It felt like there was a whole flock of butterflies in her stomach as she approached him, rather cautiously as if he might be some dangerous animal that would bite at her. Maybe it wasn’t butterflies at all but the connection between them that she felt. Would it always be like this? If so she wasn’t sure she could stand it, always feeling like her stomach was doing summersaults. He had just been leaving, she thought, as her greeting rang through the trees toward him, and though she was sure he had heard her he didn’t turn around immediately. For a few moments that seemed much longer than they actually were they both just stood there, swathed in the patchy light that filtered down through the pine boughs above. After what seemed like forever he finally turned and the icy blue of her eyes met the warm brown of his own.

She could feel the pull in her chest once more, like the day they had met at the gathering. Something that soothed and calmed the nerves she still felt, though not quite as harshly as before. As much as he was a veritable stranger, she felt like she knew him, she could trust him. Though she wasn’t sure what the future would hold for them now, she was quite sure she wouldn’t be able to continue avoiding him as she had before. Not to mention that he looked almost as terrified as she felt which made her feel more at ease. After what felt like forever, though was truly barely any time at all, he responded. His voice was soft but with an undercurrent of strength and resolve she couldn’t help but appreciate. His reply to her name was surprisingly formal and chivalrous, she hadn’t met anyone who spoke the way he did before and it intrigued her.

When he finished awkward silence fell between them again as she searched for the right words to say, shifting her weight on brindled legs. Was it supposed to be this difficult? Her parents made it sound like interacting with your imprint should be the easiest thing in the world. “You too, Halcyon,” she managed finally, tilting her golden capped head and offering him the barest hint of a somewhat forced smile. “Do.. Do you want to go for a walk?” It was the only thing that came to mind, and at least it would stop them from staring at each other. She didn’t know if he had ever really been up into the mountains before, but perhaps there were one or two spots she could show him. Moving to the side she makes room for him to cross the border and walk beside should he choose to do so.