[PRP] A Secret Path (Enki and Zecora)

[Wolfs Heart]

Zecora made her trips out to the jungle every few days at the same time. It just provided consistency that she always knew when she would be out of the tree for a while and would close up shop for a bit. She had spent the previous day doing inventory of her supplies and knew which things she needed to gather. Zecora had set paths that she stayed on that took her too all the different things she needed. It was all very organized. And yet, the reason behind her organization was not merely for the sake of consistency and not getting lost. A very special earth angel knew Zecora's routes and schedules as well as she did and it made meeting up with her very close friend all the easier.

At the Valentine's Day dance, Zecora and Enki had been struck by an arrow that made them believe that they were soul mates, but the effects of the arrow had worn off after that night. However, despite the false illusions the arrow had created... not everything they felt had been magic. The soul mate arrow had taught Zecora what it was to have a soul mate and she now felt the absence of hers. If anyone believed in destiny... Zecora did. However, she was still shy in her pursuits of love and things had been... slow... between her and Enki after that night, despite her feelings of attraction towards him.

Zecora thought about these things as she headed from the tree with her empty basket and down her path into the jungle. She smiled to herself as she hoped that Enki was around today. It wasn't long before Zecora saw a beautiful flower resting in the middle of the trail. No... it wasn't growing there, just as if someone plucked it and had set it down there just for her. Color came to her cheeks as she bent down to pick it up. She often found some of her newer ingredients in this manner, sitting in the trail waiting for her to come by. Zecora had an inkling... This flower, as Zecora turned it over, didn't seem to have any homeopathic uses, instead it was simply.... beautiful.  

[Twitchapher the 3rd]

Right on time.

Enki smiled to himself as he spotted Zecora finding his small gift. Ever since the big party he had been doing this. He quickly learned her paths and when she'd be traveling them. While she was in the tree he'd explore a bit by himself and find objects she hoped she needed or anything that he thought she'd like. Different herbs, shiny pebbles, anything that made him think of her. It wasn't uncommon of him just to leave the most beautiful flower he could find out for her, a silent way to show his affection for her. They never spoke about it though they both knew he was doing. Sometimes he just waited for her and joined her on her runs, though today was not one of those days. Today was different. He had laid out a different path for her to follow. Today he was finally going to ask her...At least he hoped he was going to ask her.

There was a lot of unspoken words between the two and what happened at the big party earlier in the year was one of them. Something happened at that party, something that made a small voice within him large and loud. About how he should be with her, how she was the one. It almost seemed like she knew it too! He was going to tell her, he was going to tell her that day but the snakes happened and they high tailed it out of there. Life returned to normal after that. He almost wish it hadn't.

Today was the day though. Today he was going to tell her how he felt. He had found a great spot too, a waterfall he found while exploring for goodies for her. He slowly moved back from his hiding spot, hoping she hadn't seen him though he had a feeling she knew he was there. He'd go on ahead. He just hoped she'd follow the flower trail he left her. He wasn't going to be more ready then he was today.  

[Wolfs Heart]

Twitchapher the 3rd

Did that tree's leaves move? Zecora could not be certain she had really seen it or not, it had been in the corner of her vision. It would not surprise her if her leafy friend was floating around here somewhere, so Zecora gave a quick glance around herself to see if she could spot him. If he was hiding she would pretend not to notice him, however she did not see him at all. Zecora tucked the flower behind her ear.

Zecora was ready to continue on her merry way when she noticed another out-of-place flower. The zebra paused, "Curious." she spoke to herself, as this flower seemed to be slightly to the left rather than directly in the center of the path as the previous one was. Zecora walked over to it and leaned to pick it up, placing this one in the basket because she did not have enough hair to fill with flowers.

Again, she looked around for that boy, was he playing a game with her? Zecora smiled as she looked around for perhaps another flower. There was another one, so far to the left it was no longer on the path. With her head tilted she pursued the next one. This went on for a long time, it felt like, and her basket was now so full of flowers she might not have any room for herbs!

Finally after so many, and not seeing him still, "Enki?" Zecora called out as she put another flower in her basket.  

