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Hakidonmuya found himself returning the spot he had met the beautiful Heze, if he closed his eyes he could almost recall her scent.... for the past few weeks he had been doing his best to learn her language, and although it wasn't perfect he was pretty sure he had a much better grasp on it now. Why had he come here? He opened his eyes as he thought about that question for what... the millionth time? He wasn't expecting to see her again, he simply wanted to visit this spot once more before he moved on... nothing was really keeping him here, escept a ghost of a memory.

He brought one of his clawed feet up, moving it so the silver bangle that was upon it glistened.... a reminder of what he was... of what he had done. He had killed. To defend sure... but a killer none the less. Blood had run over him, tainting his soul... creating the beast that Haki saw whenever he looked at himself. It probably didn't help that the land he had escaped to didn't seem to understand or accept what he was. He was an anomoly here, an oddity that didn't really belong anywhere but back in his homeland.... but returning there wasn't an option either.

Heze had been busy, she had spent the last weeks being glared at by her father, humiliated by her mother... she still shuddered at the memory of their talk... Training like the protectors and in her spare time she was running around lookign for bits to make a gift as a thank you to Haki. Not that she knew where to find him but she was determind to do so and give him a gift. It had taken help from a few people, and a familiar but she had finally put together the idea that was nowplaced carefulyl in the bundle she was carrying. Walking along, not flying in case she missed him.

She was getting close to where she had met him, though she doubted he would be there, but maybe if she replayed their meeting she might know which way he had come from and she could go looking for him that way. The crystal bracelet that he had made her was on her leg and sparkled whenever the light caught it. She didn't wear it al lthe time but she often looked at it, enjoyig the sparkle, and while not overly femanin she wore it proudly.

Haki looked at the 'silver birch', as Heze had taught him... it seemed to sparkle almost like the silver he wore himself. Yes... it was time to leave this area and move on. These strange emotions had no place here, he didn't understand them but part of him was afraid to truely look at them.

He turned in a wide circle and started to walk back down the path in the direction he had came. Natumaini kuwa maisha yako wamejaa furaha na Heze furaha. (I hope your life is filled with joy and happiness Heze) was the thought that rumbled in his mind as he ventured. He would not regret it.... couldn't... had to keep looking forward. It was the only way he knew how to survive.

Looking off to the side Heze decided to get out the trees and onto the path. Spring had sprung and around thme all kinds of plants were budding, but still the branches were not heavy with leaves yes. Trotting along to come out onto the path, turning towards the small clearing to head that way, going wide eyed as she realises she had jumped out alomost on top of Haki. Her cheeks going pink, trying to talk around the bundle in her mouth, half forgettign it was there. Her teeth not though as they kept a firm grip on the cloth dispite her trying to talk. "Hahe... In oo aad I ound oo, I ad oohin or oo." (Haki I'm so glad I found you, I was looking for you.) Smiling at him as she settles on her hooves properly after her surprise, the bundle in her teeth, eyes twinkling. The crystal on her leg sparkling as she moves.

Haki had been so intent on the path that he hadn't noticed the figure beside him... or perhaps he had ignored it, deciding it was simply a figment of his imagination... after all, what was the chance of her being here on teh one day he had come to say 'good bye'? At least that is what he had thought a moment before a solid form struck him. His reflexes took over as he raised his clawed leg to catch her. He didn't mind if he fell but a lady should never.... he blinked, the thought completely abandoned as he took in the beauty of her. His memory had nothing on the real thing. Then she spoke and he couldn't help the c**k of his eyebrow... what the? He had no idea what she was saying, so much for him feeling more confident about his ability with her language. He simply stared down at her, his mind trying desperatly to figure out what she was saying.... or was it possible she was trying to say his language? The idea at that brought a small smile to his lips.

He still didn't speak, his eyes just taking in the vision before him... it was that as she shifted and the light caught it, that he noticed something that surprised him.. the bracelet they had made together... she was actually wearing it!

