James was just... chilling. That would be the best word to use, yes.

The horse was standing around, head to the ground, lips gripping and pulling up grass into his mouth to eat. He was grazing rather happily, his home hidden in the trees, his tail swishing back and forth to be rid of any flies wishing to take a bite out of him.

He lifted his head and turned it to preen under his feathers, shaking it out before moving on, digging into a patch of sweet clovers instead. He was alone, with no one around. He missed his friends in that moment.

Kaimana, Tahi-shei (though technically his boyfriend), Pride, Mercy.... he just wanted kind company. Perhaps he'd find it soon.

@Kaimana

Kaimana had come to visit. It had been so long since she had done much of anything, and honestly that was kind of nice. All the nothing reminded her of her childhood... some days, it was absolutely suffocating, and others it was just... pleasant. Peaceful. Sometimes life much better enjoyed without drama.

Unfortunately, the downside of that aversion to drama was that Kaimana lacked any knowledge of particularly prevalent current events. The upside to that downside however, for her at least, was that that gave her an excuse (as if she needed one) to go check in with her friends (pseudo-family more like) in Pegasus. Comet was well known for her adventurousness, and James, while more careful about it, tended to have that same sense of just.. being in the thick of things.

She didn't miss the fire and the fury of Eventfulness, but she really did miss the people that it swept up in its jaws.

"James!" James was, of course, very easy to spot. The memory of his description of his own feathers came back to her mind and her expression graduated to a fond smile. 'Gay friends.' "Hello!" Kaimana called, now remembering seeing James and that deer together. Her fond smile evolved into a grin. "How are you?" The excitement in her voice couldn't be contained. She was happy to see him, excited for a chance to catch up with him.

My gosh, she could catch up with people now. That was it. Her grin turned into simple beaming.

@James

James' head shot up as he heard her voice, one ear flicking towards her before his head turned, eyes wide. He nickered as he turned around, standing there for a moment before tossing his head and taking off across the meadow, throwing his head down and bucking once in excitement.

"Kai!", he exclaimed, nostrils flaring as he skid to a halt, his crest flared up and tail shaking happily, "It's been a while!! I'm okay, how are you?"

The stallion bumped his head into her side, excited to catch up with his beloved friend again. His head shot up and his eyes widened, glee spreading across his face.

"I-I confessed to Tahi-shei," he said, looking away, feathers fluffing up and his tail feathers spreading out like a peacock's, "He was the deer who was with me when we were figuring out that puzzle. But I-I think he likes me back- I'm still trying to absorb it all."

He laughed, flustered and nervous, his face hotter than the sun. He loved Kaimana with all of his heart, and knew she'd understand or at least comfort. Well... comfort when he told her what had happened with the snakes and the trial.

@Kaimana

He came running!!! "Kai!" That was her!!! In one moment, Kai, or 'Mana, or just Kaimana was in awe at the demonstration of a horse's speed, and in the neck she was bursting into giggles at his head pressed against hers. She'd give the end of his... muzzle? Snout? What was it for a horse? She'd give it a quick little lick! Kaimana loved to be cuddly and being with friends was great because you could be cuddly and James, Kaimana knew for a fact, was cuddly like herself.

And then came the news: James had confessed to that deer. Kaimana's eyes lit up and her face froze in anticipation. 'Aaaaa? aaAAAA?!' "I-I think he likes me back-" 'AAAAAAA!' Kaimana burst out into little excited giggles for him, yet again incapable of restraint. This was a setting in which restraining wasn't nearly as necessary. "That's wonderful, James!! I'm betting he does like you back-- you're an excellent catch!" Kaimana meant that sincerely. James was a good friend, a good father, and most importantly a good person. If that Tahi-shei wasn't able to see that too, then Kaimana might suspect him of having trouble with sight.

The jaguar tried to speak through her flood of giggles: "Ah, just excellent! I'm very happy to see that this is the first thing that comes to mind when asked about how you're doing." Kaimana quickly analyzed James's body language, noticing the obvious bit of sheepishness in him. Clearly understandable. "Do you want to go for a walk?" Kaimana wouldn't be surprised if James was feeling energetic right now.

@James

James flushed, his neck and chest feathers fluffing up as he looked away, cooing softly, "Oh.. thank you so much."

He swished his tail and leapt at the idea of a walk, "Oh yes! I'd love to! I uh... I'm glad too. I've got a lot to talk to you about."

He started off at a nervous trot, too excited to really walk, his head down and jaw working as he tried to figure out what to say first. He breathed in and then out, before inhaling again.

"I tried my hand at a trial," he said, "I don't know if you know it, but there's an owl in Polaris who, when talked to, gives you a test to pass. If you do pass, you get an extraordinary amount of power, but I tried to pass it to prove to myself that I'm... anyway, I didn't pass. Not even close."

He gestured to his legs, showing the pock marks on them, "There were so many snakes... they bit and bit until I couldn't feel anything but pain, and then I chrysalized. I'm lucky I'm not dead."

That was a mood dampener, but he had to let her know at some point.

"But back to Tahi-", he said, trying to talk about something else.

@Kaimana