Hara-Kiri(n)

Thickly canopied jungle is quick to surround you, Sato, as you trek along the path. Compared to the other dirt-roads that snake their way through the village, this one is overgrown with grass and roots, incredibly underused. In fact, you realize it's the only way in or out of the village, that isn't tied to a now-defunct portal.

The Kirin seem to get all their food from the surrounding area, but never go much deeper. There's a couple of them that watch your little group curiously on the edge of the clearing, in the lazy midst of collecting fruits from the various plants. One of their horns is glowing, pulling fruit from the highest part of the tree, down to itself. Another plucks berries from a bush, dropping it into a little basket. Somehow, they manage to make it look like the most mundane task with how slowly they handle it. With how... relaxed they are, it seems more plausible the Mongols were able to roll over them.

The other Kirin don't seem intent on following, either. The few that had slowly been approaching your little fountain-side gathering now watch from a distance, the village slowly getting obscured by the shrubbery as you trek deeper. Rain Shines' lifted gaze allows her to watch you from beyond their multi-colored crowd, until the village disappears from view, and your little troupe is subsumed by shrubbery of thick, tropical descent.

Kiko slowly walks alongside you, matching your slowed pace, granting you something to lean against. After days of minimal movement, even with most of your injuries healing oddly quickly, movement wasn't easy. You're limping, and there's a sturdy pang of hunger in your stomach.

Kaito walks slightly ahead, leading the way. Hands tucked into sleeves, he seems familiar with his surroundings already; more so than can be said for you, Sato. It was a lot of strangeness to process.

And the Kirin that seems intent on accompanying you very closely isn't quite helping. Burnt Ochre is glued to the opposite side of you, mirroring Kiko, though she's far too short to use for support. Not that you would. Mythical creature.

...That keeps purposely bumping into your leg, staring up at you wide curious, bored eyes.

"Well, I never expected a lone man to come charging in to our rescue. How did you find out our homestead was attacked? Where's the rest of the war party?" Kaito asks, turning to look back as you all walk. He'd probably walk alongside you for an easier conversation, but... the two equine creatures on either side of you aren't particularly partial to giving up their spots.

"I'd been sent to scour the mountains for their trace. I was meant to report back, but..." You trail off, the fiery results of your brash actions flicking like embers in your mind.

"You were seen?" Kaito asks. "You could have ran. They hold no horses. Well, held, now."

You glance down, sharing a surprisingly... intimate gaze with the little Kirin? It's a good thing Kiko wasn't the jealous sort, the way it slowly blinks it's colorful eyes, maintaining a firm eye contact, bumping against your side with its always-surpridingly warm self.

"...Of a sort." You mumble.

"I can't imagine charging into a Bandit encampment alone. You... aren't all up there, are you?" Kaito laughs.

Honestly, probably not. But judging by the way she's glued to you... maybe that wasn't such a bad thing.

The Jungle Just Outside Of The Kirin Village

It's not as far a trek as you originally feared. Kaito keeps you willingly distracted with idle conversation, aware that you aren't quite back to fully mobile form; but that getting a chance to actually speak with one of these creatures takes an important precedence.

Though he does most of the talking you two manage some chatter about home, and the doubts of if you'll see it again. All the while, Kiko serves as a willing support for you to lean on -- not that Burnt Ochre doesn't try her best to offer herself as one, either. She's just as glued to you, only a bit too short to properly lean on. Her gaze, bored as it may seem, is stuck far more to you then it is to the rarely trodden path. Every time she bumps into your side, or your leg, a tickle of concern and care ebb up your body.

The jungle that once so quickly thickened is just as quick to sparse out, the dense canopy opening to reveal the proper blue sky oncemore. It's now that you realize just quite the precarious position that this little pocket of jungle is placed.

Turns out, you've been climbing an ever so slight incline, and you're greeted with tall, sheer cliffs that plummet straight down. The view is impressive, stretching widely over craggy mountains and thickly forested jungles that stretch far, distantly connecting with a large, sparkling body of water. You're not certain the direction, but if the entirety of the Kirin's village was nestled up this high, tucked away behind these strange trees... then it serves as their trap just as much as their protection, as proven by recent events.

