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Well. This wasn't want Terra had wanted to do in the first place. It'd been the idea to perhaps injure Caoimhe to the point where she'd be vulnerable to further attacks and now it didn't look like this was going to happen. Her kick to the Angeni didn't seem to do much damage either. Snarling softly in defiance of Amitiel's words Terra shifted from side to side on the spot as she took in her options.

One she could take the out given by the Angeni or two she could continue fighting and be at risk for grave injury. However which way it looked like a retreat was in order - at least for the moment. Who was to say that she couldn't come back and surprise one or both of them at a later time?

Flicking her wings out and up suddenly Terra shifted into her bat form and took to the air. The bat circled a few times before suddenly diving back down at the stallion. Careful to avoid the hair Terra landed on Amitiel's back and quickly sunk her fangs into the stallion's back. The razor-sharp claws at the end of her wings cut into his skin as she scored Amitiel's back a few times with them before suddenly detaching herself. Chittering loudly Terra took to the air and started to fly off - leaving the Angeni with a mark that he wouldn't forget. Licking the few drops of blood that she had managed to score Terra adopted an easy pace of flight as she left the pair behind.

Amitiel had watched in relief as the beast took to the skies, he had even been about to release the breath he had been holding when he heard the 'whoosh' of air swoop over wings as they closed to dive. If he hadn't been of a flying breed he doubted he would ever have known what the sound meant... yet it was still little warning. Eyes shot up to the sky just as he saw and then felt the pang of claws and talons.

PAIN! It roared like a wild beast within him, beckoning and begging him to make it end. Blood.... pain... mysery.... and no matter how much Amitiel tried to shift the beast the talons only seemed to dig deeper.

His vision started to blurr through the pain just as the skinwalker let him loose. Relief was instant, like a heavy weight had suddenly been lifted and removed, yet it continued to throb in memory. Deep down Amitiel knew he was bleeding, he knew the skinwalker may simply be preparing to attack again but he couldn't focus on any of that... all he heard, all he saw even through his blurred vision was purple and white. A mare so innocent and gentle as the sound of crying reaching him. Amitiel managed a "Hussssssh" noise, long and drawn out as he tried to catch his breath. He legs collapsed beniethe him as the pain throbbed to an all time high... then slowly it ebbed.

Was he dying? He heard that pain often left you when you were near death, like the mistress of agony took pity on your damned soul and gave you a moments rest before you eternal torment. Yet the sensation soon ebbed completely and his vision corrected itself... not dying... healed!

Amitiels eyes darted straight to the source to see the innocent white mares healing magic dancing and darting from her horn to his own flesh. She was giving up her life energy to heal him.... why? "Stop..." He said, concerned for her and what her actions would mean for her. When he heard her apologise and blaim herself he felt part of his heart break... how could she think that? Wanting to sooth her Amitiel said, "Shhhhh now Caoimhe, you have nothing to apologise for. It is in their nature to try and destroy those true of heart. Just like it in the Angeni's nature to destroy them." He pulled himself up off the ground now that his pain was gone and moved towards her, touching her neck softly with his nose as he caressed. Seeing in her destress was terrible. "I fear it is more likely my fault than yours."

"Caoimhe..." He started, he had the intention of reprimanding her, but the sincerity in her words made him hesitate, so instead he said. "It was not your fault. Her being here was coincident... I believe that with all of my soul, few skinwalkers go hunting for a specific prey. The bloodlust doesn't allow it." He nuzzled her again, simply enjoying the warmth of her embrace and closesness.

Taking a deep breath he continued; "It was very brave of you to protect another but it is NOT your fault that I was injured. I expected it, the Angeni and the Skinwalker are natural enermies. Fear now... she did not hurt me to kill me, but to leave me with a reminder." Yes, all skinwalkers were the same in many ways.... they liked to leave their marks and warnings, but what this beast didn't know was that he would wear the mark as a badge of honour... a badge earned for protecting a innocent.

Then she touched him, he smiled softly and said with closed eyes; "It doesn't hurt at all. Thank you for your aid. But Caoimhe...." he started, taking a deep breath before continuing; "You need not worry about my injuries... nor do you need to worry about preventing such things."

Amitiel nodded softly, remembering the red roses, the red fruit and treats that he had loving set out maybe less than an hour ago. He wondered if it was even still there or if the wind had destroyed everything he had done. Nodding though he simply replied; "Yes we were." before turning to lead the way. Part of him could sence the sudden change in her... she had gone from warm to cool, and Amitiel wasn't sure what he had done or how he could undo it.

He walked in silent until they where close, he didn't want to see the mess everything was in no and so bowed his head softly on a thicker part of the path and said; "Ladies first." And then he prayed, prayed things weren't too destroyed.

Amitiel took a deep breath, his body shaking with nerves as he joined her. He was relieved to see everything was near enough where he had placed it, and that Caoimhe's eyes where kept returning to the gem. "Yes... they are for you." He said as he bowed to her in respect, "Not what I had envisioned of today but these are all for you.... to say what I can not."

Amitiel hadn't really considered what he would say or do after giving Caoimhe her gifts, he had simply worked and plotted and schemed to get them so that this moment would be perfect.... it seems he had forgotten one very important part.

He gulped, looked at all the gift of red before him before looking at Caoimhe, what did she want him to say? What did she think he wanted to ask her?

Yet, beyond all these questions was one thing far more important.... Amitiel needed to ask himself the question; what do you want to ask her? Why did you really go to all this trouble? What is it he feared he could never say?

The answer was simple, this creature that has spoken only the truth to him had touched him in ways no other ever had, and he wanted more. He wanted to spend time with her.... play with her, spoil her, explore with her.... court her. Yes, court her.

He gulped again before asking; "Do you like them?" Yes, that was not the question he had intended on asking but still he had asked.

Trying again, he gulped once more, taking his eyes off Caoimhe and to the field of red gifts before him. What would he do if she said no? Did she even want him to ask her that? Again the questions about her and her intentions or wants whirled and twirled in his mind. Still... she deserved to know, and for some reason Amitiel got the impression that if she was to reject him she would do it nicely -no laughing or insults at his stupidity. So, at last he said. "Caoimhe," he turned to face her. Eyes shining with his honesty and want;"May I have your permission to court you?"

What stunned Amitiel the most was.... how did Caoimhe know what he had planned to ask her? Especially to the extent of asking or telling another about it.... he felt his cheeks blush and found himself suddenly confused. How did he feel about her protecting and serving another? Especially one that wanted to 'check his intentions'? He didn't know.... all he knew was he didn't think it would be wise to dogde the subject. [color-green]"Ok," he agreed, he knew it wouldn't change his mind. Amitiel couldn't lie and he knew... he wanted Caoimhe for his own.