what friends are for

He couldn’t suppress a grin and a laugh, as Maxem promised to make sure any kids learned how to climb trees and caused problems. ”I don’t doubt it,” he murmured, finding himself excited at the thought of witnessing that. Even for himself, Hawk couldn’t wait to figure out how to play and go on adventures with kids. To do all of the things he’d done with his parents, and maybe more things he hadn’t.

He definitely had not anticipated that his friend would come to a complete halt and spin around at his next request, though. The ghost had to veer off suddenly to avoid crashing into the other, coming to rest just a few steps in front of a tree. He turned about quickly, arching a curious, though somewhat amused, brow.

”Finding flowers for Athena,” he answered after taking a couple of steps closer to the other again. ”I’d like to have something to give her, when I go to tell her how I feel. But this… stupid weather, is making them difficult to find.” It was not a very major problem in the grand scheme of things, he knew that. And it was also something he didn’t think Athena would hold against him, but even so. If they were talking about the future, and a possible lifetime together, he wanted to be able to give something to her, to commemorate the moment.

Flowers, Maxem inquired, sounding as though his interest had been piqued. Instantly, the kindly man volunteered his assistance with that task, too. The whole crispy and brown bit prompted the ghost to chuckle softly, although.. Hawk supposed that his friend was unfortunately probably right about that. And while Maxem was also correct about the statement that followed, that it was mostly the thought that counted, crispy and brown flowers were not something he wanted to give to Athena, if it could be avoided. 

"That is what they say. And I'm sure you're right.. that she wouldn't hold it against me, considering. But I hope we can do better," Hawk spoke. He wasn't exactly wholly confident of that, but he was at least a little bit hopeful. After all, healers and herbalists back home had managed to preserve herbs and things. There had to be a few flowers left, somewhere. "Just need to keep our eyes open, there's.. no rush to find them. I still have to think about where and how I want to tell her.." the ghost added with a shrug and a small smile. With the aid of his friend, keeping his eyes open as well, they had a better chance at least of finding something. 

"I really do owe you for this, too. If there's ever anything you want, or need.. my friend, just ask." Truly, Hawk was fortunate to have a friend like Maxem. The Vertok pack did seem to have its flaws, like anything.. but overall, it was a good place. 

Maxem took the opportunity to make a suggestion that Hawk hadn't really considered, up until this point. Just because he was giving her flowers didn't mean he had to confess to anything more. Were he less sure of these feelings, the Knight might have latched on to that sentiment and considered it for a time, but in that moment, he found himself shaking his head. "But I want to. I think she deserves to know how I feel.. and to make her choice based on that." Although he wouldn't exactly be lying if he continued on and didn't say anything to Athena, it still felt dishonest. But he also didn't want to pass up the opportunity to offer their mutual friend a chance at something more.

Just like he wanted to offer to Maxem, but in a different sort of a way. The pawn promised to ask if something important that he needed help with ever did come up, and Hawk opted to let that go with a smile and a nod. The topic quickly went back to flowers, however.

"I would guess.. further into the forest, where it's shadier. But.. just, keep your eyes open, there's no rush. I'd still be interested in attempting a climbing lesson," he hadn't forgotten about that. Nor the little joke he hoped to spring upon Maxem, in so doing.

Maxem wished him good luck, but professed that he thought she’ll fall head over paws for you. Coming from anyone else, the ghost would’ve doubted that claim. But with what he did know about Maxem’s relationship with their mutual friend, Hawk was inclined to believe him. Or, at least to believe that there was a good chance that he was correct.

The knight returned the grin of his friend, although said expression faded a little, as he observed just how effortless Maxem made the whole scaling a tree branch thing look. ”That all sounds like good advice,” he admitted, impressed. Not one to be dissuaded, Hawk moved to tentatively follow his friend's example and advice, seeking a fallen tree wedged between some others, and then beginning to climb the branches that he believed were thick enough to hold him. From there, the ghost started to carefully, make his way up. He was not overly fond of how unsteady the tree limbs were under his paws, especially, as he carefully balanced and climbed higher. Despite being named after a bird, this Hawk quickly came to the conclusion that he preferred being on solid ground.

