The bastard brother could not for the life of himself figure out why Akuji even thought it semi-okay to try an marry off his daughter. And the irony lay within the fact that it did not bother Horizon to marry his niece, once removed (or something of the sort) but rather it was the fact that it was an arranged marriage. Part of his escape from Farant’s grasp had been his escape from their customs, for the most part. Horizon had known that eventually Farant would have found a suitable mate for him so that his line would carry on and stay servants to the royal lines to come. That was how it would have been… but he had left before the idea had been put to use. He had left that life far, far behind him. He thought Akuji would have too, but here they were standing with hackles raised, ivories glittering. Horizon gruff voice was hoarse as it was but now he would come away with barely any voice at all. My daughter listens to me and will do what I tell her to do! I do not expect you to rape her, just marry her! The idea of rape is horrendous, but feelings can develop over time! I trust you, brother mine, to be gentle with her and wait until she is ready and willing. She would be safer with you than with most others, her life would be better. But the bastard would hear none it for multiple reasons, some stemming from Farant and others because of the morals he had developed. His voice continued to raise, clearly displeased with the idea but rather than cut out the only family he had left Horizon made a sort deal with Akuji, he promised to meet Shasta on the principle that, that was that would happen. They would meet, get to know each other and see where it went from there. And this elicited a hearty laugh from his brother, That is all I could ever hope for, friend. She is wonderful and lovely, my darling little Shasta. You will surely love her, even if she doesn't have the same feelings at first for you. And like I said... You don't have to take her as your mate... Just your wife. Horizon opened his mouth to protest but was cut short by Akuji’s voice once again. It was settled, Horizon would meet Shasta back at Munashii’s borders. And he ought to have gift for her. Horizon stood there, almost dumbfounded. What have I gotten myself into…

His lean torso twisted and turned as he turned for home, Munashii Gekko. A hare was what Shasta like, but no flowers. Horizon’s bloody crown drooped into a shaking motion, mumbling to himself. It was winter! Where in the hell was he supposed to find a hare… Prey Plateau was his first detour. His blackened stilts hurried into a gallop as he knew time was limited and he had to be there, sharp and on time. And still looking presentable. Because for as much as Horizon hated the idea of being ‘set up’ he couldn’t help the bubbling need to look his best. As he crested the plateau his eyes caught sight of a hare sitting in the snowy banks its back turned to the demon. Horizon stepped silently through the fresh, fallen snow, his limbs bent to lower his fiery frame into the white mesh hiding him from sight. It was not long before the hare was just tail lengths from his grasp. His haunches lowered and his muscles contracted prepping his launch. His vision settled on the small creature and in mere seconds his canines bit into the soft flesh, the crack of its spine echoing in his ears. The creature hung limply from his mouth, dead. This will have to do His gaze trailed to the sky, the suns position had shifted somewhat, his time was running short. His blackened stilts propelled him across the plateau and back to the lower regions of Blossom Forest, the scenery blurred as he raced for home, hoping to Fernis he made it back in time to prep himself and clean up the bloodied hare just a bit.

The evergreens of Munashii swallowed him within the hour. The entrance of his den and the creek running by it appeared within minutes of his crossing the border. Horizon halted by the creeks edge, the hare dropped his paws and he dipped his muzzle into the water washing away the blood of his kill before he licked away the leaking blood on the hare’s neck. The only visible marks of death were the puncture wounds from his grasp. Horizon stared into his watery reflection checking himself for fly away hairs and such, but he was lucky to see the wind had slicked his fur only his spine erasing any sign of his earlier engagement with Akuji. The only major problem was the husky sound of his voice, the scratched undertone. His baritone lyrics had healed slightly, but the extreme amount of yelling had left a mark of huskiness. But it did not seem a bad thing, but he had no time to worry as Akuji’s howl rang out through the trees cutting short his time alone. The herculean took one last glimpse of himself before he picked up the gift and disappeared into the evergreens once again.

Horizon’s sleek torso slipped through the needles coming into view of Akuji and who he could confidently assume as Shasta. A smile graced his kissers as he walked towards the pair, he placed the hare at Shasta’s paws. His bloody crown dipped to her before he back away. His form still standing taller than either of the kalak’s, Shasta it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. And it is good to see you again Akuji. I welcome you both to Munashii Gekko. Horizon looked to each of them. It was as he looked over the duo that he couldn’t help the rise of heat in his chest. Shasta was beautiful, that could not be denied. He looked to Akuji, hoping the brute couldn’t see the change of heart that was occurring. Horizon swallowed, telling himself that it was nothing. There was nothing there. At least that was what he tried to tell himself.