Candida
`i finish my s t u f f`

"Alright then. It'd be best that we go now, anyway... But I don't have much experience in riding horses. Would there be enough space so I could... Uhm... Ride with someone?"

*Theron sadly, never road a horse in his life. He can't really recall why he never got one... It would have made his journey across the country a lot more efficient, in his younger years. Maybe because of their upkeep and having to constantly look out for them?*
Robert
"I can help, I'm pretty small and don't take up much space. Or you could always ride with Mr Valmir. Your choice"

*And off she goes! To go... Find the horses... Wonder what kind of horses these are? Are they pretty horses? Maybe. Is she going hug the horse... Maybe*
Billy
*Three walk outside to see two plain brown horses, and tall white one. Morwë looked to his companians with a meager grin, and saddled himself on his horse.*

"Theron, you can ride the horse, but I believe Eínillainis can direct you with a tether," *He said.* "It's not so difficult as steering the beast."
Candida
"Okay. I'll watch our back, then."

*Theron would walk over to the horse... Visibly confused, if you could see it past the hood he had on. This was quite the conundrum, he thought to himself, as he manned up and just did his best to jump on it. He was now laid across it, as he then slowly begun to spin his way to sit properly.*

"U-uh, I think... I think I've got it."
Stephen
*She grabbed the tether of the horse, quite sad she wasn't allowed to ride the horse. Oh well the time will come one day* 

"You better not start anything funny Val"

*She said, still holding her Halberd in... Her strong hand. She was both handed! Also known as ambidextrous. But anyways, she was ready to get a move on...*
Billy
*Backing his horse,* "I'm the least funniest person you'll ever know, Eínillainis. I can assure you on that part."

