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Maion had decided, it was by no means an easy decision but it was done. Talking to Sengdroma had actually hurt.... why had he not been trusted? Why had no one told him of the troubles of their sister herd... if he had known, maybe he could have helped.... maybe he could have made a difference? But now, so many lives had been lost, including Scythe and Vara. No. He couldn't live with that, it hurt. True, he was an elder now and probably should be able to control his emotions more... but in this he felt very much like his beloved Ocean, turbulant and choppy. It would settle one day, he knew in his heart it would, but today was not that day, today, Maion just needed some time away from this place.

That was why he found himself wandering towards his youngest daughter, Chandra. Io and Mal had both seemingly left to explore the world and train, so she was all he had left, her and her family that was. He loved watching her three daughters grow and get stronger, all three were so different but had their own striking quality. Beautiful and brave heze, bright and over the top Zaniah, silent and delicate Auva. Yes, he loved them all, that was part of the reason he wore their baby beads and feathers in his mane, a constant reminder that he did have a purpose. It had simply shifted now.

"Chandra," He said softly, deciding to waste no time now that he sought her out. "We need to talk my dear." Behind her he could see her mate Sonnet, never far behind, in many ways he saw his relationship with Sengdroma.... except there was a difference, in this pair Chandra needed more protecting, needed her mate to protect her.

Chandra blinked at her name and turned to see her father, a bright smile covered her lips.... at least until she saw the seriousness of his expression. "Daddy..... are you ok?" The words We need to talk sent a shiver down her spine, why did she suddenly believe she was in trouble? Why did she suddenly have a bad feeling.... a really bad feeling... she turned to Sonnet, her eyes pleading silently for his support, a support she knew he would offer without question or reserve, they were very much a team, she filled up what he was lacking and he did the same for her. Not that she would say Sonnet was lacking much, but while she was bright and bubbly he would often shine as the voice of reason.

Sonnet looked up from where he had been quietly keeping an eye on Heze and Haki, he wasn't sure what to make of them but he was becoming resigned to the bond they seemed to have. But he would want to see more when the stallion was able. For now though Chan needed him, and so he moved to her side and gave her a gentle nuzzle, somehow in the past months he had become more of a rock for her, he didn't know how or when, but they had both been torn apart when Auva had been hurt... But now... it seemed while hurting the cahnges had drawn them together more than tearing them apart.

Maion couldn't help but smile at them both, they both had such big hearts, he knew they meant well. But in this he really did have to follow his heart, there was no other option. "Perhaps, but either way I must leave..." The pain flashed across his features, "I am sorry Chandra, I never wanted to do this to you and your family. To our family." He sighed, torn between how much to reveal, how much of his breaking heart he could trust out in the world. His daughter deserved something though, even a small something. "I have had a slight... disagreement with your mother... I need to clear my head." Needed to breath, to lick his wounds and sooth his breaking heart. And his heart was breaking, the betrayal cutting him deep. Was he really that untrustworthy? His eyes displayed the storm of his emotions. He turned to look at Sonnet then, "Foolhardy, perhaps, but I have been on my own before." A long time ago... but the fact remained that he had, as a foal and young adult, been completely alone until he met Elijah. As if knowing what he was thinking his little friend wiggled in his mane and peeked out at Chandra and Sonnet. "I shall have Elijah," he said softly, "So fear not, I shall never truely be alone." He hoped that him leaving would also entice Kimi to leave too, after all she was the largest threat to them... and next time she did something like this, he would not spare her.

Chandra frowned, a tear forming in each of her eyes. Her mother and father were fighting? And her father was leaving? What under the Moon could they be fighting about? Confusion furrowed her brow and she looked to Sonnet for a moment before returning her attention to her father and speaking. "Sonnet is right Daddy, the world is filled with even more horror's than when you were younger. I... I don't want to lose you Daddy. My girls would all miss you, especially Heze! Will you let us go with you?" She said those last words a little hesitantly, even as her passion and honesty rang though each of them. Chandra meant them. And although she would miss her mother greatly she couldn't bare the thought her father being alone... especially after everything he had done for her and the herd. From her first breath he had been scarificing for her, it was her turn to repay him.

Sonnet had no idea what to say, he had never really spoken to Chan's mother but he had never thought they could have troubles, Maion seemed totally devoted to his mate.... Then again if that devotion was not returned they had troubles. He regarded Maion silently for a time, not thinking that solitude would help, but maybe it was the time away from troubles to think that the stallion needed, heavens knew he could relate to that. Looking to Chandra he wanted to draw her back from where she was going, but he didn't have it in him to do so. Looking back to Maion he said the only thing he could that might reveal where his thoughts had gone. "Maybe if you told us something more, help us understand father." He very rairly called Maion that, he would always be Maion to Sonnet, the younger stallion respected him greatly but he had the feeling that right now he needed the family connection that they had.

