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"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Aiyana." Hoshi's lips curled upward ever so slightly. "In both manners of meeting." "Hoooshiii!" A familiar voice rang out from above, drawing his attention skyward. "Ah, it appears as if my friend has returned." The large stallion explained to his new-found travel companion. His green orbs, alight with a fondness that was rarely shown, flicked back to Aiyana briefly. "She will be most excited to learn of our plans."

"Kagehoshi!" The voice called out once more, a fluttering of wings signaling hsi old friend's arrival. "Didn't you hear me calling you?" A female cockatoo chided as she perched lightly on the tip of his snout. Her a body was dark as night with galaxy markings adorning her crests and wings. "You should answer when someone calls out to you. I was starting to grow concerned when you didn't answer me."

"I am sorry, little one." Kagehoshi's features softened considerably upon Andromeda's return. He always became less guarded when his closest friend was around, despite himself. "I have been preoccupied since you left." Gently, so as not to disturb the bird's grip, Hoshi gestured with his muzzle to indicate the mare across from him. "Andromeda, allow me to introduce you to Aiyana. She and her friend, Yamka, will be traveling with us from this point onward."

The corner of Kagehoshi's mouth quirked up in a small smile. "I am honored to meet you, Yamka." He bowed his head in greeting of the little bat. She seemed quite shy so he intentionally softened his voice in order to place her at ease. The large stallion understood the little one's nervousness. It had been his constant companion since stepping out of the shadows. Although, if he were to be honest with himself, the anxiety that he normally felt was not as great as it usually had been.

"Well look at you--" A familiar croon touched his ears, accompanied by a light tap on his cheek. "I'm gone for an hour and you've made a new friend! That's not like you, Hoshi." Andromeda teased playfully. She always enjoyed seeing Hoshi come out of his somber seclusion. It was rare for him. So she couldn't help but goad him a little bit at the unusual circumstance.

Hoshi's cheeks burned bright red with embarrassment at his friend's jabs. "You--you seem to imply that there is something more at work here." His voice was but a whisper as he grew more flustered. He knew he wasn't in love with the young mare, but he still couldn't shake the feeling that an unrecognized bond had started to form between them. "We merely thought that traveling together would be beneficial for all involved." Green eyes danced off to the side. "That aside," Kagehoshi began in a bid to change the subject. "You are being rude to our new companions. You have yet to greet them properly."

Andromeda's own green eyes gleamed with mischief. He is so embarrassed right now! But-- She spied the other two. I suppose I should be nice. The cockatoo hopped a couple of times, turning herself around in order to face the mare and bat more fully. "Sorry for my rudeness. It is nice to meet you Aiyana and Yamka. Welcome to our little traveling family."

Andromeda's beak cracked open in a grin. Her green orbs gleamed with mischief as she nodded her agreement. "You see that, Hoshi." The cockatoo stretched out her right wing in a pointing motion, gaze flicking to her bonded. "She understands my intentions...and seems to like you in turn." "Yes--well," Hoshi kept his own gaze averted for fear that he might goad the little one on. His plan backfired, however, as it only served to peak Romy's amusement. "My, my, have you become flustered." She teased him once more, laughing gently before turning back to Aiyana and Yamka. "I'm certain the two of you will fit right in."

Kagehoshi, for his part, simply gave a small nod. His voice was quieter when he spoke again, acknowledging the mare's words to him. "I do not mind you referring to me as Hoshi. It is perhaps far easier than reciting my name in its entirety..." A hint of reluctance touched him briefly, allowing for a silence to settle over them. After what seemed like an eternity to him, but what really was only a few seconds, Hoshi added, "And I thank you for your patience and kindness. It is difficult for me to feel comfortable around others aside from Romy."

Kagehoshi lowered his gaze to the rippling water of the river. Aiyana's words were kind and sincere in their meaning, lending him a sense of security in his decision. She truly has a gentle soul... He drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly before softly shaking his head. "It is not that I am nervous when meeting others." The leaves of the trees rustled as the faint breeze blew across the land. It was almost as if forest echoed his restlessness in speaking more of himself. "I was trained to speak to many. However, I do have certain…concerns when approaching others. Andromeda believes I can be too—“ The large stallion’s brows furrowed in question as he stared at his feathered friend. “What was the word you chose?” “Suspicious. Stand-offish. Stubborn. Silly… “ She ticked off each point with a feather. “Any one of the four would do just fine.” Her jibe earned a snort from Kagehoshi. “Perhaps, but I prefer to think of my methods as cautious.” His green orbs flicked to Aiyana and Yamka while a small grin touched his lips. “All of these matters are neither here or there though. So, in answer to you, I would be most pleased if you would call me Hoshi.”

The warm feeling in Kagehoshi's stomach chilled instantly at Aiyana's question. His past was the one thing the stallion preferred to just ignore all together. However, she had asked so politely. Perhaps it is time that I spoke of it to someone other than Andromeda. He pondered the repercussions of such a discussion. What would Aiyana think of his past? Would she pity him or would she carry on as if simply hearing a story? "You should tell her." Andromeda remarked softly as if reading his mind. Her identical green eyes staring gently at him as she nudged him with her beak. "Your pasts are similar after all."

Kagehoshi thought on this a moment before sighing lightly. "For once, I think you are right." Drawing in a steadying breath, he closed his eyes briefly then glanced over at Aiyana. "My parents were once the leaders of a herd known as the North Star. I was their only child so, as per my birthright, they were raising me to one day lead the herd. However," His voice softened. "It was not meant to be. A plague ravaged my family, leaving only a small handful of us alive. That is my tale." Kagehoshi waited patiently for her response. The sadness of his past was a hard truth to reveal. Thankfully, he had something to take his mind off of it some at Yamka's statement. He spared a half-hearted smile to the little bat. "It is nice to have someone who understands my caution. Thank you, Yamka."

Kagehoshi's ears pricked forward when Yamka spoke. Like...a family...? The large stallion tilted his head to the side in thought. Aiyana appeared to agree with the idea of forming a makeshift family unit. "It does make sense." Andromeda bobbed her head in agreement. As much as Hoshi wished to argue the point with her, truth be told, there was no argument to make. He never had a sibling before. The plague saw to that. And he had since tried to keep from forming attachments to others. It would be a rather unique experience, to say the least.

"Yes," Hoshi almost whispered as he slowly began to nod. Each bob of his head was more pronounced and definitive. "Yes." His eyes brightened considerably and he met Aiyana's gaze once more. "I would very much enjoy having a sibling. My mother was unable to bear any other children before the plague took her. It would be a new experience for me. A way to start anew I suppose. I am certain that I will make mistakes so I ask that you please be patient with me."

A large grin spread across the stallion's features, reaching even to his eyes. Warmth that he hadn't felt in quite a long time flooded his system. It filled every fiber of his being as, for the first time since the tragedy, he garnered a sense of purpose. There was a happiness within him now which Kagehoshi believed long since vanished.

"Then," He bowed deeply to Aiyana. One knee bent to touch the ground, the other stretched forward to maintain balance while the head was lowered. It was something his father had taught him to perform when making a solemn oath. "We shall learn from our mistakes together. From this day onward, we are sworn as brother and sister. Two families torn asunder from tragedy are reborn this day, uniting together to begin anew."

Once Hoshi had finished, he straightened to his full height. An instant transformation could be seen. He had a sister, a family. He now had a home. "Shall we be off...Sister?"