*He slowly directed his horse down the street at a steady pace.*
Robert
*She herself started the horse on a light gate after Val. What is there to really say? She doesn't... Have much to do other than walk the horse.*
Stephen
```Operation Small Talk?```
Candida
*Theron was still doing his best to hold onto the horse... He hadn't quite gotten it, even though they were at least ten minutes into their journey.*

"Are you sure you're fine just walking...? I could get off the horse too."

*Theron's innocent question held his small fears. He didn't like being on a horse. He was practically hugging it like one would when holding onto a rope over a steep drop... He didn't quite understand how to be seated properly.*
Robert
*She looked back up at him. She had honestly just tied the rope to her waist as she couldn't be bothered to hold it. She of course was just leading a horse along.*

"I'm fine walking. You don't have to stay on the horse if you really don't like the horse..."

*She said with a smile. She was quite used to people being scared of horses. Having neighbours and taking care of their children on the farm. She made the assumption that he was quite scared of horses as this was the first time he has been on a horse... Supposedly*

"It's quite natural for a first timer to be scared of horses. I too was a first time all those years ago"
Candida
"Well I would... But I haven't gotten used to the idea of jumping down from the horse."

*Theron sighed, while scooting himself along just a bit to get a firmer grip. He was still on the horse, but slowly sliding off to it's side. Having to adjust himself every ten seconds or so, so it didn't end up as him hanging of the horse.*

"Can you stop it so I can do so? It's rather, uhm, unpleasant... Being atop something that you can't control. I would rather not end up hurting you, or valmir. Hindering us from-" *Slippy slip, almost falling into the mud! He adjusted in time!* "... Hindering us from our quest to the docks..."
Robert
*She stopped herself, turning around and placing her hands in front of the horse to stop it. She then tilted herself to meet Theron's eyes*

"Do it quickly or I fear thay Val will leave us behind..."
Candida
*Theron ended up hanging off the side of the horse anyway... But he managed to have his feet touch the ground! Once letting go and finding stable footing, he exhaled deeply. Stress averted!*

"Thank you... I feel that I shouldn't be... Uhm, this afraid of it. It's extremely useful, but I just can't do it for now."

*Theron was somewhat embarrassed, it showing on his face as he didn't wanna look at Ein and be met with some sort of smug or judging look. Quite the experience he's had, in a long while. He'd tell himself that he should learn how to do it some time... Likely get Ein to teach him, when they can get safely tucked away from the Thorn's reach.*

"W-well, we should keep walking and keep up with Val."
Robert
*She sighed, grabbing Theron by the sleeve and bringing him close as she started walking. She honestly didn't care about how close he was to her anymore. If she liked it, she won't get embarrassed. Easy! 

At this point he shoulder may meet her shoulder as she followed along with Val*

"Come on now, no time for being embarrassed. It's fine. I was also really scared of horses, probably to the point that it was a phobia. Plus, no one is ever perfect. I'm not perfect either. There was the Giant Bat Incident... The Ferry Incident... Oh and the Quest incident!"

*She said, with a supportive smile, still hanging onto his sleeve. Her hand randomly met his as... She just kept walking, accounting for the movement of the horse and maintaining her control over it*
Candida
*Theron smiled to himself, being rather happy with how she didn't start teasing him over it. Of course he shouldn't have been, since he had never rode one before... But he didn't quite get why he was. Although, he would now find himself rather surprised by Ein pulling him over to her side.*

*What more, is that she was now holding his hand. He didn't really need to be held, it wasn't that dark out and even if it was he had dark-vision. Theron felt okay with it though, holding her hand a bit tighter. If she wanted to just hold hands for whatever reason, he guessed that it was okay...*

"Since I'm having some trouble with horses, mind telling me some tips on how you learned to ride them?"
Robert
*She thought to herself, releasing her hand from Theron*

"Horses can sense your fear... Kind of. Just act calm and just ride it like you would sit on a chair. Also, you should have some stirrups to control the horse. When you use those, you don't want to aggressively pull otherwise the horse will throw you off!"

*She said, looking directly at him, blushing a teensy bit. Eye contact was just a bit too much for her for now. But she takes it very slowly*

"Sorry, talked too much. The horse is very loyal. Treat it with respect and remain calm, the horse will treat you with respect and stay calm"
Candida
*Theron slowly nodded as he watched her. He'd brush his face once, just incase something was on it.. Cause it seemed that was a possibility.*

"Thank you. We can try out your guide when we get somewhere safer... But this has reminded me about when we first met out by the ferry. If you remember, you approached me like you'd just seen a mug of ale... *Yes, I still remember that time at the tavern...* And it'd be nice to know why, after all this time, you did that."

*Theron looked expectantly at her, since this was a question he had for quite some time. That was such an odd time for him, the first time they met...*

`he's still wearing the hood btw.`
Robert
"Hmmm... Well, I was quite interested in... A person who would openly wear a wolfman hood in public. You see, that's quite a suspicious thing so I, the always careful Ein, will investigate like the curious fox I am."

*She said with a soft giggle. It was true she was just curious* 

"It's simply curiosity grabbing me."
Candida
"Well I suppose that curious nature somehow saved your life, then. That quest could have been the end of you if... What was it you said? Wolf man? If your little wolf here, didn't find you."

*Theron continued walking, watching Ein with a smile slowly growing upon his face. These times were good, and he enjoyed them... He didn't want to focus on the dark things around him as of now. That stress should come later.*

"So, what sort of debt does that put you in?"
Robert
"Well I'd make the joke that I'd have to marry you for saving my life and preventing any future possibilities of my quick death... But that's getting pretty old so... Maybe how about this"

*She said, turning her self to face Theron, before giving a slightly prolonged kiss... Not just any kiss! Her first kiss to the lips. Maybe after a few seconds, she pulled herself back, quite red and... Embarrassed*