"Ohhh" Smiling brightly at him, blushing a little realising she was speaking little else but jibberish even to her own ears. Looking round a moment before opting to tuck the bundle carefully under the edge of one of her wings. Smiling to him. "Thanks for catching me gallant sir... I was hoping to find you, I didn't think it would be this easy though." Having expected to have to do a lot of searching before actually finding him. But here she was literally running into him. Taking a step back as she thinks on that, knowing he had different customs about touching. "I didn't hurt you did I?" Not havign reacted negatively at all to his clawed feet when he caught her, seeming more at ease now though more concious of keeping a distance and that he was male... damn her mother she had been thinking on that talk for weeks!

As soon as he was satisfied that she was safe from falling he released her. Just because his people didn't partake in 'casual touch' didn't mean that they didn't help each other, and thatw as exactly how he saw that... or perhaps he was mixing his imagination up with reality. He would have to watch that.

His eyes watched her every movement, and as she tucked the little parcel in her mouth on her wings he found that could once again understand her... though he had no experience of the words 'gallant sir', after all who would say that to him but her? He did understand that they were not words of insult, rather quite the opposite. He smiled at her and bowed his head a touch before speaking. "It is a surprise in seeing you Heze..... I.... " He paused, not able to tell her he was thinking of leaving, and this was meant to be the last time to come here.. after all, should she ask it he would probably linger. "You hurt me not. I am strong." Ok, that didn't sound completely right.... he wasn't bragging simply trying to reassure her that he really was fine.

He looked at her again, his acid yellow eyes looking into her much softer ones. "It is nice seeing you again."

She smiles brightly, glad that he wasn't hurt, nodding. "Yes you look strong, but you never know, the sillyest thigns can hurt." Not taking his words as braging just a fact, he looked strong and capable and so him saying so was little else. "Its lovely to see you again too Haki, I was hoping I would see you." Blushing as she says that realising she had said that twice now. "How have you been?"

Haki's smile widened as she repeated the words 'it's lovely to see you again'. "And I you." He said reassuring her, the need breed into him. "I fine." He nodded towards her, "you?" His eyes sparkled with interest.

Shr grinned and bouced a little before doing a small curcle. "I'm fine, not even a ruffled feather thanks to you." Standing still again, oddly pleased to see him, remembering why she had been lookign for him. "Oh!! I have something for you!" Pickign the small bundle from where it had been placed with her wings and setting it right at his feet. The cloth only folded so it was easy to open, it wasn't small but it was mostly flat as there was only one real bump in the cloth. "Its to say thank you, for helping me before... I had to get some help to make it though, my hooves cant do fiddling things like your feet can." Smiling hoping he liked it.

Haki looked down atthe 'gift'... he had never been given a gift before, never! But then again, that didn't surprise him, what surprised him was that she had gone to the effort of making him one, getting others to help her either and then find him to give it to him.... he was nervous and uncertain as he used his clawed foot to slowly peel the wrapping from the present to reveal....

Inside the cloth was a charm, one of her black starry feathers was attached to a crystal, the crystal was nestled in a braided latice, held crefully, the same braid holding the feather to the crystal before trailing down a little , it was only when you got to the end of the braid that hung next to the feather that you realised it was a bit of Heze's hair, from her tail as it was longer. A bead about the same colour as her fir hug at the end of the braid before you got to the tuft. At the top of all this was a silver hoop so that the charm could be attached to anything he might like to attach it to. Shuffling her hooves uncertainly as he looked at her gift, wondering if it was too personal, just havign wanted to give him a thank you and soemthing to remind him of her.

...Haki's eyes refused to look away from the little charm that was revealed, he was truely flattered that she had throught of him... even as he felt that it was too personal, too much of her.... still he wouldn't refuse it, he had learnt some of the customs of this land and knew that such gifts were often done in thanks, even from a female... so he wouldn't read more into it.

He lifted his head and smiled, "Thank you. I cherish always."

Smiling at him, relieved that he hadn't thought it too much, havign worked with what she had and that wasn't much for a craft inept mare. "I'm happy you like it."

Haki nodded at her, not really sure what he should do or say now. Sure, he had considered what he would say to her should he meet her again... had even acted it out in his head. but the reality of the situation was completely different. He shuffled on his hooves a little nervously.

