The boy wants him to keep talking forever! C;
Word Count → 481
Hati returned Niro's friendly smile, pleased that they had started off on such a good note together. He was puzzled, however, by the male's revelation of why he had been so difficult to locate. "A cave by the borders?" Hati repeated, tilting his head quizzically. Why would anyone choose to live like that? Perhaps he was spoiled, growing up in the grand Victorian house with beds to sleep in, and parents who would not only hunt for him, but also cook his meals. It just seemed... primitive, almost barbaric, to huddle in some burrow like wild rabbits. "You know you can have a house in town if you want, or a room at the Chien Hotel, there are plenty to choose from..." he pointed out slowly, not wanting to offend Niro -- but not comprehending why his family chose to shun the safety and luxury of an actual roof over their heads. Maybe they were just used to traveling without amenities, and didn't want to jump right into a new way of life. Hati took mental note anyway of the direction Niro was pointing, reminding himself to visit there later so that he could see Amaranth and the pups, make sure they were comfortable with their accommodations.
The Takekuro man let out a whistle, making sensitive Hati jump a little. He peered up at the silhouette of the bird in flight, waiting patiently to see her response. Nothing happened. He looked anxiously back to his brother-in-law, wondering what was supposed to have occurred, and was met with a nonchalant shrug. "Is she supposed to do something when you whistle like that?" he asked, inquisitive and serious as always. He liked to learn about everything, and falconry was a fascinating new topic. "Does that mean you can talk to her, like Alder can talk to horses? Is she intelligent? Does she know not to hurt your puppies?" His pale unblinking gaze was riveted now on Niro's face, wanting to know more. It was touching to think of him raising an egg, hatching the bird and tending to it like one of his children. Hati had yet to form that kind of bond with another, and felt a strange jealousy towards those with creature companions. He did not know if his future would hold a bird, a horse, a cat, or something else entirely, but he was eager to meet the animal he would share himself with.
"I didn't realize you trained the pigeons, too! You must really be in tune with birds. You... you wouldn't really eat them, would you?" he asked, his ears falling back tensely. He could not always grasp when someone was making a joke, though he did relax a little when Niro began laughing. He must have been kidding... right? If Marahute was so special to him, shouldn't his pigeons be that close to his heart as well?
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