Welcome to Gaia! ::

Sunrise. Meleager smiled to himself as he came to a halt at the top of a east-facing slope that dropped off steeply below him. He hadn't been here in ages - far too long. If the view of the sunrise was anywhere near as beautiful as he remembered it, it would be well worth getting up early and travelling out here to the border. He didn't mind losing a little sleep for this.

The sky in the east was just tinged with pink and orange; it looked promising. There was nothing to obstruct his sight, so with the briefest of glances around him, Meleager laid down on the lush grass, stretching and settling himself comfortably to wait. There was no need to be on guard, not here. For one nobody was about, and if anyone approached he would see them well in advance of them getting close to him. This spot was good for more than just the view. The bulky grey stallion smiled to himself and yawned. This would make a lovely start to the day.

Meleager had turned round at the sound of the green Bae's somewhat clumsy landing, but hadn't rushed to get up. She didn't look at all threatening, and once he'd heard her story he was sure of it. Snorting with vague amusement he got to his feet, knowing that he would tower over the Bae mare. He was rather annoyed at the interruption; if he'd wanted anyone to be here with him, it would have been Castor. (And as a matter of fact he'd considered asking the tactician if he'd like to accompany him, but had persuaded himself out of it using a variety of reasons from Castor's workload to the possibility of giving himself away... But that was not relevant right now, and he should not be thinking about it.)

He frowned at the mare for a moment before replying more sharply than was necessary, "You're in the Hellene Territories. Where did you think you were?"

Meleager paced forwards a couple of steps, irritated already by the young mare's ditzy behaviour. "I don't know what the right way back to where you came from is," he said, dredging up the last of his patience, "because I don't know where you came from. But it won't be that way," he added with a nod in the first direction she'd pointed. "because that way goes further into my herd's land, and you are not a Hellene."

He paused, collecting himself, controlling his irritation. She was trespassing, it was true, but she also seemed genuinely lost. Genuinely stupid as well, perhaps, but it would be much easier for them both if he could just give her directions and get her to leave.

"Whatever you've heard about the Hellenes accepting 'anyone'," he added with a faintly contemptuous snort, "it was wrong. We do not accept just anyone. We have certain standards."

Meleager stared. "I think you're best off not in a herd," he said after a pause. You'd get on people's nerves too much for them to keep you around for long, he added silently, pleased that he kept enough sense of tact not to say that out loud. "And I have no idea what you mean about some Jala herd," he snapped, after a moment, completely negating any sensitivity in his previous words. "There is no Jala herd near here. The Hellenes are the strongest warrior herd in all of Urin, and you are an annoying little mare who should really learn to be a little more coherent in order to avoid pissing everyone off!"

Outburst over, he paused and collected himself somewhat. "Now, if you want my help I need to know where you're trying to get to. If you don't know, then I can't help you, and I'd appreciate it if you'd leave me alone!" He couldn't see the glow of the sunrise while facing this way, and he had a sinking suspicion that he had missed it.

Ugh. Meleager shook his head, resisting the urge to glare after at the green-coated mare as she left. At least she was leaving now, and she had taken in enough of his words to head off away from the herdlands. He sighed. That was one good thing to come out of this encounter, at least; she wouldn't be back to bother him or any of the other Hellenes again.

The bulky stallion sighed heavily and turned around. That was his plans for a nice calm start to the morning spoiled; at least the sun was barely peeking over the horizon. Trying not to linger on his irritation at the mare, he sat down and focussed his attention on the lightening sky, on the warm colours and the way the rising sun lit the undersides of the clouds. It was beautiful; it was definitely worth coming out here for. He would forget about that stupid mare, and just enjoy himself, for once.