{PRP} A new chapter {BellaXCallan}

[Regal Renegade]

The sound of running water reached his now peaked ears as he walked through the meadow of tall grass. Unlike others he would never blend in if trouble were to arise, his coloring was to fair and his mane and tail much to brilliant a red. The clanging of the armor that remained fastened to his chest was another reason he was not built for hiding. Of course, his ego would never allow something such as running away or attempting to find shelter in the trees. He would either fight and win or die protecting his pride..

Stopping at the side of the slow moving stream he stared his reflection down. Emerald eyes to emerald eyes before lowering his head and placing his lips gently on the surface so as to drink. The refreshing liquid felt cool as it ran down his throat and calmed any distressing thoughts that he may have. Swishing his tail to rid himself of whatever flies were tickling his sides he lifted his head and allowed the spare water to run from his mouth. It was a lovely evening, the clouds were just turning gold and an orange like pink with the sun's descent. Had he been in a more cheerful mood he would have found that absolutely beatiful but it only reminded him of a past he desperately wished to forget.

An itch on his leg distracted him and he again lowered his head, this time, to bite at the irritated portion of flesh. Once finished he began to root around for something to graze on. His lip rubbed around in the soil in an attempt to find a small morsel of grass that wasn't as long as that surrouning him. He wasn't a fan of very long grass, it was too hard to chew and it made a mess of things. Finally finding a tuft he bit delicately into it and savored the crisp and sweet tasted. This was exactly how he lived life and that was how he planned on keeping it. Ever since he had come from Ireland he had been alone. No one seemed to wish to speak with him and so he didn't wish to speak with them. Who needed friends anyways? They are nothing other than temporary distractions from the loneliness that will eventually come. For every bit of light there is a darkness deeper than anything, that was just the way things were. At least, to this stallion anyways.  

[Kaefaux]

Gold was an evil, evil color.

Bella scowled, eyes to the ground, for once thankful for the excuse of her clumsiness in doing so. Tremors still shook her body, though easily they could be explained away by the winter-esque chill in the air. Not cold enough to bring on the blizzards, but cold enough for the heat-loving mare to find discomfort in the breeze that played with her mane and tail.

It had been her fault, really. Her stupidity for not just focusing on the beauty of the sunset, on how brilliant the colors were though they blended and merged and shifted as time went on. No, she just had to think back to when she spent time staring at a different source of gold. Stupid... stupid, stupid, stupid!

A pained smile fell upon her, shaking her head lightly to clear the self-loathing. She'd been through that faze once in her life, there was no need to go back. In truth, she was rather proud of herself. Shaking had been the worse of it - no tears, no undead-like behavior... nothing horrible, really. This pint of pleasant fact caused her chest to swell with growing pride, suddenly thrilled by the concept of change.

Until she yelped, stumbling forward as her left foreleg was caught by an exposed root. She fell to her front knees, blinking a bit before bringing herself to her hooves again in dumb shock. Slowly she flexed her legs one by one, pressing her muzzle against each bruised joint to check for possible damage beyond the dull throb. No sharp pains erupted from the movement or pressure, a miracle in itself. A light laugh bubbled from her throat, marveling at her amended conclusion - somethings change... but everything?

Nope, probably never.

Her ears twitched, mood leveling out at a calm joy when her brain clicked, connecting the sounds to fresh water. Again her earthen optics were ground-bound, this time their only purpose to make sure she didn't break a leg this time. Although, knowing her luck... instantly she set her focus to ensuring her safety from lethal roots and rocks, paying only marginal attention to her surroundings beyond the general direction she wanted to head for the river.

Er... no, correction - stream. The forest-field mix finally decided to pick who won the terrain war, settling on an expanse of tall grass to still stick out like frost-bitten ears in. Seriously - unless she was at the beach, pale fur was not camouflage-perfect.

Her hooves took her gradually towards the water's edge, relief flooding her systems as yet another trip was -more or less- safety completed. She was getting better at this~

The lack of hoof threats enabled her to finally look up and around, only to stop short. Not yet had she cleared the foliage, her short stature making visibility slightly blurred through the blades of tan grass. Still - red-orange tends to beat out the drab colors by far, her heart stuttering to a stop as she could only stare at the vague sight before her.

Not.... possible. The stone heart at her ankle suddenly seemed a thousand pounds heavier, yet magnetized to pull her towards the bronzed haired figure. It couldn't be... it couldn't...

Didn't she just get over thinking about how well she was doing without him?!

