[Arrow Rinehart]

Arrow wondered how long it had been since he'd gotten out? The fox found himself actually just sitting at the park bench here, eyes glancing over the hazy sky as the tod realized that he'd been bundled up in the general living arrangement for some time. While certainly he made the most of decorating his household, securing general supplies, it was little more than living. He'd been on a few missions perhaps, but the vulpine felt as if he did not do his part yet. Perhaps the stress of thinking and planning, attempting days of practice carefully, it was all a wonderful study in motion. Still he'd been possessed by something today, he thought to get out of the house and to just explore some more of the park today. At least now, he'd been to this part but a few times on his own. He'd found peace amid the return to nature and generally quiet surroundings, the fresh air bringing the fox back to reality after he'd mentally drifted. He was not going to be here alone for terribly long, at least as he'd contacted Krystal and checked if she had some free time; he thought it might be nice to just spend time in the company of a comrade and a friend. Certainly as one of those people that he'd connected with since arriving, he gradually felt less and less troubled by his loneliness, as he used memories of the past and new ones made with those others since his arrival to remain steadfast and vigilant.

"It really is kind of nice out here...hm, and it seems at least some others enjoy it." Though the statement itself was a little silly to make, more to himself, than anyone else. As he eyed just a few other individuals in the park, he couldn't help but feel strangely content after speaking it. Perhaps something in mentioning it just made him feel a bit more kindred with things and people around here. He was very much one to enjoy that connection, the one he felt that he was forging with Li and those friends of his that were few that he'd gathered. Once more he drifted off in thought, with his cowl resting at the base of his hood, freely leaving the fox, his bangs, and at an angle, the green gemstone resting upon his forehead visible to any onlookers.

[heirtothemonado]

Krystal wandered through the park, taking in the beautiful, if somewhat hazy, morning air. It had been a while since she had gotten the chance to walk around like this, and this wasn't just a normal walk in the park, either. When Krystal had received that letter from Arrow asking her to meet him she was....surprised, to say the least. She hadn't seen hide nor fur of Arrow since they had got kicked out of the Comet months ago, so suddenly receiving a letter from him was unexpected, but welcoming all the same.

Sure enough, Krystal spotted the little fox on a bench nearby, sitting in his cloak and tunic, apparently waiting for her to show up. Not one to keep a friend waiting like that, Krystal walked up to him and sat down next to him 

"Hey Arrow! Haven't seen you in a while!" Krystal greeted him, a smile already forming on her lips. She wasn't sure why, but Arrow always made her feel really happy, and now was not exception. "I wasn't expecting a letter from you, but I'm glad I got it! What have you been up to since the Comet? I haven't heard from you since then" she asked. She wondered if Arrow was working on something by himself. Or maybe he was just getting bored staying in his house for so long. Either way, it was good seeing him again.

[Arrow Rinehart]

Perking up fairly quick at the sound of some approaching footsteps, the fox's face brightened sincerely at the sight of the taller, blue vixen. First the round of excitement came down, as any bond easily forged by the fox was hardly forgotten. Once she'd greeted him, he chimed right up in return, unable to keep the smile from his words. 

"Hey Krystal! It has been quite a while, its great to see you!" listening intently to her about both receiving his letter and then asking him about what he'd been doing, he let off a little laugh first. He had gotten reclusive unintentionally, though he'd never been certain as to what caused the response of his, being it fear or just something that had his mind so well distracted. But as he put those thoughts to active thought, the tod was able to answer the question with some accuracy.

"I knew it was time to get out of my usual daily grind, so out that letter went!" the words coming with a bit of a smile as he spoke of what he'd been up to since the Comet itself. "In terms of what I've been doing, it was a bit of time to see round myself out. I admit, I was quieter for so long because of some fear I developed during the Comet, I started worrying if something spooked me about my foundations: why I do what I do." though he knew this was starting to sound a bit worrying, he persisted and went on with the little tale to tell.


"I just had a small shake up, but I got over it, a week or two of rest and I was fine. Then I've been spending too much time training harder, working on my skills. I forgot there was more to it than that! Ha...well, I've been a house hermit for too long. I am hoping to spend more time with my friends. So thanks again for coming out!"  being one to admit he'd been more shaken than he'd imagined, the confidence had briefly lacked, before he found his strength of conviction again. He was sure he wouldn't be shaken up that easy again.

