Welcome to Gaia! ::

Moloch turned to face the setting sun through the trees and sighed. Two months, and he had a proper herd, but they had yet to expand beyond the tree line. It was the best he could manage with five members, he knew, they would have to start recruiting. But what was the best way to do so? Should he leave, go find other stars and - enough! He shook his head to clear it; no, no more business. Now was a time to relax. It was the end of the day, almost dark and - a brief glimpse of red caught his eye and he turned.

Avantasia. His chest tightened at the sight of her, and he longed to call out, but remained where he was, said nothing. Two months! Two months that they had done little more than talk... and he had not grown bored with her, moved on. How was that? What was about her that captivated him so?

Moloch smiled despite himself. He did rather enjoy his talks with Avantasia despite Kalida's warning about letting his heart rule him. It was purely mental, he assured himself, and he could stop at any time.

"Your brother is fine," he assured her, "I have no complaints." Not entirely a lie, that. He did not particularly care for her brother, it was true, but he had not broken his vow. And he could not afford to lose one member, much less two, for he had no illusions about the bond between the two siblings. Why else would Vidar have joined the herd in the first place, if not for Avantasia's sake? "As to my plans..." He grimaced, despite himself. "They are not going quite as well as I had hoped. This forest... it is all right, I suppose, but I have bigger dreams than that. I long to see the sun, to have a field to exercise in... but the herd is too small. I will not lose what I have to reckless expansion."

Moloch smiled at the compliments, but didn't let them get to his head. Did she really like him, or was she plotting something? There lay the real question...

"A walk might be nice," he admitted. "What would you talk about? The moon?" He smiled, but without his usual sarcasm. No, this was a genuine smile, almost soft, gentle, laughing. Almost, only almost, for the cold, hard, calculating Moloch remained. Still... he liked this mare. Don't blow it, he thought to himself.

Moloch continued to look ahead, watching where he placed his feet, but he was all to aware of Avantasia, her warmth by his side... could she tell? Did she know he felt? He turned to face her, caught her looking. He smiled, suddenly knew what to say. "Tell me... tell me about yourself. Tell me what makes you happy, sad, angry. You're in my herd, a loyal member, but sometimes I feel there is so much I don't know about you."

Moloch glanced over at Avantasia in surprise after her last statement. Did she really mean it, or was she just messing with him? You've got my heart strung out in your web, dear spider...

"I... I don't remember much from before the fall. I was never that close to my family. But if that means that much to you... I will help you find them again." Did... I just say that? Promise her that? I should guard my tongue more carefully.

Moloch resisted the urge to nuzzle Avantasia's neck, to offer some word of soft condolences, of comfort. He was a hard creature, what could he possibly say to ease her pain?

I'll have to look after her brother, then, as much as he irks me...

"Yes," he said softly, going along with the change it topic. "It is. As are the stars." And the curve of your neck, the way it flows so softly, like running water... stop it! Get a hold of yourself already. Stay in control. Don't let her - your eyes, so bright.

Moloch stopped breathing as she approached. So close! Mere inches... and when she left, and he let out his breath in a sigh, he could smell her, all of her... so close, so close.

Dumb struck, he followed her, a small smile on his lips. What witchery is this? That smell... like wildflowers.