The hours were growing long and Zaya was beginning to fall asleep as she waited patiently for her human to return. Many of the people had brought the things they were cooking to a new table, and many more came to eat. As the table's plates were gradually emptying, many who ate their fill began to yawn and rub their eyes. A few fell unconscious straight away once their food was finished, sleeping deeply to where not even a blaring horn could shake them awake. Zaya had only eaten a little, but perhaps that bit of turkey was starting to work its way too. Covering the apple with her belly, the long-haired cat stretched her legs and wiped her face one last time with her paws before taking a nap. She awoke later with a start, realizing she hadn't napped at all. It was quieter in the buffet area and she stood up to stretch herself. Her precious apple was still here, and it looked like the hunters were coming back in. Grabbing her apple by the stem, she trotted around to find a higher vantage point so she could spot her human. 

With her apple safely tucked under her paws, Zaya let out a drawn-out call. It was a cry that Naram would recognize, and she ignored any sounds that came back in return if they weren't him. Ears and tail were swishing as her green eyes glanced to and fro. A whistling pattern made her ears prick up, and she began to meow fervently in reply. She was here! She was here! The cat cried out–and the whistling was returned in shorter intervals informing her he had heard her message. The familiar scent of the nomad was in the air and she looked down from the stacked crates to see a dark-haired man with a bow. "Zaya, there you are! Come down! Are you hungry? Did you wait long?" Carefully she came down, bearing a rosy apple in her mouth by the stem. "What's this? Is that for me? Where did you get this fruit from? Ah, you must have been waiting to give me this, is that right?" She purred, rubbing her head against his hand as he scratched behind her ears gently. Naram reached down and picked her up in his arms, taking the apple with him.

"It was one of the hardest hunts I have ever faced," He said once they were inside the tent. "But it was an incredible thrill! The horse almost couldn't keep up with those birds and their great strides, however a few arrows in–then they started to slow down." The nomad recounted his hunting experience with the cat, now stretched out on his lap. After all that had happened today Zaya was tired, but she was happy to see her human was safe and sound. Grooming Naram's hand as he pet her, Zaya's eyelids were growing heavy. Her purr faded into the sound of breathing as the spirit guardian drifted off into sleep once more… She would give her human a complete bath tomorrow. Early in the morning…before the sun was awake.