 

[Regal Renegade]

Releasing a contented sigh the stallion chewed the grass stems and listened to the soft sound of water running behind him. He wasn't aware of the hoofbeats that were so gentle as they sunk into the damp earth. No scents reached his nose except that of the musty smell of the foliage surrounding him. Nothing seemed awry except for the turmoil that was bubbling within his own mind. Again his mind was filled with images of a mare with gilded hair and amethyst eyes that sparkled under any circumstance. Stopping his grazing he lifted his lips from the ground and allowed the lids to fold over his dull eyes. In his mind he could still smell her, still feel the warmth that she would give off. Mostly, he remembered her smile and how it would fill his heart and cause him to smile in return. It had been such a long while since he had last smiled, he didn't think he would ever again without her. He was reminded of her pale complextion and how she would glow at night when the moon rest above their heads. Snorting he lifted his head and banned those weak thoughts from his mind. Anela was gone and she was not going to return to him ever again.

His attention was suddenly diverted when a strange scent wafted to him on the slight breeze. Others would say that the wind was chilled, not Callan, things like that just didn't bother him much. Opening his eyes he watched in astonishment as something pale made it's way through the long grass. His mind must being playing tricks on him for there was no earthly way that this figure could be his love. Eyes wide and muscles at the ready for anything he watched each stock of grass part with the approaching creature. It was short, so he could only see the top of it's head but that instantly put any thoughts of Anela aside. The mane was a deep brown unlike his Miurnin's yellow. What's more, he could hear an odd little jangling emnating from it. It sounded like metal clanking together, and of course, he would know all about that. He took comfort in the knowledge that his armor was made of tough steel and protected his vital organs. Whatever was coming would have a heck of a time dealing with this stallion. Arching his neck proudly he waited for the opponent to emerge.

Time seemed to be moving slowly as the sound of hooves, masked only by soil, drew nearer. His breathing remained calm but everything else was ridgid. He could trust no living thing besides himself, they were all out for personal gain and nothing more. He had learned this long ago in Ireland. Normally his mind would have been filled with the thoughts of rolling green feilds swaying gently in the sea breeze but not now, twas not the time. His eyes remained intent and his heartbeat mellow. He wouldn't rule out something meaning him harm, it was usual for predators to stalk in a place where they could conceal themselves. Even so, the scent on the wind was one of his own origin, a Soquili like himself. Was this some illusion sent to throw him off guard? It wouldn't be the first time. His ears flicked back in irritation and he pawed quietly at the ground. The chain wrapped around his leg jingled and his armor flashed wildly in the last of the sunlight. If anything, he could look intimidation and hopefully avoid a confrontation.

Something finally parted the grass enough for him to see. What met his eyes confused and startled him. A female that looked surprisingly like his long lost love. Her skin was not as pale but it was just a few shades darker than his own. Her eyes, those deep amber eyes, full of pain and astonishment to match his own. For a brief moment his legs felt weak and stringy but that soon went when he regained his composure. What was she doing out here? One would think that the water sounds behind him would have given him a clue, but he was not thinking thoroughly. Why did she look at him with such eyes? Had he surprised her? No, that wasn't it, her eyes held something unlike fear. They held yearning and a desire for something that had left her. He knew, because once he wore the same exact expression.

{Miurnin means sweetheart in Gaelic}  

[Kaefaux]

"It can't..." she whispered, almost a hiss in her mounting frustration. He had no right to be here. These were her lands, he belonged to the north! He drove her away, so why the f-

During her mental rants, she'd taken a defiant step forward, quickly molding into a second, then third, then fourth. She was soon out of the grass, the wilting veil stripped from her vision. Just like that, she was brought up short, head rearing back in shock. Wide eyes took in the entirety of the figure before her, noting how while his fur was pale, it wasn't his pale. Markings across his back also caught her off guard, confusion shoving aside hurt rage as her brow furrowed. Silver glistened across his being, such a sharp contrast to her own vulnerable state, the only similarities the silver chains upon their bodies. Now that she could see him, her folly was evident in the orange-red glow of his hair, not the darker tones she'd mistook them for.

At length she took a breath, stilling herself for the final confirmation of mistaken identity. Carefully she dragged her hollow eyes across his form, up the thick column of bone, muscles, flesh and arteries until at last they fell upon the singular part of the stallion she most feared seeing.

And yet, the moment she saw them, his eyes were perhaps the most beautiful if only for the relief they brought to her in their mundane color.

Though the green had faded from the world around them, the vibrant emeralds reminded her of the lushness of spring and summer, an oddly uplifting effect sprouting from the memories. Blinking hard against the warm breeze that played around in her head, she took a proverbial step back, taking the long overdue look at his expression and posture. From all her stunned silence and examination, he could have attacked and killed her as far as she was concerned.

