Taking in one more deep breath, still entrusting his steady feet that had learned the forest well, Kiernan opened his eyes once more to find a mossy tree trunk approaching quicker than he knew could be avoided. A sly grin curling his upper lip, he took a few more bounds towards it instead of attempting to avoid the impact. On his last step, he leapt upwards to throw himself at the side of the tree, one of his boot-clad feet firmly planting itself there and using it as a spring board to thrust his body off of. All this without a second wasted to slow down, it only served to speed him up. A small laugh escaped him as he accomplished this, feeling like a child again as his eyes focused in on the woman running in front of him.

She kept up an impressive pace, there was no doubt, but his admiration was caught instead by her easy agility. He had spent years roaming the forest to work on his, yet here it seemed only natural to her. Unless she was used to doing such back home. Either way, it was a happy surprise to see her keeping a position ahead of him as they threaded between the thick trees and over rambling roots. When they neared the grassy patch, an idea brushed past his thoughts, and his boyish nature took full control as a mischievous smile lit his face. He'd be catching up to her soon. At about the same time, he watched her leap forwards to it and turn to face him with a playful glimmer in her eyes. Her hood falling to show her features, Kiernan's facial expression warmed at the sight of her. Yet, her mocking tone was not lost on him, nor was her current position.

"Tired? Nah, I'm just getting warmed up." He replied in similarly teasing voice, lined with boyish confidence. Admittedly, some adolescent urge in him wanted to impress her by continuing strongly. His muscles were sufficiently warmed, his breathing just a touch over even, his face showing a slight flush-- he could go longer, that was for sure, but he wanted more so to win this little game of theirs. Kiernan was chasing her, and now she had to be caught. That was how the game had always worked in childhood.

Mindful that the grass now beneath them was indeed as soft as he expected, Kiernan's gaze focused in on her intensely for a moment in preparation. Then, taking a few quicker strides to close more distance, he then leapt in a low dive forwards. Arms enclosing her legs, he meant to lock one elbow around her knees to gently take her down with him. He did so with the thought that her fall would be soft on the grass, though one of his arms still looped upwards underneath her waist to ensure it. Had his plan succeeded, the two both fallen on the grass, he a playful smile and warm laugh would escape him mindlessly. Kiernan hadn't had such fun in quite a while, though he hadn't paid mind to the fact that this was indeed a young woman and perhaps he hadn't taken socially acceptable action.

When his whole-hearted laugh faded, he opened his eyes to find his face pressed rather closely to her hip as the two lay there. A light tint lit his cheeks as he noted how his arms were looped about her form, how close he lay beside her. Clearing his voice a little, he sat up slowly to look over her, his arms moving out from underneath her, though remaining gently touching her side. "Sorry... Perhaps I got a little carried away." He grinned apologetically, though his playful tone remained as his focus remained entirely on her.