Kiko chuffs at you, noticing you idle a short distance to the stoney lip, watching the distance. Up here, unguarded by the windbreaker of trees, a soft breeze rolls over you providing an ample, relieving cool that seeps through your armor.

"Quite the view, is it not?" Kaito comments, pausing to turn and watch you.
"It all but helps affirm we are no longer in our realm."

The two of you watch as distantly, a small blob lifts from far off mountains, taking to the air.
"...What is that?" You ask idly.

"Autumn says it's a dragon. Something about the Kirin's draconian lineage means they typically leave them alone, but they don't like tempting fate."

"...Seriously?" You turn, casting an incredulous gaze on Kaito.

"You'll need to keep an open mind around here, Sato. If you thought the Kirin or their magic were the strangest things... apparently, the Sun and Moon clash for a spot in the sky. I've yet to see it myself." He chuckles, continuing up the ever so slowly raising, winding path. The rarely walked grass and dirt had turned to pebble and rock, now outlined only by the edges of this clifftop forest.

"They what?" You call after him, but Kaito simply keeps walking. You blink several times, processing the statement.

A glance at your more equine companions aids little, unfortunately. Kiko seems more interested in simply raising her lip at you, nickering loudly. Meanwhile, the much more silent Burnt Ochre is firmly pressed against your leg, staring out into the open, swaths of distant land. It's a little hard to decipher through emotion... but you think she might not be a fan of heights.

A tentative, almost cautious reach of your hand brushes the fringes of her mane, intent on trying to offer any semblance of comfort if your suspicions ring true.

She's almost startlingly quick to lean into your hand, nuzzling your hand with soft fur -- and purring?

...These creatures continue to confuse. You aren't sure if they're more horse, dragon, or cat, but at least this one is affectionate. You two did share a very... unique experience, which according to Kaito, was one he was entirely unfamiliar with. Which, if the very shrine-keepers who worshipped these creatures never experienced such...

Burnt Ochre tilts her head, blinking slowly at you, chin nestled in your palm. You aren't sure how you missed it before, but she has some serious eyelashes -- it's almost surprising you couldn't tell it was female, now. Why the change? Was proximity or your odd little bond altering your perception?

You aren't given much more time to ruminate on the matter, Kiko nudging you with her snout. Kaito is waiting ahead, and past him, close to the cliffs edge, looks to be a little home.

Autumn Blaze's Home

"This is...?" You mumble as you catch up beside Kaito, arms in his sleeves as he watches you.

"Where Autumn Blaze lives, yes. Not too far, thankfully, but outside the village limits." He explains, nodding for you to follow.

Without much path left, Kiko starts to drift back towards the greenery, and away from the cobbled surface of this little plateau, sniffing out grass. You pat her side in thanks for her support, watching her meander a short distance away.

Burnt Ochre seems intent on quite the opposite, staring at you expectantly. She nudges your leg with her nose, mimicking what Kiko had done to you moments prior. Is she asking for your attention?

"Sato?" Kaito calls for you. You're this close yet you pause again, assuredly confusing him.

...You hope this isn't interpreted poorly, but you're just trying to meet expectations. You lean down, patting Burnt Ochre's side like you had Kiko.

Kaito looks like he wants to criticize you, but Burnt Ochre paws at your leg with a hoof, like she's trying to return the sentiment.

Such a strangely endearing little creature.

"Apologies." You say to Kaito asks you rejoin him again -- you're likely not the best travel companion considering how often you tend to stop, and how slow you meander the path, but he seems patient enough for a youth.

"It's fine, Sato. I can't begrudge you for your curiosity nor your injuries, considering both are what got us out of our predicament. Truthfully, I'm curious what Autumn has to say about you and your friend, there. It's almost like she's broken the vow, but remains non-verbal..." Kaito starts to mumble, his words drawing your curiosity.

"Vow?" You go to ask -- but before you can, a burst of noise from the little abode draws your ear, shortly followed by your eyes.

Compared to the quaint, homely architecture that constitutes the villages construction, this little plateu-top abode looks... hand-made by comparison. Or would that be hoof-made? Rather than nestled comfortably into the side of a hill or tucked under the protective roots of an overhanging tree, it looks more like someone put together a home from gathered scraps, and the remnant furniture they could scavenge. Not to mention the numerous decorations that bore... drawn faces on a variety of objects. Most of which, decoration and abode, were fairly unfamiliar to you, Sato. Though this close, you see they aren't as far from the forest edge as you thought. A little alcove of trees and grass runs close to the back of their home, connecting and sporting several odd additions. Like Kiko, whose currently eating the grass growing out a frowning pot.

