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"I swear, everytime I give in to going on some trip with you, we end up getting lost."
Kaden's lost count at this point. It would actually be safe to say that everytime Keaton and him go off exploring they end up losing track of where the campgrounds are and inevitably getting lost entirely in an unknown location.
Keaton is a very adventerous person which is why offers to go out on these trips always seems enticing. His personality also shines out with these outings; his (very poorly) hidden excitement causing his tail to wag to the extreme as well as his constant assurance to see if you're enjoying being in a new location as much as he is. Kaden found it very... cute.
It's always a bit of an internal battle of "having fun exploring new areas with an equally fun guy" or "getting frustrated with the inevitability of getting lost" when being asked by him to go on an adventure. Kaden usually falls for the former.
"At this point I'm not sure why I come with you when you do these things." Kaden lies. He knows exactly why he goes though he isn't exactly happy with it.
Keaton huffs slightly, in response to being lost yet again as well as Kaden's comment. "Y'know, you could always turn down the offer when I come to you asking if you'd like to explore. It's not like I'm desperate for you to come or anything."
That would be somewhat of a lie coming from Keaton, similarly to Kaden. Keaton absolutely loves going on these adventures especially with Kaden. Of course, if he wanted it, Keaton wouldn't object to him turning him down. However, he would definitely be a heartbroken pup.
"I mean," Keaton continues, "one of the biggest reasons I ask you more is because you're able to keep up with me. Call it "Beast Camraderie" or something, but humans are just not built to go fast like us."
Kaden crosses his arms and lets out a tiny sigh. Keaton isn't wrong there. Wolfskin are surpisingly fast despite their fluffy-looking beast appearance. Any normal human would have much difficulty following-up with him. Kaden being a Kitsune allows him to do so with relative ease.
"...Do you not enjoy being out with me?" Keaton asks.
That question sends a dagger through Kaden's heart for some reason.
"A-ah! I do loving going on these adventures, Keaton!" Kaden eases his worries. "It's just... I'm really not excited when it comes to being lost, and... you're really bad with directions."
Keaton pouts.
"Despite that, I do enjoy being with you, though."
Keaton's tail wags in spite of his pouting.
Keaton can at least maybe, somewhat, sorta understand that he's bad with directions. Kaden's frustrations aren't totally unwarranted in that regard.
"Well..." Keaton reaches his hand behind his head and scratches his rugged white hair. "I'm sorry about us getting lost. Again. I'm glad you at least enjoy these times, though."
So there they both stand. Both incredibly lost and unsure of where to head to reach base. The whole idea behind being lost for beasts who should be able to find their way around areas easily is unfavorable.
Kaden walks towards a tall, sturdy looking tree. This tree could definitely support a very good amount of weight, so scaling it might be a good idea. Not that Kaden weighs all that much (especially in his Kitsune form) though the sturdiness is more reassuring. He clutches onto his beaststone and transforms within a blink of an eye.
I'm going to climb this tree to get a vantage point. Kaden forwards a message towards Keaton. Please keep a look out while I do so.
"Uh... alright. Be careful." Keaton replies. Kaden was always one for smart ideas... so long as he doesn't get hurt. If he does get hurt then it was a stupid idea.
Kaden glides from branch to branch with ease. Kitsunes are very graceful and precise when it comes to their agility. It truly is a sight to behold seeing Kaden ever so easily scale the tree. The confidence in his movements. The beauty--
"Snap out of it." Keaton lightly slaps his face with both of his hands.
Kaden makes it to the highest branch on the tree and scouts the area. An ocean of trees is all he is able to make out from where he stands. Disappointment. However, out from the corner of his eye he does spot a lake. It's not too much but heading there might at least help them ground themselves.
Kaden slides down the tree and backflips towards the base-end of it, sticking the landing in front of Keaton, and transforming back into his human form with complete elegance.
"Always a show-off, eh?"
"Hehe, it's what I do best!"
"So, were you able to find anything?" Keaton asks, brushing off that show.
"Yes!" Kaden answers. "I was able to spot a lake nearby. It's not a base but I think it would be a good idea to travel on over there so we have some access to water and getting our barings together."
Keatons nods and Kaden takes the lead towards the lake. A lake... It would be nice to get some hydration after being out for gods knows how long.
"Ah, we're here!"
Keaton and Kaden emerge from the dense forest and arrive on a decently wide clearing. The water from the lake shining brilliantly from the full moon overhead. It truly is beautiful at this time of night. Keaton wants to jump in.
He thinks Kaden can sense this as he shoots him a look. It may not be the best time to go for a swim considering the circumstances they're currently in but that definitely won't stop Keaton from thinking about it.
They both approach the body of water and take generous amounts of water in their hands and drink. The water is incredibly cool and refreshing. Whatever is in this water must contain some magical soothing properties because both beasts calmed down afterwards. Maybe dehydration was really the big issue after all.
No, being lost is still number one.
"Man," Keaton starts, "That was nice. I'm really glad you were able to spot this place. You're a lifesaver."
Kaden smiles smugly at the compliment. "Of course! We Kitsune are quite good when it comes to navigation."
"Yet we're still lost, aren't we?"
"..."
At this time of night it probably wouldn't be the best option to continue wandering around. They were lucky enough to find an area with a source of water and a light source (if you consider the moon a lightsource; as Keaton does). It would make no sense to leave it for the time being.
Keaton scratches the back of his head. "Mmm... There's really no reason to leave this place right now. Why don't we rest here while we wait for morning when the sun's out?"
Kaden nods in agreement.
The two beasts clear out the twigs in the area they're going to spend the night on. It's a little patch of grass near the lake that exudes comfortability. This could work as a temporary bed instead of sleeping on the dirt. Kaden couldn't be happier.
Kaden plops himself down on the grass while Keaton follows-suit, grunting softly as he lowers himself.
"Ahh... My muscles are killing me from all this walking." Keaton comments, rubbing the side of his right thigh. "I love an adventure but all this walking is killer."
Kaden sits up, pushing his legs towards his chest, locking them between his arms, and rests his head on his knees.
"I'll say. I'm glad we have this place to stay, though. It's pretty comfortable!" Kaden's tail swishes to the side grazing the grass.
Keaton places his hand on it, taking in a bit in his palms. It is pretty soft.
...
Silence fills the space between them. Kaden decides to break it.
"... and... I'm really glad to be here with you."
Keaton's eyes widen a bit as he stares at his fox friend. That comment came out of nowhere.
"Huh?" Keaton questions. "Are... you really glad? Why? I thought being lost would be a bad thing."
"The circumstances could be better, yes, but still I'm enjoying my time with you. You... somehow always make getting lost fun."
Keaton's tail is going a mile a minute.
"W-Well... I'm glad that you're glad. I mean, I don't really care that much about this, but if you feel that way then I suppose I can too."
"Keaton, your tail wagged so much it ripped out some of the grass beneath it." Kaden says, pointing towards the new dirt patch formed underneath his tail.
Keaton shifts his body, doing his best to cover the dirt area while hiding his tail. He looks like he's pouting a bit from the call-out based off of his lowered ears and tint of red on his cheeks.
Kaden chuckles lightly. So cute!
Kaden moves himself towards the Wolfskin, closing the gap between them a considerable amount. The closeness is definitely new to Keaton but definitely not opposed.
Keaton turns his head towards the Kitsune who, in return for his acknowledgement, gives him a warm smile.
Kaden then turns his head towards the lake. Keaton copies.
"It's really beautiful tonight. I feel like I have some serious competition between me and this lake!" Kaden jokes, probably.
--- WIP... delayed but someday... ---