Welcome to Gaia! ::

Just a good friend was it? That was... well, it was a rather nice thought he thought to himself, giving a bit of a smile before he looked at Takoda with the slightest flush on his cheeks. He was glad to hear that, that the one with the shield wasn't Takoda's mate or even his potential mate. Instead it seemed that the one called Chalcedony was to Takoda what Jacin was to Kei, he was a protector of sorts. That meant that the two of them weren't together, right? It was something that interested the archer greatly. He shouldn't be as interested in Takoda's love life as he was and yet... he couldn't help himself. The idea that he had a chance... it was a strange thing to realize that he wanted. Did this mean that he was interested in Takoda in such a way? That he wanted to pursue him? But what about the idea of a female mate? Of possible children in his future? There was a lot that he would give up if he were to admit such a thing to himself, wasn't there? Not to mention that he was going to have to tell Kei about it as well... what would she think since she had seemed interested in helping him find a female to hook up with? There was so much to consider, wasn't there? And yet he wanted nothing more then to catch hold of Takoda's hands and declare his intentions...

When the other man started to stutter over his words Jacin lifted a hand to scratch it against the back of his own head, giving a bit of a chuckle, "Ahh... it's alright, it was a silly thing to say." He said, looking a little more then embarrassed over the fact that he had announced such a thing to Takoda. He didn't want to embarrass Takoda after all, or himself, but it seemed as though he were a little too late both things now, huh? Oops. He wondered if the other had any interest in him... or was it that he was more interested in someone like Keilana? Or any number of the other members of the Leaf Tribe, there was even the cheery, white haired Aminah who lived in Tale, maybe someone like that was more what Takoda was interested in? Best that he try to figure that out before he made himself look a fool anymore, huh?

Jacin turned to look over at Takoda as the Shifter described to him what it was that he was looking for in a mate, someone that understood his fear of bugs, someone that wouldn't talk down to him because he was weak, that he wanted to be treated like he belonged and wasn't a burden, "All of that is rather understandable though... I can't say that you are anything close to weak, Takoda. I mean everyone saw what you did that beast back in the caves. That was as far from weak as you can get." Jacin was a little envious of such strength, wishing that he might be able to wield such power one day himself, "I am sure the perfect person is out there for you." It was painful to say the words, should he really be encouraging such a thing? Should he instead point at himself and declare that he was that person? He was sure that if he were a woman it would likely sound more plausible but he was most certainly not that.

Leaning back against the rocks behind then he gave a smile, "Anyone that looks down on you just because you have a problem with bugs isn't worth your time anyway, everyone has one fear or another, they just don't like admitting it." Jacin knew he had his own fair share of them after all, so did anyone else with a logical mind he was almost certain. Leaning over he let his head rest against that of the Healer, eyes closing for a moment. He needed to be a good friend, huh? Shouldn't interfere even though he really wanted to... turning to glance over at Takoda though he realized something, the two of them were rather... close, weren't they? Not much more then just a breath away from each other with the way that he was leaning against him, it wouldn't really take all that much for him to... It started off as just a realization and before he even realized that he was moving Jacin was sudden kissing his Shifter companion...

The fact alone that Takoda reacted to the kiss, instead of hauling off and decking him, was something that Jacin thought might just be a good sign. He continued with that first kiss for a few moments longer, until the Healer withdrew from it and Jacin didn't pursue, not wanting to force anything on the other man. Starring at the wide eyed look he was being given Jacin felt his cheeks flushing a bit, "Ahh... I..." Should he apologize? He really felt no desire to do so, he'd wanted to kiss Takoda and felt that if given the chance he'd do it again. He had no reason to apologize. Still, the way that the other was starring at him, seeming be unable to say anything, made him worry that maybe Takoda had gotten caught up in the moment with what they were talking about and just accepted the kiss offered to him because he was swept up? To say that Jacin's thoughts were tripping over themselves was an understatement.

"Ahh... sorry... I shouldn't have done that without asking first, huh?" He wasn't sorry, not at all, but he felt as though the situation called for such words even if they were false ones. He didn't want to risk chasing Takoda off after all, if anything the exact opposite were true, "I... ahh... was it... alright?" He found himself asking, unable to keep the words from escaping from his lips, wanting to know what Takoda was thinking at the moment and if the Shifter wanted him to get lost after what he'd done in such a domineering manner, all but stealing a kiss from him.

It was nice? That seemed like as good an answer as any he found himself thinking, his ears giving a slight twitch before he gave a bit of a smile, "I am glad that you think it was nice." Better then him disliking it and deciding that he needed to pay Jacin back for the kiss, right? Of course now that he knew that Takoda thought that the kiss was something nice he found himself wondering if that meant that he could actually do such a thing again? Maybe not now... but with time? Was it a possibility? It was something he couldn't help but to wonder about but for now he figured that it was best that he behave himself, not push Takoda too hard.

Shifting a bit in place he leaned against his friend, if he was still a friend and not something more, before giving him a smile, "Thanks for not deciding to knock me senses or something." He said with a bit of a chuckle. He knew that Takoda would have had ever right to use that deadly earth magic of his to bury Jacin up to his chin if he wanted to, instead he said that the kiss was nice. As such he felt as though he were getting off pretty easy when it came to any possible punishment. It was, if you asked him, a success of sorts! Letting his eyes close and decided that, for a moment, he wanted to enjoy the close proximity of the Shifter and the realization that he'd done something with him that he'd never done before now... he couldn't help but to wonder what it might mean in the future but it wasn't something he wanted to think to hard on or worry to much about. If anything he just wanted to soak it all in for as long as Takoda allowed him to do so before... well, whatever happened next.