"I hope... My first was enough to pay back even an amount of the debt I owe you. I won't be surprised if... It is a life long debt"

*She said, sheepishly fiddling with her hair, still red. She was probably thinking about how stupid that was and how he was just going to abandon her*
Candida
*Well... Theron was not quite expecting for her to just do that. He was caught off-guard, most definitely. He had broken into a deep blush, watching her and almost forgetting to keep pace with Valmir and his horse.*

"W-well... That is... Quite the expression, for making up for... Uhm... A debt."

*Theron could feel his heart beat rise, and did his best to collect his thoughts. This wasn't bad... She was a good person, and he didn't really know anyone better. This was good.*

"... I'll accept that, then."

*So, with that, little Theron rubbed up against her... Not quite tall enough to lay his head on her shoulder. Without the ability to do so, he just cuddled against her arm. In addition, he'd go for holding her hand again... His hand drifting along her forearm and aiming to do so.*
Robert
*She physically twitched as she felt his hand move up her arm. What a strange situation. Her forearm was pretty comfy. She was wearing what is basically a shirt made of your grandmother's quilts. 

She herself just... Kept walking, having that obvious beet red blush, which seems to appear every time she does something new. He probably can see this as... Well... He has night vision and she does not. 

Fun fact, she is extremely ticklish*
Candida
"I'd like to know if that's the sort of custom your family is based off of... Do they all kiss someone their indebted too? Or am I special case?... Forgive me for being curious, but I learned it from someone I've become rather fond of."

*Of course, Theron was being a little too smug. He usually avoids certain attitudes, but something like shaking him with a sudden kiss drew it out of him. Quite happy with himself and what had taken place, he watched her face with interest... This lighter shade of red looked nice on her.*
Robert
"It's... A special case... I guess... I-It's- I mean a w-woman's first kiss in our family... Is v-very important... We'd do a large feast with the town to celebrate it... I just felt that... Since it's so important, it's like my life. You saved me in my first near death so I'll give you something that would only be reserved to the person I'd.. Want to spend my life with"

*She was hinting at some things. It seems that firsts of anything were important in their family. A feast wasn't easy when you needed to pay taxes.

But it seems she started shakily and recovered, not being able to look at Theron in fear of a smug face staring back at her. 

She was definitely hinting at some things in her sentence*
Candida
*Theron had continued to cuddle with her side/arm, so he guessed that she was somewhat enjoying this situation. It felt nice to listen to her say that he was special, at least to her, anyway... And listening to the last sentence made him smile to himself*

"Well, I thank you very much~. Receiving such a gift from you is all I could want... Maybe a bit more... But I don't want to sound greedy."

*Theron would hold her arm tighter, practically hugging it. Having entwined his hand with hers, he continued walking along... It was bad of him to let his guard down this much, but he couldn't help it at the time. He could excuse himself from having a guilty pleasure once in awhile... And he could always ask to try this again, since Ein also seemed to enjoy it.*
Robert
"Honestly. I felt you'd be disgusted by that. People get disgusted when people who they don't really have any romantic attraction to kisses them."

*She said, holding his hand slightly tighter as she pulls him as close as possible. Almost to the point where he could just touch her hip and she could touch... Idk where, I'm not gonna do math.

And yes she was obviously enjoying this, fiddling with her hair and... Still remaining that light shade of red. She wasn't a Tsundere by any means, but she really did feel embarrassed to the point she wants to slap him. But of course there was self control* 

"I guess not everyone reacts the same way when a friend just kisses them"
Candida
"Well... You solved the puzzle on your own then, didn't you? Why haven't I acted disgusted?"

*Theron looked up at her,  , waiting for an answer. She could see his face clearly now that they were quite literally against each other... But only if she wanted to look him in the eyes, of course. He was enjoying the moment a bit too much, but he had never done these sort of things with other people. The closest he'd gotten to it was watching other people act this way in inns or occasionally in the streets.*

"What's the little wolf man thinking, Ein~."
Robert
"I'm not good at riddles... What is the wolf man thinking? Is he hungry? Is he hot? Or is he in love. I will never know unless you tell me"

*She said, not being able to directly look him in the eye, just... Staring off to the side. Why was he enjoying such a thing? Is it because he kissed a girl?* 

"I'm not good at riddles."
Candida
*Theron sighed, she wasn't making it anymore fun... But he could stay like this for longer so it didn't quite bother him. She could say it later, he supposed, if she didn't feel like continuing it.*

"I guess I'll just make a note of that for later... You really need to use your head more, Ein~. Do you mind if we stay like this till we get to the boat? **I'd really enjoy that.**"

*Theron nuzzled against her while speaking the bolded words. He really needed this. Most of his cares about getting away from assassins and worrying about the unneeded secrecy had melted away... And all he needed to care about was clinging to the girl's side and prod at her cute naivety every now and then. It was almost euphoric to him.*
Robert
*Twitch! If she had been like... A kitsune, her ears would be twitching excessively and her tail would be wagging a lot. She really liked this a lot! She felt like she was getting him to like her!* 

"It's kind of like... We're a couple. And... I'd be fine if we stayed like this fore- till we get to the boat... That'd be easy"

*Staying like this to the boat would be easy... Letting go won't be so easy. Wonder what's happening in Val's mind as they are being all lovey dovey* 

"I will learn to understand you more as we progress in our lives"
Candida
"How are we similar to a couple, Ein? I'd like to know~... Oh, and please do look at me while you answer. I think I may have something on my face, and that could be a problem." 

*Theron quickly spoke up once she was done speaking... Just a bit more fun before he enjoys the moment and stays cuddled against her silently. Since she decided to play coyly with the riddle, he wanted to get a good jab at her. Obviously, he looked back up at her and had his best smug grin on... With a deep blush as well, since he was enjoying the situation a bit too much.*
