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Luthias was un-familiar with the language she spoke, but it sounded elegant and formal. He wished his tongue knew the words so that he could share the beautiful sounds. "Ves'tacha" Luthias repeated the name in his head. He curled the tip of his tail around his ankle. He seemed unsure how to respond. He glanced up at the sky, the moon seemed closer than usual, and brighter. The moon light danced over her body and the way it caught her face made his temperature rise.

Luthias had never been treated so kindly by anyone before, she didn't seem frightened at all. The last soul to be so kind was a blind mare. But it was clear that she could see all of him, and all his dangerous features.
Why didn't she run, or cower? She had mentioned that her children ate meat, and had to hunt. She must have learned not to judge on face value.
He was pleased to know that Ves'tacha had previous experience.

"It is a pleasure to meet you and your friend, and if I am welcome I would enjoy the company of you fine ladies." It might have sounded a little forced, but Luthias did his best to sound pleasant.

She was being very hospitable, and he didn't want to seem rude. A twinge of excitement sparked in him. Perhaps it was the moon, or perhaps is was her angelic manner, but his heart raced at the thought of spending more time with her. He had all but forgotten about the pearls, he was focused on her. This may have been the first time he could remember, that he was not solely focused on obtaining new treasures. Ves'tacha seemed to be a treasure all her own.

"It is no problem. While I was flying I could see that there is a dense grove of trees not far from here. And if I might ask, where is the destination for you're half-traveled journey?"

Strong, noble, and gracious were not words he would use to describe himself.
Luthi was strong, but did not always have control of it. He felt noble and gracious were words to better describe her than anything.

She didn't appear to carry much of anything with her, unless she hid it in her hair. He wondered how hard it must be for her to travel so much. He felt fortunate that he could fly.

"I do not travel like you do. I have specific places that I call home, most of them are caves. But that doesn't mean I stay put, I spend most of my time in the sky. I only come down if I find something of interest or need to fish."

He thought how fortunate he must have been, to have caught her while she was passing through. But it was his keen eye for the pearls that lead him here.

Ves'tacha nods. "That is the way most live. But I am a wanderer by birth. Nothing ties me, nothing holds me. But I am free to love all that I see. It is something I am grateful I have. Though sometimes I wish I could settle, to have something to keep."

She shakes her head, trying to dispel the sudden melancholy. A smile lights her face. "The road, each new horizon, is my home. And discovering the world, meeting new friends around every turn, that is worth what is given up." How much of Ves'tacha's words are for herself is hard to say, but it still sounds as though she really believes what she says.

"I sometimes think the sky would be an amazing place to travel. To see the sights from those heights . . . It sounds like a grand adventure. But one I shall not have. I do envy you that ability."



Don't worry about how long the response is, just if it is all you want it to be. Length doesn't always mean substance.

Ves'tacha listens, small smile on her face. "That . . . it sound nice. A little scary, but nice. I don't know that I'd walk if I could fly. . . . Maybe that's why I don't have wings. Walking is part of me. Flying is part of you. And for all I would have the experience, I would not choose to be any but who I am."

She smiles at him for a moment before blinking, eyes fluttering slightly as she tries to ignore the fatigue of the road. "My apologies gentle Luthias. I fear the day is beginning to catch up with me. I will need to retire to the copse of trees soon before I am too tired to do so. I fear traveling all the day means I have little energy for conversations in the eve."

"I would, again, extend an invitation to join us. Should you be too far from your caves to return to their comfort. I would not press, but I do not wish you to feel unwelcome."

Ves'tacha stands. As her muscles and joints protest, having stiffened as she lay on a cold ground, she staggers. Heat rises to her cheeks as she bumps into Luthias. But his solid strength helps her find her balance, for which she is grateful.

Lowering her head so that her fetlock falls to cover her eyes, "I am sorry, gallant Luthias. I appreciate your support." She barely notices as Rani scurries up her legs and retakes a position in her mane. She definitely doesn't notice as a few more beads tumble to the ground and bounce and roll into the underbrush.

With a deep breath Ves'tacha balances on her hooves again and begins to move towards the thicket of trees wherein a small clearing, with branches overreaching it, will shelter them for the night. It takes only a few steps to loosen her muscles enough that her natural grace is again in evidence, if not as much as it would be earlier in the day.

Her steps sure, Ves'tacha only glances back once to assure herself her companion is following her and safe. What she would do if something dared threaten him, she doesn't know. But it is a habit and an affection.

Ves'tacha feels her skin shake, as though discouraging a fly, for a moment as Luthias' wing moves to shelter her. With a sigh as his warmth seeps into her, she leans against him for a moment.

With a blink, she shakes her head slightly. Ves'tacha had not expected the evening to move in such a . . . friendly direction. Not that it bothered her. She didn't litter the roadside with her castoffs, but she didn't mind sharing affection with those she met either.

It wasn't that Ves'tacha was opposed to finding someone who would fill her life. But she couldn't do so at the cost of losing the road, the Roma way. That didn't mean a little warmth on a cold night would be taken amiss.

As they reached the stand of trees, Ves'tacha nuzzles Luthias lightly before slipping out from under his wing. The path between the trees was too narrow to walk side by side. Ducking her head under a low hanging branch, she slips into the copse and moves to make room for her companion.

There was just enough room for them to fit side by side. No matter where Ves'tacha's thoughts had been heading, there would be no 'companionship' tonight beyond conversation and warmth. But she smiled back at the opening, waiting for the stallion to join her.