The star-marked wonder was snooping around near the Armada. Not too close of course, because she wanted to keep her pretty nose attached. This was definitely the place, this was the scent she had caught on that little white angels coat. It was about time she looked him up again. She had promised (outloud… or maybe in her head?) to teach him a few things about kissing. Regardless, she was here to bestow a few presents upon his lipis and soft little ears.

She felt like she needed a little admiration, and a sweetie like that was bound to give her some. It was an even trade in her head. He got some experience, and she got the admiration she deserved. It was late afternoon, the day had warmed a little from the sun, but the brisk wind was already sweeping it away. The tall fae shivered, hiding behind the protective bulk of a tree, and lifted her head. Instead of leaving it up to chance, she would weave a pretty melody for Hikaru, and see if he appeared like magic.

"Speech"

Hikaru was getting into the rhythm of his duties, he was still a little uncertain about his role as mentor to the Warlord’s daughter but they were figuring everything out. Everyday he got to return to the den and snuggle up for a good night’s rest with Mortis made it all worth it. The young koi was out now patrolling the borders, his lithe frame loping easily over the well worn trails. He had to be careful where snow packed down to make ice where dirt path had once been. Slipping was easy. Hika was decently sturdy footed, but when he heard that voice call for him he had to catch himself before face planting into a drift.

Once he was upright the koi debated for a long time about going to see her. Mortis had seemed so uncomfortable the last time he’d mentioned her. Though a little odd he’d never wish to do something that would upset or distress his friend. He shifted his weight indecisively, but finally took a step towards her.

He was rather close, and half wondered if Mort might even hear her singing to him. He wouldn’t make her wait long, and all the while he made excuses in his head as to why him meeting with Keetie made him so flustered and why Mortis weighed so heavily on him as she appeared before him. Even more stunning than his memory could serve him. Any pre planned words or solid statements were quickly dashed from his mind as it went blank and he was forced to swallow any words beyond, ”Hello, Keetie.”

Ah, there he was! His appearance was so quick, she had to assume he had been nearby all alone. That, or magic. She tilted her head and gave him a soft grin, lifting her shoulders a little and scrunching her nose to make it extra-angelic.

He already looked a little tongue tied, but he managed to get out her name. The tall fae pranced forward, out of the protective embrace of the trees, and a wind danced across her coat, ruffling her fur. “Little Angel, it's good to see you again. How's pack life treating you?” Not that she was likely to ever enter such a restrictive partnership. Being a free bird suited her rather well. "Had any good kisses I should know about?" She was always one to kiss and tell. She would hate to think anyone was getting such delicious things and not sharing them with her.

"Speech"

She looked so innocent, but he knew better than that. Still, he struggled with how endearing she was. Little innocent Hikaru with little knowledge of the more intimate side of the world was smitten. If his brain worked properly around Keetie it would be full of chagrin at his weakness but she was so lovely in that moment he didn’t care. Still, he could see Mort’s worried features in his mind’s eye even as he gazed at the beautiful woman.

She was friendly and eloquent and everything he wasn’t. He could barely speak in her presence but he was able to listen to and appreciate her words. She was polite enough not to step too close and Hika could assume she had just appeared to catch up. Still, as she flirted with him Kaiyo had trouble controlling his tongue. Any kisses?! Silver eyes bulged lightly as he tried not to reveal just how nervous she made him. That’s what was so hard, he felt bad for how she made him feel and he refused to admit in the open why.

”It’s good to see you too.” he stuttered as he kept his polite demeanor. ”I really like living in the Armada,” the way she said it hinted this was not the path for her. ”Um, no, you’re still the only one.” He tried not to think about that fact too much, or who’s lips he thought of first.

If he thought she was giving him some respectable space, he would be sorely mistaken. She shuffled her paws as the wind brushed through her coat and gave a full-body shiver. “Brrr, I can’t wait until the end of winter!” she exclaimed. She glowed so much nicer in the sun, too. The way sunlight danced off her coat was a sight to behold.

