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Kieran paced through his library. He was nervous. The thought alone was startling. He had climbed up sheer cliffs, he had climbed through the darkest of caverns, wrestled with the most dangerous of beasts but now he was nervous? Why was it that a date seemed so damned intimidating? “A date.” Just the words made him chuckle. He was going on a date! “A date, Aia.” The beast tamer grinned at the keldari who just glanced up at him before tightening back into a coil once more.

Alright so perhaps his familiars weren’t as excited as he was.

Taking a deep breath Kieran looked up in the bronze mirror hanging on the wall once more. He just had to fix his hair back into some sort of neatness – something near impossible with the way the curls peeked out here and there despite his attempts at a ponytail. Still, at least he had tried. Kieran had to keep repeating that before going about and throwing everything into a basket. It wasn’t like his normal satchel that was full of climbing tools and weapons and journals, but rather a basket with food and treats. Why so different? Well today he had decided that a picnic was on the agenda. Just the location and what they would be viewing during it was the surprise. Smiling at the thought the Yaeli packed up his belongings and left his cavern home so that he could head towards the city and towards where he had promised to pick up Taijana.

He had started pacing himself into a circle while he waited. But then as he heard footsteps Kieran stopped and glanced to the side. There she was. "Tai." The name slipped out with a small smile as his own cheeks darkened slightly in turn. It was funny how easily he had spent time with her before, but now that it was a date? And with the way she seemed so angelic standing there before him? He might as well be deep sea diving with the way she made him lose his breath. Even if they were small changes the Yaeli noticed everything that she had done today and she looked wonderful in his eyes, "Thank you." He replied finally as his own smile grew as he realized that she was just as nervous as he was.

"I like what you did with your 'hai' too." Kieran found himself teasing as he focused on calming his heart, "It's lovely...just like the rest of you of course." His cheeks flushed at his own awkward compliment before he held up the basket towards her, "So if you're ready then I'm ready. I brought food I hope that's alright since where we are going is a great place for picnics." Lowering the basket the man shifted it on his arm before holding out his free elbow towards her, "Shall we?"

Kieran smiled, "I would like to keep it a surprise." His smile only grew as she took his arm, "It's fine - honestly I wasn't certain either so I guess we'll learn together." He nodded as he started leading them away from the town and down an older path that seemed less used by carts. So it was just the two of them walking arm in arm down a winding path that cut through the countryside away from the city, "A gift? I didn't bring you anything..." He trailed off sheepishly, "Does the food count?"

Oh, he truly hadn't thought of that! Kieran was already like making a chart in his mind of how many points he was losing at this whole courtship thing. Though he did hope that the sight he had for her would be a good enough 'gift' in its own way, "So how have you been Tai? I'm guessing you're happy to be back in Yael." Casual conversation, now that was definitely something that these dates held correct? Kieran could only hope so as he peeked at her as they continued walking.

It was strange considering how awkwardly new casual conversation felt between the two of them. After all the adventures they had been on...was this so strange? Kieran was just so accustomed to being in danger or exploring new sights with Taijana that being in an environment that wasn't so hostile was oddly strange. Any other couple probably would have been beyond butterflies at this point in their lives, but right now Kieran felt like he was an apprentice starting to date a childhood crush. He was even flushing at times like one, especially when he dared to peek over at her just to simply stare at how pretty she looked today! Out of all things...how had he never realized how beautiful this woman was until just recently?

As she began about prayers Kieran simply shook his head with a smile, "It's fine. I'm happy to hear that you're excited to be back." The man shrugged his shoulders at Taijana's question, "Being home is both a good and a bad thing for me. I admittedly still get restless, but it is nice to relax and spend time with...dear ones." He glanced towards her with a flush, "But considering that I'm with you right now? Then I am definitely enjoying myself more than a little." That was pretty cheesy right? Still, he had already said it and Kieran felt like it was needed. He had lots of time to make up for after all!

A conflicted expression did cross his features at her next question, "I think I will. There's a lot of things for me to think about and I would rather enjoy taking the time to actually think. I've been on the move for so many years that I've forgotten to cherish what I do have. I believe it's time for me to do that." He glanced towards Taijana as they crossed down into a path that began to get into rockier territory, "If you would like for me to stay around that is. I would understand if...after today you would prefer to have a more normal man in your life." He admitted finally, "I want to promise that I can settle, but at the same time I'm not even certain if I could always stay in Yael. There will be weeks that I may travel in the future....I can't ignore my quest to gather knowledge after all....not with the new lands..."

He forced a chuckle, "My apologies. We should be enjoying this beautiful weather and our picnic...I shouldn't be such a downer. It's just my mind...I don't want to mislead you nor do I want you to feel pressured into being with me?" Kieran's cheeks darkened, "I want you to be happy Taijana. That is all."