Yet he looked to be no more confused than herself, though Bella had to doubt it was for similar reasons. Heat flushed her skin, head dropping to allow the brown locks to conceal her face. Shame flooded her system, accompanied by a strong wave of embarrassment at her abrupt, false conclusion. Perhaps she wasn't doing as well as she'd thought.

"Sorry," she mumbled, an apology for her reactions though she hadn't voiced her assumptions. An apology for her intrusion as well, turning herself so that while she might continue to the water, she need not fathom even brushing against his bubble of personal space that she now drew up around herself as well.

Careful, almost hesitant steps were empty and phantom-like as she began to try and block the youth from her mind. Though she could not stop herself from pondering why he would wear so much of that metal around himself like that, she at least had the mind to keep from being rude and keep her mouth shut. No need to risk offending one looking like him - she was hardly blind to the appearance of a battle-ready steed.

Although she disliked the cold so much, she pressed her from left leg into the chilled water as far in as the shallow waters would allow, wincing at the icy pressure working slowly up the limb to numb and distract her. A small part of her wished the slow moving waters would wash away the bracelet, trying to ignore that the heart was still facing the damn male. Lowering her head, the liquid rushing down her throat. At least that familiarity served to calm her.

But now there was a new, slightly awkward problem - how to deal with the stallion beside her. Just ignore him and get away soon as she could? Be nice and approach a conversation? Maybe play deaf and dumb and just go with the first option? ...apparently she liked the first, considering most of her thoughts were voting for the cowardice routes.

 

[Regal Renegade]

As the shoots of grass parted and she emerged her head was thrown back in a wave of russet tresses. Though he had seen her approaching her abrupt spook caused his muscles to jitter with apprehension. His eyes were drawn to her face were an amalgamation of emotions streaked over her pale features. He was not swift enough to catch them all but something told him that he had stunned her in more ways than one. Had she not seen him through the foliage? That seemed impossible for there was no way that he had merged with his surroundings. For a moment he had an urge to look around him to see what had confused her so but he could not take his eyes from her. There was something outlandish about this mare, dissimilar from the ones he had met previously.

Their eyes locked for an instant and he felt shivers course up and down his spine. Her eyes were void rather than filled with the life he had seen within the others. They spoke of a tale which he knew not of and perhaps never would. Those hazel tinged eyes that seemed to be able to peer into the very depths of his soul. For the first time in a long time he was unnerved.

His pattern of thought was hastily changed when two syllables reached his pricked ears. Her voice was soft and laden with frustration, seemingly unbefitting of such a female. Even with such emotion behind it her voice still sounded with the smoothness of a bell. It was light and melodic with a little tinkle of undiscovered notes here and there. At least, that is what it sounded like in his mind.

He watched her as she tentatively headed toward the waters and lowered her head to meet the surface. He was confused as to why she had left such a wide space between them when walking. It wasn’t that it seemed unwise of her, just strange. Taking a moment to diagnose the situation he realized that he was still in a pose of defense. Shifting his weight he took less of a menacing posture and turned to face in her direction.

A shimmer beneath the water caught his eye and he again became as curious as before. There was a chain that wrapped around her leg just below the fetlock. Upon it rested two little figures that he could place names to. One was a heart and the other in the semblance of a wolf. The urge to ask about them tugged at the corner of his mind though he easily pushed it aside. As he moved the clanking of his own chains made him think that perhaps she was wondering the same thing.

His ears flicked back in frustration at her silence. She had walked in, had a moment of shear confusion and terror and said nothing but two syllables. Huffing out a breath through his nostrils he approached her and stopped when the two were abreast. He didn’t look at her so much as the reflection that danced across the water’s surface. Words played around in his head as he attempted to think of something to say to her. Why was he having a hard time? Was it because of the awkwardness of their meeting? Shaking his head he caused strands of red hair to move this way and that.
"I apologize for startling you but you should really use common sense when it comes to low visibilty." Sarcasm added a lilt to his tone.  

[Kaefaux]

Soothing chills seemed almost ironic in her mind, though she let it grow numb along with her body as she drank. At last she had her fill, the liquid sloshing around uncomfortably in her stomach. Usually she drank little, but the constant presence behind her drove her to occupy herself longer than necessary. Still there was no change in his position, her hide prickling from the psychological sensation of him watching her.

Why? She wasn't that interesting... why wouldn't he look away? Go away, even?

The approach was far from surprising, the jingle of chains making her stiffen though her head remained lowered to the water. He hadn't done anything, there wasn't a reason for her to be jumping to conclusions... no need to be mean...

But somehow, she doubted he meant his words to be funny.

"It's not my fault you're painfully unobservant, Bella."

The old memory came to light with a surge of giggles, the water rippling as the sound and air was forced from her muzzle in short, light waves. Surely she must be insane, laughing not only about a stranger's comment about her bizarre reactions, but to the usually painful memories he stirred up with it.