Chandra looked from Sonnet to her father, he bottom lip trembling, she didn't like this, didn't like it at all. "Daddy....." Was the only word that escaped her, she wasn't sure why or how but she simply couldn't allow him to go it alone, couldn't bare the idea that he would get lonely or in trouble, couldn't bare the sadness that she could see in him. Everything in her told her she had to help, had to do something! Her heart was too big to simply let those around her feel pain, especially when she felt as if she could help.

She sighed and looked at her mate again, and nodded. Not able to say the words. It was far from the end, but she would let the issue drop for now. Having the feeling that saying more right now would only cause more harm than good. She wasn't a complete idiot, you couldn't push against the tide.

Maion felt his heart shatter a little more with his daughters word, softly he stepped forward and brought her towards him using his wings. Holding her silently for a moment in an warm embrace. Looking over at Sonnet he hoped the meaning behind his expression was clear enough to be interpretted correctly. Keep her safe. Keep her happy.

Sonnet nodded, looking at Maion and Chandra, the older stallion didn't have to ask it was a given, he always had and always would look after her. Sonnet just watched, not moving closer to do anything to break up this parent child moment, this was for them. His mind working over how to fix this problem, the herd would loose so much id Maion left, then again it was already missing parts of itself. His expresison serious and determind as he tried to think his way around what was best here.

Chandra let him pull her close for a cuddle, she had always let anyone hold her within the herd who needed or wanted it. But right now she was aware that it was her who needed the hugs. Smiling softly against her mates warmth she allowed herself to indulge for a moment before falling serious again. "I... I think that a lot of the herdmates won't feel safe without Papa around. Drashi has gone too, so it's almost as if the strong centre is crumbling." She frowned, having spent many evenings missing her brother, even if she knew he needed to discover what he needed.... he had just left one day, hadn't really stopped to say good bye. Of course, she wouldn't have expected that from him.... he was a stallion of few words after all, but still, he really wished that Drashi had at least said goodbye to her, had they not always been close?

She looked up at the sky, "Things are... changing. I don't.... I don't want to stay here without them both."

Sonnet sighed, still holding his mate, nodding. He might not have been a chatty stallion, but neither were Maion or Drashi, he had however grown to feel accepted by them, gaining a brother and a father with them. He missed them though he did it quietly. Though to tell teh truth it felt like his right and left wing had fallen off, and being here witout them, it didn't feel as safe. "Maybe we should move the herd, go somewhere that Kimi wont think to look, Maybe we can talk Maion into staying long enough for that so he knows where to find us?" He was just museing alous, but it did seem the most sane alternative.

Chandra nodded, understanding what Sonnet was saying. "Maybe.... maybe....." She hesitated, biting her lip as an idea came to her. "....maybe we could take the burden from him? Ask him.... eh... to be a figure head? But the responsibility would fall to us? That way.... well, he wouldn't feel so tied? Could leave...." She fell silent then and start blushing, she was talking about taking over the head roles, something she had never considered before, she had learnt she was and her sister Io were next in line for the Alpha role but she had never really contemplated it beyond the theory. Yet now, here she was offering to take the role simply so that she could try and help..... she shook her head, nestling her head into Sonnet's mane. "I know it's not something we ever considered before... but... well..... what do you think?" She asked a little nervously.

That made Sonnet's eyes go wide, taking up the role of the Alpha pair... No small thing... Besides there was nothing to say that they would follow them. " I wouldn't know how, I mean I trained, I learnt from your father, Drashi, Sofiel... I never did it to be in charge...." Not to mention that he had a small fear of ending up acting like his mother if he for that near being in charge.... He had always been wairy of any kind of leader or ruling position since he learnt the truth about her. Thinking quietly.

She nodded into Sonnet's mane, well aware of her responsibilities as they currently stood. "I know." She couldn't still the tears, "I... just need to do something, you know? I don't want to just let things unfold... I can't."

Sonnet nodded and made a faint rocking motion as he hugged her. "Shhh Chan, its ok, we will work something out.... Shhh my north star, your tears are breaking my heart."

Chandra nodded softly, ok. "I hope you think of something sweety, I... really can't shift this feeling." Smiles softly at him before making her way to the lake to wash before seeing Heze and her friend.

--------------LATER--------------

Chandra lay next to her mate, the first light of day nearly upon them. "Sonnet. I have been thinking all eve....." She kissed him softly, "....and I was speaking to Sophia and Renesme. Well, they feel nervous by the way Father has been with them all laterly.... we have to do something. If it continues... well, I fear everyone will be hurt."

Sonnet who at this point was feeling rather sleepy, he didn't get this whole nocturnal thing as well as the others. "Mmm sounds like we need a herd meeting..." Yawning and lifting his head up looking at his mate. "I can't shake the feeling that Maion won't do well if we pressure him... so why don't we talk to the others and tell them that so Maion can have a break we will take over, if they are ok with it." It was more complicated than that, they both knew it but it was the basic idea of what she had said.