What was familiar, was the Kirin that had it's head stuck out from behind the curtain that lead to the inside of it's home. With white fur and a bright orange mane, your memory is quick to remind you -- it's the Kirin that you'd wrenched from the Bandit leaders grasp. Back then, however, she had been asleep, eyes closed.

You expected another bored, emotionless looking Kirin more intent at staring at you, perhaps with a few words thrown between long pauses. Not so with this one. Her eyes look like they're about to bug out of her head, with a wide, excited smile plastered across her face.

"You're here! Took you looooong enough!" She exclaims, dragging out her words before launching out from the doorway and charging forward towards us.

"Not doing the silent bit again?" Kaito prompts, to which Autumn eagerly shakes her head.

"Oh, darn -- should I have? No, too late for that now. Hello! I'm Autumn Blaze! Who are you?" Autumn perks up, quickly trotting over to... Kiko, staring up at her.

Kiko leans down, chuffing in the Kirin's face, scrunching her nose. Autumn's face scrunches in turn, before giggling.
"The silent type! Kaito told me you don't talk, but I'll get you to open up eventually. Unless you fell in the river, then... well, your coat is nice!" Autumn beams, before spinning in place -- and locking eyes with you, Sato.

In a moment she's at your feet, staring up at you with wide eyes that sparkle, a pearly smile plastered across her face. Ochre walks past you, standing beside her, both of them staring up at you.
"Now, you... who might you be, my gallant rescuer?"

"Uh... Sato." You offer, meeting her hoof. She shakes your hand with quite a bit of energy, smiling at you. She's looking a lot better than she did when you first wrest her from the Bandits clutches.

"You look hungry, if the way you're hunched over is any clue. Or is that the burns? Ochre said there was a lot of burns. Well, either way, you've been asleep for days -- of course you're hungry! Come sit, I was just setting up some breakfast."

Ochre watches you expectantly, nodding for you to follow.

Your stomach growls. You are pretty hungry... it's been days since you ate, apparently. You're quick to follow.

...

Under the calm midday sun, a short distance from Autumn's awkwardly flammable abode and the nearby trees that rustle in the wind, a fire crunches, crackles and spits embers as Autumn works over it. Kaito is stood, hands clasped between his robes sleeves, watching. Kiko grazes nearby, chewing the grass. This seems to interest the two Kirin, who keep glancing at her. They seem deeply interested in her, like she was an oddity nearly so similar to themselves.

You consider standing, like Kaito, but Ochre nestles herself against your leg, patting one of your feet with a hoof, motioning for you to lower yourself and join her. You relent, happy to take a seat -- being awake is making it clear just how little energy you're working with, from the exertion of the previous days, and the lack of proper nutrition. You nearly topple, surprised by your lack of strength, only to find Ochre offering herself as a support, pressing herself against you to hold you up.

Autumn has a variety of fruits, vegetables, and even fish currently stuck on sticks, hanging over the campfire. She's even got a small pot, bubbling with some kind of stock. You recognize a few of these items, but most of them are foreign, or weirdly similar to the ones of your home, but with notable color or texture changes.

Autumn, content everything is quietly cooking for the moment, promptly sits beside Ochre, staring at you.
"You probably have... loads of questions. Kaito did, but he's no fun and acted like he already knew everything."

"H-hey! My family has recorded all of our interactions with the Kirin for generations! I-I'm allowed to flaunt some level of knowledge!" Kaito retorts, flustered.

"Even when most of it is wrong?" Autmn grins, getting a huff from Kaito.

Considering their... spiritual position as local deities, Kaito seems to be pretty casual with them. One can't forget Kaito's age in this; and with his own position as a Priest, now likely the last of his line... well, if they could maintain a more friendly demeanor, that might explain why Ochre was willing to be so...

You glance down at your furred, scaled companion, pressed against you. Half-lidded eyes that portray disinterest and boredom betray her true intentions, as she continuously ogles you. Feelings of... warmth, and care softly ebb from her, continually concerned with your long and short term well-being.