[heirtothemonado]

Krystal grew quiet when Arrow talked about how shaken he was after the Comet. She remembered that. Arrow had gotten hit by...some sort of mental attack, and it had shown him something that unnerved him greatly. It had looked like, after a bit of a pep talk from the blue vixen herself, that he had gotten over it. However, it seemed like that issue when a bit deeper then Krystal had first thought. "Well....I'm glad to see you've worked everything out." Krystal said. She remembered how Arrow had felt back then, and didn't like it one bit. She couldn't imagine how he had felt for that entire week.

"It's a good thing you're keeping yourself in shape, too. being stuck inside for too long isn't very good for anyone, mentally or physically." Krystal noted. She had way too much experience with another friend with that problem, and he had only snapped out of it recently. She was glad Arrow had done the same before he'd fallen into the same trap.

Krystal got up from the bench, and waited for Arrow to follow her. "You're fine with just going on a bit of a walk, right?" Krystal asked. "It's beautiful weather today, perfect for a stroll. Maybe we'll find something along the way"

[Arrow Rinehart]

He was a bit glad to hear it really to share one last notion of the momentary drive into seclusion he'd taken. "I thought I was over it then too, as your words resonated with me, heck they really helped me calm down a great deal. And I used it as the part of notion to grow past my moment of quiet. I guess there were just a few hurdles, and fortunately I was able to clear them."

After the compliment to his shape, he perked up a little more and let his fingers twiddle over one of his tail tips as he hopped to his feet. "Thanks for that, Krystal. I have been trying to make sure I don't lay around too much. Lethargy is a sad trap to be stuck in, but it is something I can understand." though he didn't linger on it too long, the idea of walking sounded great to him. He'd sat around long enough he felt, it was time for a leisurely stroll.

"That sounds great to me, Krystal. Let's go, I'm certain we'll happen across something along the way. That and stretching one's legs is excellent in mind in general!" The energy in the young tod's voice was a good sign that much of what he'd been known for: energy and otherwise aside was just a great deal replenished by his time away.

[heirtothemonado]

Krystal waited for Arrow to catch up to her, then started walking alongside the five-tailed fox as they walked through the park. It was a pretty nice day out, and the park wasn't even that crowded, so they didn't have to wade through crowds of people to get anywhere, either. It was just a nice, relaxing stroll through the park, although Krystal didn't speak much, letting Arrow voice whatever thoughts he might have.

As they walked, Krystal glanced at Arrow every so often. She couldn't place it, but there was something off about him, at least, off comparing to how he was when she saw him last. Was it a lasting effect from that attack he had taken so long ago? Or was it something else? Krystal didn't want to be as rude as to ask, and she certainly didn't want to search his thoughts. Krystal had gotten into trouble by looking into people's heads before, and she didn't want to go through that again. Especially not to Arrow. She couldn't do that to the little guy. So she kept quiet, still questioning herself about what exactly she thought was off about Arrow, but not saying anything...

[Arrow Rinehart]

Certainly while Arrow did not have any powers of the mind, he was one easy to sense a moment of either unease or something that reflected the mood of someone upon him. Perhaps it was just being mobian or the fact that he'd always been a little empathic towards others, he always worried about the concerns of how others felt around or near his person. Eventually the nervousness within the tod came up in question as he looked up at his friend and cleared his throat softly before speaking up. 

"Hey Krystal, is everything alright? I mean, I'm not trying to pry, but I can tell that there is something likely on your mind." the fox's face lightened up, though he was a little concerned all the same though, it was almost as if some part of him seemed to know. He'd looked on and let his fingers run through his cheek fur a moment, before his roaming mind might give things away themselves.

Nervous now, though all of his own doing, Arrow seemed to imagine that he might not be doing such a good job hiding things now. He'd had a crush on her, it wasn't like it was something to be so worried about, but it was his own! Composure was something that Arrow was decent with, at least in most cases overall.

"Gosh...I-I guess I can't hide a thing, huh?" A bit vague? Well that sounded about right, however, if Krystal had any thoughts about it before, Arrow's mind had been easy to hear, especially this close. It was easy to confirm the little fox's feelings about her. 

[heirtothemonado]

"Hmm?" Krystal snapped out of her train of thought when Arrow questioned her. "Oh, no, everything's alright..." It wasn't exactly a lie, but it wasn't one hundred percent true either. Krystal tried brushing Arrow's question off as nothing and keep on walking, but a pulse of thought echoed out from the smaller fox, and it wasn't something Krystal could ignore. How could she, when it was as unexpected as it was? It certainly caught her off guard, but she didn't want to say anything too blatant. After all, Arrow may not have meant for that thought to slip through the cracks. Turning to face the smaller fox, she saw the rather sheepish look on his face, and that confirmed her suspicions. Still, she didn't want to say anything outright. He seemed a little hesitant about it. It'd probably be better if she let him admit it himself.