His eyes went a little wild at the edges at the mention of kisses. Oh poor, sweet, Hikaru. His little soft cheeks looked like they needed kissing. She wasn’t afraid to indulge herself, she sauntered forward, like little dancing motions in the earth, and reached over. Kissing one cheek, and then the other. “Oh sweet heart, don’t tell me you were saving them all for me! Kisses are meant to be shared, don’t you know. Why, I pinched some kisses from this sour-faced grey-toned and green eyed boy the other day. His face looked like he had sucked on a lemon! He was gay! Poor thing, giving all his love to only one team. You wouldn’t do that to me would you, Hika?” she wiggled her brows at the poor boy. “Or do you have your eyes on a certain someone?” he seemed like the kind of kid that might be a one-wolf kind of guy. Still, she was happy to steal some attention well he could

"Speech"

She didn’t take long to close the distance between them. Much like she’d done when they were fighting her paws danced over the earth so she could loom over him. If anyone as cute as her could loom. Char tipped ears fell to his skell as she pecked both of his cheeks and sat back, warning him that he shouldn’t be saving kisses. The quick story she gave struck a cord that was further ignored. SHe went on, wanting nothing more than the world to share in kisses, but she wasn’t oblivious either, after a short pause her dual toned gaze looked him over and clarified her question. Was there someone special?

Hikaru was already blushing but his features lit up more as his eyes fell to his paws and he shuffled them slightly. No, nope, there was no one. Just his best friend. The one who made the Armada feel like hime, who brightened his day, and no matter how cold it was, made him feel warm. ”Um,” His heart nearly stopped in his chest as he veered dangerously close to forbidden thoughts. ”No, just your kisses.” He mumbled, but Hikaru was never a very good liar.

The warmth that touched his cheek suited him all too well. He was like a little blushing violet, so innocent of the world. She wanted to just eat him up. He definitely went somewhere at her mention of a certain someone. She watched him for a moment, duel gaze soft and amused, before kissing his forehead. The gesture more motherly then flirting this time. “I’d say wherever you just went right there is more than a ‘no’” she teased him.

“But if you want to deny it, i’ll happily take more kisses well I can” she moved her head down further now, looking for the soft muzzle of the little white angel. “Mmm, tastes like clouds” she whispered, brushing her tongue across his coat around his nose.

"Speech"

Hikaru really did get transported somewhere other than with the beautiful woman in front of him. Bright silvery eyes fluttered and looked miles away where he’d finally make it back tonight. Curled tightly against Mortis as they did every night, sleeping the cold away as they snuggled. Keetie’s voice interrupted his thoughts and she called him out gently as her lips brushed against his red marked forehead. His answer was not really a ‘no’ and they both knew it but Hikaru was careful to avoid the truth. That’s not where he wanted to go and wasn’t appropriate for his friendship. He truly and deeply cared about Mortis, enough to know that he was not an option as a partner. He hated the thought of a girl taking his place but that’s what was right. Mortis needed to find his princess, not a reject koi like him.

Keetie continued, mentioning his denial again but seemed none to disturbed about the prospect of more Hika kisses. The boy was quickly overwhelmed by her affections as she leaned down to kiss him more passionately, and she mentioned his cloud like taste. Again he felt the massive guilt overwhelm him. He denied any romantic feelings but that didn’t mean that his heart did.

”What if…” he tried to pull away, his white fur only barely covering how red his skin had become. He was flush and hot and he could hardly handle the erupting emotions. ”What if I don’t know if they want my kisses?” He refused to say ‘he.’ He didn’t want to kiss Mortis, he even had trouble lying to himself.

He was overwhelmed, the poor little emotional cloud. He definitely had a sweetheart, even if he couldn’t admit it. She was going to lose him, one less little gift of kisses in her life. The art of monogamy was going to break her fragile little heart one of these days. She could scarcely bear the thought of all the wonderful little faces like Hika set to only one wolf, for the rest of their days.

Maybe she was a little selfish, but she couldn’t deny herself one last peek against his cheek before letting him pull away, and giving him some space. “Then start small, give them a peek on the cheek. See how they respond to it. But really, Hika. If you ask me, everyone’s going to want your kisses, with how soft your sweet cloud face is” she promised him. Hinting at the advantage of sharing those kisses with all

She settled onto her hunches so she didn’t tower over the small wolf, and smiled fondly at the boy. “So, give them a little peek, and if they seem to like it, then turn demurely towards them like this, open your stunning silver eyes at them. Catch their eyes through your lashes, draw them in. Mesmorise them, until they scarcely even realise your kissing them. Then, then it’s too late, and they’re already addicted” she whispered to him.

"Speech"