"So! Questions, Sato?" Autumn prods, drawing your attention again and scooting closer.

You swallow, the water from earlier helping your parched lips to find words.
"Why can you speak --"

"But Ochre and the others can't? Oh, did Kaito not spoil it?! Wonderful!" Autumn claps her hooves together, sitting back on her haunches.

"You asked me not to." Kaito mumbles.

"They're all under... The Vow of Silence." Autumn says dramatically, waving her hooves in the air. "And for... well, a reason you're probably already familiar with."

Autumn sighs, a guilty look falling on her face. The injuries may be hidden under your armor now, but the limp in your step, and the clear duress you're under, are all but stark reminders.

"The Flames." She says simply.

The Fire? The confused look on your face prompts her further.

"That bond you had with Ochre was...new. She's part of this confusion, actually. It's why Rain Shine is willing to let her, you and Kaito stay in the village." Autunn explains.

"And you can't?" You ask.

Autumn blows a raspberry, shaking her head.
"Nope. I managed to break the Vow... not being able to speak, to express emotions was driving me crazy. The other Kirin are managing, though, so I guess I'm just a special case. Liking my feelings and all that."

Kaito gives her a sympathetic look, but she continues.
"Have you heard of Nirik before?"

You shake your head. Kirin was already a stretch for your knowledge, but you'd never heard of a Nirik before. Ochre pangs with a feeling of... confused familiarity. You rest a hand against the scales on her back to comfort her without realizing -- but she leans into it. Your worries about overstepping some sort of spiritual boundary are quickly fading.

"Well, that's what Ochre became. That's what I could become, and that's what the Vow stops the other Kirin from doing." Autumn states, motioning with a hoof.
"Kirin are in tune with one emotion above any other. Their Anger. We don't... handle it very well. It inflames our magic, and turns us into Nirik, where we... burn with anger. As I'm sure you're... aware."

"So Ochre became a Nirik? But what of the Vow?" Kaito asks.

"That's the confusion that has Rain Shine unsure of how to handle it. She is still, clearly, under some level of the Vow... but she accessed her emotions."

"She emanates them, too." You add quietly.

The following silence surprises you, as both Kaito and Autumn stare.
"...She what?"

You glance between the two, feeling pressed to continue.
"When I make contact with her, I can... feel what she is feeling." You explain, softly patting Ochre. She blinks slowly at you, tilting her head. As if for an example, you feel...

...You're not sure what that one is, actually. It's very warm. Like... Happy, but... melted. Trying to find the words for feeling another creatures Emotions is difficult.

Autumn moves closer, placing a hoof on Ochre's back, the two sharing a long stare.
"...Nothing." Autumn hums, curious.

"Perhaps a side-effect of your... unique entrance." Kaito offers, leaning to rotate a few of the slowly cooking items.

"What does it feel like?" Autumn prompts.

You purse your lips. The wafting smell of the food is distracting, but you ignore it as best you can.
"Like... dull feelings in my own head. Like on contact, my body is being fed what she's feeling."

"Well, considering how smitten she is with you, it's probably a pretty pleasant feeling." Autumn teases, sticking a playful tongue at Ochre. Ochre's eyes widen, waving a hoof at Autumn like she's trying to smack her. Kind of like how a cat would bat something with it's paw.

"Smitten?" Both you and Kaito ask at the same time, sharing a mutually confused look.

"Whatever happened between you and Ochre has altered both of you, in a way no other Kirin has experienced." Autumn offers.

"Can it be repeated?" Kaito asks, but Autumn shakes her head.

"I don't think it would be the kind of thing you could force. You remember how they looked. Plus, I don't think it's particularly pleasant for the Non-Kirin." Autumn points out. You didn't exactly escape your strange bonding unscathed.

Ochre is looking away. You think she might be embarrassed to be the topic of a discussion about bonding.

"Oh, enough of that for now. The food is about ready!" Autumn waves for you to get closer, as she stirs the broiling pot, plucking a few of the crispy-looking items from the fire.

Fine with you -- you stomach growls excitedly, unashamed.

...

"How did... the bandits secure a portal between our world and the Kirins?" You manage between bites. Lightly seasoned fish, a broth of something thick, and various strange, crunchy greens and fruits. Some bitter, some sweet -- all hastily devoured by the surge of hunger you weren't even aware of.

"Magic" Kaito adds between much more reserved bites.
"They kept Rain Shine imprisoned, and forced her to maintain the portal, or they'd hurt the Kirin. When you shattered the portal, you also broke her bonds. She got most of us out of the cages after that."

While he might be offering you some judgement based on your fervent consumption, neither Autumn nor Ochre seemed bothered.

"Rain Shine didn't know what to do about what happened, once we got everyone out. You and Kaito, your weird friend... we just hoped you'd pull through. Thankfully, Kaito was able to help direct our efforts for healing you. I'd never seen burns so bad." Autumn explains; she's actually rather pleased you seem to enjoy her food so much, while Ochre is just happy you're eating, watching you stuff your fave while ebbing feelings on relief. She seems to care a great deal about your wellbeing.

As you find yourself to care a great deal about hers. You realize she's hardly touched anything herself, more intent on watching you eat. In a potentially bold maneuver, you place one of your untouched, still-sizzling stick-with-a-fish in front of her.

Ochre seems hesitant as she glances between it and you, trying to push it back towards you with a hoof.

"Please." You whisper softly. She pauses, staring at your face. One of your hands softly rests on her back, as she still sits against you.
"You've already done so much for me. Take care of yourself, until I can care for you in turn."

"Goodness, get a room." Kaito snorts, before Autumn smacks his arms several times. She's grinning widely, shushing him.

They confuse you, but Burnt Ochre draws your attention back down to her with a hoof softly placed on your leg. You can feel that warm, melting feeling again as she leans up, and licks your nose.

Autumn covers her mouth with her hooves, hardly hiding the wide smile on her face, while Kaito rolls his eyes and continues to eat.

...Was that intimate? You aren't sure. You also aren't quite in the right headspace, Sato. You glance towards the grassy edges of the forest -- Kiko quietly grazes. Probably fine.

Ochre is actually eating now, which is good. You return to your own meal, though Autumn's gaze seems far more glued to the two of you.

"So... you too can catch aflame?" You ask, meeting Autumn's stare.

"Oh, yeah. If I get a little too worked up. It's why I try to keep nice... and calm. A few breathing exercises, that kind of thing. Staying positive." She nods, taking a deep, meditative breath.
"Kaito has actually helped introduce me to a few more methods."

"It's the least I could do for all your help." He responds simply; Kaito seems a bit less interested in looking in your direction now.

"Could the same happen to Ochre?" You ask.

"...I don't think so? She's still under the Vow, but something about interacting with you seemed to circumvent it." Autumn offers, shrugging.

"Perhaps it altered it? From emotional strain, or the clashing of Vows."

"Clashing of Vows?" Autumn tilts her head.

"The terms and rules he holds himself to in order to carry those swords. If the Vow could lose to a stronger one, it could explain their temporary bypass to Ochre becoming a Nirik." Kaito explains.

"What kind of Vow could you be under for that to happen?" Autumn snorts.

"That if he fails in his duty, his life is forfeit at his own hand." Kaito explains simply, in your stead.

Both Autumn and Ochre stare at you with wide eyes.

You simply nod, continuing to eat. Your stance on such was already dicey because of your choice to neglect your Lord's orders... but your circumstances were hardly regular, right Sato?

Ochre grabs at you with her hooves, glaring at you. You feel immeasurable worry and upset ebb from her.

"You... why would you ever take a Vow like that?" Autumn asks, confused.

"Bushido. 'A Warriors Lifestyle'. For the brash and foolhardy." Kaito retorts, continuing to eat. Seems he isn't particularly approving of your lifestyle.

There's no sting to his words. He's a grieving youth, and the Spiritual path he follows is one that often clashes with yours.

"Such a decision would be upon my Lord, to decide the consequences to my actions." You reply, softly patting Ochre to try and ease her concerns. It doesn't seem to help much.

"Your... Lord?" Autumn asks, confused.

"Rain Shine is your leader, right?" You prompt, to which both Ochre and Autumn share a glance, before Autumn nods.

