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The weather was particularly nasty out today, wasn't it? A barbed chuckle slithered past his gritted fangs, murky eyes peering out into the gloom and doom that continued to pound the earth outside, tenderizing it and making a rather sticky mess in the process. His mother had taught him well to care for his appearance, despite his molting wings, the ragged scars against his pale neck, and the slight signs of emaciation that exposed his ribs. Yes, Cormorant had been quick to find the poor excuse for the cave when he'd scented the first signs of rain; the mud would do little good for his mane and tail, and he was in no mood to bathe.

That didn't mean, of course, he couldn't enjoy himself at the expense of someone else.

He'd first spotted the dully colored mare when, for a brief moment, the skies graciously illuminated themselves to give him a peek of what was going on outside. Damnably cold outside, but he felt his maw snaking upward in a ferocious grin at the sight of the struggling other. What a wretch! And just the entertainment he'd needed while waiting out the storm. "Stay outside much longer, and you'll likely freeze." He crooned, careful to step back from the entrance to the cave so his large form was somewhat hidden by the shadows. "There's plenty of room in here for two."

And so the fly came closer and closer to the heart of the web, where the spider lurked with spiteful patience. Just what sort of mare had he found today, hm? Something rotten in his soul all but purred as she thanked him, the unfortunate twit, and he dipped his head in a seemingly humble bow towards her. "Not at all, not at all... No sense in being selfish with this sort of weather upon us."

His oversized wings were nestled close to his sides, having no need to flare up and only add to his intimidating appearance. Cormorant knew there was no disguising his twisting horns, but kept his sharp teeth hidden behind velvety lips to avoid scaring her off so soon. Of course, he did seem to fit the physical description of a monster--but as long as he continued on like nothing was wrong, why should she be afraid? He had no intention of lunging or snarling at her like some deranged beast. Not yet.

"We're in a cave. It tends to be dark." Came the smooth, teasing reply, but the stallion shifted forward compliantly. "My appearance tends to be...unsettling to others. There was little sense in frightening you away so you would stay outside in that mess..." An absent nod towards the roaring rain before dark eyes fixed upon the young mare. And she was rather young, now wasn't she? Certainly no older than himself. How delightful.

"Are you afraid?" Now he wanted to know, amused as he inclined his head slightly to study her. The scars raked against the side of his neck were barely visible in the dim light.

Not afraid? She was certainly confident. How long would that last if she found herself cornered and threatened by something more savage than herself? He found it intriguing, but forced himself to push away that particular stream of consciousness less he chose to act on it more sooner than he intended. Besides, while she was taking her sweet time in looking him over, he was offering the same courtesy.

She was a pretty thing; young and with fine, slender features. Her natural coloring would undoubtedly appeal to most, though he dismissed it as dull and almost unappealing. His mother's lessons on vanity had sunk in well with him, and he took pride on his appearance with all its bright coloring. "I was surprised to see someone else all the way up here--especially by themselves." The mountains, even their bases, had been mostly barren from what he'd seen so far. And with weather like this... well, who in their right mind would think of it? He had his reasons, however malicious they might be, but she was hardly likely to have the same.

"Are you a wanderer too, then? Or did you come here looking for something?" Pale ears flicked forward to better hear her, while he absently twisted his head to nose at one of his slightly molting wings. It'd be easy enough to keep up a conversation, at least for a little while. After all, he doubted that either of them were eager to get back out in the rain.

"On a whim, hm?" He sounded amused again, lifting his head back up to study her as best he could in the dim light. Young, then. Perhaps not much younger than he was, but a hell of a lot more... innocent. "Not much to see when it gets like this. Though, it's good you didn't keep going. The rocks get slippery, and it's easy to fall." Which meant likely breaking a leg and becoming an easy meal for the mountain predators. Why spoil the mood with such amusing thoughts, though?

"I do. Can't stay still for too long before I get restless... and yes, the wings make it that much easier. It's how I usually travel unless it's nasty outside like right now. I'll admit to you though--I'm hardly as graceful as a bird." One black eye snapped shut in a wink before the stallion chuckled to himself. "I'm surprised to see you all alone up here. Surely you have someone who'd be worried about you...?"

