[Honey]

He thought the boy was thinking too much of it all, but he'd managed to spot a couple of herbs growing at the edge of the roads as everything began to transition from the heavily wooded area to where the trees began to thin and in the far distance there were small and smooth rolling hills. He'd urged the other to look harder, and further from the edges of the road for bushes and in the end they both found a handful of things such as sage, mint, and dill. Proud of his incubus, he stashed it all away in their bags and once again took one of the boy's hands in his own.

[littl3chocobo]

after their search and with only a few stops for the purpose of teaching him about the wild greenery they passed they finally came to their place of rest

[Honey]

The small farmhouse was just as weathered as he'd remembered it, but it was clearly larger, as if extensions had been placed on or any of the sides to conjure up more room. Of course, they were still at the end of the long road to the home, but he was sure that it had not looked that way on his last venture. Keeping the other in tow he happily covered the distance as cattle and sheep grazed on their side while the large room of rolling fields could be seen stretching into the distance. "We will spend the night here, Lonis. It is a very quaint family, I remember my master having been friends with the man of the home many many years ago, and I befriended that man's grandson." He did not avert his gaze from the house where people could be seen passing the windows in the interior, and he did not even bat an eyelash as a couple of children raced out of the house to run and play. "I think that the family has grown larger, but last I wrote a letter he was still living here with a couple of his children, and their offspring from there. I would say be prepared for children, and likely hide your tail; They may think it a rope and try to tie you up with it."

[littl3chocobo]

he thought his master was making jokes but found it and tucked it up into his robe all the same. keeping his mouth closed and his yes opened he followed behind

[Honey]

The children looked upon them with curiosity when they drew close enough to be noticed. They'd moved behind one of the few trees that scattered their lawn, their small wide-eyed faces poking out to watch them as they approached the door to knock. "If you don't stop knocking at the door I'll never know when we have gues-" The door swung open to show a woman looking rather frazzled, her blonde hair out of place and a babe upon her hip sucking on its thumb as if it could not be bothered to do much else. "Why hello there," she greeted with a kind smile, one of her frail hands delving into the thick locks to make herself more presentable. "Sorry, I didn't know we were expecting anyone. How can we help you?"

"We are here to spend the night. I wrote to Matirece not long ago to speak of a place to stay and he'd told me to come here if need be. You must be his grand daughter," He took the hand from her to give a flattering kiss and a faint smile. Appropriately the response was a face of blush and a file of her own while she stepped to the side to invite them in. "I had thought he'd mentioned someone, but he gave us no name. I will let him know you are here, and do not mind the children on our way, simply follow me." Briefly he turned around to give the shy children a wave and an assuring pat on Lonis' shoulder before he followed the woman into the home in search of his friend.

[littl3chocobo]

the home was full of children and things and though their own small cottage was filled it could not hold a candle to the sheer amount of things crammed into this one. silently he followed behind as they were led in

[Honey]

The man was much older than he'd remembered last time they'd seen one another, but the color of his eyes and the wistful smile he wore was just the same. Briefly they clasped hands before sharing a hug, the older gentleman still seated in his chair while he crouched by his side. "It is great to see you again, Matirece. I wish I would visit more, but I have been training my apprentice. Matirece, this is my apprentice, Lonis." He repeated the converse so that the each of them were introduces as he looked for a seat to take and the best he could find was a chair small enough for a child. He borrowed it anyhow so he could sit beside his old friend.

[littl3chocobo]

he would be lying if he said his attention was on anyone but the woman. he could smell her readiness and knew by tomorrow she'd begin purging. only his devotion to his master kept him from plotting to seduce her and use the sweet ichor he had so recently acquired under the plum-tree. he remained still

(he is not looking at her or even showing any signs he is not neutral and bored though if yours has any sense he will understand something is distracting lonis)

[Honey]

There was little response from his apprentice to his old friend he excused the boy with a simple eplaination that he could become distracted at times, and the old man understood. Quickly, the granddaughter came to kindly interrupt and let them know that the family room would have pillows and blankets provided for them to sleep there if they wished, and instead he shook his head with a polite decline. A request for only blankets, and the explaination that it would suffice puzzled the woman, but she did not decline her guests and instead pointed out where it all laid before returning to her bustling kitchen and leaving the rest of them alone once again, with the suspection that there were children in every nook and cranny trying to see who they were. "Matirece, excuse us, but I think Lonis here needs some fresh air. We will be back insude for dinner and we may catch up then," He offered his charming smile before he gently led the boy back through the cluttered house into the yard for a gentle beration for his easy distraction.

[littl3chocobo]

it seemed that his intentions had been seen as he was taken outside and softly chastised for thinking lecherous thoughts though it did amuse him slightly that his master, in a rare show of misinterpretation assumed it was the man that had garnered his attention not the woman. when his master was done he appropriately apologized for his deviating thoughts and was allowed a soft kiss on the nose for it before being taken back inside

[Honey]

The evening was merry with the excitement of children around, what seemed like, every corner. His friend was extremely proud of having been a grandfather, and showed that proudly with the way he dealt with the children. Even so he could not have agreed with the man, though he did his best to care for the children, he was happy regardless as he and Lonis were packed up with a couple of blankets so they could enjoy their freedom in the yard and peaceful slumber until the family and children awoke the following morning.

[littl3chocobo]

at first he was expected to look at the stars and recite the constellations he knew as well as give lats and longs for each but soon it became apparent that the lesson was for show as he was not directed to do more than recite what he already knew and doing as he had been taught recently he tried to feel for life and picked up several small heartbeats though as he spoke in a plain and formless tone there became less and less of them until he and his master were alone and he was pulled into a warm embrace

[Honey]

He'd held the boy close for a mix of warmth and protection in the night of a light chill, as well as assuring that Lonis would not escape him to find anyone nearby. This was confirmed as he woke to the sun's rise and the body still held next to him, as well as the curious face of children feeling brave enough to wake them and call them to breakfast. He smiled to them all and dismissed them to run along so he and the boy could wake on their own time before joining everyone inside.

[littl3chocobo]

when he woke it was in his master's arms and the heavy feeling inside him and lack of memories attested that he had remained there all night. looking up he smiled at the lovely face and excused himself to fetch water for his master's bath

[Honey]

The morning seemed long with the hustle and bustle of the house, but in the end they were ready to leave before the sun has risen much farther than the edge of the trees in the distance. He took his time in telling his old friend goodbye until they would meet again, and he thanked both he and his grand daughter for allowing them to stay. With their breakfast consumed, and their bodies bathed, he had he and Lonis depart from their stop to continue their adventure.

[littl3chocobo]

hand-in-hand with his master he did not regret the loss of the woman and had no regrets facing the beautiful day. tightening his grip he offered a wide grin to the world