"My Rain Shine would decide if my actions, which were to observe, not engage, would deserve punishment." You explain grimly. It's not a topic you've had much time to think on since your awakening, but it's far from a pleasant one.

"For helping us? That's... stupid!" Autumn exclaims, shocked.

"Tell me about it." Kaito rolls his eyes.

"And what about your weirdly tall friend who doesn't talk? Is she under a Vow, too?!" Autumn presses, deeply concerned.

You look at her pointed hoof as she points to an unbothered Kiko.
"Mm? No, Kiko is a War Horse. She would find another rider in my family."

Kiko's presence seems to mostly confuse them, but Autumn sighs, shaking her head.
"Well... I suppose that makes this little bit of bad news slightly less bad."

Kaito glances at Autumn, apparently already aware of what she's about to speak on.

"You're... stuck here." Autumn informs bleakly, toying with some of her leftovers.

"What do you mean?" You ask. If they could make a Portal here...

"Rain Shine's horn was damaged. Trying that kind of magic again could irreparably injure her... and healing a horn is a dangerous endeavor. For the foreseeable future, you can't go home." Autumn explains further, as Kaito nods along. Seems he was filled in in this already.

"...I see." You nod, pursing your lips.

Looks like your judgement would wait, Sato. Rendering it yourself seemed...

You glance down at the Kirin still pressed against you, now practically half on your lap out of continued concern for your wellbeing.

...Best to wait and see what your Lord thinks. Disparaging local spirits probably wasn't something he'd desire from you.

Seems neither you nor Kaito had much waiting for you back home, either. You had Kiko. You had your life. And now, it seemed you had... waist-height spirits that could burst into flame to care for.

"Well... thank you for informing me." You nod.

"...I thought you'd be more upset." Kaito muses.

You can only shrug.
"Assisting here seems a noble duty enough. It's not like I'm particularly eager to race off and find judgement, either..." You admit.

"Thank you for the food, Autumn. You're very kind." You bow, appreciative. "Is there anything I can do to repay you and your villages kindness?"

Burnt Ochre seems relieved by this, nuzzling into your chest.

There's a flush on Autumn's face, as she starts cleaning up.
"Well! At the moment, no. I'd suggest more rest. Probably. I'm not really... medically orientated. But when you're feeling better, come by to visit, okay? Promise not to burn you." She smiles sheepishly.

"I'll help you figure out what to do. They're still recovering from the whole thing, so there's a few gaps they wouldn't mind help with." Kaito says, helping stomp out the fire with dirt, and a hasty foot.

"Sounds good. Thank you, all. That includes you, quiet one." You add, looking down at Ochre.

Nose lick.

"Uh... Oh, Sato! Can I speak with you for a second?" Autumn says quickly, nudging Kaito. "Help get their tall friend -- Kiko, was it? And get Ochre to help you. I wanna ask Sato something."

"Uh... alright." Kaito complies, if a little confused.

Ochre rubs against you, before stepping around to approach the ever-complacent Kiko.

Autumn is quick to pull you aside, pulling at your tassels with her hoof. How do they even bend like that? That's... strange.

"Everything okay?" You ask, concerned.

Autumn glances past you, towards the others, before motioning for you to get closer.

Curious, you lean down, braced against your knees as you offer an ear.

"You... what happened with Ochre."

"Mhm?"

"I'm not sure what is was, but... emotions are a big deal for Kirin."

"As you've said."

"And Ochre is... well, the experience altered her, too. I think the two of you shared something seriously special."

"How do you mean?"

"She's smitten with you, Sato. I've never seen her so head over heels. And through the Vow?" Autumn waves her hooves for effect.

"I'm... not quite following."

"I think you are. She's been glued to your side since you arrived, Sato. You saved her from those other Humans. You shared an incredibly personal moment, driven entirely by passionate emotional bond." Autumn continues to explain, eyes glued to you.

"It was certainly a warm one at that." You joke, trying to lighten the tension worming into the conversation.

"She likes you, Sato." Autumm states bluntly. She's staring at you, trying to gauge your surprise.

"I'm aware, Autumn." You nod.

"...You are?" She asks, surprised. "When?"

