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Maion nodded at that, remembering the colt Sonnet had once been, how he had put everything into to learning to fly, how he had stood up for himself and even come to face Maion in person... despite the hard news that he was both mating his daughter and expecting foals. Yeah, that had been a shock, even for this old stallion. "I know you have. That is why I trust you.... you will look after them."

The pain in his eyes at Sonnet's next question had him swallowing hard, he was more than aware that he had yet to tell anyone. Perhaps now was the time. "I am leaving my mate." He finally said, sure he had likely said something similar before. "...and it is killing me...."

This was a surprise, he was sure Chandra knew nothing, she knew only that they were having troubles and that was all Maion had said. Then again chandra would have asked more had this been what he said to her. As for Sonnet he knew little to nothing of the mare in question beyond what she looked like. He had always thought that a herd leader and a mother should care about those in her charge, but it seemed chandras mother was no better than his own. His eyes showing the pain of a wound that was still raw at the thought of his mother. Nodding as he settled down on the ground, not liking to loom over the stallion. "I'm sure you have a good reason Maion and I'm sure its not easy for you... I'm here to listen if you need someone to." He would not talk to Chandra about this, but then there were things he might understand that she would not, even if her parents split she would know they loved her, both of them, always. He on the other had had never even met his, he had watched his father nurse his broken heart through his growing years. He had faced knowing that he had been less than unwanted. He would be there for Maion, he hadn't been old enough to help his own father, hadn't understood then...

True, Maion knew that, but his eyes felt closed despite them being open. He couldn't see through the pain and the fog, nothing made sense anymore, which way was up, which way was down... he didn't know. Yes, he was running away. Needed to. "That is still for you. They are YOUR herd now, and I know you will rise to the responsibility. You may not have expected it, may not have wanted it.... but... " He fell silent, his head resting on the ground. The smell of apples enticing after having very little to eat. "Elijah... please help our friend out." Elijah did just that, tying the necklace into place. Maion's head snapped to attention and he looked at Sonnet. "You are now guardian here."

Sonnet looked down not able to see it but he could feel the heavier pendant over the dreamcatcher he wore much like his father. Shifting a little feeling uncomfortable with the two items around his neck, one with a lot of responsibility. Shifting his head, his hair partially under the new cord. Looking Maion in the eye. "They will always be your herd Maion, making me Guardian doesn't change that, you will always be a part of us no matter what." No judgement on his face, knowing that after Auva was hurt he had needed time to deal with it, and this was different but Maion had the same need, though it was more the place and memories he was escaping, not the soquili. "Is it just the place that needs to change or is it us too?" He knew it was a blunt question but what they had planned would only make matters worse if it was hte herd members too.

Maion looked to the sky, "It's too dark for rainbows." A small smile spread over his lips despite himself. "But one day.... maybe I will get to see one."

Sonnet smiled at that and looked up. "Maion, when its dark you look for stars." His pale eyes glinting in the darkness. "As for rainbows theres nothing in the night that quite matches it, stars are beautiful and bring so many feelings out, but I think Rainbows.... they bring joy before anything else. They remind me that sometimes thigns have to go wrong before they go right. Cant have a rainbow without it raining first after all." