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Rilind felt himself relax despite himself as Yaholo hugged him close once more. It seemed that the man was rather good at calming all of his emotions when they got out of control, something that he felt was probably a good thing, especially in this sort of situation. The last thing they needed was him getting too worked up since the last thing he wanted was to have a panic attack somewhere that he wasn't exactly the most welcome.

"I will stay at Yaholo's side." He said when Rishima told him that he couldn't wander off alone since he might be seen as an invader. That was the last thing he wanted, not wanting Yaholo's people or Aisha to think he was a threat. He was many things, many things that might make him less then ideal, but invader wasn't one of those things. Still, he was tightening his hold on Yaholo's arm for a moment as he tried to keep his heart from thudding too hard. It felt loud, did it sound loud too? A part of him wanted to ask but he refrained.

Instead he turned to watch the shore creeping closer once more, spotting the others that were waiting there, likely the ones Rishima had mentioned. Those would be the ones that would see he was disarmed before he arrived, just to be safe. He had to remind himself that it was a safety thing and that Yaholo and his friend would be there, so long as he did that from time to time he felt better about giving up the weapons.

*****

Rishima thought about what he was saying, swallowed, then said, "I am sure you will be able to visit a little more easily now a days... though I am unsure if your mate will be able to come daily to visit if the two of you are to end up with a lotus. I am unsure what the elders might think of that, but at least you will be able to if the two of you want to make sure that they are kept safe." He hated to be the barer of that news but surely Yaholo didn't think that it would be easy to find Rilind a daily escort to Aisha.

"Hm? I haven't met one but I do believe that I saw one of them in the allied camp before the last battle against Oba." He said, "A lot was going on so I was unable to chat with him, but I was at least able to see one of your boys. I hope that they are well." He said, glancing forward then said, "We will be landing soon."

As hard as it was for Rilind, as they landed and they were told that they could get out of the boat he not only did so but he drew his swords and handed them off the moment his feet touched the ground. Going anywhere unarmed wasn't something he cared for but in this instance he knew why he had to do it and felt that it was the best. Of course the moment that he was without his weapons he came to stand that much closer to Yaholo, sort of threatening to get under foot, but it was the trade off that came with being unarmed.

He turned to look at Rishima as the guy said that the journey should go smoothly, and he could only hope that was in fact the case. The sooner they got to visiting with Aisha the better he'd feel because they would have made it to their destination. As such he stood quietly, waiting for the pair to be ready to go.

*****

Rishima gave a little laugh, "To be fair they might also be curious. I am sure that others have heard that you were visiting with someone, an Earthling at that, and it tends to, more often then not, mean only one thing." The same thing that Rishima had assumed was the reason why Yaholo and his mater were visiting. He wouldn't be surprised if some of those who had come to help out and make sure that things were safe were also here out of curiosity. He wasn't sure how the pair would feel about the sisters wanting to get a look at the them, but that was a risk that they'd have to run in coming here.

Once the boat landed Rishima hopped out first, tying the boat to the dock, before waiting for the other two to join him on the shore. He was glad to see that Rilind was willing to hand off his swords so easily as it showed that he was following the rules, something Rishima felt would go a long way in making people understand that he wouldn't prove a threat. It was a good thing, or so he felt, "I am sure our journey should go smoothly." Especially since Rilind was now unarmed and in the presence of two high ranked members of the tribe, nobody would be able to see him as a threat, surely.

After thanking those who had met them on the beach he turned and started to lead the way, sure that the pair were eager to get moving.

Rilind glanced toward those that Yaholo was eagerly waving at and greeting before he lifted a hand, giving them a wave, "Good afternoon." He said in a quiet manner, not wanting to be rude but having a bit of a hard time finding his voice since they seemed to be important people at first glance. He then fell quiet, waiting and watching to see what would happen next, which seemed to be them going on a walk, heading across Amara, with Rishima greeting people as they went. There were a lot of people that seemed to be quite interested in the proceedings, something that embarrassed Rilind greatly as he suddenly felt as though he were on display.

While there had been a part of him a little unhappy about not getting to come to visit the lotus, were they to get one, was made happier now. He didn't think he could do this daily, finding it far too embarrassing for him. From time to time, during the walk, he'd find a little youngling coming up to run forward to poke him before running back to her friends, something that made him wonder if it were some sort of dare, maybe? He wouldn't say anything, feeling that if they were brave enough to come up to someone that looked like him then they deserved whatever they might get from their peers.

