We'll Sit and Watch the Sky Fall Down

While they settled in, with the smaller wolf leaning into his side, Kumiho happily received her cuddles and allowed Kitsune to use him as a living pillow while they snuggled beneath the swirling auroras and haunted moonlight. He noticed her nibbling with careful measure on the small assortment of snacks he'd brought, still conducting herself with all the grace and decorum befitting a princess. It made the young brute snicker and smirk at her, nudging her gently with his shoulder. "You don't have to show off your highbrow finishing school manners to me, y'know. There's no reason to stand on ceremony, nor call to impress anyone." He motioned with a tip of his nose to the pieces of jerky and dried fruits. "You must be hungry." As if to prove his point, Iho ripped a sizable chunk from his stick of jerky until his cheeks bulged almost comically, devouring it with little care for appearance. He knew how important Kitsune took her role, but at the end of the day, she was just as much wolf as he was, and even princesses needed time to unwind and be themselves.

The show the dolphins put on was exquisite and beautiful, the porpoises playing amidst the salty sea and performing noble feats of aquatic acrobatics for the two wolves on the shore. Iho smiled widely, glad they hadn't missed the migratory pods. The scenery alone would have been nice, but this... this was exactly why he wanted to bring Kit here. He heard the small sniffle beside him and turned to catch Kitsune leaning further into his side, trying to hide her welling emotions and ultimately failing. The arctic wolf smirked, but didn't say anything to call her out. He really did feel like a bad influence to her, encouraging her to act as herself and defying all the properness her parents had spent so much time instilling in her. But did he care? Eh...

"Good. You deserve nothing but good days in your life, Kit," he replied, using his bushy tail to swat playfully at her rump. When Kit shifted and moved, Iho's eyes returned to her, watching curiously while she rummaged about in her bag for a moment, then produced a small cloth package. Raising a brow, Iho took the gift from her. She'd remembered his birthday too! Granted, they both shared the same birth season, but the sentiment touched him all the same. "Aww Kit, you really didn't have to. But thank you," he said, acting in his usual bold, rakish manner by leaning over to go to place a light nuzzle behind her ear. Deft paws unwrapped the gift, and what lay inside took Iho completely off guard.

Careful paws lifted the thin steel bands, turning the shiny silver metal cuffs over to inspect them. They were meticulously crafted, flawless with a subtle brushed texture to the metal. On each band was etched markings that resembled flames, set in striking red enamel. Iho's mouth hung open while he studied the bands, turning them over again and again. They were, without a doubt, the finest gift he had ever received in his life! The gift that only someone of highborn status could give, and so very distinctly Kitsune. "Kit, I... These are stunning!" He almost felt like he should refuse such a gift, for they were far too fine for a wayfarer like himself, but that would be rude. Slipping them carefully over his paws until they rested snug over his forelegs, Iho watched the way the moonlight reflected off the steel. They were perfect in every possible way.

"Speech"