screamed at him to have her stay. If she didn't wish to stay with them, he would not take that choice away from her.
Hearing Uri ask, Xeno couldn't help but look at him incredulously. Did he want her to leave? Didn't they talk about how to get her to stay?
These thoughts passed through his mind as he looked at Uri. Uri, in turn, signalled him to wait.
This exchange went unnoticed by Visha.
"My home...It's very far away. I don't think I'll be able to go back for a long time."
Sadness swept across her face, which she quickly pushed away.
"It doesn't matter, no matter how long it takes, I will try and find my way."
And if it takes 50 years, will you choose to keep searching?
This was a thought that Uri chose not to voice. While he didn't want her to leave, he didn't want her to lose hope. He has seen what happens to people who lose hope.
"If we ever have a chance to help you, we will. This is my promise to you."
Visha didn't expect Uri to say something like that. They don't even know each other. She, herself, wasn't even sure what to make of these two and yet, he promised to help her get home.
"Same. This is my promise too." Xeno chimed in. His smile warmed Visha's heart, and despite herself, she smiled in return.
"I appreciate it," she said.
Although she didn't necessarily trust them. Hearing them promise to get her home played with her heartstrings. She could see the genuine sincerity in their eyes. Even from Xeno, who she could also see was a little reluctant to let her go.
"Promises aside, there really is something we need to talk about."
Gesturing around the cave, she looked at them.
"What do you see when you look at this place?"
Uri and Xeno looked around in confusion. They saw the cave. What did she want them to see?
"The place is damp and cold. It took me so long to find a few dried branches and moss. Why didn't any of you start a fire? I saw a child earlier. Aren't you afraid they'll freeze to death? And that large stone container over there. Why use it? Don't you have any iron or pottery? We also need to talk about the clothes. Animal skins are fine, but what about cotton or wool?"
When words like iron, cotton and wool left Visha's mouth, the two men wondered what she was talking about.
Curious as ever, Xeno couldn't help asking, "What is iron, cotton and wool?"
Visha, who was about to go on a tirade, stopped in her tracks.
She looked at the confusion on their faces.
"You don't know what wool is?"
Visha found it hard to believe when she saw them shaking their heads in unison.
She felt her knees buckle slightly. It might seem like an exaggerated response, but when she thought about going through the winter wearing animal skin, she didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Suddenly, the thought came to her. They didn't light a fire. Was it because they didn't know how? What kind of life have these people been living?
She felt the need to go back to help interface to really find out. Is this supposed god giving her a new life or sending her to die all over again?
She took a deep breath. Scratch that, she took multiple deep breaths.
"Tell me honestly, do any of you know how to start a fire?"
Her body tensed, praying and hoping for one of them to say yes. Because if they didn't, she was afraid she would hit someone.
"Only a priest/ priestess can make fire."
Visha looked at Uri, really looked at him. Damn! Those lips look good. I want to bite it. No Shasha! You're angry, be angry!
"Does that mean you think I'm some kind of priestess?"
Xeno nodded while Uri made a noise in affirmation.
"It seems I have a lot of work to do."
She pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Where I'm from, fire isn't a problem. We don't make fire like that," as she pointed to the still blazing fire, "but anyone can do it."
She finally understood why the little boy said the beast god loves them.
Now she knew she had her work cut out for her. She would have to take things one step at a time. First things first, secure the cave.
She'll definitely need their help.
After hearing her say that, the two men were shocked. A skill that only a priest can do, her people can do it. Just how powerful are they? This is the thought running through their minds.
"Alright, I don't want to be a priestess. I can teach you to make a fire. But we also need to secure the cave. I'm not about to endure this cold anymore. Ah! And who gave me the animal skin? I still need to thank them."
Xeno responded. "You don't need to thank anyone. Knowing you're a priestess-"
"Not a priestess," Visha stated flatly.
Uri grinned, "Whether you consider yourself one or not, others will think you are. And I'm sorry to say, but the title has already stuck."
"Visha...," this was Xeno's first time using her name.
He couldn't help running his tongue along his teeth. Saying it made him feel something awaken in him. Such a strong reaction to simply saying her name. He wondered what she would feel like under him.
Visha heard her name, and her body shivered. What was that? She made up her mind to attribute the feeling to the cold air in the cave.
"...my parents were the ones who gave it to you, no need to return it."
"Are you sure?"
He nodded.
"Tell them thank you for me. Or maybe I'll tell them later."
Uri saw their interaction and couldn't help the feelings that weighed on him. A little jealous, feeling left out. He looked at the missing arm, then at Visha and Xeno. He sighed and said nothing.
"So, what are we doing about the cave? I've already decided to teach you how to make fire. How do we secure this place?"
They watched her walk around the cave, ready to take charge. Their eyes follow her every move.
It was at this moment that Uri and Xeno felt things would get better. Despite what happened to them before, they had a chance to look forward to a future.
Maybe a future with her in it.