Is it spring yet?

Hanako didn't belong here. Her colourful pelt stood out bright and blaring as she moved through the shadows cast by the overhanging branches of the willows. It was lovely here, dark and hidden, a shady little paradise to call her own. She'd been without her Keepers for quite some time, and despite the fact she knew that it was wrong she found herself enjoying the solitude, like she could finally breathe. She liked The Keepers well enough and appreciated all that they did for her but sometimes she just wished that she didn't have to pretend . She'd gotten awfully good at it mind you, good enough to even convince herself, but in quieter moments like this it truly felt as though a massive weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Like she could simply exist without judgement or appraisal, even if only for a little.

She continued on, the branches brushing against her spine as she slipped through a curtain of leaves. And then she noticed him, a dark stranger lingering in the shadows.

"Oh!" She cheeped, flinching a little in surprise.

And there she thought she'd been all alone, that she'd found a private, quiet little space to have all to herself. It was selfish really but she couldn't help but feel a pang of frustration as her lips turned down in a sulky little pout. How unfair! She never asked for much but the world didn't even seem to want to grant her a little privacy! Then she caught herself, a little shocked at how worked worked up she'd gotten over the simple appearance of a stranger. Besides, if anything she was the one who'd barged in on him, she had no right to think like that. And just like that she slipped back into her role, like it was her natural state of being.

She dipped her head, low and apologetic. All polite and proper and perhaps a little kiss-assey. When she raised her head she took a moment to look him over, he was a bit of a strange sight with sabre fangs and pointed barbs, dark earthy colours that blended him seamlessly with their surroundings. But as The Keepers had once said, it was not her place to judge the looks of others. Hypocritical of them for sure, but she'd never questioned their words before, so why would she start now?

"I didn't mean to intrude." She offered him a soft, easy smile.