Robert
"I don't think... Normal friends stay this close, not that I don't... Like it or anything. It's just strange..."

*She said, having looked back at him. She was beet red. An absolute red. It as if she was as embarrassed as all humans combined. Interesting. He must be enjoying this more. 

She then put her forehead on his, speaking in a soft and... Honestly strangely feminine voice. This was a stark contrast to the often masculine way she speaks. Always so full of pride and blah blah. This time it sounds like she was vulnerable to only him. She was showing her true colours. She acts like a prideful person because she has to. 

But in reality, she was just a very nice girl who in reality is probably the most vulnerable and emotional out of the two.*

"It's because I can do this to you... And you wouldn't slap me. I can also hold you close and you'd accept. And I can kiss you, and there wouldn't be a single strike on my body"

*She said, staring directly into his eyes... Maybe just an inch of distance between their eyes. Her forehead was touching his. If he wanted to, he could go for the kiss again.

It's as if she broke, having reached the threshold as to how long she can hold herself back from just completely confessing. It's been a week. An interesting week. A week where she met many new people and... Lost so much. But it's also a week where she met The Small Wolfman, who saved her life and protected her when she was most vulnerable.* 

"But is this something that you want? Things like these are reserved for courtship and two people who love each other very much. It's because... This is what I want. I'm a lonely person. It's been like that for years, and this is the one time I actually felt a spark with someone. Maybe it was when I saw you sitting there like a godly figure when I woke up from my injuries. Or maybe back then when I was just a curious fox searching for trouble. Who knows?"

*She resigned herself back to her original position, looking down at her feet*

"I'm sorry... If I spoke too much. You can leave me if you feel uncomfortable"
Candida
*Theron's grin would slowly fade, being replaced with a genuine smile. He was happy that it was finally coming out of her, and that it felt like the honest truth. She had a lack of confidence in it, which he didn't know why it was there, but maybe that was just how she was? Regardless, it didn't really matter... He thought he made it clear, so he guessed he had to make it even more obvious.*

"You'd be surprised how much joy your little speech gave me... For it to come straight from your heart like that. If I were to be truthful however, I'd like for you to not speak so much. At least, for now anyway... I want you to do something else for me, because you keep acting so clueless."

*He'd do his best to stop her in her tracks, stepping in front of Ein. In the same movement, he'd wrap his arms around her neck and do his best to get to her lips... Of course, he was bit too short to do it on his own. On his tippy toes he'd just barely make it to his objective, puckered lips ready for the moment. Theron would lovingly look at her, practically begging for it... His green eyes, close to that of jade, locked to the deep purple that would cheer him up throughout his day. ~~It sucked being smaller, and having to make the move.~~*
Robert
*She was pulled down into the kiss, which she closed her eyes for, enjoying every moment. Of course, they would fall behind, but with Theron's tracking skills, they'd easily catch up.

Being only 2 inches shorter, he'd only really have just pull her a bit down. Don't worry, he'll probably grow those 2 inches before he is done his growth cycle.

Now that this didn't feel like... She was repaying something, the kiss felt less than a greeting and more like... Well, a kiss. It was practically the gateway to romances that would happen between everyone! This time, she was loose and fluid, hugging him, pulling him close for a more personal kiss.

Of course the horse would... Just look at them... Like a horse would. Neigh neigh mutherfookers*
Candida
*Theron himself just shut his eyes and enjoyed the moment... Pulling her as close as he could. This was what he wanted, and he was going to enjoy it as much as he could. His heart pounded in his chest as he thought about the possibilities that were opening for the two of them, from this moment forward. He had found someone he genuinely cared for and would learn to love, just like his mother said he would when he was younger.*

*He didn't really know how to kiss well, but he hoped that this wasn't a problem... A bit too frightened by the prospect of going too far and just keeping his tongue away, and at the back of his own mouth.*

*~~meanwhile the horse sat there and wondered why the fmck these people just stop moving~~*
Robert
*I suppose the two remained like this before one of them pulled of. But would pull of first? Would it be EinEin from the Embarrassment... Or Theron from... The lack of kissing knowledge.

Ein herself wasn't sure about... How to kiss and didn't like the idea of going too far as well, preferring to keep this position. At least her breath smells nice I guess? She eats a lot of berries and mint... So her breath probably smells like mint*
Candida
*Theron would slowly start to realize that Val's horse was getting harder and harder to hear... So reluctantly, he smooched Ein passionately one last time before pulling away. Looking deep into her eyes, he awkwardly smiled in a deep blush.*

"I-I hope you understand now... How much I want you. I don't want this to end... But we should get back to follow Val. U-uhm, we could... Continue on the boat ride to Tulpa, however... Of course, if you'd like t-to."

*Although he insisted on going, there would be obvious hesitation. He still wanted to stay together like this with her... Laying the side of his head against her chest while his arms slid down to begin hugging her.*
Robert
"Y-Yeah... We should. That's a good idea. We can... Continue whenever... Y-yeah"

*She just sounded that teensy bit awkward, being back to her ordinary, awkward, but prideful self. She probably has more pride from that smooch. 

And like that, she grabbed his hand... As if by instinct now, bringing them along, rejoining Val. How did she find her way to Val? Well, she kinda... Just felt around to find hoof prints... Unless Theron could help.

She had a deep blush as well, trying to focus herself on tracking the Val, but only being able to think about those long moments there. Cmon Ein, you can continue your smooching fest on the boat. Just keep strong!*
Candida
`and now I'mma go sleep.`

