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Makani was on his own today, to a point at least, Rae was always at his side, but Eira wasn't. She had 'important things to do' that 'didn't involve some youngling' leaving him at home. Rae and himself had stayed there for a time, not wanting to make a mess that might bother his sister, but after a while he just got... bored. He wanted to get outside for a bit, breath in the fresh air, and have a bit of fun. How he missed home, he'd never been forced to stay in there but then again he'd also had his mother then who let him go everywhere with her. She was no longer around though, was she? It was just Rae who stayed with him at all times, while 'important things' drew Eira away and various hunts drew Papa away. It really was lonely in Zena, wasn't it? It didn't help that there were many who didn't care for him in this village because he was 'Herluin's Halfbreed' though what exactly that meant he had no idea.

"Come on, Rae, just a little walk and we will come back home." He told his Raptrix pup who was walking along at his side, her fluffy tail flapping. The two of them were content just walk for a bit, knowing that if Rae could easily lead him back home after the walk. As he went though he heard some strange mutterings about a 'Peddler Cart' which had him giving a curious sound in his throat, "I wonder what that is?" Not that Rae could really answer save for the little yip sound she made. Why couldn't Eira be here? She was so mean, leaving him alone. Making a little face he continued along on his walk, one hand on Rae, musing over what a peddler cart might be. It sounded interesting if only because so many people were whispering about it. Unknowingly the boy was getting closer and closer to that cart, something that he would have walked right by without a thought if it wasn't for the fact that he caught a familiar and nostalgic sort of scent in his nostrils.

Freezing in place the little boy turned his head toward the direction the scent was coming from, breathing it in deeper, and then was suddenly rushing forward toward it. He wasn't sure who it was, maybe one of the people from his Mother's group come to take him home he hoped, but he knew it was someone from Sauti. He knew the scent of that place well, he'd been born and raised for the first few years. Throwing himself against the guy, Makani couldn't help to cling to the stranger who smelled of home, tears falling from his fox eyes, before he asked in a wobbly tone, "A-Are you from Momma's group? Can I g-go home now?"

As the one that he was clinging to told him to please stop crying, saying that he didn't want people to think that he had hurt him, Makani started to sniffle and scrub one hand at his eyes as though he were trying to get his tears under control. It was difficult to do but he seemed to be doing his best at least, "C-Cheer up? Ahh... s-sorry... trying." He murmured, sniffing again. It was obvious that he was trying to do as he was told, likely because he smelled so much like his mother's people. The man was from the Wind Tribe, he could smell it, and as such he wanted nothing more then just cling to him and not let go, not until the man brought him back where he felt that he should be, "Ahh... I-I just wanna go home..." He told the stranger, cuddling close to him as the man helped him to perch on his lap and covered him with one of the furs that he was using.

"T-Thank you." The blind youngling murmured, leaning his head against the hand that was ruffling his hair, finding a lot of comfort in the other man's gentle touch. When he was asked what it was that he was talking about he suddenly found himself falling quiet. He wondered if the man would actually help him. He knew that it would probably be a bother to him, wouldn't it? If anything he just wanted to stay here a while, before he was found by his sister or father, forced to go back even though he really didn't want to. Turning slightly he gave a whistle, holding a hand out, and Rae, his Raptrix pup, came trotting over to push against his outstretched hand. When he knew that his friend was nearby and within reach he leaned into the other again, eye remaining ever closed.

"Ahh... I am s-sorry..." He murmured after a moment, "I-I can't go home anymore... I know but... but I want to." He as he said these words his voice lowered to a whisper, as though he didn't want anyone but the one he was cuddling to know what it was that he was saying. He didn't want the others in the village, even though they weren't exactly that nice to him, to know that he wanted to leave this place.

Makani gave a little smile as the one he was sitting on tilted his head back and wiped away his tears, "Thank you." He murmured, the other guy's touch was a kind one, like his friend Borra, making him feel quite a bit of relief since it meant that he was clinging to a nice person. Then again if you asked him all of his Momma's people were nice, far more so then Papa's people who were a little on the scary side. As the other asked him if he was sure that he couldn't go home and what was stopping him he gave a soft, sighting sound, "M-Momma... is... is no longer there..." He said in a hushed whisper, not wanting to admit such a thing, because that meant she was truly gone, but he was there when Momma's tribe had returned her to the earth in Sauti.

When the man offered to take Makani with him he gave a smile, hugging closer to him, "No... I don't want to leave Papa alone, he is as sad as I am over what happened. He loved Momma... he won't say it but I think he is lonely too." He explained quietly, knowing that he couldn't leave yet even if he wanted to, not when his Papa would be so sad if he were to go. Maybe when he was a lot older, then Papa would be ready to let him go but for now he was still too little and everything that had happened was still far too fresh. Still it was rather nice of this guy to offer, wasn't it? They didn't even know each other so he had no reason to be so nice to him and yet there he was, being nice to him. Given that Makani was all that was left of Momma after all and Papa wanted to protect him because of that, he would never let him leave the village alone with a stranger.

"C-Can... can I stay with you for just a little longer?" He asked in a hushed sound. He knew that he might very well be bothering the man, he was probably busy with his life, but he just wanted to stay a little bit longer was all.

