Horace Caranaro
*After pulling her in, the elf would look back at the girl while she gave him her confused and saddened look. He'd brace himself, expecting great backlash, though it seemed not even the smallest bit would come. Horace wasn't entirely used to things like this, showing affection for others and all was... Well, mostly absent from his abilities to say the least. Thinking back, he hadn't actually shown affection to anyone after his exile... Those ensuing cold, lonely nights where he felt truly alone broke the elf to his core. He'd would shake his head in an attempt to forget as Mai began to hug him back. As alien as the feeling was, he enjoyed the embrace. He wanted to comfort and protect Mai as she was a good friend, perhaps... Even more than that. The elf would continue to watch the girl as she spoke through her sobs, listening intently to what she was saying.*

"Theres no need to apologize... Crying is normal and not something that should be held back. Besides, i consider you as someone very close to me, and i don't want to see you crying either, but when you do cry... Ill try my best to be there for you."

*As she looked up, he'd soon notice her tear-filled eyes. A gentle smile would come to his face as he'd try to wipe them away for a moment. The elf would finally notice the darkening sky and how late it was getting. He'd shake his head again, wondering where all that had time went.*

"Its getting quite dark... Do you want me to walk you to a town so you can get a room? I myself will probably just sleep here until morning."
Mai Bloodthorn
"D-Do you c-consider me... Someone close to you?"

Those words made Mai happy, knowing that someone important to her also had a certain affection for her warmed her heart. And for some reason, Horace was different for her. He made her feel happy, and feel safe, even if the world was ending. Something inside the kemonomimi was starting to warm up, a feeling... A good feeling. As if a flame was heating her inside. And the reason was Horace. Mai stopped thinking about it, turning her attention back to Horace and smiling as she felt his hands gently wipe away her tears.

"Horace... Do you mind if I sleep here too?"

Mai preferred to stay there, as Horace's company made her feel safer, rather than sleeping in a nearby town inn. She would slowly let go of the elf, resting her hands on the floor on either side of Horace for an instant while her eyes watching him for a moment. After a few seconds, she would sit next to Horace again, her cheek turning slightly red. Wait... Mai was blushing?! What was happening? *Was she falling in love...?*
Horace Caranaro
*Horace would nod as she repeated what he had said moments ago. She was probably in disbelief with those words, though he was unsure if that meant she was happy or disgusted. The elf would yawn tiredly for a moment as Mai asked him if she could stay.*

"Umm... Sure, you can sleep here... Im not sure why you'd want to... It gets pretty cold at night around here so would you want to use my cloak as a blanket?"