"... You were struggling really hard," he said, "I think he managed to get to me first and then was just concerned with getting everyone he could cured. I'm just glad that um... well I'm not glad you had to get injured enough to chrysalize and thus purge the fungus, but I'm glad it was purged. But since I was so... Hm. Concerned about getting Comet away, I don't think she had a chance before Astraea got me. I should have gotten to you before Mad did- but with you trying to spread it as well, it was a risk."

James offered a bump of his nose to Tahi's shoulder, as if placing a hand there instead, and pulled away, "I think it was a matter of circumstance. It was stressful and just a mess for everybody- even if he's a master, he's a person too."

"I'm glad you're okay," he said softly.

James huffed, "If only."

He rubbed Tahi's back and smiled sympathetically, "Perhaps. All the better that you're here and not there. Besides, you may be powerful on her side, but mostly because you have the ability to purge her from others."

He nuzzled his shoulder gently, eyes closing. He relished the presence of the other for a moment before lifting his head.

"You know what? You're the best deer I've ever known," he said, "Astraea has nothing on you, Tahi."

He nudged the other gently and smiled, "I'm glad you're my friend."

And James truly was. There was no one else like Tahi. There was just something in his eyes, a soul that was kind and soft. Like his own, almost.

James huffed, "Character speaks a lot more about someone than strength. Vargas is known for his strength and power- yet he's a brute to many of us. Astraea has power, but he's... I don't know, boring? He cares, yes, but I don't think I could hold a conversation for very long without feeling awkward. That kind of power blinds the eyes to what lays underneath. I tend to try to look past that as often as I can."

He worked his jaw, wondering how to continue, to tell Tahi that he was just simply... interesting.

"You're a puzzle," he said, "A puzzle in which the pieces lay in boxes locked shut. First the keys need to be found, the boxes unlocked, and the puzzle put together. There are things about you that are obvious, the keys, the things that require a bit of work to find, the boxes, and then there are the things I've yet to even begin to piece together. The puzzle."

He looked up and smiled gently, nudging him, "Magic can't solve a puzzle like you. Not that your abilities don't impress, and that mine aren't also impressive, but that's not all there is to us. Do you understand?"

In all honestly, ability wasn't something he'd ever been concerned about. Kindness and determination and the spirit and heart to do the right thing was a value he looked for in others. He was excited to find out if Tahi had that in him.

James blinked, then snorted, then burst out laughing, covering his mouth with his wing as he giggled uncontrollably, until the breath left his lungs and he struggled to breathe again.

When he finally sucked in a breath he wiped his eyes and spoke, "Oh my gosh- I really didn't mean to laugh, I'm so sorry... normally I'm the one who doesn't know what to say, it's like the tables have turned!"

He sniffed and lifted his head again, eyes sparkling with glee, "That was... adorable."

The joint of his wing, where a hand would start on a normal limb, lifted up to touch Tahi's cheek, as if he were patting it gently, still giggle-snorting quietly.

"Goodness- I hurt after that," he complained lightly, "Um... do you want to stay the night?"

It would be rude to turn the other away, especially now that the lights were starting to go out. He was expecting that Comet would find a place to nap wherever she was, so there was space.

"Oh... sorry," he said, embarrassed, "Um... thank you for coming. If you want, you can visit whenever you want!"

James fluffed his feathers and smiled, "Have a good night, Tahi."

Not insisting or anything, he walked Tahi to the door, offering a wing out, touching the other gently as a show of support. He shook out his tail feathers and stepped back through the doorway, offering a gentle wave and another smile.

"Visit soon?", he asked more than he said, tail swaying.