*****

Rishima watched as the curious younglings approached, giving a little laugh, "They seem to be quite interested in you, Rilind." Which was a little funny since Rilind looked a little awkward when it came to dealing with them, holding silent even as the girls poked at him before running away. He thought about it a moment then said, "I might be your hair, it's not a color that they would really see all that often here." The bright red with the blue roots, it was something that likely fascinated them since they all had the same dark, black locks that the Alkidike were known for.

"It's a good sign, everyone seems to be pretty alright at the moment and the kids are curious." He knew there were likely those who were disapproving, probably watching at the moment as well, looking for any slip ups, but then again there would always be the more conservative sisters, those that preferred the old ways. It was something those like Rishima and Yaholo were used to and worked hard to stand alongside of, "Once we get across Amara we will take another boat to Ekene. I am sorry we couldn't go by boat the whole way but I don't think my arms could have taken it." He apologized to Rilind and Yaholo, his antennae giving a little twitch, as they continued their walk.

Rilind tilted his head to the side, watching Yaholo, taking in the look on his face. It was an excited sort of look, the sort you saw on a puppy's face before then went chasing off after something. He half expected Yaholo to do just that but much to his surprise he stayed still instead. Seemed as though he was quite determined to make it to Aisha despite the many distractions that Amara had to offer.

"Hm? Ah, yes..." Adored him? He wasn't sure about that, he might just look weird to them, but maybe that meant that he had a chance not to scare kids off with his face alone? Something he hoped for at least, the last thing he wanted was to be scary to little ones when there was that chance that they might end up with one of their own. He wouldn't want his own kids to be afraid of him after all.

Glancing at Rishima he seemed to consider his words before he said, "It's alright." It was a walk that involved a lot of starring and poking, but he was a grown up, he could deal with such things. Besides this whole island and all its people didn't scare him near as much as his father alone could. This was a lot easier to deal with then that.

*****

Rishima smile and nodded, "I am glad to hear that." The fact that he wasn't being a bother to them by making them walk was a relief. He would have paddled them there if he could but then they wouldn't be getting back as easily. No, he had to think about both getting to Aisha and getting them back, certain that the elders weren't going to let Rilind stay on Amara over night. This had to be a day time trip to and from, something that meant a lot of walking and rowing. It would be worth it though if he was able to get them safely to Aisha and back.

"Ah! There we go, we can see Ekene now." He said to the pair, quickening his pace just a little after taking a glance at the sky to figure out the time. He didn't want to rush them, but he did want to get them to where they were going with plenty of time to speak with Aisha.

"Hard to say, I guess that we won't know until we reach Ekene. Eshe, Kadriye, or Aselia might be around but they are quite busy ladies so we may or may not see them while we are there." He couldn't really say one way or the other, not when he didn't know how mystics spent their time. They wouldn't know until they go their, that was all that he knew for certain.

The rest of the trip to Aisha was a rather calm one, a few odd stares here and there, but then again they were a rather interesting looking entourage to be certain. Upon reaching the shores of Amara they were able to catch another boat, this one bringing them across the narrow strait to Ekene, where Aisha thrived under the care of the three mystics. Another short walk later and they were arriving, with Rishima gazing up at the great mother for a moment before he turned to the others.

"I will give you privacy, so that you can speak with her alone. I don't feel it's right for me to listen in." It wasn't his place after all, "I will wait for you, once you're ready just let me know and I will escort you back. Good luck Yaholo, Rilind, I hope that things go well." He hoped they went the way that would make the pair the happiest. He glanced over at Aisha one last time, nodding his head to the great mother, before moving off to leave the pair alone to speak with her.

*****

Rilind watched Rishima go, giving them a bit of space to chat with Aisha and as he turned to stare at the tree even he couldn't help but to be in awe of her. He'd seen many trees in the past but he could tell that there was something different about her, something mystical that was impossible to explain. He blinked a couple times before looking over to Yaholo, struggling for a moment to find his voice before he said, "I... Aisha is amazing." His tone was a hushed one, as though he was unable to speak much higher then that at the moment.

He turned to look back at the tree once more before taking a step forward, hands clasped together against his chest, before he asked of Yaholo, "Is there something I should do? Should say?" He found himself so very out of depths at the moment, wanting to do and say the right things, but had no idea what those things might be. As such he looked to Yaholo for guidance in the matter.

There wasn't a wrong way to speak with Aisha so long as he was respectful? He gave a slow nod before he took a couple steps forward, coming to stand beside Yaholo as he knelt down before the mother tree, still starring up at her in awe himself until he realized that Yaholo was motioning to him to join him, "Ah! Sorry." He murmured, coming to kneel down before Aisha, once more starring up at her. He hope that it wasn't rude, he just couldn't help it. To be in the presence of something like Aisha, it wasn't something that Rilind thought that he'd ever be able to do, never thinking himself worthy of something like this. Yaholo seemed to think otherwise, saying it often enough that Rilind was actually starting to believe him. Not only about that but about a great many things, all of them positive things, things that he'd never heard before Yaholo.