When it seemed as though he would be allowed to stay a while long Makani returned to snuggling against the strong form of the one who smelled so much like home. This one seemed really nice he thought to himself, his hazy eyes sinking closed, a soft smile appearing on his lips. If only there were more people like this around, then things would be a lot easier to deal with. Given that he really wasn't the sort that complained, instead just clinging to nice people from time to time, he meant to just enjoy this moment for as long as he could. He was sure that his sister or his Papa would be around soon enough to pick him up and bring him home, until then he would stay with his new friend.

At the mention of his father finding someone to make him less lonely, not to replace his mother but to become another person he loved, he gave a nod, "I would like Papa to be happy again." He murmured quietly, "He always seemed to laugh when he came to visit Momma and I where we lived." It had been nice and he preferred it that way, but he had to make due with the way that things were now.

As a new voice cut through the air, one that Makani didn't recognize, one that made the one he was curled up with go rather tense, he responded in kind. His hands tightened on his new friend and he tilted his head to listen to the one approaching them. His voice made him sound older, maybe Papa's age, he sounded big too given the way that the snow crunched under his feet, and the way that he seemed to intimidated the one he was sitting on said that he was strong. When his new friend started to try to explain who he was to the big, intimidating newcomer, something that didn't seem to be going well Makani turned toward where he could hear the man's breathing coming from, not bothering to open his eyes, and said, "My name is Makani... I'm s-sorry if I am in the way I just... I could smell Sauti on him and... I was just homesick." He explained in a hushed tone, hoping to keep his new friend from getting into trouble because of him.

Makani relaxed visibly when the one he was sitting on told him that the big newcomer was his father. That was good, then it wasn't anyone that he should be worrying about, right? He gave a sighing sound of relief before relaxing against his new friend once more, "I see." Not really but that was a phrase that he heard people say a lot to indicate that they understood something, "Hello, my new friend's Papa." He greeted the big man, lifting a small hand to wave in the direction in which he heard the man's breathing coming from.

The man said something that he didn't quite understand, about getting the familiarity of home in the arms of a lover, rather then a stranger. He mused over the meaning for a moment then just decided that it meant that home was with those you loved. It made enough sense to him in that context after all though he wasn't sure if he loved his new friend yet. It seemed too soon, though he was nice, warm, and comfortable to cuddle up to. He was certain that with time he probably could come to love his friend though he wasn't sure how long he would be sticking around the area. He wasn't from here which meant that he wouldn't be staying here, such a shame really since Makani did like him.

Cuddling close to his new friend he gave a smile, completely missing the fact that what the bigger man said had other meanings then the one that he decided on and that it had embarrassed his new friend. It was all lost on him, too young to understand what 'lover' meant and given it wasn't a word that he'd heard before now he hadn't had a chance to ask what it meant. He'd have to ask Papa later he decided.

Makani gave a little pout, tightening his hold ever so slightly on Lusala when the older male said that he was going to have to take him away. He knew that he shouldn't be so selfish, not when it seemed as though his new friend had work to do, but it was hard to ignore the fact that he just wanted to stay where he was. It was nice here, it was warm, he was getting snuggles... but still, if he got in the way of his friend's work then maybe he wouldn't like him anymore? That wasn't something that he wanted to risk, so best that he didn't push his luck he thought to himself, finding himself put back on his feet on the ground, "I hope that your work goes well." He said, not really sure what it was that his new friend had to unload but it must be an important job.

Reaching a hand out to one side Makani was easily able to find Rae who was quick to press her head against his hand, "I think I will see about going to find Papa. I will see if he wants to eat with you guys too." He somehow doubted that his sister would want to though, she would likely prefer a nice night at home without a bunch of people underfoot he thought to himself before he gave the two men a wave with his free hand, "Good luck with work." He chirped, feeling so much happier and lighter now as left the two Wind Tribesmen behind, following Rae's lead back toward home. He couldn't wait to tell his Papa all about these nice men, the fun he'd had talking to them, and about the dinner that they wanted to share. It would be great! He could only hope that what they had said about the food helping his Papa to perk up, it really would make Makani happy to know his Papa was happy again too.

After a lot of convincing on the part of Makani it seemed that Herluin finally agreed to at least go and meet with Lusala and his father. Dinner, that was still an iffy thing, but the man would at least go and say 'hello'. Though a part of that was due to him wanting to check in on the merchants that his son had spent so much time with. While he would rather be trusting of them and friendly, he had nothing against the Wind Tribe after all due to his relationship with Makani's late month. Still, there were others that weren't as close with them, and as a father he had to be wary. Especially given that Makani was young, impressionable, and at a distinct disadvantage when it came to those around him that might pose a threat. He had to take care of his son and that meant meeting with potential friends.

"We are close, I can smell it." Makani chirped, able to smell the difference between those of the Ice Tribe and those of the Wind Tribe even if he couldn't see those differences. He sounded quite excited, squirming in the arms of his father who was carrying him wrapped in a heavy cloak due to the change in temperature between when he was out earlier and now. Evening could be biting cold in Zena after all.

Herluin gave a bit of a smile, "Yes, I can see where they are set up. We will stop by, have a nice chat, and maybe we will stay for dinner." He said, not wanting to stick around if either of the two of them gave off the wrong vibe. He knew that the chief of the village was keeping a close eye on them, they were set up near to his place after all. If they seemed like alright guys then he would allow Makani and himself to stay for a meal, if not then he would excuse the two of them, simple as that. Not something that he told his son of course, not wanting to worry the boy given how sweet and innocent he was. He knew nothing about the dangers of the world and he would prefer it to stay that way.