Mai Bloodthorn
"Horace, where do you think I sleep? I love sleeping on the trees or somewhere in my panther form, I find it much better than a closed room."

She chuckled lightly with Horace, leaving a small smile on her lips as she turned around again to watch the stars some more. Feeling his cloak over her, Mai watched it and noticed its details and movements. It looked like it had been used for a long time, and perhaps even for the elf's entire life. It could be important to him, or not, since he could have simply stolen it from someone out there. Mai would also slightly smell Horace's scent on it, but she wouldn't comment, since it might seem strange that she noticed it. She would then turn her attention to the elf with a curious and attentive look at what he was saying. After he finished speaking, Mai would smile and speak with a calm tone in her voice.

"Actually, I understand, I don't think it's dramatic. We don't know if we'll be alive tomorrow, do we? So, I think we should enjoy today and watch them a little bit."

A child's gaze continued on Mai's face as she talked happily about the stars. She hadn't even realized that she was in that happiest mood while she was with the elf. It seemed that a friend, a specific friend or even more than a friend, made her feel very good and more free to speak and express herself. When the kemonomimi felt the cold breeze of the night hit them, she shivered a little and closed her eyes to feel her cheeks getting a little cold and turning a shade of red. Mai would then look at him again and smile once more.

"In fact, I'm not sleepy yet. I want to watch the stars a little bit more and relax here. And, well, I want to enjoy that I have a friend by my side."

Mai slowly snuggled onto Horace's shoulder, so that he could cover himself with his cloak as well, and so that they both felt warmer. Her blue eyes would then look quickly at him, and turn to the ocean reflecting the millions of stars in the sky, and their purple, black and dark blue color. The elf could feel Mai's hand gently holding his arm as she comforted herself better and rested on his shoulder. It seemed that the sky had thousands of diamonds, with its dance that caught any eye.
Horace Caranaro
"The trees huh? Ive tried sleeping there once, not comfortable at all. I miss my old bed, you never realize what's important to you until its gone as they say. I guess i took my bed for granted... Among other things..."

*The elf had no choice but to think back to his child hood. A sigh would escape his lips as he thought of those happy days. Days where he could sleep in a warm bed and wake up to a full breakfast made by his sweet mother. Eating with his sister and then going to work on the farm with his strong father. Then returning home for his mother to teach him and his sister a lesson in whatever. After he'd play with his younger sister, Charlotte, before returning to bed. That was the summary of his old days, but those days were gone now.*

*The elf would look back at the kemonomimi as she spoke again. She seemed to get the gist of what he was saying which made the elf slightly happier.*
"No we dont, but thats almost the best part about people like us. We get to live life like everyday will be our last, and one of those days very well could be. To enjoy life now, and to fight for it later, i think thats what makes us people."

*The elf would smile slightly as her wonder filled gazed continued. It reminded him of his younger sister when they were still little. This brought a tear to his eye, though the elf would soon wipe it away while looking away from the girl. It seemed the elf was also a little scared of showing emotion. Once the elf was ready, he would look back at her after she spoke. The elf's voice was a little weaker than before, though he'd clear his voice again after speaking.*
"Y-yeah..."

*The elf would attempt to pull himself away from his thoughts, looking back into the sky. Another tear would come to his eye as he noticeably clenched his fists tightly in an attempt to suppress the thoughts.*
Mai Bloodthorn
Mai glanced at Horace slightly, noticing the change in his voice. She would then have a little pity in her eyes, turning towards the elf and gently removing the tear that appeared in his eye again. He could see kindness appear in her eyes as she watched him, a warm smile forming on her lips. It seemed that he needed to cry now. Mai was there watching her friend, she would then sit on her knees, facing Horace. Her arms would gently wrap around him and pull him close to her, hugging him.

"It seems that I'm not the only one holding feelings..."

She would gently caress the elf's hair, removing his hood if he was still with it on, while her left hand would hug him. Despite not knowing for sure why he was crying, Mai could see when someone needed to let go of what they felt, since she herself keeps her feelings and hides them from people. And she knew that pretending to be okay hurt, and it hurt a lot... She would then speak in a calm and comforting tone.

"I'm here... Trust me. You can cry. And if you don't want it too, then let's smile and laugh!"

