Jora was thinking about what it was like to climb trees the one time she had. She refrained from climbing trees since then. It had been awful. The human kids were chasing her and she had climbed up the tree to get away from them but they started throwing rocks at her to get her to come down. She was lost in thought for a few moments then realized Orion hadn't said anything for a bit. "That is true, but I enjoy mountain climbing most. It might have to do something with it being my break from all the words and such." Jora mentally slapped herself for saying that much to Orion. He had enough problems of his own he didn't need her's too, even if they weighed only a feather.

Orion was about to ask her if she was alright when she spaced out, but she spoke. Which ended up allowing him to ask pretty much the same question. "What do you mean? Insults? Or just talking?" He hoped he would answer his question. (Sorry, in a rush.)

(No Prob! ^^)
Jora swallowed she had hoped he wouldn't ask her about it but he had so she thought for a moment. She licked her lips. "The first one mostly..." She wasn't sure what was classified as an insult or not. None of what they had said was nice or even neutral but insults were specific. (And now I can't think.)

"I guess it was that way for me and trees too. Except it was the second one mostly. I still don't see what people could insult you about," Orion said, wondering aloud at the last part. He didn't get why village kids would insult Jora. He couldn't think of any way to insult her.Besides, she never insulted anyone.

Jora almost laughed at it. Orion was so nice, they had had plenty to tease her about, he just hadn't seen her yet like she really was. "You haven't seen me in monster form and your drawing proves it." She said subconsciously putting he hand on her neck. She didn't want to think about it. What if Orion's just really nice but will think I'm a freak too if he saw me? What if he ignores me too? What if... What if he's just like them? What if.... She stopped out of things to think about. What and if were fun words to play with but could also be dangerous. What if her mother had left her when she was young? What if the people of her village went as traditional as they were? Sh shook her hand dropping her hand from her neck. She looked at Orion and smiled weakly. He wouldn't do any of those things, he's too nice.

Orion saw her reach for her neck, and immediately began to think of something to say to comfort her. He could tell she was agitated. "I don't care about how you look. That's a stupid way to judge someone, and no excuse for insults. As for the drawing, I could fix it when you transform if you want," he said, hoping she wouldn't take the last comment about the drawing as an insult. It sorta sounds like one. I mean, I just said that I could fix the drawing because she looked different. This is why I hid in the trees. I can't talk even around Jora.

Jora smiled a little brighter at him. She was glad she had made a friend like Orion. "Thank you for the offer but I like it now." She looked back out the window and wondered if she'd be comfortable to ever fly again. It had been longer then since she had stopped being in monster form. She thought for a minute how long it had been. She looked back at Orion and decided she'd try and do a lot of stuff she was scared of doing. "Um Orion? Do you think you might try and teach me how to swim?" She asked turning away blushing a bit.

Orion was glad that he was able to make Jora a little happier. He shouldn't have worried about her misinterpreting his comment about his drawing. Her next question both surprised him, and made him happy. "I'll try! I'm not the best teacher though...." he said, grinning. "Out of curiousity, why do you want to learn how to swim?" I can help her! I won't have to wait until the weekend! At least I'll be able to do something for her. I hope I don't mess it up.

Jora turned back looking at him smiling she moved her fingers like she was putting an escaped hair back behind her ears. "Well, it's mostly because I'm already going to face one of my many fears so I decided that I should try all of them once..." She turned away blushing again. She hadn't brought a suit but someone in this school was bound to have a spare. Jora decided she'd ask a hippocampus if she'd find one they were sure to have an extra. "But you have to promise not to laugh at me in a swimsuit. I haven't worn one since the whole thing back home..." She said seriously. Jora knew Orion probably wouldn't but she wanted to make sure.

Orion was thinking of repeating what he said earlier about looks, but he didn't want to lecture her, and she was already facing one of her fears. "I promise. Actually, I have a favor to ask you. So what I said earlier about never climbing cliffs? I can't climb them at all I was wondering if you could teach me how to climb them. Especially since there's the bluff and everything," he asked, feeling guilty for not telling her that he couldn't climb rocks at all, much less a whole cliff. He just didn't want to disappoint her. "I really need to stop lying to impress people, huh?" he said, smiling sheepishly, glancing at her for her reaction.