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Araie laughed quietly at Dezani's words and shook her head, running her fingers through her hair. That was quite the question, wasn't it? So much had happened and she didn't even really know where to begin. It felt like it had been quite some time since they had just sat down and talked like this.

"I've been okay, actually. I've kept myself busy working and practicing my magic. How have you been? I've missed your company," Araie admitted easily, smiling at him. She was glad they had both made it through their recent trials safely. She wasn't quite sure what she would do without one of her closest friends.

"Well at least now you're helping out your dad because you want to, not because it's expected of you. That's some improvement, yeah?" Araie asked as she reached up to pat Raiha on the head briefly. She was really glad that Dezani's relationship with his father had improved since the last time she'd seen him. She remembered quite well his frustrations with the expectations his father had had for him. Pulling her hand back into her lap, Araie played with the bottom of her skirt absently, looking over at Dezani through her bangs. Why in the world did she feel so awkward around him now of all times? They had been through some really intense things together and she never batted an eyelash, and now she was unsure of what to say to him? Perhaps it was just because they hadn't had much time to bond since reuniting. She was sure they would go back to being just as friendly and relaxed around each other like they were before she had returned home.

"Eeeeeeh. They've learned that I'm going to walk my own path and they can't tell me what to do. And they're okay with that. But sometimes I still feel like I've disappointed them somehow? Since I'm their only daughter, I feel like they expected...I don't know. Something different for me. Like for me to be a proper lady or something, of which we both know I'm not," she giggled. She had never been proper when it came to anything. She was much more likely to get lost in the woods or get stuck in a pitfall than stay at home and do whatever her parents had expected of her. She was pretty sure that would never change, but she was willing to admit that she had matured a bit since making peace with them. While she was by no means ready to settle down and stay in one place for an extended amount of time as there was far more of the world she wanted to see, she was no longer dying to run out the door and go as far away as possible. She would like to keep exploring and running around with Dezani if at all possible, but she was sure he was busy doing other things. She didn't want to intrude on his personal life.

"But would you really want me to meet your father? I mean, I'm..." Araie motioned to herself before continuing. "I'm, well, me. I don't know if he would like you hanging out with me after he finds out what a bad influence I am."

Araie hummed quietly to herself as she thought, tracing nonsensical runes into the dirt below her. What did she plan on doing? That was a good question. She hadn't really decided on anything yet, besides a vague sense of adventuring again.

"You know, I don't really know. I want to go out and see some more of the world, just like before. But I don't know if I'm ready to take off and head out by myself again. If that conflict taught me anything, it's that I really need to be more careful. No more running off into the unknown without a second thought for me," she finally said. Part of her wanted to ask him to join her so they could be a team again. She wanted to go out and travel with him and get into all sorts of trouble like before, but she didn't know if he was willing to do that. Not many people were okay with just traveling aimlessly and seeing where the road took them without much of a goal.

His words took Araie by surprise and she blushed a little at his words. She didn't think he would want to travel with her again. It had been a long time since they had traveled together, and she had to admit that those were some of her fondest memories.

"If you're willing to travel with me again, I would absolutely love to do so. I've missed hanging out with you since we've been apart anyway, so it sounds like a great solution to me!" The words tumbled out of Araie's mouth before she could really stop them, and by the time she finished, her entire face was flushed. She really hadn't meant to say all that, but oh well. It was out there in the open now. She only hoped he didn't mind.

"Well yeah, of course I would. I mean, unless there's a reason I shouldn't want to? You're my friend, Dezani. I've missed you. So I want to spend time with you? Is there something wrong with that?" Araie asked with a small tilt of her head. He almost sounded like he didn't want her to come with him. But if that was true, why would he have asked in the first place? Unless he was just asking to be nice. She had a hard time believing he would do something like that, but things may have changed in the time she had been gone.

Still, she was exceedingly nervous for some reason. She found herself staring down into her lap, twisting her hands and biting the inside of her lip. She didn't know what was so off about her today, but she certainly hoped it didn't last long. She didn't like this nervous feeling that had settled in the bottom of her stomach.

This was not a Dezani she was used to. She was used to quiet, awkward Dezani who would barely say a few words. Not the person who sat in front of her. He really had gotten more confident since she had last seen him. It was nice to see. She had always had faith in his ability to stand up on his own two feet. She was glad to see that he was finally doing so.

"Well, how is a girl supposed to refuse an offer like that? I formally accept your request, my dear Dezani," Araie giggled quietly, squeezing his hands gently. She'd pull away from him just to embrace him in a tight hug. She was so happy to have her friend back, she didn't even know where to begin.