[PRP] Charisma Circus (Kathreftis & Apocalypse)

[saedusk]

The excuse had been about wanting to scout ahead for water or something equally poor, he couldn't really remember. It wasn't exactly important, either, since he didn't quite feel remorseful for leaving his traveling companion behind. That, and it's not like he expected her to ask him why he had been gone for so long when he eventually made his way back. In the past few days they had spent together, she hadn't said a single word and he still wasn't sure why. Up til now he hadn't been paying her much mind in all honesty, but as the sun signaled noon on yet another day, he began to feel something akin to a curious annoyance.

What was she thinking? Okay, maybe he never really looked at her long enough to gauge her reaction to things, but still- After being together for this long, he was sure she would have started actually answering his conversations with words like normal Soquili. He snorted. And worst of all, what was her name? He hated talking to someone without knowing what to call them. It was even more obnoxious than talking to a wall that never talked back.

Well, it was decided then. He would give her a name. Yeah, that was it. He would call her something until she decided to correct it. Turning back the way he came, he ambled along the path. He hadn't gone too far, but at least an hour had passed since he started 'scouting ahead.' Idly, he wondered if she would still be standing where he left her.  

[Ktns]

It was almost as if she had turned off, perhaps even shut down when he was no longer in sight. As if she were a doll that one had set on the ground until their return. She stood perfectly still, unwaivering, expressionless and void until he would return. If she had any thoughts, she wouldnt have remembered what they were.

It was all that she knew, silence, darkness, before he came along. He pulled her from it as if she were drowning in a black, inky, tar, and for the first time, it was as if she could breathe, as if she could see. She followed him, and his commands as if by clockwork. Speaking had never come to her mind, mostly because she couldnt. Her jaw, for whatever reason she could not remember, was locked. Literally.

She found herself finally inhaling deeply as if she had stopped breathing altogether. An ear finally flicked, along with her tail. Her mind started to finally stir on its own, a pique of curiosity. Where had her master gone?  

[saedusk]

Eventually he made it to a line of trees, rather thin and spotted here and there with vegitation. On the other side in a small clearing, that was where he had left her. And that was where, if things continued to go like they had been from the beginning, she would still be waiting. Probably in the exact same spot. He snorted, starting through the bush. It didn't take long, either. Apocalypse was close enough to see the other side through the trees. There she was, her three bold colors standing out ever so obviously against the green.

"Hey," he called, sounding bored, as if opening his mouth was only an afterthought. He stepped from the treeline, shaking a few stray leaves from the visible parts of his mane. "Thanks for waiting." The words drew out sarcastically, as if he were daring her to speak up. Perhaps there was even a twinge of hope that she would and he would get something besides that vacant stare.

"You know..." he was rambling now, not particularly taking to her and certainly not taking the time to look at her as he walked around to her other side. "... there's not much around here, is there?" Answer. Answer. Talk. His hooves clopped dully against the springy earth until he stopped walking, nearly lined up at her side. It was then he finally glanced over. "Right...?" There was a pause, as if he meant to say something else. If he had her name, he would have. And if she didn't give it up now, he would go with his plan of giving her one himself. The expression he wore was a grin, but behind it was the judgmental, biting personality he had always been.  

[saedusk]

Etherial Requiem

His energy, his strength, it all enamoured her. Just his presense commanded respect to her, and in that sense alone she was already so deeply devoted to him she would just as much walk off a cliff, had he led her to. She watched with her bright yellow eyes and soon, she was clomping around as well, mimicing him. Her expression showed that it wasnt out of jest, nor were she mocking him. It was simply that she was getting a feel for him as if she wanted to feel his same passion, his own strength.

When he talked, when he demanded an answer, she stopped and stared up at him. Almost as if she were but a mere soldier and he were her superior. She stood straight and nodded abruptly to his question and for the first time, she made a soft chortle of sorts. It was the only sound she *could* make. The breathy vibration echoed softly and followed with a snort.

Even though the vegetation was something minor to her, he seemed to be passionate about it, so she would be too! It was totally lost on her that his own energy came from her.

Posted from email.  