Heze, hadn't thought much beyond giving him the thank you gift, and so blurted out the first thing that popped into her mind. "You seem to be doign well learning the language." Smiling at him not havign moved from her spot for a while now, not sure why she was so nervous.

Haki nodded, not mentioning the fact that he had a sudden motivation to leanr a little quicker... he had wanted to understand her better, and even if he had not mastered it he hoped it was enough. "Thank you. I try hard." He nodded his head in gratitude... once again though he felt unsure about what was expected. New world... new rules... yet he couldn't dislodge those he had been brought up on.

His eyes saw something move in the breeze, and his eyes slowly shifted towards the source... a flower bobbed up and down..... if he had been among his people he may have considered picking that flower... of presenting it to Heze... of asking her for a chance to get to know her, the real her. In his culture words were not needed with the action, if it was accepted then both parties knew what it meant... if rejected the same.... but here he would have to explain, and that some how scared the hell out of him.

He returned his gaze to her, trying desperatly to think of something to say. Only one thing popped to mind straight away. "the bangili suits you." (bracelet)

Smilinf brightly, seeming to do little else around him, not that she wasn't prone to smiling alot, it just felt different somehow. "You succeeded, well done..." Not sure why she felt the need to praise him but he did seem to understand much more. Looking round as he seemed to get distracted by something, but saying nothing, she still had no idea about the customs of his people and though curious she didn't want to keep pestering him with questions.

Looking down at her leg when he mentioned the bracelet her smile softening a little before looking up at him again. "I love it, Thank you again." And she did, it made her think of him, but it also sparkled which was something she adored.

As she said that he found his eyes drawn to her gift, he had no idea where to put it or what to do with it.... he knew he didn't want it to get damaged, didn't want it to be destroyed... and if he wore it he feared it would be. Not wanting to seem ungrateful he covered it back up, a smile upon his beak as he then picked up up, lowered his shoulder and placed the gift under his wing before holding it tight to his body. He prayed it would get damaged, for he wouldn't forgive himself.

Haki actually blushed slightly as she said she loved it, a memory of something his mother had once told him when she had first started teaching to make such things... 'Get them to say they love them Haki and soon they will tell you they love you.' He hadn't thought about that day in so long, had forgotten the promise he had made to his mother that he would one day get a mare to tell him that they love him! It had seemed so easy back then, before life had taken hold of him and tossed him around until he landed in a place he didn't recognise. "you welcome Heze." Was all he coudl managed as he tried to sort out his thoughts and push his memories away.

He wasn't sure what exactly to tell her... especially since she was causing him to only think of the most intimate of traditions. He remembered why their last encounter turned sour and decided that would be a better place for him to start; "Touch.... sacred." He smiled and turned towards him, "Shared with those mean something." He didn't know if he had all of the right words to use, or if he was explaining it right... it felt strange in this tongue. "Call it skin privileges, Close friends and..." He hesitated for a moment, "...lovers."

He looked away at that, not overly sure how she would react to that.


Heze listened realising he was explaining about the last time they had met. Her blush growing as she realised her mistake last time. "I'm sorry Haki... I guess I'm too used to being around only family, we think nothing of touching eachother on a daily basis...." But then that was family, wonderign why she had felt so comfortable and casual around him, well untill he had gotten uncomfortable. "I'm sorry, I understand now, its ok" Smiling at him, glad he had explained finally.

Haki frowned at her words, stopped in his track and shook his head. "No need be sorry. I understand. I..." he frowned as he thought of the right words. "...could not ask Heze to be anyone but Heze." That made sence right? He didn't want Heze to feel wierd about doing something that was natural to her. "It natural to you... I will... grow used to it...." At least he hoped he would... or maybe he was simply thinking that about Heze because he did feel strangely comfortable around her, he had never pushed her away when she touched him, he simply hadn't be able to respond and touch her in return.... the mere fact that he hadn't pushed her away meant that he had given her skin priviliges of a sort... though he had no recollection of when that had happened in his mind.

Heze smiled brightly, she could kiss him for that, it was so very sweet for him to say, but she didn't, just blushing more. Looking at him, taking a moment or 10 to meet his eyes and warn him she was going to touch him. Only when he seemed to understand did she lean in and press her neck to his in a small hug, her head wings wiggling happily, tickling his ear. Keeping it brief and drawing back with a smile. "Thank you Haki, please tell me more"

Haki still froze and hissed in a breath as she touched him. It was simply a reaction he would have to overcome... though now he wasn't sure if it was because he wasn't used to touch or because of the one touching him. Confusion spread across his mind even as his features remained as stoic as he could keep them. He had noted the blush, could feel it, and although the contact had only lasted a moment he was sure that her little delicate wings had fluttered... he was beginning to understand that they were expressive. They had drooped when she was sad and now they wiggled.... excitment? Joy? Happiness? If that was the case he would strive to see them wiggle more. "Sorry." He whispered, a quite apology for flinching again to her touch.

As she pulled away he returned to normal once more, until her question landed on his ears. He wasn't sure what to tell her.... what did she want to hear? He was sure that some of his traditions would horrify or even scare her and so he wouldn't mention them.... what could he tell her? "When the flowers come.... we have party. All come. Food... flowers... dancing..." Usually the flower celebration was a good opportunity for stallions to approach mares for their chance to get to know them and court them. "If a male offers female flower... it means he want to know more of her.... maybe mate." Ok... maybe he shouldn't have told her that! After all, he had been looking at that flower earlier! STUPID STUPID Haki! He scolded himself.

She just smiled, she understood that he was trying and that was good enough for her. Starting to walk again with him, just smiling happily her little wings settling a little but still sometimes giving a little bob as though to some unherd tune. Listening to him discribe what sounded like a spring festival and about the gift of a flower, it making her think of her grandparents, her expression turning a little dreamy at the connection. "That sounds lovely, all of it... and what a sweet way to ask to court someone..." Walking along a little more before blurting out "My grandfather brought my grandmother a moon flower from the mountains..." It was kind of the same idea but not quite, he had done it purely as a gift, not as part of a tradition, after all her father had not gifted her mother with a flower.

It seemed that Heze wasn't making the same connection that Haki had in his mind, something he was thankful for as he was sure he would only become a bumbling idiot had she called him on it. He nodded, "All know that female can reject... that means no. Females never approach males for such things." He had often wondered why, but had never discovered a real answer to that.

As she spoke of how her grandfather had done something similar he smiled, a genuine smile that made his acid yellow eyes sparkle with interest, so there were similar traditions here too? Perhaps he wouldn't be as 'strange' to her as he had first anticipated. Still, he didn't know... "Moon flower?" He asked, his features turning to one of a puzzled stallion.

Hee smiled more brightly as he smiled, laughing softly. "Seem's that your females like to be romanced as much as females here." Shrugging her shoulders a little, not sure why that was herself, she just knew it was more common for the male to o the work and persue a mare. Maybe it was something in them, or maybe it was just that the mares wanted to feel adored and so the stallions totally in love obliged. Shaking her head having no idea never having been romanced she only had stories from her family to go on.

Nodding though. "Yes, its a flower that is very special to my herd and family, it only blooms at night and its white like moonlight. When they grow again I will show you, they are beautiful flowers." Smiling at him and carrying on talking about her family, her mind just flowing from one to the next. "My father did not give my mother a flower though..." Grinning remembering how all 3 sisters have loved the story of the star.

Haki nodded, though in his culture a male pursuing the female was seen as a sign of dominace... he had learnt that much. He also knew he would never had tried to flower gift if he wasn't possitive he was strong enough to protect his 'mate' from anything, to keep her safe even at he cost of his own life. He had achieved his strength... .but still no mate.

He listened as she described the 'Moon flower' but found he really didn't have any knowlegde of something similar to compare it with. "Beautiful it sound." He said with a smile The way she spoke of her father made him raise an eyebrow... there was more to her train of thought, of that he was sure. "Of what did she give her?" Curiousity called to him.

Heze couldn't elp herself, she had been smiling all the time, and even nodded a little when he seemed to agree that the moon flower sounded lovely, though she would definately have to show him one. But when he asked about her fathers gift to her mother she gave a girlish giggle and stopped. Looking at him her eyes sparkling brightly, leaning closer, her head wings wiggling because she did love the story, even though she loved the adventure and fighting stories more often than not. "My fathe gave my mother a star..!"