"Arrow?" Krystal asked, crouching down so she could look him in the eye. "Is there something that you want to tell me? You don't have to if you don't want to, but I can sense that there's something on your mind." Krystal echoed the question that Arrow had asked her a few moments ago, this time not brushing it off, and giving Arrow her full attention.

[Arrow Rinehart]

Finding this to not be too big a surprise, Arrow couldn't help but take a moment feel a tiny bit childish? Oh not at the thought itself, but more as if he were keeping it some kind of secret while wearing it (or at least clues of it) out on his proverbial sleeve. He'd avoided a frown and in fact let off something of a relieved sigh, he was not about to let anything get awkward here or not. The little tod, though young, held a tiny bit of maturity where it counted and he could admit to himself that he too, wanted it out. Not like it was a burden, but more that it was something to be met head on. A small little molehill to step over and in order to ensure it wasn't a mountain built from silliness, he chuckled softly. It was out of a mix of irony, but it too, like the sigh had come off as relieved. 

"Well not sure if it will sound silly or even be a little kit crush of mine." he'd said this while he let his fingertips to rub against the side of his right cheek, but those foggy blue eyes focused upon Krystal's gaze and though a small blush lit his cheeks, it did not show in way of a stammer. Actually, his voice was calm and appeared to be quite balanced in tone.

"I think I like you Krystal, perhaps a tiny bit more than friendship. I think it might have blossomed from my respect for you, and I kinda feel like I've known you a long time. That strange little feeling of sorts, though I never was one to understand such things."  the smile remained a moment as he left her a moment to absorb that which he stated, though he wasn't finished quite yet. It wasn't like a grand speech, but he did want to end it positively, regardless of what might come of his confession. He'd felt satisfied with himself over it, coming clean and not trying to nervously beat around a bush, so to speak.

"And mostly, just thanks for hearing it out. I admit, its kinda nice to just get it out in the open." he knew it wasn't anything too hefty, and naturally he didn't want things to be weird between them. He was mature enough to be quite content with a friend like her and little more, part of him felt like he was a tiny bit silly over it: but the other half of him simply reminded that factual part of his mind, that logic had little involved with the way one's feelings swayed. Though not too silly, his brain was just deliberating over this quietly, and fortunately he was not beating himself up over it.

[heirtothemonado]

Krystal smiled a little at Arrow's confession. She thought as much from his thoughts, but she figured it was better for Arrow to say it himself then for her to tell him that she knew and embarrass him. Giggling slightly to herself, her blue-green eyes met Arrow's foggy blue ones. "Well...I'm flattered that you think that way about me, Arrow. But I'm not looking for anyone at the moment..." Krystal's gaze wavered. There was a history there that Krystal didn't want to delve into, although Arrow might be able to pick up on it. After a few seconds, her gaze sharpened, and her smile returned. "However...If you like, we could treat this as a quote-unquote 'date.' Just for fun, of course." Krystal had a warm look on her face. Even if she wasn't looking for a serious partner, there couldn't be harm in humoring Arrow for a little, right? He was a good friend, after all, and it took courage for him to admit what he did, even if Krystal knew about it beforehand. He deserved something for his efforts, at least. 

"So, Arrow..." Krystal started, getting to her feet, as she had been kneeling to look Arrow in the eye. "Where would you like us to go next?"

[Arrow Rinehart]

Arrow certainly had picked up on it, but he did not dare go into depth on it. The clouds that he saw in her eyes in reference to her past dating? Was not a very simple one, it was all the more reason to simply move past it. This was decided in all twenty seconds on his end, he'd made his way onto the next subject such as the 'what' they could do. He was excited even to be entertained slightly, he knew it wasn't serious, but that was quite okay! He'd only take it so seriously after all, though above all else he was happy enough to take the impromptu outing together for its fun quality. "How's about we have a little walk to a food stand and get something to eat? We can just make a nice walk of it, maybe light conversation? Just keeping some amusement in the day, how's that sound?" 

That was the best of things for Arrow, he was easy to satisfy with many things. Including such a date of this kind, he was easy enough to entertain for certain. He'd been smiling gently and sweeping his tails around happily while giving her a little glint of his joy present in his eyes.