"For saving my son," Vaaberus grunts. "Dinner. For you, handsome human." Is this how humans court? She nudges the deer closer, eyes wide in anticipation.

It's also a gift for saving her son. Unlike the rest of the humans in your village, you've shown no fear of her or Ceni.

Ceni begun following you around when he realized you wouldn't run away screaming.

He's curious about humans, despite Vaaberus's warning about them. Humans don't take well to monsters.

Vaaberus knows this. Her mate - Ceni's father - had been killed by humans of the previous village. They blamed him for their cows dying.

She'd seen humans as nothing more than ants before. They festered and ruined and were little more than annoyances.

But they were weak. She'd been so certain a mere human couldn't kill them. It was a mistake and her mate had paid the price for her naivety.

She'd spent three years moving around with Ceni. Nowhere was safe enough. She couldn't lose Ceni, wouldn't live with herself if she wasn't able to protect her son.

Your village was the most peaceful one she'd found. Though the humans there feared them, they left them alone. Most avoided her and Ceni.

You'd watched her son, though. Played with him. All characteristics of someone she wants to court.

But she hadn't done anything until you saved Ceni from falling off the cliffs near the village. Ceni's attached to you, it seems.

"Two deers?" Vaaberus offers. Is one not enough for you? Perhaps you have a large appetite.