[Twitchapher the 3rd]

Wolfs Heart

Enki had sat himself up in a tree along the path he had set up. His nerves were starting to get to him. What if she said no? He absentmindedly smoothed back the feathers on his head. He could always back out. He could just leave, add this to the pile of stuff not to be spoken about. Was he really ready for this?

He snapped out of his thoughts as he hear his name being called. She was always on time. He watched her as she picked up the flower. The trail ended here. Where he wanted to go was just a stone throw away after all. He took a deep breath to calm himself. No, he was doing this. He had to know. He couldn't always just hide. 'Now or never' he told himself in his mind. Now or never.

He waited for her to put the flower in her basket before deciding it was time. There was one more flower for her. He took careful aim before he dropped a red rose in front of her face, watching it land at her feet. If she didn't see it, she would have heard the sound of it landing on the ground. Now or never, now or never.  

[Wolfs Heart]

Twitchapher the 3rd

Zecora looked around again, in slight disappointment. The path of flowers she had been following didn't seem to go anywhere else and Enki was nowhere to be seen. When the last flower fell before her, Zecora pulled back her head in surprise, "Oh!" Rather then following the flower to the ground, her eyes bounced up to where ever the rose had come from. "Enki!" She called out to him as she spotted him up in the tree. She would always remember that he liked to be up in trees, it was that part of him that had gotten them off the ground and essentially saved them when they had been lost in the jungle together.

"You silly friend of mine!" She smiled up at him, waiting for him to come down and join her because it was a lot easier for him to come down than for her to go up. "I knew it was you all along! You are clever indeed, these flowers you have left me are most beautiful."  

[Twitchapher the 3rd]

Wolfs Heart

Enki smiled from his branch while giving a small wave before dropping down to the ground before her on all fours. In a swift motion he picked up the rose and stood up, offering the rose to her. "Hey Zecora. Been a little bit." He chuckled lightly as she mentioned the flowers. He was tempted to say something corny but opted not to. "Glad you liked the flowers, though there is still something else I want to show you." He spoke softly, in a different tone then he normal did. Softer. His nerves were shot and all he wanted to do was fly away but it was too late now. He had to do this. He had to do this for himself. For her.  

[Wolfs Heart]

Twitchapher the 3rd

"It has been too long my friend," Zecora responded as she accepted the rose from Enki. She put it to her nose to smell it, and then held it to her side as she quickly gave him a hug. "There is more to show?" Zecora asked curiously, her eyes narrowed, hearing his voice change. What was Enki up to. It had been quite the extravagant... even romantic... display that he had made her a trail of flowers leading to him, and him handing her the rose certainly kept in line with this possible romantic theme.

It would be somewhat out of the blue though, it seemed they had been avoiding and skirting around the issue of possible romance ever since the valentine dance. Zecora wasn't exactly sure why they avoided it, she knew in her gut that Enki was her destiny. She had come to accept that a lonely life was for her, so perhaps it was just difficult for her to let someone close to her in that manner.

"Lead the way Enki," her cheeks had changed shades with her thoughts, but she grinned at him all the same.  

[Twitchapher the 3rd]

Wolfs Heart

Enki smiled softly and nodded before gently taking her hands and starting to walk, leading her into the forest. He seemed calm but his heart was racing. He had stopped talking as his nerves took over. At least she seemed happy. For a moment there he wasn't even too sure she was paying attention. Well, that was good for him. Maybe she wouldn't catch onto him.

His ears flicked slightly as he heard the sound the water. "Just over here." He finally managed to speak out loud. It was only a few more minutes of walking before Enki moved some brushes to show Zecora the small waterfall and surrounding area. "I found this while I was exploring here. Pretty, isn't it? Reminds me of the jungle." Then again a lot of things reminded him of the jungle since he got back. Enki shifted to the side so Zecora could explore a bit.  

[Wolfs Heart]

Twitchapher the 3rd

Since Enki was being quiet, Zecora did not speak either. Instead, she listened to the sounds of the forest, enjoying the peacefulness. At one point she closed her eyes, letting Enki lead her since he had her hands. Zecora began to hear the water as soon as Enki did, her eyes fluttered open as he began to talk again.