"Once I realized other Kirin didn't share her tendency for physical contact. And the numerous times she's licked me." You explain. Once you saw that they could, in fact, speak... her interactions with you spoke a lot clearer. And her choosing to be your pillow. Or her climbing on your lap. Or licking your face. Or pressing into you. Or the numerous other interactions where her emotions ebbed far more than just polite concern.

That warm, melty feeling. Something like happiness, but... mushier. The burns were but proof of your bond. You and Burnt Ochre were intertwined now.

"...Yeah, that would do it. Sure, we can be affectionate, but... you two get on like a married couple." She sighs, relieved, before breaking into a giggle.

"Do we?" You question.

"Please. Let me care for you." Autumn mimes, mocking you playfully, feigning a dramatic tone.

...Ah. Not quite your intention, Sato, but it seems you've been flirting with the local deity by accident. Best not draw their ire.

You look over towards the others -- Kiko and Ochre are sniffing at each-other, nose to nose while Kaito tugs at Kiko's reins to try to get her moving. No such luck, unfortunately. If Kiko didn't want to go, she wouldn't budge.

"It was good to meet you, Autumn. Thank you for the meal." You bow.

"Hey, least I could do. You kind of... saved us, and all. Just... come visit, yeah? Don't get too many conversational partners, on account of the whole Vow thing." Autumn nudges you with a hoof, not quite sure how to take your bow.

The Jungle Just Outside Of The Kirin Village

Parting with Autumn, you're feeling a fair bit better. Sore, certainly -- your injuries still linger, and they likely will for a long time. The effects of your entry, and now consequent stranding in this strange land are doubly told by your scarred body, and your damaged gear.

You showed Kaito how to properly inspire Kiko to cease with her grazing. Apparently, he's not as experienced with Horses as he'd like to be, and gladly took the opportunity to try and gleam some of that knowledge from Kiko, who plays along well enough. You're sure he appreciates the distraction, as recent events weigh heavily on you both.

Though, something physical weighs on you the heaviest. Ochre, who seems intent to remain glued to your side, even as she meanders forward; her side never leaves yours, often bumping or rubbing against the other. Doesn't matter how slow your limp is, she holds no issue in matching the relaxed pace. She perks up every time your fingers brush the scales on her back. They're hard, not unlike some styles of scaled armor you might have seen before... but there's a flexibility to them that allows them some surprising movement.

Most of the walk back is done in silence, with Kiko distracting Kaito, and Ochre not being much of one for conversation. Though, you do prompt one question.

"Why doesn't Autumn help cure the Vow from the others?" You ask suddenly, drawing Kaito's stare.

"...Two problems. One, she can't. The flowers she ended up using don't grow around here anymore. Two, the Nirik problem is still painfully prudent to them. Even if your arrival came with saving them, it was done in the manner that they still fear, Sato." Kaito explains.

"Could they not be taught to control their emotions, or the flames?" You ask.

"I do not know. It's difficult to discuss the idea with one who can only shake or nod, and who barely holds the interest to do either." Kaito sighs. Apparently, it's something that bothers him as well.

For now, there's little you can do about it. But, you aren't going anywhere anytime soon, evidently. Perhaps there's time to figure something out, since they seem alright with you remaining in the village. Silence falls between the two of you again, as the edges of the village start to near again from the thick breadth of the forest.

The Kirin Village

Several of the nearby Kirin pause as your little troupe returns, watching you with that same bored expression, betraying their underlying curiosity.

"You should get some rest, Sato. We'll talk about what the village needs tomorrow." Kaito offers. Rather than handing you Kiko's reins, he simply... drops them. Kiko is hardly one to waste the moment, already wandering off to go find something tasty to graze on. A mare of a simple mind.

"Sure. Do they not... mind?" You ask, nodding to Kiko.

"Not at all. They think she's like Rain Shine, the large one of them. Fits right in, actually." Kaito smiles softly, staring after Kiko.

"Huh. That's good." You nod.

Kaito agrees, giving you a short wave before wandering off. He's likely got his own place to stay within the village... and may just need some time to himself.

Ochre nudges your leg, nodding towards the little hovel you awoke in previously.

"Is that your home, Ochre?" You ask.

She nods slowly, before nudging you again.

"Are you offering to host me during my time here?" You ask again, leaning down to brush her mane.

She nods, but quickly foregoes it to lean into your affections.

"Thank you. You're very sweet." You say softly, thanking her.