There was, however, a strange sort of excitement to be had, standing in a tree above the ground. He was not as high as Maxem, but to look down on the ground from this perspective was interesting. In the heart of summer, when trees were thick with leafy growth, a wolf could very easily perch themselves even just a few branches up, and most would probably not see them. He would have to try this more.

Maxem, however, had his focus elsewhere. Flowers, he said, by the stump. Hawk’s ears perked in interest, and he glanced toward where his friend had gestured. And sure enough, guarded there, were a few flowers. A smile worked it’s way across Hawk’s face, as that was a win - but it also presented the perfect opportunity.

”Oh, good eye! Let’s - ah!” Intentionally, the ghost misstepped, losing his balance and tripping himself off the branch. He twisted midair to land on his side to avoid any damage to his limbs, but even with that, the impact still was jarring and knocked his breath away for a moment, though, but it was nowhere near as bad as he was going to pretend it was.

Growling as though in pain, the ghost wriggled about on the ground for a moment. ”Ow.. oh, my leg. It hurts..” he whined. A very small part of him felt bad for probably scaring the other man like this, but given how rare it was for him to have the opportunity to pull a prank on someone, he wasn’t going to pass on it.

Maxem was quick to descend from his perch amidst the trees, arriving at the side of the ghost in a full-on panic. That twinge of guilt was still there, and it grew at that moment. Hawk decided not to drag things out too long then, as his friend worriedly inquired as to whether something was broken. ”Yes, I think.. something might be broken,” he managed, allowing a wry grin to develop across his countenance at that.

”Your streak of managing to play jokes on me, that is,” the ghost continued, gathering his limbs beneath himself to sit up then, demonstrating that he was, in fact, alright. But, with how shaken his friend has seemed, the knight also did not want to leave it at just that. All of Maxem’s pranks had been innocent, not… something like this.

”And maybe my pride, too, a little bit, I don’t think I’ll ever be very good at climbing trees. So, maybe we can keep this between us?” He shrugged innocently, still grinning, but perhaps a little more apologetically now. 

Thankfully, though, this lie was not something anyone could ever find out about. ”I didn’t mean to fall, but.. when I did, well. It was a good opportunity. I am sorry I scared you so much. ” Hawk offered, the apology genuine, even if the prior half was a lie. His fabrication of a rare lie did not feel good, but.. it seemed better than just blatantly admitting he’d done it all on purpose. That guilt, at putting his friend through such a scare, was why he didn’t usually try such things. It hadn’t been his intent, but still, considering how they had met, perhaps the prank might've been a little insensitive. But still, hopefully, Maxem would see it for what it had been meant to be.

The word broken seemed to elevate Maxem’s level of concern, at least, for a few moments. The look of surprise and realization that crossed his face afterward though, was nearly priceless. For two reasons. Because it was amusing, and relieving that the other now knew, and his worry was gone.

Thankfully, as well, there didn’t seem to be any hard feelings. Maxem professed that it had actually been good, but threw in a jab there too. Hawk tipped his head a moment, wry grin not fading. ”Do that.. and I’ll tell her you pushed me. Made me fall on purpose.” He offered up in return. Truthfully, he didn’t think he’d mind if Athena knew, but.. she was the only one. If Maxem did tell her it wouldn’t be an issue, for he doubted he’d need to worry about anyone else knowing.

It was.. in retrospect, good to know that the act had been so convincing, too. ”I have my moments, rare though they are. I do believe I’ll leave tree climbing to you, though,” the ghost spoke with a small nod. Hopefully, though, he could come up with some other things, in the future, albeit things that involved far less risk of injury or worry. Despite the shift in tone now, the knight didn’t ever want to see his friend worried like that again.

Recalling something Maxem had mentioned moments ago, prior to the prank, the ghost tipped his head. ”You’d.. said something about flowers, before? Where were they?” By a stump, Hawk thought he could recall.