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Chase had been feeling pretty damn good about himself. After all, he'd managed to slip Cinderberry (a surprisingly difficult feat, considering she was merely a mongoose), woo a beautiful doe, bang her for the night, then excuse himself in the morning, all without losing an ounce of face. Not every night went that smoothly after all, it was something to appreciate, something to be grateful for.

So why was he feeling... well... not so pleased? She was far from the first doe he'd only spent one night with, and he'd let her down far more gently than some.. and yet-- was this guilt he was feeling? No. No. No no no no no. That would not, could not be, or do- he wasn't going to change, he didn't want to, this was how he wanted to live his life, flirting and charming and leaving no roots. It was just a temporary moment, a mood swing of sorts. He'd compensate, and go right back on his merry way.

And he knew just what he needed to do.

That was what brought him out here in this area of the swamp. After asking a few passing kin to see who'd recently seen a mare or stag, now he was calling out, and quite blatantly, for one.

"Hello? Is there are mare or stag about?" He'd been calling out every few moments for a while now, long enough for his throat to feel it slightly but not to truly impair his speeking.

((don't mirror, my OPs are always long x.x))

And suddenly, the one he sought was there... although, perhaps not all there. Chase's glowing blue eyes narrowed slightly as he observed her translucence, but then gave a mental shrug and decided to think nothing of it. A shade of a legendary (and of that he could be certain, her form and the glowing pink orbs floating about her were a testament to that) was better than no legendary at all, and he was sure it would do to appease his feelings.

But first, his manners. He didn't get any ladies with his mental rhetoric, after all. So he swept his head down, one forehoof lifting slightly, in a bow.

"Forgive me for calling you out so blatantly," he began, and he did indeed sound apologetic, even letting some shame slip into his tone, though his cheeks were too dark to betray any color. He knew it certainly wasn't becoming to go seeking like this, he wasn't at all proud of it, but desperate times called for desperate measures. "I'm in need of your help."

He straightened himself as she addressed him, nodding in agreement and meeting her eyes again, but her tone sending a warning shiver down his spine. He often leapt before he thought, but though it never did to look back, it occurred to him he must tread with greater caution here.

"Last night, I was with a doe. This morning, we said our goodbyes, neither of us worse for the night... but..." and here he stumbled slightly, brow furrowing, a battle of pride and knowing what would lend the most weight to his appeal in his eyes, before finally caution won out. "I am worried about her," he gets out at last, and for a moment there is something rawer there, guilt, shame, doubt, things he would never show another kin. Perhaps he bares them now because he believes they will win her aid, using his own emotions as his tools, or perhaps he cannot help but let them show in an instant where walls of charm and self-centeredness fell. Regardless, they are true.

And then the moment is gone, and he is composed once more. "I came to ask your blessing, that she may be well."

She knew. Perhaps she had known all along, or perhaps he was that obvious, but yes there was a good part of this that was self-centered. He was looking to obliterate a feeling he did not want there, and thought this -- no, knew this was the best way to do so. He wanted to be worry free again, but no, no, there was some true concern there as well. That was true. It was just, a little deeper down. Otherwise he wouldn't have bothered about this whole affair to begin with...

So his thoughts raced as she studied him, and just when he was about to apologize and try another tactic (something the mare probably wouldn't have taken kindly to either, but hey she didn't like him already), she spoke. She blessed, and the relief was palpable. He even took the little snark in stride with an admonished smile-- he knew his flaws as well as anyone, he would not deny them. But he also knew his strengths. All the better that his children wouldn't be like him-- the mare had wiped out at least one strain of competition. Optimism was another strength. Arrogance now... that might fall into both categories.

"That is very fitting," he replied with a sheepish chuckle, and dipped his head low again. "Thank you for your kindness, and I apologize for my rudeness earlier."

He was forgiven, that was good, he had hoped not to have completely burned this particular bridge. Sacrifices had had to be made, but luckily the casualties hadn't included a scorned mare-- one who disliked him was acceptable, lots of kin disliked him, but not many begrudged him. He did not like this idea of a great test at all though, yet he knew better than to say so out loud. He let her see a slight cringe, a hint of understanding, before surprise wiped the expressions for his face.

She just. She hadn't really been all there at first, true, but then she just. Disappeared. Melted. Gone in a flash.

If they ever met again (he would assure he wasn't in need of any more assistance then) he'd have to ask her how she managed that. It would come in incredibly handy in the future. In certain situations.