"It's not my fault you blend into dead grass," she shot back once her giggle fit subsided, raising her head as she took a large step back from him and the stream in order to both keep her desired distance and see him properly. Her tone brushed against one of blame, yet her expecting expression was as calm and light as the tinkling laughter from before.

Looking at him again through settled eyes, she couldn't help but wonder why she thought he was him. In all honesty... they really didn't look much alike. Not to say the stallion here in the present was hard on the eyes, but he was darker in almost every way possible, even if only by faint degrees.

The dark red locks looked so foreign to her, such a different tone than the strange individuals she'd met thus far. Of course, the armor and pattern across his back also helped to support this forming concept of him. Could he be from the north, like her? No... she'd never seen such accessories on anyone near her home, much less that amount.

Shifting her weight from hoof to hoof, she cleared her throat lightly. The silence was awkward, and her words sat uneasily with her. Her antics, her speech... he'd been the one to look like he was ready for a fight, and here she was acting all rude and insane.

Her head lowered slightly, bangs sweeping in front of her eyes as she felt heat pool across her face. "I really am sorry though, about all that. It wasn't that you startled me but... well, you did, just that you startled me because you-" looked like a guy I love, but ran away from because he and another stallion were getting into a war over me and I couldn't take it any more. Yeah... that would have been light and a perfect start to a conversation. Because that's not a weird thing to say to someone you just met, oh no, not at all...

She could have kicked herself right then, really.

"reminded me of someone I haven't seen in a while. I guess I got too excited, then to realize I was wrong..." Bella gave him a sheepish smile, tail flicking the air in a similar way to how two-leggers shrugged. She'd already completely shoved her hoof in her mouth before she'd caught herself, so there wasn't really a way to explain her actions without mentioning the mistaken identity. The sooner the subject was dropped however, the better, as far as she was concerned - never was one for dwelling on her countless mistakes.

 

[Regal Renegade]

Ears swiveling forward and remaining sharply erect, he couldn't believe what he had heard. Had she just giggled at the disguised insult he had just slung her way? Listening to the soft tinkle of notes he confirmed that she was indeed laughing rather than going ridgid or tense with anger. Tossing his head up he ignored the messy strands of red hair that fell into odd places around his face. Never had he encountered some one so strange as to laugh at an insult. Somehow, he found this an insult in itself. It was seemingly worse than her statement suggesting that he was like dead grass, which he had no particular qualms with.

How odd that this mare was not shy and unwitty like many others he had come across. For a moment he found himself unable to look away from that deseptively sweet face. Not only was she fair but she was also one of strong will, just like.... No, he would not think of her right now. How was it that this mare kept bringing up those memories? He had thought of her a million times but it was never forced into the open by another. Suddenly he felt uncharacteristically vulnerable, as though the plates of metal hiding his chilled heart was not enough.

With an impolite snort he turned his back on the slow moving stream and the figure that graced the surface. He would not get caught up in whatever trick she was playing on him. He had known for a very long time that he could not trust anyone. Their words were the bars that would seal his cage and their eyes the ever present tingling feeling running up his spine. The worst part was that he hadn't always been like this. He had once been jocund, playful, happy even. Lowering his gaze he glared at the soil strewn earth.

"Just goes to show how well you know your friends." He mumbled.
Though there was conviction behind his words there wasn't nearly enough. For some reason he just couldn't bring himself to speak with a silver tongue. Leaving gashes that were wide and deep within a person's mind and soul. Normally he wouldn't have a problem but just the sense of her being near to him fogged his mind.

Suddenly an emotion he hadn't felt for what seemed like forever welled up within him. Sympathy? Her apology had made something inside of him twitch. After all, she wasn't the only one who had mistaken a stranger for another. Though this fact was a prominent one in his mind he wouldn't admit it. He had already gone too far in sympathizing with this mare. Slowly but surely she was luring him into her trap. He could trust no one, especially not a pretty face. Though she seemed downtrodden and distant there was something there that made the back of his mind crawl. Perhaps it was just who he was to hold them guilty before proven innocent.  

[Kaefaux]

"That, or the cold's making me delusional."

The response towards his muffled words was so nonchalant, so blase, that she actually surprised herself. A ring of probable truth made her giddy, a growing high that she didn't quite understand. Correction - she understood it, just not why it was happening now, around him.

With he unmentioned, she could have been in the worst mood in the world, near death as far as she was concerned, but all she would need to do was just look at him and she'd be happy and whole and giddy again, no questions asked.