Kieran nodded, "If you enjoy it then definitely." The man smiled warmly towards Taijana, "Remember our first meeting? I took you through some crazy things then...thinking I was falling from a cliff and then I showed you that cavern with the crystals...perhaps we should go back...it's been a while and I used to try to visit it yearly if possible." His gaze softened as he glanced away. The memorial to his parents rested there and it was high time that he left their spirits some form of gift. And perhaps even introduce their 'crystals' to Taijana. Even if she had been there before that time she had just been a stranger to him while now...well she was so much more to him than that.

The yaeli blinked in surprise at Taijana's confession, "Oh?" He almost stumbled before moving forward in an attempt to look calm though there was the faint trace of a happy flush along his cheeks, "I suppose if you were to want to be a bit greedier about me then I couldn't complain. I....I would gladly stay here longer if you asked." He didn't look back to her due to his own shyness at confessing such things and instead Kieran continued to press forward on their path.

As their conversation went towards him leaving Kieran's steps slowed and he finally stopped so that he could thoughtfully study Taijana, "You would be willing....to do that?" His gaze was full of mixed emotions as he thought, "I...don't know what to say honestly." The man rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, "I never thought I would have this problem in all honesty. All my life I have been wandering and working on filling out these journals...I never thought once about love or settling down." He chuckled, "Strange how these things just pop out at you." The man shook his head, "What I do promise is that I will always be here for you Taijana. If I do go overseas again then if you send me word of any need I will cross mountains to come back to you." He smiled, "If I do travel I will not be gone for years this time, but rather perhaps a couple of months at the most."

"Though for now I think I need a good year or two of rest." He chuckled before they approached a stone path that cut upwards up a stretching hill, "Here, we're almost there." The man reached out a hand, "Allow me to help you up these few steps? They're a bit steep after all."

"After meeting your siblings I can only imagine how those meetings will go." Teased Kieran lightly, "But yes I would be delighted to meet them." At first he was tempted to ask about Taijana's mother, but the man was respectful enough to know that if his companion wasn't bringing up that woman then surely there was a reason. The last thing he wanted to do was ruin a date by asking so he simply kept his lips sealed.

As they walked upwards the path began to change and so Kieran kept a tight hold on Taijana's hand. It was beginning to become rockier and rockier until they finally were at the top. Here Kieran lifted her by her waist to help her to cross up to the final level, "Excuse me and....here we are." As he set Taijana down the man brushed dirt from his pants before glancing towards her for her reaction.

Below them after all was a wide valley full of mountainous shapes. If one was to watch carefully then they would notice that not only did these mini-mountains vary in colors that they also were moving. Some were giants while others were much smaller, almost as if they were babies. Kieran's mouth curved into a slight smile as he studied Taijana, "I believe you mentioned that you like limbara..."

The slightest of smiles crossed Kieran's features as he noted Taijana's reaction to his actions. As long as she hadn't passed out yet or smacked him then he had hope. So perhaps he could slowly keep doing little things here and there to bridge the physical distance from them as well. Nothing too major since he wasn't too eager to carry the poor woman back down through the mountain path - that and he didn't want her to miss the scene around them. And it was her reaction to the limbara that truly made his heart leap with joy. Just seeing how alive she came, how her smile brightened his whole world made the entire trip worth it.

"I'm glad you think so." He joked lightly, "Would have been a shame to come all the way out here and you find them lacking." The Yaeli moved closer so that he could stand next to Taijana, "Mmhmm. It's a whole herd, I remembered that they enjoyed staying in this valley during this time. It's easier to protect the herd here and since mating season was just a few months past it means they'll have plenty of babies to guard." He stood thoughtfully for a moment before glancing over towards Taijana, "Would...would you want to see them up close?" He finally asked with a small smile, "Perhaps we can eat here and then once you have rested up we can go down the small path over there to the right and visit with some of them."

Kieran slowly nodded. A slight flush decorated his cheeks as he swiftly glanced away, "I was uh planning on coming up here again....so I thought you may enjoy seeing this as well." He tried to brush it off since it was slightly embarrassing to let Taijana know about the nights he had spent pouring over planning this very moment. It was their first official date after all and he wanted it to be very memorable for her.

"It's because they don't leave this valley normally until they are stronger." Kieran noted with a small smile, "It's a good spot for the limbara since not many Yaeli know about it. After all our climbing, I don't blame them." He grinned with faint amusement, "Just another perk to knowing a crazy adventurer like me, I suppose." Leave no rock untouched, right?

As he talked he set down his basket and began to pull out things. First came the blanket that he placed on the rocky terrain and then came the breads, fruits, meats, and cheeses that he had packed for their lunch. At Taijana's question the man paused thoughtfully, "It is very risky, but I believe the males wander away after a time. If we see that then perhaps we can sneak towards the edge of the herd and see some. They are very calm creatures, slow to attack as long as they don't feel threatened."