She glances away, quickly trotting up the path, over the river towards her home. She seems to fluster easily.

Sighing softly, you trail after her. You honestly... could go for a nap, Sato. Energy wasn't something you were full of quite yet.

You can see Rain Shine past Ochre's home, watching your return with a tilted head. As politely as you hope to come across, you wave. She doesn't do much of anything back, but blinks. Hopefully, that's... something.

Burnt Ochre's Home

Since you aren't in need of medical attention for the moment, by the time you duck back into Burnt Ochre's little hovel, she's already partway through some re-arranging. The ceiling isn't terribly tall, considering the only tall Kirin is Rain Shine, so you'll have to get used to ducking when you stand.

The old blanket you'd been laying atop of on the floor has been folded up and tucked away. Her sparse furniture has been pushed back to it's original spot, and now she's making the bed. You note the lack of any secondary bed, right as Ochre perks up at your arrival.

And pats the top of the little wooden bed. It doesn't seem to be... quite your size, but if you tuck your legs, you could probably fit. A bit strange, with how it's elevated off the floor like that.

After a short consideration, laying your weapons down beside the doorway, you look towards Ochre as she watches you.
"Do you... mind if I disrobe?" You ask aloud.

She tilts her head. You haven't seen any Kirin wearing clothes thus far... so maybe it simply wasn't a thing here. And sleeping in armor while trying to recover from wounds didn't sound particularly pleasant.

So, you begin to undress, pulling the tassels and unstringing your armor as you gingerly stack it alongside your armor, observed by a curious Ochre the entire time. It takes you a few minutes, but you seem to have her rapt attention. Thankfully, undressing is a far easier task than dressing in such an attire, and you enjoy deep breaths once you're down to just your hakama.

Ochre had seen you shirtless already, but they hadn't bothered in getting much else of your armor off. Apparently, following a quick inspection of yourself, most of the actual scarring seemed to focus primarily around your torso and arms. Burnt Ochre seemed interested in getting a chance to inspect you, too. She'd gotten closer while you were setting your things away, now looking over your far more casual clothes.

Glancing at your face, it feels like she's almost asking permission, holding a hoof in the air.

You nod.

She gingerly presses it against your robe, curious at the change in texture. Gone are the armored segments of your armor, leaving only a comfortable, material robe to cover your furless skin with. For a moment, Ochre seems to hesitate... before pressing her nose against you, quietly smelling.

Ochre seems partial to your scent, the way her tail ever so slightly swishes.

"So..." You mutter quietly, startling her from her snout-based activities. Ochre looks up at you, tilting her head.
"One bed?"

She turns in place, trotting across the small home before parking herself beside the strange bed once more. And pats its top with a hoof, looking at you expectantly. Is she offering her bed to you?

You'd ask where she would sleep... but you had a suspicion that would likely soon be confirmed.

Trudging after her, you lean your hands into the awaiting bedding. It's similar to the blanket, woven from something local. Considering they're scaled creatures, perhaps they're used to tougher linens. Not uncomfortable, but you realize you're going to be missing the beds of home pretty soon.

She pats the bed again, getting a small laugh from you at her urgency. You oblige, climbing atop of it. It's a weird feeling, being this high off the floor with the intent to sleep. You hardly get a chance to get comfortable, however, before your answer to the one-bed problem is quickly made prudent.

Burnt Ochre hops up on the bed with you, staring at you as she waits for you to get comfortable. She seems a touch impatient, even, huffing hot air from her nostrils at you.

You eventually find a comfortable position on your side, legs curled in, watching your interested observer to see her reaction. Once you've stopped moving, Ochre wastes no time digging under your arm with her horn, lifting your limb and squeezing herself in against you in your grasp. At this point, you've entirely disregarded the worry that you're overstepping some kind of spiritual boundary with this level of contact.

She is... oozing that warm, melted feeling. It almost feels like it's bubbling, boiling as she presses up against you. She seems deeply interested in your complete lack of fur, tracing your hand with her snout, nose to your skin.

"...Thank you, Ochre." You say softly. Her ears twitch, lifting her face to yours.

You expect another nose-lick. It's routine, at this point.

Instead, her half-lidded gaze slowly inches closer, until you feel her lips press against yours.