She smiled again, holding his head against her right shoulder. She didn't feel well about seeing someone she liked like that... And so a thought came to her; Did she just consider Horace a friend, or was she really starting to love him?
Horace Caranaro
*The elf's fists would loosen as he felt the girl wipe away his tear. It seemed the roles had reversed in only a few moments. He would look back down to her, a saddened and frustrated look on his face. As she pulled him in for a hug, the elf would slowly begin to break down, a full angry sob starting to form. The elf would wrap his hands around the girl as well, gripping her quite tightly in his frustration.*
"Why does it have to be us to suffer!? What did we ever do!? What did our families ever do!? Why only us... Why are we cursed to be alone...?"

*Thanks to Mai, the suppressed feelings and emotions of over ten years would begin to pour out of the elf. He would sob for a long amount of time before finally calming later in the night. It was quite late now and the moon had been lifted up to the center of the sky. This allowed everything to be lit up by the gentle light of the moon. Once Mai had finished her last sentence, it was made up within the elf's mind that this woman was the one he loved. He had questioned how he felt about her before and the answer had always been "A friend... But perhaps so much more.". But now, he was sure that she way more to him than he ever thought. The elf would begin to gently look*

*Horace would gently push away from Mai, looking into her cold, blue eyes with his dulled yellow ones. He would pause for a moment, making uncomfortable movements with his mouth. It was like he was trying to speak but couldn't, until a weakened voice would come out of Horace.*
"M-Mai... I wanted to ask... How do you feel about me?"
*The elf would wait in anticipation for her answer, slightly embarrassed by the question.*
Mai Bloodthorn
"Shh... Everyone suffers, Horace... It may not seem like it, but everyone has something they hide from others. Unfortunately, things happen, right? And we are not alone! We are here, together."

Mai gently pulled Horace's head so that he would look at her, a warm smile taking over her lips. She wanted to try to make him at least a little bit happier, but she was there to hear him and let him cry as much as he wanted. Then she would let him cry more, her hands gently wrapping him in a hug, even a little tight. It hurt her heart to see who she loved in that state, and not have much to do but support and embrace him. Feeling the elf move away from her, Mai felt her heart race and her face turn a little red with Horace's words. Not a million words would describe how she felt about him... At that moment, there would be silence for a few seconds, and he could hear her speaking in a calm tone in her voice.

"Horace..."

There, Mai could no longer keep the feeling she felt for Horace, even if maybe she was doing the wrong thing, she needed to do this, and decided to follow her heart. She approached the elf again, her right hand gently resting on his cheek and pulling him slightly closer to her, her eyes would change targets, alternating between the man's eyes and mouth. She approached slowly, her eyes closing gently as she felt the touch between their lips. Perhaps unconsciously, Mai had waited a long time for that to happen. From then on, the hand that was on Horace's cheek would gently slide to the back of his head, her fingers running through his messy hair. Her other hand slid over his skin, passing around his neck and resting lightly on the back of the elf's neck. For the Kemonomimi, that was incredible and special. Since on her side, she probably wanted to do this for some time, she just didn't have the courage enough to do that. She hoped that Horace would not reject her. After all, he was the only one who managed to win her heart so far...

The sky, now starry with millions of diamonds and a shade of purple and black. A beautiful dance of the stars above them, it was as if they smiled at them. The gentle breeze of the night beat lightly against them, making their hair move in the wind, just like the leaves on the trees. Both would be illuminated by the light of the moon, which penetrated between the crown of the tree. For sure, Mai would never forget the night she fell in love for the first time...
Horace Caranaro
*The elf would nod as she answered his questions. Her words gave him a sense of comfort and reassurance that, truly, he loved her. As Horace saw her face turn red, he'd feel a little bad that he was embarrassing both of them during such a moment. Then, the elf would feel her hand against his cheek, pulling him closer as she called his name. His heart would begin to race as he saw her face approaching his own. He expected this, but for some reason it still caught him off guard. It would seem no matter how much you prepared for a moment like this, it would still be surprising. The elf would lean in to the kiss as their lips connected, showing his acceptance. His eyes would close as well as the two kissed. One of the elf's hands would rest against her lower back, gently holding the girl. His other hand would find its self holding the back of Mai's head as well. Despite his age, this had actually been the elf's first kiss.*

*Eventually, the elf would find himself needing to say something. Once again, he'd gently push away from her, deeply staring into her eyes.*
"Mai... I just want to say that... That I love you!"
*A few moments after his confession, the elf would lean back into the girl. He'd continue their kiss for as long as his partner would permit it.*

*For once in Horace's life after exile, he felt truly happy and content. It was ironic that a thief had managed to steal a girl's heart. Then again, it was true that she had stolen his as well.*