This stallion didn't have the exact same affect on her, and the weather most defiantly did not. So why? Was her brain still stuck on how they looked so similar? ...okay, look would be the better term in a way -yet not, at the same time...ugh-, but still! She truly was insane! There was no other explenation! And yet... the way he seemed both reluctant to speak to her, yet didn't flee at first chance... reminded her so much of another first meeting.

Or maybe she was just willing everything to be the same.

Her gaze re-focused on him, noting the slight change in him. While not hostile, he seemed suddenly so... put out? Was that the term she wanted? At the very least, offended, disgruntled - like a rickety elder who snapped at foals for their loud games. Yet she couldn't smile to this, or laugh. If anything, she felt guilty. Was she the source of this change? Perhaps her insane antics had hit a nasty nerve in him, or maybe he was simply having a bad day in general and she was just making things worse.

The sunlight glinted off her bracelet and his armor, catching her attention. Again the desire to question him about all of the metal burned at her throat, but she couldn't, that'd be rude, and if she really was ruining his day, then that wouldn't be of much help to either -

"Were you ever in a war?"

...he was right when he used to comment about her being an idiot. She really was. "Although it could come in handy around here too, I've never seen anyone with so much metal like yours," she added hastily, hoping that might take any supposed edge off her first words.

"What a stupid lamb."

 

[Regal Renegade]

{I am soooooo sorry I made you wait so long! The holidays keep me really busy!! I hope I didn't ruin it for you}

Quirking a brow he looked skyward at the gray masses of vapor that had moved to block the sun. He had hardly realized that his breath had been coming out in puffs each time that he exhaled or spoke. She had used the weather as an excuse but he found it to be a pretty rickety one. Of course, he knew that he had an unusual talent for handling weather. Cold was never cold, hot was never hot so therefore weather never was a factor in his day to day living. Turning his eyes again back on the mare he snorted and would have allowed himself to laugh cruelly if it hadn’t been for something holding him back.

Looking at her he saw that she had withdrawn into the depths of personal thought. What could possibly be going on beneath those auburn curls atop her head? It was an odd thing to wonder about what a person was thinking especially when they were looking at you while doing it. Every once in a while there would be a spark of something within those unusually dark eyes. It was more for something else than for him because a moment later she would truly look at him and her expression would shift. He found himself wanting to know what captivated her so, and why he had become a trigger for such things. Feeling uneasy he shifted tensely from foot to foot while observing her thought process. Each time he would move the chains wrapped around his pale body would jingle and the plates would clank together. At one time the sound had frightened him but now he had become accustomed to the sound, one could even venture to say that it had a calming effect on the stallion.

While trying to process her thoughts he had slipped into some of his own making and found himself being drawn from them by her soft voice. Though he didn’t catch the beginnings of her question he was able to piece it together for himself. She wished to know why he wore armor when there was no war to be fought. She hadn’t seen another like him? That was a bit of a disappointment, the last thing that he wanted was to draw in any more attention than he had already acquired. Turning his gaze to the metal on his legs he formulated an answer. At one point he thought on not answering at all. Why should he tell her? She was probably digging for something for reasons of her own. Perhaps she intended on causing him to remove it so that one of her mutated friends could attack him. The inner struggle came to an end upon his realization of how irrational he was being. Most likely she was just asking because she was genuinely curious. Even so he kept his wits about him and made sure not to reveal too much.

“Harm can always befall those who are unprepared.” He answered shortly.

Though this answer truly wasn’t all that revealing he felt that it had perhaps been a little too short. Even so, he would not tell her because it kept the ghosts of his past near to him and reminded him of a life he had once lived with another. He would not tell her that somewhere deep within himself he felt that these plates of steel protected his heart from ever feeling again. No, he would tell her none of these things for fear of what she would do with this information. There had once been a time when he would have openly shared with her, perhaps even smile at her or introduce himself as a gentleman should. That time was before his beloved had been brutally murdered before his eyes.

Fighting to keep the pain from showing in his eyes he turned his back on the female and approached the cool running waters of the shallow creek. Lowering his head he touched the surface with his lips and sucked in some of the frigid waters. It didn’t feel all that cold to him even though it was runoff from snow but it cleared his mind all the same. He again buried the feelings from the past deep within himself and hid behind the armor on his chest and the symbols on his back.

“I haven’t ever seen one of those either. That thing upon your leg I mean.” He stated after finishing his drink.  

[Kaefaux]

It was odd, yet oddly funny, that neither seemed to be much for conversation. Here she was, constantly going in and out of her thoughts and memories, and there he was - ....going in and out of thought as well, she would assume. Not that she could ask, nor did she especially want to. Those guarded green eyes, a color she would normally take to be a sign of peace or tranquility, were brittle with mistrust and... and what? Curiosity? Perhaps that's what kept him here with her, though he was fully within his power to either chase her away or take his own leave.

