Beauty in the mist

On the verge of giving up, he takes a step away from the tree. Maybe the ground had gotten firmer so her paws wouldn't be leaving visible tracks anymore. But through the fog, her scent was much stronger right at this tree. His monochrome gaze peers more, looking back at the tree, at the bark, finally noticing claw marks that resembled something close to a feline. Could she seriously have?

It's then that the piece of bark falls from above and bops him right between his horns. A little sound of surprise leaves him as his chin tilts upward. When his eyes finally land on her smaller form perched in the tree above, he can't help but laugh. A deep sound that resonates directly from his chest. There's even a little shake of his head as he shows her a smile - one that he doesn't often show others. "Alright, you win," he says as he leans back for a second, shifting his weight so that he can lift up his front half. Placing both of his front paws against the tree, stretching as high up as he can, he then stretches his neck out toward Clove.

"Do I dare ask how you managed to get up there?" Akito questions, his smile slipping back into a smirk. His gaze lingers on her, somewhat unashamedly taking her in. She seems different, more grown, more... feminine since last time they'd been together.