Haki's eyes went wide at the very idea. He looked up to the sky, wondering how her father had managed to reach one. He had spoken to a stallion about Angeni's and discovered that most considered such things to be legendary creatures, the embodiment of beauty and grace, strength and courage. The true purity in an otherwise darkened world with the ability to fly higher and faster than any other breed. Perhaps there was more truth in that than he had first realised, he could see the beauty and grace sure enough, just as strength and courage could be seen... but to fly to the stars themselves? That he had never seen.

A thought flashed his mind, and it's origin confused him... 'How can I possibly ever top a star?'

Heze settled back her usual distance from him smiling, looking up at the stars too. "He was gone for 3 days hunting down that fallen star, worried my mother sick when he just vanished to chase it." Smiling softly and shrugging. "But then my parents are differnt from most, they met as foals... But I won't bore you with all their stories." Doubting he would be bord but not wanting to keep talking about her parents. She wanted to know more about him after all.

Haki nodded to her, understanding a little better about the 'star' now, it had fallen before he plucked it to give to his woman rather than pick it from the sky. Still, such things were rare, he had heard rumours of the things but never once seen one before.... it was clear that Heze was very found of the item, or perhaps it was simply the devotion the tail showed? He didn't know. He pushed that out of his mind, the truth was he could never compeat with a star and therefore he would never try. He had known when he first lay eyes upon the beauty walking beside him that she was out of his league. Haki had noticed how she had earlier leaned forward, had she been expecting something? He didn't know... casual touch was still an alien concept to him, and even as he said he would try it sent a ripple of nerves shooting through his body.

Suddenly wanting a change in subject, and taking her final sentence to mean that she didn't want to either he tried to think of something else to say. "Your faviourite food?" Was all he managed to come up with.

Looking at him as they walked Heze was sure that he was thinking about things that he wasn't talking about. But she shrugged it off, she had talked a lot about her family and knew that his family was a sore point for him. Whatever had happened had hurt him deeply, to the point where he couldn't talk about it. So she wouldn't ask and would try not to talk so much about her lovign family that were always there for her.

Smiling when he asked her about food, looking at him again then looking away as she ponderes. What was her favourite food? Deciding all in a rush, not having had them for a while as they wouldn't come out in the winter. "Raspberries!" Looking at him again. "What's yours?"

Haki frowned. "Rassapberries?" He had not heard of that words before, but considering they were not growing right now that wasn't surprising. He pushed that aside and thought about his favourite fruit, Unsure if she would have heard of it or not he said, "Kiwi." It was rare that he ever found one, rare still that he actually went looking for one. He enjoyed the rarity of the treat. Perhaps that was why it was his favourite. For if you ate something every day woudl you not grow bored? Yet even as he thought that something whispered in the back of his mind... You wouldn't grow bored of Heze.

Lowering her nose, letting it brush a little while along the new grass that was growing. Kiwi... she would have to ask about that one, if she could find one then she would have to show Haki where they were. Lifting her head and smiling at him again only to look at her mane where it had fallen in her eyes. Tossing her head and clearing her vision. "Do you have a hobby? Something you enjoy doing?"

Haki simply nodded towards the bracelet around her ankle, bar that he had never really found much joy in anything else. Sadness and darkness lingered everywhere. Still, he was sure that the star walking beside him saw the world a completely different way. "You?" He asked, curious to learn more about the secret that was heze.

Smiling at her bracelet and then looking up at him. "I spend my free time training.... I guess thats my hobby.... I've never been good at making things..." Though admittedly she had often been to one minded and distracted by her dream to totally focus on creating anything.

"Training?" He asked, shock evident in his voice. Why did he not like that idea? Why did he not want to even consider this delicate creature having to fight? But perhaps he had jumped to conclusion, he could remember hearing a similar thing in his own tongue, Mimi naenda kuendelea na ngoma yangu ya mafunzo. (I am just going to continue my dance training). Yes, surely that was what she meant, slightly reasured he jumped to conclusions and said, "I like to watch you dance.... one day Heze."