[saedusk]

A brow raised questioningly. He had gotten more from her eyes in that moment than he had since they met. Maybe it had simply been his imagination, but she was responding. When her head dipped into a nod, his muscles tensed in anticipation. Too bad he was sorely disappointed by what he received. His smile slipped into a scowl. Was that really it? For a moment he felt she was playing him for a fool. "Oh?" That one word was harsh and deliberate. "Is that so?" A laugh rose in his throat and he began to shake his head, stepping away from her as he did so. This... was even worse than her making no sounds at al-

Eyes widened and the laughter died almost as quickly as it had begun. He was unsure why he felt so angry. And yet, suddenly it didn't matter. He had reached a realization. One more step and he turned to look back at the mare.

"You can't talk, can you?" The question hung heavily in the hair, backed by narrowed red eyes.

How simple. Suddenly Apocalypse was sure he was right. He couldn't deny that she had done everything he told her to from the beginning. She had never once ignored him or spoke up to question his less than savory personality. Why, then, would she so boldly lie to his face now? She wasn't, that was the answer. For a moment his quest to name her was forgotten as he stared, waiting for her confirmation.  

[saedusk]

Etherial Requiem

She easily felt his waves of anger, of confusion, of a twisted amusement, and each made her only act like his little soldier all the more. She stood at attention, tense and still. She waited for him to stop, or ask a question or even give a command. To her, things were simple. He seemed to be giving a favorable response, or at least still here and 'playing' with her, giving her attention. She felt she was pleasing him and would continue to do so until she needed to change.

She shook her head, still quite at attention at his question, agreeing with him. It wasn't something she ever really thought about in a good or bad way, it just... was. It never occurred to her just how vital talking was in a sense of communication, or how it effected others around her.

Posted from email.  

[saedusk]

Another short laugh shook his frame, his lips stretching up in amusement. "I see. So, I was right." Not being able to speak... he had never heard of such a thing. But he supposed that because so few others found him tolerable company, he didn't know much about what afflictions of weakness some might have. The charming personality he wore as a cover only lasted long enough for him to get what he wanted. And if that want couldn't be provided, well, he certainly didn't have the time for them. Turning back around completely, he canted his head, looking momentarily thoughtful.

"Well, look-" he began, shrugging a shoulder. "It's kind of bothersome." He grew silent for only a moment, mostly for effect, before continuing. "But you at least need a name. I'm tired of saying 'you, you' all the time." Frowning, he seemed to be considering his options. "How about this: Kathreftis. Hm? What do you think?" There was an edge of sarcasm to his voice. It really didn't matter what she thought.  

[Ktns]

Still as intent and tense as before she blinked as he gave her the name. She didnt seem so quick to answer or nod at his every word. If only because she was imprinting the name to her memory as if it had been her name given at birth. Her eyes seemed distant for a moment before she was sure she had it memorized. She nodded again sharply, still at attention as she gave a small snuffle in understanding. She even went so far as to stamp a hoof down into the dirt to show it was done.  

[saedusk]

Well, if nothing else she seemed to be receptive of the name. The more time he actually took to pay attention, the more he realized that she had likely been reacting to him the entire time. Luckily, he wasn't the type to feel guilt for his actions. She should have acted up more if she really wanted attention.

"Hey, Kathreftis," he called dryly, glancing sideways at the path they had been taking before he split off to 'scout ahead.' "There's this human settlement nearby." One he knew about through previous prankings. "I'm kind of hungry for something sweet and they always have sugar there for their captured horses." Without much explaination beyond that, he turned and started walking. "I want some."  

[saedusk]

Etherial Requiem

Without a thought or a pause she snorted and started to trot off after him. A human settlement? She suddenly stopped, eyes wide and made a sound that could be percieved as a whimper. Her ears flopped down suddenly and her head dipped so her chin touched her neck before backing up sharply. It was the only other emotion she showed other than loyalty. It ws fear, and it was unmistakable.

Posted from email.  

[saedusk]

At first he didn't stop, he simply kept walking, assuming she would follow. But no, it seemed as if she meant to disobey. Finally, he stopped as well, turning back on the mare with a disapproving expression. "What's wrong?" he asked, tone saying he didn't much care what the reason for her fear was, only that it was keeping her from doing as she was told. Huffing, he stepped back towards her, his head canting and an unfriendly grin slipping slowly across his feature. "It's the humans, isn't it?"

Yes, he remembered. It hadn't been that long ago really. At the time he hadn't even realized how tortured she had been. Releasing her from her imprisonment had been for his own benefit. "Don't be scared," he cooed, dipping his head a bit. "They won't be able to hurt you again. I'll make you stronger than they are." His eyes willed her to believe, because if she did, he knew he could mold her into something useful to these settlement raids.