"I'm sure it must be." Norton said, smiling in a small manner as Devon told him it was a lot to take in. "Thanks for at least giving me a chance. I know it's not something everyone would do in your situation." he said. He had seen much in his day, and knew that there were those who didn't trust outsiders or newcomers. He had to give Devon credit for not being such a one.
"Um... so what happened to your real parents?" he asked, hoping it wasn't too much of a sensitive subject. "My father taking you in is rather kind of him... and I understand if this is too much of an uncomfortable subject for you. You don't have to answer if you don't want." he said, his smile growing in a reassuring manner as they continued soaring over the Mysterious Beyond, the scavenging group still on the lookout for food it seemed.
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Littlefoot froze as Chomper commented it was a young longneck. Scenes of his mother's death flashed before his eyes for some reason. He could still see her body lit up by the lightning... her form prone... lying between that unusual rock formation. Sniffing as he walked up to her, her eyes (still so full of life despite her dying state) shifting toward him...
And it was over. He was back to reality as Chomper said they should move on. Shaking his head, he looked spooked. "Uh right... yeah... let's keep going." he said, not even able to look in that young longneck's direction. It was a good thing he was behind some bushes.
"I just..." he paused to sigh, unable to continue on that train of thought. "Um... hopefully we come across something that's not so... ugh... I must not sound very fair right now." he commented, sighing again with a shake of his head. "Maybe I should've stayed back with the others. I must not sound very eager to see this type of thing... but I made my choice... I'm going to see it through." he said, his brief waver having left him, and his old determination was once again back, though how frail it was was hard to say.
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Pterano's smile gradually returned to him as he realized his niece was not going to outright hate him. "I'm sure your mother is just fine." he said. "She's very resourceful... she even came after me during that whole Stone of Cold Fire episode in order to get the children off the mountain." he reminded her. "She'll be just fine... your whole family will... well... our family will." he said, correcting himself.
"I promise you now Harper... I may not have fought countless sharpteeth out in the Mysterious Beyond." he said, reaching out to place a hand on her shoulders. "But I've seen my fair share of things... and I promise you now that I will protect my family... and your friends." He said, giving her a resolute yet soft smile. "No harm will come to them out here." he stated.
The sound of approaching footsteps caused him to pause however, and the flyer stepped in front of her, spreading his wings to shield her just in case. The footsteps came closer, but Pterano relaxed (though not fully) upon seeing it was another Rainbow Face... though this one was gray in his coloration, and not green and blue like the other two. He still had rainbow streaks on his snout however, and regarded everyone with what seemed like a mix of amusement and indifference.
"Ah! Executor!" the male exclaimed, and moved over to greet him. "Everyone! This is Royce Glavanis, High Executor of..." he was interrupted by a rather loud clearing of the throat by the female, and he gave her a meek look. "Oh... right. Well anyways, this is Royce." the male finished, silencing himself.
"A pleasure, I'm sure." Royce said, looking about him now, regarding them all once again with that odd combination. Pterano slowly lowered his wings, so that his niece could look upon the newcomer.
"Greetings." the flyer said, a bit hesitantly. "I am Pterano... I'm supervising this group... oh this is my niece." he said, motioning to her. "Harper."