So what kept her here? Curiosity? The simple fact he was the first to be blunt to her since arriving in these lands? If only she knew...

Her own jabbing words had seemed to rouse him from some far away place within his mind, something she suddenly found herself rather reluctant to do. It had little to do with intimidation, or even shock now, as both had either dissipated or vanished altogether by that point. No, she was sure then she had nothing to fear from this strange, distant stallion. Though he might glare -if even that, now that she thought about it- he wasn't violent, wasn't cruel or vicious.

No, she thought ruefully, if anything he just seems as reluctant as me to let something go. She wasn't quite sure why this came to mind, but like with the sudden knowledge that he was no threat, it was just something she knew - no whys, no reasoning, no scrap of proof... none that is, save a slightly bitter reminder of darker days of her own. The links of the bracelet clinked together softly as the muscles in her leg flexed involuntarily and again her eyes were drawn to his armor with its much larger chains and protective metals curving over his form. Though she hadn't even the faintest idea as to what he held tight to, it was... oddly, nice to find she wasn't alone in the world in that aspect.

Again with her falling into her thoughts! At least this had been more brief than the other, with the stallion still seeming to ponder over her question, soon answering with words... words she found she had to agree with, if only with a slight wince. Being clumsy didn't make being prepared all that easy, if anything it made her a very easy target.

A phantom pain rang out through her left foreleg, catching her off guard and making her gasp, though she quickly tried to hide it as a sound of agreement or thought instead. So she could still remember it... the pain of another horse's teeth sinking into her flesh... all that remained of the attack was the crescent shaped scar on the inside of her leg, often hidden by the wolf charm. Yes, being clumsy makes one a very easy target...

"You're smart then. Or maybe lucky, not sure which, to be prepared." She didn't mean her voice to be so colored by the recollection of pain but did nothing to pursue the conversation further. As it was, she was neither fully able to speak at the moment, but thankfully he'd turned his back on her so she gave herself a silent moment to recollect her composure.

The next time he spoke, it was another comment towards herself. Nothing snide this time, more matter-of-fact and completely innocent. Of course, judging by how took his time responding to her question of his armor, he was now stepping into the same uncomfortable territory she'd just ventured in with him but seconds prior.

Bella shifted her weight uncomfortably, tail swishing in a similar sign of unease. "It was a gift - the bracelet... and the charms..." Her voice trailed off, gaze fallen to the wooden wolf and diamond heart. "The wolf came with the chain, though I'm not sure how he got either since two-leggers up north weren't as friendly to my herd as those down here are. The heart came from ano-" She stopped short, startled by just how easily the words slipped from her maw.

So... what? She was a willing open book while he had to be attacked with fire and brimstone to get a single quick admission out of? The embarrassment and perceived unfairness of this made her stiffen, snorting lightly as frustration slowly began to build in her. "Trinkets bear memories when they're best not kept in the mind," came her blunt response, tone and simplicity mirroring his own. Not sure why she did it, her eyes rose to his, deep earthen pools sparking with amber fire challenging him to disagree or seek her previous answer instead.

If he could get away with the cold, blatant responses, why couldn't she? She was no fan of double-standards after all.

 

[Regal Renegade]