Dance??? Well she could dance though she had never had proper lessons for it, though there was a thrill that went through her at the idea of him watching her dance. Blushing and looking at him thinking that she would like to dance for him. But she shook her head, the blush fading a little. "I don't do dance training... well not properly... I... train as best I can like the herd protectors.... I've wanted to be once since I was little."

Haki watched her, curious about her reaction.So pure and innocent, so opposite to him. She had never seen the terrible things he had, and he wished that she never would... even if his life turned into a walking disaster hhe hoped that she would be spared. "Ah." He said, feeling so foolish for his misunderstanding. Haki wasn't sure why a mare would wish such a thing, and it wasn't because he believed she couldn't do it that he wondered that... but rather that he believed that mares should never have to see those things, should be protected and hidden from the violence of the world, to remain pure and clean despite everything... sure, he had met mares in battle, had even killed some -though he was far from proud of it- his enemy had never had the same standards as he.

Looking at him, watching the faint flickers on his face as he thought about whatever he was thinking about. Tilting her head a little and looking away. "Maybe there is something wrong with me... no other females in our herd have ever wanted to be protectors. Most learn basics to defend themselves though...." Thinking on her grandmother, the alpha, she could fight, but then she was the alpha it was different for her. Sighing softly, wondering how strange it was that she dod this.

Haki smiled at her, though ot was a slightly empty smile in comparision to his fuller ones, he was still trying to figure it all out.... but then he realised something, he could not change what she was, nor could he request she stop doing something simply because he didn't like it... after all.. she was not his, not his mate, and likely to never be all things considered. "You enjoy?" He found himself asking, relaxing again next to her as they continued to walk, though one thought plaqued him, "Have you.... blood... I mean.... killed?" He hoped she would say no, prayed that was the case... surely such innocences would have been tainted by now if she had commited such an act? After all it changed you, warped something within you until you could no longer recognise it, could no longer see the person who had once been. Haki could still remember his own first kill... a living nightmare that refused to ever let him forget....

Heze nodded. "Yes I enjoy the activity, I enjoy the learning and teh disipline... It makes me happy to think I could save the life of ones I love.... but no... I've never been in a real fight let alone taken a life..." Frowing a little, thinking over the prospect, she had only ever flt that desire to bring absolute retribution down once... But then she nor anyone could find the one that had harmed her sister. But other than that one instance she had no desire to do harm.... She wasn't even sure if she could kill the one that attacked Auva... Thinking seriously over such things, the taking of life was never a matter to be taken lightly.

"I glad." His relief evident in the relaxing of his shoulders as he walked. He hoped he wasn't offended Heze with this conversation and so decided it was best to switch. He didn't understand her ways still it seemed, what father would allow their child to train in such a way? Even if she hadn't taken a life yet was it not the end purpose of her training? Even if it was to protect herself and others? That all said, he did like the fact that she knew how to handle herself. It made her less of a target.

He nodded towards the path they were wandering on, they had ventured quite a distances and these lands were still rather strange to him, "Lead where?"

Heze smiled, finding she was glad that he was glad, but she stopped and looked around, taking stock of where they were. Looking back in teh direction they were going. "If we keep going this way we will reach teh river... we can cross it and find the meadow, or we could follow the river and theres a clearing in the woods there. Its a good place to find food at this time of year." Not sure what he would like to do, having a faint feeling that he didn't like her choice to be a protector, but he had said nothing so maybe she was bring oversensative.

Haki nodded, trying to place himself on the map he had created in his mind over the past few weeks, he had avoided this area, afraid of seeing Heze before he had learnt more of the language... and because he knew his temptation may be to seek her out despite his good intention of leaving her alone... the myths and stories he had been told had only proved that she was truely an angel. He had told no one that he had met her, that there were likely more of her kind near by. He had protected her with his silence he hoped. "Your pick." He nodded to her, happy to simply follow. He wasn't hungry but if she was he would help her find food. Haki was rather used to going without food for long stretches of time, and now it had simply become habit. He could remember his fellow captives claiming that they would never resist a meal again, treat each as if it were there last... for him it had had the opposite effect, if you never knew where your next meal was coming then they could never take it away from you again.

