“Well,” Talon placed a finger on his chin, taking a moment to consider the description. There was something so wrong about the idea that someone could attend what sounded like such a wonderful event with no intention of enjoying it. Then again, all he could do was to imagine and perhaps his imagination had gotten carried away in glorifying something that, to others, was something simply done in passing. Then again, there had been the contradiction in description. First celebrations were fun, and then they went on to be a formality. Only one could have possibly been true.

“When I first leave this place, I’d like for it to be on a holiday nonetheless. Surely people will be kinder and I’ll still do my best to enjoy myself,” pausing for a moment, Talon tapped his chin, as though already carefully planning the details of this trip, “and if you’d be so kind, I wouldn’t at all mind having a guide and sharing my fun.”

Now Talon began to take slow, meandering steps that followed the same curved and irregular path of the creek. His cat had long since disappeared off into the distance, likely heading beyond trees to torment small creatures before loyally taking them home as gifts. He lifted his head toward the sky, shutting his eyes to allow his face to bask in sun. The scrutinizing look he’d worn for the length of their encounter melted away in the calm of nature and all of the wonderful splendors she offered the senses.

“Do you really mean it?” eagerness had laced itself in Talon’s voice, making him cringe at how childish he’d sounded. The last time he’d recalled allowing himself to sound so excited had been when he was told he’d be allowed to keep the cat as long as it never marked territory on any books. In fact, he’d likely even shouted the exact same words. “I mean, it would be really nice,” Talon corrected himself, trying to be more casual about it as he finally turned his face from the sky to look at the other, who’d come closer.

Before he could quite process what was happening, Talon found himself further enveloped in warmth. Again, he was slow to respond. Though, this time he didn’t stiffen to stand stupidly for quite as long and when he did move, he was more careful in doing so. Cautiously, his hands came to rest on the other’s arms and he’d gone on to close any distance. As he’d found he’d earlier enjoyed the feel of hair on his face, Talon had even allowed his face to drift over Zephyr’s shoulder so his nose could find those black locks. Instead, he’d found himself stopping near the Zephyr’s ear because he found that his own breath tickled as it bounded back toward him and then, as all connection to rational thought hazed, even allowed his lips to lightly graze skin to share that wonderful warmth (as they seemed to appreciate it the most).

Already he’d again taken the simple action too far in his mind. Impulse had taken over right when contact was made and Talon, realizing he’d lost himself for a moment, found his entire face engulfed by heat, as though punishing him for that yearning, at realizing his mistake. His cheeks stained red and the rest of his face was quick to tickle pink. “Yes. It’d be very nice,” the stutter in his voice confessed his embarrassment.

Talon knew very well how far he was able to go before he needed to fight to step further. He’d spent years testing and retesting, only finding that he’d gone just a few feet further since he first learned to walk. Still, Talon nodded. In all honesty, he was just glad to have been given an excuse to continue walking around with company.

The warmth of the embrace still lingered against him, forcing a wide smile onto his face and Talon couldn’t help but feel at least a little silly at how he was acting. Had he not been dizzied by the hug, he may have even admitted to coming off too eager, like a young child with their first crush. Who was he kidding? That was exactly what he was, although he wasn’t quite ready to admit it, even to himself.

That he hadn’t been shoved away after such an upfront advance tempted Talon to continue his quest for closeness. Talon allowed his hand to slide down the other’s arm so he could slide his own hand into Zephyr’s before taking a large step forward, so distracted in watching for a reaction that he briefly stumbled over his own foot, just barely catching himself.

“Which is the gaudiest holiday?” Talon half closed his eyes again to savor the feel of the sun and the breeze, “I want to see how worked up and excited people can get over relief for a day away from work.”

((I had a computer explosion, and haven't had the time to get on. Let alone post an awful lot. So got a new computer for the time being. So hopefully there won't be anymore mishaps)).

Zephyr followed after the other male, noting the way that the other's hips tended to sway with each passing moment. Mentally slapping himself he tore his eyes off of the other's form and continued to follow the other. He had to glance down at the ground every now and again because there were roots and vines that were overgrown. If he wasn't careful he could very well break something, and that was something that he didn't want to happen. Zephyr had already been taken care of by Talon once before. Taking care of, well that wasn't the right term. More like bring him back from the dead. Either way the other had done much more than Zephyr had wanted, and right now he had no way of repaying the other.

He heard Talon's question and hummed a little bit. Gaudiest holiday? He never really thought about it. He liked all the holidays that he had seen in the castle, but he would have to say it was the Pageantess festival.** The Pageantess festival was when all of the men and woman of the city would dress up in things that they would not be seen dead in normally. It was a way to laugh and have fun. "Well," he began as he faltered a little bit when his foot got caught under a root. "I would have to say it's the Pageantess festival. It's a lot of fun, but some of the clothing the people wear is downright hideous." He let out a laugh as he thought about it. "I guess that's what it's supposed to be though. It's a time of laughter and merrymaking. I think you would enjoy it." Letting his eyes slide shut for the briefest moment to inhale the air deeply he sound found himself falling to the ground with an "oomphing" sound. Sitting on the ground he untangled himself from the root, and then laid back on the ground so that he could see a full view of the sky. He could definitely get used to living like this.

((**Think Feast of Fools from The Hunchback of Notre Dame.))