No Need to Ask

They walked along the fields edge calmly and quietly, as best as they could, as Sofia and Luke stayed side-by-side all the way back toward her small home, while the other Oni stalked them silently from a few steps behind.

"So who's your 'new friend'?"

Luke whispered, once Boacizi seemed distracted.

"Her... she called herself Boacizi... I think she was going to abduct me... to take me to back to the other Oni I assume..."

Sofia looked back to see their follower was still watching something in the distance.

"...thanks for helping again. But why were you out in the back paddocks exactly?"

She asked curiously.

"Checking for Gittlesfoot..."

The white flowered weed - found far and wide, that didn't seem to have a real use, and somehow it popped up from time to time all over the place.

"I'm so glad you were there, or who knows where I'd be now..."

Sofia gave him a relieved grin, before taking in his quite troubled look all over his face, as he eyed the other Oni who had regained her focus on them.

They reached the fields end, clambered over the fence and were soon at Sofia's home.

"This is my house."

Sofia waved her hand about the front room as the red horned Oni entered slowly behind them.

"You do not live together?"

She looked suspiciously at them.

Ack...

"Uh... no... - I mean; not yet..."

"Why?"

An excuse... uh... what - wait I know...!

"There is a Human custom that forbids it, until we are married..."

Sofia drifted off after saying the words aloud, as she heard bells somehow, while Boacizi turned her attention toward Luke, who still stood near her.

"Then why take the time - do this 'married' then."

Sofia nearly skewered her lip with her fangs, as she tucked them in and jerked away slowly.

"Uh... ha... eh... ur... ah..."

All she could do was make noises, leaving it up to the guy in the room.

"There are other things that come first."

Luke explained.

"Marriage is one of the later steps along the way to... human bonding."

The taller Oni listened carefully before replying.

"Human mateship is... too tricky."

"Oh?"

Luke let slip his curiosity.

"We females usually take a mate to bond with - and if the clam is un-refused - that pair remain together for life."

Boacizi informed them on the Oni's way of finding and keeping a partner.

Sofia felt the urge to shift about and tuck her hands in tight under her chin too.

Mateship... Marriage... Oh gosh...!

"I am glad I have found you - and that you have a safe place here."

The 'guest' took a good look around the small home, before asking another question.

"Sofia Greenstone-"

"Just; Sofia, please."

"Sofia... You have truly bonded...?"

She finished asking, after judging their grown distance from each other again.

"Oh yes!"

Sofia and Luke both lied in unison, then strongly averted their eyes and went still.

"Alright..."

The red-eyed Oni took their word for it.

"Very well then, I will leave then."

She made her way to the front door again as Sofia got curious.

"Where will you go now?"

"Further through the forest, then perhaps home again, I have yet to decide."

Sofia quickly voiced her next question, since she'd learned hardly anything from this possible relation.

"Where are you from anyway Boacizi? How far is your home?"

The red featured Oni pondered a moment.

"My home is on the far side of the mountains - a full four days run from here."

Mountains...? There aren't any mountains anywhere near here... Just how fast is her 'run' anyway...?

Sofia quickly got to her door to open it for the taller departing 'guest', after Boacizi peered at the handle with great uncertainty.

"Well... uh, do have a safe travel then."

"You are too kind Sofia, thank-you."

Boacizi only made it off the steps, before stopping as she noticed another person's arrival.

"Wait there..."

The persistent, not-yet-a-Knight had arrived, puffing and panting.

"Oh the pretty boy..."

The tall Oni watched with a smile as the scrappy looking guy slowed and took some big gasps of air, before speaking hoarsely.

"Watch out... this one is dangerous!"

Rafael drew his sword slowly, but Boacizi didn't bat an eyelid.

"You are brave to chase me, for a mere... boy."

He blustered a little and stepped closer.

"I'll have you know I am a man!"

"Oh?"

His words seemed to peak her interest some more.

"Perhaps so... then if a Human is good enough for Sofia... are you bonded... pretty man...?"

She took a single big step towards him and partly loomed down at him, watching closely as he held his ground and stared back defiantly.

"What...? No to whatever that means."

He raised his sword before him defensively, not that it looked to mater to her.

"Mm..."

She nonchalantly grabbed the blade and pushed it clear of her vision, despite his best efforts to hold it up.

"I am fond of cute things... And you are fairly strong and stout... for a non-Oni too..."

Despite his best efforts, she cast his sword right aside and peered even closer.

Is this going where I think it is...?

Boacizi smiled down at the hapless Knight who couldn't hope to resist her overwhelming strength.

"If one is good enough for Sofia - then I shall not waste this fine chance."

She shuffled even closer and stared closely into his blue eyes, that didn't know what was going on or what was to come next for him now.

It would be sort of funny if she was to abduct him instead...

Sofia was slightly amused, but also surprised at this turn of events that unfolded before her usually quiet home.

"If you are able to handle it... I shall take you with me now."

"I can handle anything... wait... what was that last bit again?"

The Oni grabbed the smaller guy's arms, apparently carefully, and turned to look at Sofia with a eager expression all over her face.

"Sofia I need to borrow you home - for the night!"

"Wha...?!"

The night...? Does she mean to...? Oh No...!