Sage shifted so Quinn could get up easy, waving cheerfully when she called goodbye before sort of just going back to laying in the rock with his fingertips in the water. It was a nice feeling, the water running through a his fingers, especially as it was getting warmer and warmer each and every day. It was early spring the last time he was out....and that was a couple months prior, so it was nice to feel warm. He got cold easy, so the warmth and sunlight was definitely nice, and preferred to the caves dark and damp feeling. Not that he didn't like the cave ...it was quite the little home away from home or whatever you'd call it.

Quinn spotted a deer trail and steered Sahara towards it at a walk, just content to walk along in the shade of the forest and hopefully tire herself out enough so she can sit still. Quinn brought her horse to a halt, peering throuh the trees. A nice small herd of deer. Quinn used to do this special trick a lot... and she was going to see if she still was a good shot. Quinn told Sahara, who lunged into a canter, then a gallop. Quinn took out her bow and arrows and drew the string back, aiming at the running deer and firing. The deer fell, to Quinn's joyous look. Sahara gave a little whinny and popped in a small rear, happy to be back in action. Quinn slid off after Sahara landed and went to the deer, busily skinning and gutting it there, then attatching the carcass to Sahara so the strong horse could pull it back.

Sage stayed trailing his fingers through the water for a while, until he decided he should try and help out Quinn a bit. He huffed out a bit of air as he hauled himself upwards and to his feet. He sort of staggered over to the place where they usually cooked their food, plopping down there with a grunt and stacking some wood up to start a fire for Quinn to cook on when she got back. He felt a bit guilty about not helping her ever .. he knew he'd been hurt, but still.

Quinn walked alongside Sahara, knowing she could take the extra weight but not wanting to put it on her. Deer carasses were HEAVY, even without all the insides. Oh wow why didn't she think of this? Just cut of the meat and put it in a bag... then you'd lose all the bone weight, too. Too late now... Quinn didn't have a thick canvas bag. She went next to Sahara all the way back to the campsite, then untied the deer. "Supper!" Quinn called cheerily before seeing Sage. "... what are you doing?" Quinn asked, worried that he had hurt himself again. She grabbed a dagger and started cutting the meat off of the deer, casting glances at Sage and waiting for him to answer

Sage could hear the girl and mare coming from the woods a long time before he could see them. But even so, he looked up with a wide grin when they came into sight. "Making the fire," he chirped in response to her question. "I didn't hurt myself, I promise," he added, solely for Quinn's benefit. The whole ease of mind thing. "making a fire isn't exactly a lot of work. I just sit here," he pointed out lightly. "And I wanted to help out a bit," he admitted, rather sheepishly.

Quinn listened to what Sage said, not commenting. She knew he just wanted to do something... and it wasn't like she could stop him. Quinn finished with the deer and dragged the carcass out, sitting down in her usual spot next to Sage. She watched the fire for a moment before putting the meat over it. "Thanks for making the fire." Quinn said quietly, offering a smile

Sage cocked his head slightly when she didn't respond. She still seemed rather upset that he'd tried to get up and do something. He supposed that's where his brain went each time....wondering if she was upset and if things would go back to the way they were, with him alone and...controlled in a way. Realistically, she was probably just busy, but subconsciously he was still just terrified he'd lose everything good he'd gotten from her. He hummed lightly in response to her comment once she sat down next to him, nodding, but still half expecting her to scold him for something. The back of his head expected a blow, though he knew she'd never hit him.

Quinn looked up as Sage's mind started racing. "Sage, a couple things. I'm not upset. I'm not going to scold you or anything, and I think it's sweet that you are trying to help." Quinn said quietly with a smile, turning the meat over so it cooked evenly. "Nevermind, I am going to scold you. Stop thinking things like that, I'm not gonna leave!" Quinn grinned, chuckling.

Sage gave the girl a rather sheepish grin when she gently chided him for thinking like that. "Sorry," he hummed. "I guess I'm just used to that," he hummed with a shrug, going back to poking at the fire to distract himself from his thoughts. He did feel a bit better though. He supposed she'd just have to put up with him thinking like that.

"Don't be used to it." Quinn huffed playfully, turning the meat again and settling back. This was probably her favorite part of the day... cooking the meat, smelling the amazing smell, being warm from the fire, talking to Sage... and not being bored