He turned to look over at Yaholo as he started to speak, introducing him, before explaining who he was and what he was to Yaholo. The way that he explained it was something that had Rilind flushing darkly across his cheeks, down the back of his neck, and even to the tips of his ears. He was really good at that too, wasn't he? The way that he was able to make him blush like that. There was that part of him that wanted to say that he wasn't as great as Yaholo made him out to be but decided against it, not when he rather liked what Yaholo was saying.

Turning back to watch Aisha he watched in wide eyed awe as the flower petals seemed to swirl around them, something that Yaholo seemed to see as a good sign. He reached out a hand to touch one of the petals before looking up at the tree again. He was quiet for a moment, as though thinking on things for a time before finally finding his voice, "I... know it might sound odd but I... I want to thank you for Yaholo, he's a wonderful person, one who saved my in so many ways. I can't say what I would do without him." He murmured, flushing that much more as he spoke such things to Aisha, as well as anyone else who could hear him, Yaholo included.

He looked toward Yaholo through his bangs, then away again as he continued speaking, "He was a blessing, a gift, I don't know if you and Chi are in contact with each other but I wouldn't be surprised if you were. I did come a long way, all the way from Zena, to find with him after all and then all the various things that brought us together time and again after... Well, it could only be such divine intervention on your part and that of Chi so... thank you for that as well."

He wasn't sure if the Alkidike believed in or acknowledge divine beings from other areas of the world, but Rilind at least felt as though it was Chi who guided him away from Zena and toward where he'd met Yaholo, then from there, who knew what exactly helped them to find each other the other times. First the tournament, then when they met again in Tale, everything that seemed to lead them to this moment. It could only be through some sort of guidance of such powerful and benevolent beings if you asked Ril.

Lifting a hand he reached out to rest it on Yaholo's shoulder, giving it a squeeze, not having meant to caused him to cry. Not what he was aiming for though at the same time they appeared to be happy tears, meaning he supposed that they weren't a bad thing, right? He gave Yaholo a smile, before looking up Aisha once more. He fell quiet as he listened to Yaholo's kind words, watching as some flower petals swirled around them as he did so, looking quite awestruck as they did. He turned only when he heard Yaholo calling for 'help' as he some of the petals stuck to the bigger man.

Turning to look at him he starred for a moment, then did something that was quite rare for Rilind, he laughed. It was a bit of a funny sight, seeing Yaholo, who to him was the epitome of giant, tough guy, with bright colored petals not only stuck to his nose, but there were a few others in his hair, something that was just, "Cute." He murmured, the word finally escaping his lips to describe Yaholo who was looking too cute at the moment withe various petals stuck to him in such a manner.

There was that part of him that wanted to help since he was asking for the help but instead he merely grinned and said, "I don't know, I kind of like the look, so maybe I will leave the petals be." After a moment of thought he said, "I bet the little twins will be sad they missed this, seeing you covered in pink petals. We will have to be sure to tell them about it when we see them next." He teased Yaholo.

Rilind gave a soft smile, "I didn't mean Samoset and Kennet, I meant the two that dumped that frog on us the other day when we were sleeping." He told him, "After them dyeing Samoset pink I am sure that this, you with pink all over you, would probably delight them to no end." They were an odd pair but to this point they hadn't bothered him, seeming to stick to teasing family members instead. He wondered if he would become a target for their jokes once they realized he was with Yaholo? A somewhat scary thought that he'd worry about later, for now he was much happier to just focus on the here and now.

Finding himself pulled over to Yaholo he leaned against him, watching the manner in which the petals set to swirling around them more quickly, surrounding the two of them for a moment. He gave a nod when Yaholo said that this was like being wrapped in a safety blanket. He could see that, though it was quite dazing as well, the way that the petals danced around the two of them. It was beautiful in his eyes, like nothing else that he had ever seen before and something he wouldn't be able to describe were he to try. Word couldn't describe this, it was something that a person had to experience, and he felt lucky just to see the way that the petals danced.

What Yaholo said next had him looking between Yaholo and Aisha, his eyes going a little wide, "Oh! I... huh. I didn't know they came in different colors." He mused to himself, then shook his head, "I... well, the lotus, and the baby within it, the colors don't really matter so long as the little one is healthy, right?" He murmured.