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"Just follow me," Cairbre said firmly. With a bit of effort, he caused his fluttering wings to glow a little brighter, in order to lead the faltering mare better. He just hoped she'd be able to make it. The town wasn't far, but he wasn't sure he could carry her if she fell and wasn't able to rise. He kept the pace pretty slow but constant, so he could make sure she was okay. But he still was curious, so after a few minutes he finally asked a question. "What brought you out this far, anyway?"

Cairbre frowned, feeling anger bubble on her behalf. Revenge and lost love, huh? Sounded like a real jerk. Probably best not to say so, though. At least not openly. "I'm sorry. I.. don't know much about that sort of thing. I've traveled all my life, but I've never gotten so close to another Azrein that losing them hurt so much." He shook his head. "Did he know? Before he left? And he still left? I can't believe someone could leave.. someone like you."

"Manservant? What the hell is that?" Must have been a well off Azrein, to have apparently loyal servants to watch over their girlfriend. "It just seems wrong. Revenge can't be more important than family! I guess he didn't understand what he was leaving behind. Or that you wouldn't still be there when he returns."" Unless she still would? He hoped she knew better than that. He'd have to show her that not all stallions would break her like that. She seemed so sweet and trusting, but broken trust wasn't easily mended.

Then Beta's words penetrated his brain, and he blushed. Oh man, she paid attention to that part? "W-well, yeah, you're.. you know, you're pretty and you seem really kind to me..."

Cairbre stopped. "Hey." His voice was hard and low. "You have nothing to apologize for. You've done the best thing you could for the ones that matter most to you, even though it's breaking your heart. Don't say sorry anymore." He turned around and leaned his neck against hers for a moment, offering a physical reassurement the same way his brother loved to do - he always called it a hug - then he backed off and looked at Beta. His eyes were serious, but they glittered with something undefinable. He added in a softer tone, "Stick around here for a while, I'll say more things like that. And let me know if we're going too fast, or you need to rest."

He felt his face heat when Beta returned his gesture, pressing her face timidly into his neck. He didn't miss the tears in her eyes. It was amazing, how much she was willing to trust him, even though they'd only just met. "O-of course I will!" he managed. Even if Cairbre had been at all inclined to ignore her - which he wasn't - he was fairly sure his father would probably kill him if he found out his son had left a mare in need alone in the middle of nowhere. "You've nothing to be scared of, here," he continued gently. "The doctor in town will make sure you're okay, and I know my father will help me keep watch for any danger. You'll be safe with us." He helped her start walking again, keeping his fury at Reth masked in concern for her. That guy had better hope Cairbre never found him.

Cairbre winced, his glowing wings losing some of their luster for a heartbeat. He hadn't meant to let her see his agitation. Goodness knows, she didn't need any more to worry about. He leaned into the contact, feeling obscurely guilty but not knowing what to do about it. Fortunately, a nice distraction was visible up ahead, and he seized it gratefully. "See the light? That's the outer edge of the village. The doctor's home is near there, and there's an Azrein stable for sick and visiting Azrein attached." He hummed a little. "There isn't anyone else there now, besides me and my father. I hope you don't mind him. He won't try to intimidate you, but sometimes he does, just by being himself. Cult of personality, he calls it."

Cairbre smiled, happy that her mood was improving by the minute. It was mid evening, so the town was mostly quiet, with some noise being heard from the inn at the other end. Anyone with the expectation of work tomorrow was already abed. He led Beta to the outer door of the stables and nudged open the door. Once they were both inside, he picked out the largest stall at the end attached to the doctor's main house, one with enough room to sprawl (or to spawn, if she went into labor while here), with plenty of thick warm hay, oats in a high bin on the wall, and beautifully chill water bin at the bottom. "Will this be fine for now?" he asked with some trepidation. "You're farthest from the door here, but just on the other side is the heating system for the main house, so it's the warmest point in here."

----

Dio knew his son had been sneaking out to practice. For whatever reason, the younger stallion didn't feel comfortable singing in front of him. Well, that was okay, perhaps he was planning to debut a song for everyone, and he wanted it to be a surprise from even him? And it wasn't like his son would get lost, not with those glow sticks in his body, and despite looking like the strangest fairy in existence, he could handle himself in a fight. Ronnie wasn't the worrying type, so he simply accepted it and moved on.

Now, when that same son came sneaking in, trailing an intriguing young mare (one that looked pregnant, if he wasn't very much mistaken, and quite haggard despite her beauty), he was a little more worried. What had he gotten mixed into? He watched from his stall in some amusement, noting that he was being ignored, but probably because Cairbre was concentrating on the intriguing mare. Nothing to be offended by, really. He would stay back until an opportunity presented itself.

Cairbre smiled, watching Beta practically sink into the straw. He doubted she even noticed the moment her eyes closed and she dropped off into sleep. She must have been absolutely exhausted, he reflected. Now he would have to stand guard over her, but he didn't mind. For a moment he stepped away, in order to close the entrance. As he did so, his eyes met his father's, who raised an eloquent brow at him. He shook his head, only saying quietly, "Tomorrow, Dad. I'll tell you tomorrow." The elder nodded slightly, moving himself to a stall where he could watch the door. Content that the entrance would be covered, Cairbre backed himself into the stall across the walkway from Beta, carefully laying himself down so that he could still see her. His legs and wings dimmed as his eyes closed and his mind quieted into dreams.