Her reactions were terribly amusing to him, and the stallion had to suppress his eagerness at the look of utter offense that had crossed her face, if only for a moment. Had he accidentally trod on a nerve somewhere? Pity--he might have made to stomp it a little harder if he'd known! But he was patient, and they had plenty of time. Cormorant nodded slowly in agreement at her words, snorting softly under his breath. "Indeed. I don't even want to think about being stuck in this weather and being unable to move..." Hm. It sounded interesting, though. Perhaps a more malicious plot for him to work with in the future...

He bit the inside of his cheek to keep back a grin as she suddenly seemed to stiffen, forcing his features to reflect his own mild surprise as he blinked. "Oh. I wasn't implying anything of the sort--this mountain just belongs to a fierce, Kalona stallion that doesn't mind preying on other Soquili to fill his belly. I assumed you knew... It's not safe to be alone with a predator like that prowling around, hm?"

Would that be an acceptable story? He quickly ran it through his mind. Of course, he knew there was a Kalona stallion, but he was much higher up in these parts. Not that she needed to know that. "Forgive me?" Cormorant questioned, tilting his head while a small smile tugged at the corners of his muzzle. "...Bramble and Nettle. Are they part of your family, too?"

Bless her, she really was naive wasn't she? "Why, because they're carnivores. They have to eat meat. Weren't you ever told stories of the demons when you were younger...?" His fangs glinted as lips drew back in another, if sympathetic grin. "Well... I haven't seen too many of them about. You should still be careful, just in case."

If he'd noted her anxiety, he didn't choose to comment on it. Wings rustled as he tucked them a bit more carefully against his sides, sheltering them from the damp cold that constantly rushed in through the cave mouth. "Ah, family." Well, that made sense. So she was as young as he'd assumed, still caught up in a world where family and love flourished--bad things simply didn't exist for long. How touching. What would she do if he managed to find a way to rip those ideals apart?

"I have many siblings. But, we don't get along." He chuckled, the sound bitterly amused. "My mother and father never meshed well together, you see... Some of my brothers and sisters side with my mother, and others with my father. Some are neutral in the whole thing. I prefer to support them both." He had to mull over that, resisting the urge to bare his fangs in another amused expression. Most of them were fools. But, admitting as much would ruin his 'nice guy' outlook. "Do you see your family often?"

"Good. I'd hate for you to find yourself in trouble just because you didn't know better..." Cormorant shuddered and shook his head some, wavy bangs spilling across his pale face. It was a nice touch, if he did say so himself. Though he was hardly afraid of anything that proclaimed itself able to eat him--the thought sparked both amusement and excitement somewhere deep in his thoughts. That was one way to get the blood rushing.

"Ah, it's all right." He brushed off her concerns with a half-smile, chuckling softly. "It's not the best, but I'm happy with my decision. I guess that's all that really matters, hm?" He had obtained his father's raw strength, his mother's cunning and pride. He was the best of their offspring, and he and his two closest siblings had been chosen to be raised through his parents' combined efforts. Still, he found himself slightly intrigued as to her lifestyle. Happy, content, oblivious. What would that have been like? Besides, well, boring.

He nodded slowly to her words, not able to understand so much, but he could play along. No, but her next question... Now that held merit. Was she growing suspicious of the companion she had foolishly chosen to share shelter with? Perhaps! Or perhaps not. "...They are." He deliberately inserted the pause, forcing his voice to sound hesitant, almost uncertain. "...And I do sometimes, though usually rodents... Rabbits, if I can get them. I'm afraid I'm not the best hunter."

Cormorant was quiet for a moment, stretching the moment to let that sink in. "...My father was a mutant. He.. ah... took advantage of my mother, if that makes sense." Why not weave a few more lies in this web of deceit? It made sense, after all. "...But they did try their best to raise their last batch of children together." An awkward hoof scratched at the ground, and he fell silent once more. He was just dying to hear what she'd have to say to that.