[Claude nods and takes his hand as they get moving. That would be the most likely scenario, he agrees, so it's best to check there first.]

I've already sent Naira to look from the sky, so if she spots any of them or sees any tracks, she can let us know. We can't rely on her for too long though -- it's a little too cold for that.

[Though hopefully they won't need to, as spotting one or two horses may lead them to the rest.]

[Claude's keeping his hood up, mostly because it's too cold and this is the best way to stay warm. When he notices the snow is abating deeper in, he frowns.]

And bothersome. It's a lot easier to track a horse in snow.

[Not that they won't leave tracks in soil, too, but they'll be a lot less distinctive, especially for Naira up in the air.]

We might be on the right track, though. There could be a good grazing spot around here, or a water source that isn't frozen. [You know, assuming they can graze or drink if they're really cursed to have bird faces.]

Or they're thieves looking to steal the horses for themselves. They might've even laid the curse in the first place.

[Claude opts to take point, being the sneakier of the two, keeping one hand on his blade and using the trees as cover. As he gets closer, though, he can hear the voices much more audibly, and the voices -- and accompanying noises -- are very clearly nothing to do with a search party.

He peeks around a tree into a clearing, and whatever he sees has him retreating immediately and patting Lorenz on the shoulder, saying in hushed tones--]

Welp, nothing to see this way, they've got it covered. Time to go! [In an ideal world, Lorenz will just follow him to double back and not ask questions. Of course, the worst case scenario is Lorenz taking a peek himself, then causing a scene.]

[Hearing that undignified noise behind him and what sounds like Lorenz smacking into a tree, Claude sighs and grabs Lorenz's wrist to tug him away.]

I said there was nothing to see! [...Of course, Claude would have done exactly the same and peeked if someone told him not to, but that's besides the point.] Or, er, rather a lot on show, depending on how you look at it...

For fun, obviously? [He lets go of Lorenz's wrist once they're a safe distance away, which is when he remembers something.] Well... Fun and profit. Now that I think about it, there's a certain quest people have been asked to carry out, and I assume they were, um, helping the ritual along.

[He runs his hands through his hair, studiously avoiding eye contact with Lorenz to hide the fact his own cheeks are tinged pink. It's hard to shock Claude, but being alone here with Lorenz with that going on nearby was...

Well. It's hard to stop his imagination going places.]

Let's just keep searching somewhere else, shall we?

If I recall, the ritual was to get rid of the snow. Also, people have magic and Everwarm potions, remember?

[It's a lot more likely here than it would be back home, at any rate.]

[Claude sighs, but he's smiling.] The fact that it's improper or whatever is kind of the point, Lorenz. It's supposed to be liberating, you know? Just doing it out in the open like this.

Who knows, maybe one day you'll want to try it too.

[He says that with a cheery wink, before going on ahead to resume the search.]

[Claude stops still, one of his hands coming to rest over Lorenz's arms wrapped around him. He wishes he could read his expression, but his tone is somewhat telling on its own.]

Yeah...? We could stop for a bit if you want a break.

[They've been wandering around for a while, so it's totally a reasonable suggestion, and Lorenz does feel very warm, being close to him like this.]

[Claude settles down with Lorenz, enfolding an arm around him and pressing a kiss to his cheek.]

I know you're worried, but any horse from Archimedes is a toughie. They'll be okay a while longer.

[And he's right, a reprieve from the bitter chill of the snow will be good for them both. He looks up at the tree canopy overhead, of the bitter late autumn sunlight trying to peek through the trees.]

Y'know, I never would've guessed you'd be such a cuddler.

Do you think I'd be right here cuddling you if it was?

[Claude laughs, but it's good-natured. He tips his head to rest against the tree and takes off his glove, so he can reach up fondly to cup Lorenz's cheek.]

It's sweet. And it's a sign that little by little, you're learning about the things that you like about being close to someone. [...Rather than freaking out about so much as thinking about them.]

I know. [Claude leans in and captures Lorenz's mouth in his, briefly, his hand sliding down from Lorenz's cheek to rest on his chest. When he draws back, his voice is soft.]

You just need to learn to let go. Don't overthink it.

[He's not contrasting him to the people they saw in the forest... but he's not not making that comparison, either.]

Yeah. It'd be nice not to be tied down to anything any more, wouldn't it? Living however you like? I want everyone in our new dawn to be able to live like that.

[And that goes for Lorenz, too. He presses another kiss to the corner of his mouth, peeking up at him.]

What do you say?

[Claude's eyes slide shut as he feels Lorenz melt into the kiss. There was nothing to think about, no one around them except the distant sound of birdsong or a breeze rustling the trees. It's... nice, just getting to be alone together like this.]

I love you. [He says it softly, between kisses.]