Haki was just about to say something when he heard something... a bee! "Nyuki! Nyuki!" (Bee! Bee!) He said, moving around with wobbly hooves as he tried to locate the small beast. He had always been afraid of bees... why? He didn't know... but that didn't make the fear any less. He huffed, circling Heze in a half-attempt at protecting her from it even as his reflexes told him to run as fast as he could in the opposite direction.

Heze had been looking around, trying to decide where she wanted to go, not hungry but the idea of going to the medow made her think of the courting field in the herlands. Finding herself distracted as she looked at Haki, wondering if in some other place he would have joined her on the courting field, and given her a flower... Not sure where that thought came from, but it distracted her enough that she missed the arrival of the bee. Finding herself watching him as he circled her, not sure what a Nyuki was... Or maybe it was a Nyuki nyuki? She wasn't sure. It was only as she watched him after he had exclaimed in what sounded like fear that she noted his slightly wobbly feet and herd the buzzing. Wondering if that was what had made him fearful, joining him in looking for the bee.

Haki stilled slightly as he tried to listen for the sound, but he couldn't pinpoint the annoying sound, "Nyuki! Kwa nini sasa wakati mimi nipo pamoja kiumbe nzuri zaidi ya kuwa na milele graced ya Dunia, kwa uwepo wake? Kuna hisia huenda yake!" (Bees! Why now when I am with the most beautiful creature to have ever graced the Earth with her presence? There goes impressing her!)

Yet just as the words left his lips he noticed that the buzz seemed to fade. He relaxed a little, a blush bright upon his features and he couldn't bring himself to look Heze in the eyes as he stared out into the surrounding land. Haki had never felt so foollish, very few had ever seen his reaction to bees before! And now... she... of all... had! He wished the ground would crack open and swollow him whole.

Watching him with a gentle expression, not sure what to do or say. She could no longer hear buzzing so it seemed that teh bee was gone. So she decided to act like nothing unusual had happened, after all he seemed uncomfortable about showing his phobia. Nodding toward s the river. "Lets go to the other clearing, no food really but its a nice sheltered place, quiet and relaxing." Smiling and taking a step, waiting for him again as they head for the river, it should be quite shallow at this point so they could easily wade over.

Haki was grateful for her obvious ignorance to the situation, thankful even. It was clear from his reaction that she needed no words to figure out what had been wrong with him... why bees of all things? Why couldn't he have been afraid of those skinwlkaers or whatever they were called that everyone seemed to compare him with? At least then it would have been a rational fear... but he supposed that was the problem with a phobia, they weren't rational. And Haki didn't fear death and so had no reason to fear it's bringers form. He sighed and followed her, but when he got to the river he bowed his head to it before stepping across, he spoke sweet words to the water as they wooshed past; "Oh kutoa maji, mtoaji wa maisha, takaseni ya uchafu .... tafadhali naomba kupita katika maji yako nami kuwa anastahili." (Oh giving water, bringer of life, cleanser of impurity.... please allow me to pass through your waters shall I be worthy.) Only once he was finished did he raise his head and place one steady clawed foot into the water.

Heze stood and watched him, smiling, not knowing what he said but charmed by it, lowering her head and taking a small drink, making ripples reminiscent of the bands on her legs. Deciding to leave the water untouched by her hooves as he seemed to find it special, going a little to the side nd with the aid of her wings and some rocks she hopped across the river. Laughing as she did, finding flying just too convenient at times, liking to do odd and unexpected things. Landing next to him having left the water unsullied.

Haki made it to the other side of the river and smiled, he had watched Heze's reflection on the waters flowing surface, so free, so beautiful, so graceful... he would not have been offended had she walked into the water, reminding himself yet again that they were so different. Yet seeing her free spirit lifted his own. He looked into her face, the cheer made his heart flutter. "Kuvutia" (Impressive) He said, not sure of the word in her language. Still, a sparkling challenge flickered into his own, somehow his playful side had been awoken with the revealing of her own. He looked up and then counted, hoping she would understand. "Moja. Mbili. Tatu." (One. Two. Three.) And with that he spread his wings and prepared to take off.. still he wouldn't until she did, he wanted to be sure that she would join in with his play.