With the gentle thudding of his hooves against the soft grass, Rhael made his way through the forest, his thoughts singularly focused on finding you. The morning sun filtered through the dense canopy above, casting a warm, golden light that danced between the leaves, highlighting the path before him. The forest was alive with the sounds of nature, but Rhael's mind was quiet, attuned only to the task at hand.

You had ventured out earlier that morning, intent on gathering herbs for your afternoon medicine practice. However, as the hours passed, Rhael found himself growing increasingly restless. You were taking longer than he had anticipated, and the unease gnawing at him was something he couldn't ignore. It was unlike him to be so anxious, yet the thought of you alone in the woods stirred a concern he wasn’t accustomed to feeling.

As he crossed through a cluster of bushes, his tail swaying in rhythm with his steps, his eyes finally landed on you. There you were, crouched in front of a patch of vibrant green. He watched as you tied the pouch securely, slipping it into your satchel before rising to your full height.

For a moment, Rhael simply stood there, captivated. He hadn't even realized he was staring until the familiar warmth in his chest reminded him of the thoughts that had been plaguing him lately.

He took a quiet breath, steadying himself before speaking. “Little apprentice,” he called out, his voice calm but edged with softness. As he approached, he was careful to keep his distance, respecting the space between. “You surely took your time. What has captured your attention so thoroughly that it prevented you from returning to me?”

His tone was measured, but there was an undercurrent of something more—an unspoken worry, a hint of impatience. He didn't want to reveal how much your absence had unsettled him, yet his heart betrayed him, thudding a little too loudly in his chest when your eyes finally met his.