Silent but Friendly {{ Pop }}

Hari supposed it was a good thing that the child was so blissfully aware of the forest. It would be more difficult to pacify him while he navigated the roots and the rocks and chose paths out of the dinosaurs and the wolves' way. Walking barefoot made this task easier, but out of the path, he couldn't help but step on sharp-edged barks or particularly pointy rocks.

As they reached the entrance to the heart of the forest, this was the furthest way most humans could get. Anything beyond here would be unwise if the forest didn't assist them.

Hari felt bad for bringing another person here. The last time he did, they got attacked by wolves. This was... a child. Hari took off green scarf given to him by Hal and wrapped it around Yikmo's neck, anticipating the cold to follow.

"Stay close to me and don't engage any of the animals inside, all right?" he told Yikmo softly as they entered the thick lining of trees. Hari could feel a few things skulking nearby. That was not a good sign. "It's very dangerous. You could get hurt."

As the sun finally set and the shadows grew thicker like black oil, Hari began to follow the unknown path only made for him by the plants around the area, keeping a tight grip on the child.

He couldn't shake off the feeling that they were being followed.

This was difficult, especially with a child in his presence. If it were only him, he would've lost the pursuers some time ago. Hari picked Yikmo up and sped his pace up, going through the thick bushes and sharp brambles of the forest without a care for the damage on his limbs. When he saw a nearby cave, he and Yikmo went inside, hoping to wait out whatever threat was outside.

Hari placed Yikmo down on a soft patch of grass and waited for the threat to pass. For a few moments, Hari was dead still as he heard soft footsteps on the blades of grass behind them, holding Yikmo close so he wouldn't make a sound. After that... nothing.

Hari reached up to touch the flowers in his hair. There were a lot. Well, he did love flowers in his hair. He was trying to imagine how he looked and it wasn't anything less than "cute." He gave Yikmo a bright smile. "Thank you," he said.

The danger has passed, more or less. Hari exited the hole they entered and held Yikmo's hand. Now that they were out, he couldn't make heads or tails of the terrain.

Rocks made things so needlessly complicated, at times.

"I don't suppose you know how to go back?"

"I..." Hari shrugged and followed Yikmo, standing close to make sure he can grab him if anything happened. "After that, let's go home. This place really isn't really safe."