```yaml
How will the two do when Morwe finds out all the things they were doing as they journeyed forward to the boat? Find out next time, on Chronicle of Drase!
```

`well idk if there's much to do`

`you start tho cause idk what to do after all the hardcore flirting... And they're technically still not at the docks`
Robert
"So... Uhhh... What made... You see me that way? I'm not... Exactly the best person. I've done so much bad to the world"

*She said, holding his hand. She enjoyed this, but she was quite quite curious. Since when did he see her... Or rather want her that way?*

"Or rather, when did you want me like that... It's the first time... Anyone has seen me more than just a child."
Candida
`sorry, a bit too overloaded right now`

`I can do more tomorrow. :c`

`or if you can wait a bit`
Billy
*Morwë returned to them, trodding his way down from the path ahead. He looked to the two with significant ease as the wayward chemistry lingering between them. A great bit of distance was placed between his compatriots and him. For all he feels, the harsh title of stranger lingers in him. Though he took the thought aside and thought nothing of it much longer. He returned to them with fair news.*

"I found the road out of here," *He said to them.* "This path however leads through wild country, a perilous path, but one that will assure us from the dangers of the Guild. I hope the both of you can manage traversing through rugged ground?"

*Morwë veered his horse towards  a dense wooded forest, blanketed by a long casting shadow.*
Candida
Finished majority of my stuff, can focus now.