Jacin looked down at the hand that was suddenly holding onto his and he couldn't help but to give a bit of a smile, lacing their fingers together before he leaned into the Shifter again, allowing a peaceful silence between the two of them for a time. He really had no idea what it was that he should do next, perhaps to figure out how to go about declaring his intentions? Or should he talk to Keilana first, giving her warning might be a good idea given that she was his sister and if he were to try to pursue Takoda that would be bringing someone else into their rather close knit family. He really wasn't quite sure how to proceed but figured that the safest route might very well be a warning to Kei first, then off to chasing after Takoda... It was kind of a shame they weren't in Tale, at least there he would know where to fetch things that he could offer as a gift. Here in Zena, where he was pretty well blind as to where to go and what he should do. Such a bother really. He'd figured out something though, even if he had to talk to the Ice Tribe and get pointed in the right direction with their help.

"This is nice." He finally said, giving Takoda's hand a squeeze, deciding that it felt right in his hand, as though he were meant to hold onto this hand. A soft smile lit up his features and his ears gave a happy sort of twitch as he enjoyed their time together, as well as the warmth that they were sharing with one another. He knew that they were going to have to move sometime, just sitting around all day wasn't something that Jacin could do since he always seemed to get twitchy when he sat still, but somehow he felt more content when he was with Takoda and felt that maybe he might be able to stay still for longer then was usual for him if he were in the presence of the calming Shifter, "Want to stay like this for just a little longer?" He asked of the other man, a hopeful note showing in his voice.

Jacin gave a bit of a chuckle at Takoda's answer, he'd meant that he wanted to stay sitting him with him a while longer, not stay in Zena with him a while longer but the fact that Takoda would actually stay here with him... well it really was a nice gesture, wasn't it? Giving a smile he said, "Well I didn't exactly mean stay in Zena but... well if you are alright with staying with me where I go you can always come to Tale with me." He offered, not sure how Takoda might react to the invitation and he had no idea what Keilana might think about him inviting a Shifter home with them, but really if he parted ways with Takoda now, given how big the world had turned out to be, he might lose him. It wasn't exactly a thought that he relished the sound of. He didn't want to lose him, he wanted to stay near to him if possible, he would just need to show him around Tale was all, help him to learn the ins and outs of the place, and more then likely his water powers would make him a bit hit among the Leaf Tribe.

Looking out in the direction of where he was pretty sure Tale was he said, "I have enjoyed this journey for the most part, even the more difficult aspects of it, but once we of the Leaf Tribe are done in Zena I will be going back. I want to use my new skills to aid my tribe to grow stronger." He told Takoda, not wanting to hide the fact that he was going to be going home from him, "Though I am curious what Keilana plans to do." He wanted her to go home as well, to stay near to him so that he could keep an eye on her... but now that she had rank and a weapon the question was, would she stay home? Or would she want to stay in Zena? Maybe travel back to Sauti and stay there? Or somewhere else entirely? It was a thought that made him realize that he really should talk with her about her plans as well. The idea that she might go somewhere different from where he was planning to go was a terrible thought... but not one that he was going to fixate on right now. Not when he had no idea what she was thinking or planning. He'd just have to ask her about it when he told her that he was bringing Takoda home with them... well, taking him with them so long as he accepted the invitation that was. One never knew what his answer might be, Jacin could only hope that it went accordingly.

Jacinthus seemed to think about that for a moment before saying, "I am sure we can go to Jauhar if you are in need of your plants, I still intend to have to bring me fishing one day." He told him, giving the healer a bit of a smile. He would go on that trip one day, a trip that would be a more calm, peaceful one that didn't involve them treking across three countries, battling legendary beasts, and meeting new races. Just the two of them, some fish, and a quiet afternoon... while normally he wasn't one for sitting still, not by a long shot, after an ordeal such as the one that they had gone through to get as far as they were afield now... well, calm sounded nice. Or at least bits of calm between going out on missions to hunt, figuring out ways to make the tribe stronger, and already he had a few ideas that could be useful. It was just implementing them that would take some doing.

When Takoda was suddenly asking him if his people would think him odd he gave a big of a grin, "Perhaps, though of the two of us they might think me a little odd for going so far away from home only to bring back a male Shifter with intentions of keeping you at my side." He said, certain that Keilana especially was going to flip. Sliding an arm around the Shifter who seemed to be hiding behind his hands at the moment the archer couldn't help but to smile, "Things will be alright though, you will be an asset to our tribe so no matter how odd you might appear at first they will come to love you, I know it." Why would they not love someone who was able to heal wounds and conjure up water with the flick of his wrist? Both skills were those that would be quite useful to the people of the Leaf Tribe and he was more then certain that Takoda would be welcomed into the tribe with open arms once they learned about his miraculous powers. While he didn't want the people of the Leaf Tribe to love him only because of his powers he was certain that it wouldn't be a bad way to introduce him. That would be step one and after getting to know him they would love him for him as well, or at least Jacinthus believed so wholeheartedly.

"Now, no more hiding." He murmured, "There is no reason to do so when it's just you and me, no bugs around for miles." He said in a lightly teasing manner, hoping to get Takoda to give up his need to hide behind his hands as he was doing at the moment.