Fragments of gold were carried gently across the stream’s bed by the gently moving current. The color at once brought back memories of long wavy hair and eyes the shade of the purest amethyst. Lowering his face again to the water he made as though he were going to take a second swallow but instead focused on the particles. It was rather pathetic in the least, a war born stallion staring at bits of a mineral were carried away. What was poorer than that was the simple truth that it again made him feel near to his departed beloved. It would not have been difficult for him to stand there gawking for the entire day had it not been for a gentle voice stirring him from his illusory state. In a moment of uncharacteristic kindness and softness he replied lightly.
“Lucky is not a word I would use when speaking about myself. Even with preparation you may find yourself wounded in various ways.”
His voice was no longer gruff and the sarcasm that typically laced each word was absent. Breaking free of his stupor he lifted his head and flicked his ears back in irritation. One of the first lessons he had ever learned was to never let your guard down and yet he had managed to anyhow. Snorting, he struggled to find a way around the sensitivity he had so unwittingly displayed. While grappling for words to form a coherent sentence he slipped back into his chilled facade.
“That is just those of weakness though.” He sneered.
Though he had, in his mind, diverted the situation he still felt unease about the words that he had spoken. Words that came from the depths of an aching heart, one he had closed of long ago. As far as he concerned it was nothing more than a malignant tumor in his breast. Something that had nearly eaten him up inside until he had coated it in a metaphoric coat of ice. Striking his foot upon the ground he expressed his anger but played it off as a motion one would make when disturbed by a fly. Perhaps the reason for such and odd slippage was something in her tone. When she had told of him being lucky there had been something hidden beneath her words. That may have been what caused him to react so strangely.
Shaking off his conjectures he turned his eyes skyward as a prickling sensation danced over his skin. Already large gray clouds were gathering in the distance most likely laden with rain and electricity. The scent of precipitation already hung in the air as the plants released an earthen scent. A slight breeze moved through his main, acting as a counterirritant to his current mood. Inhaling deeply he faced about and once again looked upon the strange mare. Something about her caused his personality to falter; it was something he hadn’t experienced before. For the longest time he spoke from his head rather than his heart but for some reason she had caused him to once again use the organ he most dreaded. The inquiry he previously made had nearly slipped his mind when she replied.
As he had expected she began spinning what sounded to be a long tale. He was used to getting more than he bargained for and almost instantly regretted asking at all. He listened halfheartedly, focusing mostly on the breeze than her words. He was surprised when the hum of her voice stopped and no more words could be heard. Centering on her he watched as she seemed to pause and then start again. Something in her had changed and she supplied him with a curt answer that brought a smirk to his lips. His eyes locked with hers the moment that she looked up at him. No longer were they calm and withdrawn something had been added. They were no more timid than the storm that headed in their direction. A different light shone in them and it wasn’t caused by the atmosphere. They held an unspoken challenge that, in turn, lit a fire within himself. Though his countenance remained tranquil a spark had been ignited within his core. It was close to what he used to feel when preparing for a battle, only a little less intense. Swishing his tail he looked elsewhere as though uninterested, turning his head in a different direction and lifting his chin.
“So like a female.”
He looked to her from the corner of his eye.
“Willing to share everything at first and then rapidly changing their mind,” a double meaning was intentionally evident, “Tell me. Do you think on what you are going to say? Or does it just slip out?”
Rude he was not but he did not take challenges lightly. After all, he was a stallion.
“Thought can prevent you from having moments such as the one you just encountered.”
Could he have been flirting? None of the words he had uttered carried a hurtful tone. It was more or less a playful thing. The thought kept him from saying anything further but he pushed it aside in order to keep his composure while awaiting her response. As he looked at her he saw a glow that he dismissed as his imagination. So much had happened in such a short time, and the strangest thing of all? They were still complete strangers. Neither one had uttered a name so the best thing he could call her was mare.  

[Kaefaux]

The tone was... unusual.

Her gaze snapped up, untrusting and unsure as to what brought about this sudden softening. Her tongue was held though, unwilling to break whatever it was to cause it despite her own more hostile natures brewing. Everyone deserved their moments of remembrance, did they not? Even if it lead only to pain, it was not her right to tare him from his memories.

...though, he seemed to be fully capable of doing the job himself, and with such a lovely display of jackass-ness!

Really. The guy deserved a reward for this one.

"For such things to be 'of weakness,' you speak as if you've experienced it first-hand," she observed coolly, eyes narrowed in debated annoyance. One's misfortune was hardly a sign of weakness. And, she would admit, it was one thing to call herself weak, but to hear it confirmed by another? Rude, inconsiderate, and she was beginning to question why she was subjecting herself to this torture.

Her body bristled, muscles tensing in a well noted instinct to run. It seemed the weather was to join her in her souring mood, how appropriate. She began to turn, settling on the decision to take her leave before her temper might strike up like lightning. But once again she found herself stilled despite herself, this time in the simple gesture of him facing her. Those green eyes... a shiver unrelated to the air's temperature coursed through her and she found herself wondering if he was aware of just how powerful his gaze was. Perhaps he managed it as a tool, a weapon of freezing opponents? Anyone who could charge against such a look, especially should it be empowered by the atmosphere of war... surely only the blind or suicidal could stand against him. Had her unspoken challenge been too hasty? Suddenly such a prospect wouldn't shock her if it were true.

His words were answer enough. Nothing hostile, yet... blood rushed to her cheeks and Bella threw up her head slightly, messed locks tangling all the more around her flustered faced. Damn him...

"What does my sex have anything to do with it?" she snapped, shaking her head as a sound of disgust slipped from her throat. "So like a male, keeping all your thoughts bottled up, seeing the world in such a black and white - weak and strong fashion.

I prefer to speak my mind, but why bore you with something that'd sooner slip through one ear and out the other - seems you have nothing to halt the flow if even for a moment. Why waste either of our precious time? Pardon, but allow me to save you the continued tedious task of actually socializing, it's pretty clear you lack experience in that field and I'd hate to exhaust you further from the effort of speech."

Playful tone or not, the mare was fed up and sick of it. She wanted out, she wanted away, and damn it she'd get it now.