She gave him a curious smile, she had a feeling he was leading her towards the waterfall since the sound was getting louder. "Oh it is most beautiful, Enki." She said as he revealed the waterfall. Zecora moved forward, not letting go of Enki's hand, so pulling him along with her and dipped her feet into the water at the base of the waterfall. She closed her eyes again. "This place is so tranquil." she whispered.  

[Twitchapher the 3rd]

Wolfs Heart

Enki smiled as she light up at scene he had found. She was happy. That was all he wanted. He hadn't expected her not to let go, getting dragged a long with her to the waters edge. He smiled lightly as she tested the water with her hooves, following her lead and dipping his own toes into the water. "Ya, it is. I thought you'd like it here." Enki spoke as he looked out to the falls before giving her hand a little squeeze. It just felt so right to be here with her, holding hands and looking at the water. As much as he wanted to just remain silent, he couldn't let this be another thing they just didn't speak about.

"So...Zecora. I was ummm." Enki started to stumble over this words. It dawned on him he never planned out how he was going to word all this. He felt his heart race. This was going to go no where fast at this rate.  

[Wolfs Heart]

It was so peaceful, the sound of the waterfalls, the water lapping at her feet, and Enki there beside her. "I do, very much so." Enki repeated with a soft voice, not wanting to disturb the tranquility of the location. When he squeezed her hand, she returned it, looking over at him. She tilted her head as he began speaking, and then paused. Zecora quickly looked around them, behind herself especially. Last time Enki had spoken in this manner there had been giant snake creatures in their presence and she had never found out what it was that Enki had meant to tell her.

Seeing that there was nothing interrupting the moment, she looked back at Enki. "What is it, Enki? You can tell me." She squeezed his hand again, trying to comfort him.

Twitchapher the 3rd

 

[Twitchapher the 3rd]

Enki looked over to Zecora as she squeezed his hand. He couldn't help but smile softly. They've been through so much after all. Well, he really didn't do much before her at least. Before her there was a lot of boredom. Since meeting her it had been nothing but adventures. Could he really see himself without her now after everything?

He looked back to the waterfall silently and gave her hand another squeeze. "I've been wondering for awhile if you well...Just maybe...Would consider...Well..." He stumbled over his words again before letting out a breath. "Would you be willing to have me as your boyfriend?" He finally managed to get the wrote words out. He bit his lip and waited for her response.

Wolfs Heart

 

[Wolfs Heart]

Twitchapher the 3rd

She looked at him curiously as he struggled to get the words out, her heart even began to pound faster. What could he possibly want to say that would be so difficult. Zecora's lips parted from her breathlessness when he finally asked her. The female grinned. It already felt like he was her boyfriend, they certainly weren't just friends, at least in her mind. Zecora had never had a boyfriend though so she never knew how to make the full transition from being friends to... more. "Oh Enki!" The zebra faun giggled, it was such a silly, yet romantic way, that he had asked her. "Of course!"  

[Twitchapher the 3rd]

Wolfs Heart

Enki looked over with a grin creeping up on his face. Did she really say yes? She really said yes.He felt a huge weight lift from his chest. He gave her hand a squeeze again before looking out to the water. Everything was just so perfect. The day, the forest, just being with her. He was just happy. Happy to be here in this moment. He didn't even speak. He didn't need to. He knew she felt the same as he did, and that's was what mattered the most to him in this moment.  

[Wolfs Heart]

Twitchapher the 3rd

"Perhaps we should sit down?" Zecora asked him. Now that they had actually established what they were and were no longer beating around the bush, avoiding any and all conversation of feelings... she wasn't sure where to go next. Zecora let go of his hand so that she could sit down on the ground, although her feet remained in the water. She looked up at him expectantly, waiting for him to join her. "I have had these feelings for you for so long now..." Zecora admitted, her voice becoming serious. "I know in my mind that we were under strange, magical influences at dis party, yet, in my heart I believe it was fated."