Her hooves dug into the earth, fragments of the soft top soil flying away as her weight pushed down to give her leverage to dart off. Nothing of her small speech stuck with her as "stuck up" or "bitchy"... well, that's not really true. Maybe all of it was, but at that point, she didn't have it in her to give a s**t about what he thought of her and her little outburst.

'Go to hell,' she thought with a snarl, vision flashing bleak and poisoned for the moment, "seeing red" as the saying goes. Seeing nothing but rage and hate and with what little part of her was untainted by the horrible thoughts wanting nothing more than to find a cave to crawl in and die.

...now, see, "seeing red" is apparently rather dangerous when giving such an ability to a klutz. Especially one with such a wonderful record as Bella's.

She wasn't exactly sure how it happened - perhaps her hoof landed on one of slippery rocks wrong, or maybe she tripped, or maybe gravity liked her just that much - all she knew was one minute she was making a heated escape, next she was given a rather abrupt cool-down in the frosty river. Yep, of course life would decide now was the best time to fall into the water, of course...

Picking her way to her hooves carefully, her bangs stuck to her neck and face in a nice veil, a perfect excuse to not look at the stallion as she made her way (carefully) through the remainder of the small body of water to the other side.

Anyone know of a good cave to go curl up and die in? Anyone?
Anyone at all?

Damn.

 

[Regal Renegade]

Her retort was something he had been expecting but the falling was something entirely different. The scraping of hooves sliding off of rock, a faint splash, and the sloshing of water as she exited the stream. Though her mane sheltered her face her bearing was enough to inform him of how she was feeling. His competitive spirit soon gave way to a feeling of guilt that he had long forgotten. He couldn’t help but to feel that firing her up had been the cause of her misfortune. He was deeply relieved to see that she hadn’t broken a bone or pulled a tendon otherwise he would have been even more to blame. Seeing her now he could easily pick out the errors of his ways. He hadn’t been hospitable to her from the get go and now he had gone and caused her harm. Sighing inwardly he waded across the waters until he was by her side. His eyes wandered up and down her leg as he searched for any visible injury.

“You alright?” He asked gently.
There was no gash apparent but he was still worried that she could have bruised something beneath the flesh. His ears flicked back and forth when he realized that having his head right beside her leg, inspecting it, might be a bit awkward he side stepped. Catching a glimpse of her from the corner of his eye he couldn’t help but to admire the way she seemed to glow in the gloomy weather. Quickly turning so that he may face her he bowed his head humbly.

“As an apology for ultimately causing you to injure yourself I would be honored to escort you to wherever it is that you aspire to go.”
His eyes were on the ground for his pride shuddered beneath this sentiment. In knight speech lowering your head was in an essence exposing one of your weak spots. Submerging these thoughts in the depths of his mind he continued.
“I would ask you to kindly not refuse for it is only appropriate that I do this. If you do so not wish it of me then I shall have to repay you in a different manner.”
Lifting his head he looked into her captivating amber eyes and realized something rather important. They had yet to learn one another’s names. As a knight he scolded himself for not showing her the proper amount of courtesy before first insulting her.
“Though I am sure you do not wish to know it I would rather you know me by name.”
Extending one leg outright he lowered himself in an equine bow.
“I am Callan MacTaíl.” He stated simply.  

[Kaefaux]

She'd expected a laugh, perhaps a chuckle or some sort of comment about her blunder - not help or concern.

Bella rose a damp brow as he came up beside her, startled but still as she watched him warily. What was he doing? She was fine - no blood, no foul. She was standing on the leg, had to mean something to him, never mind she was just walking two seconds ago before he came over...

"I'm fine. I'm used to it," she stated dryly, blunt in her honesty about her lack of balance and luck with gravity. She'd opened her mouth to shoo him away, but quickly closed it when he continued, brow still up as she took in this very different persona.

...'Honored'? She was suddenly very reminded of certain members of her past, the very eloquent speakers that they were with their old time ways. But... not in a bad way.

Still though, no reason to let him know it was with such a similar show of chivalry her heart was stolen before. "You're the the one in charge of gravity, and I certainly don't need an escort... but I'll take the offer instead as an apology for before." Bold? Yes, slightly.

It was that boldness that made her step away then, flicking her tail as she walked past him. Only a slight bow of her head was given to show she'd heard him give his name, a sound that echoed rather oddly through her mind. It stirred an interesting chorus of thoughts, though.

"I'm Bella Swan," she responded after a moment's pause, coming to a stop a few feet away from him. Turning slightly, her look was that of calculation and speculation. Debating, wondering... ah hell, might as well take the plunge.

"Instead of escorting me home... think you could teach me how to fight instead?"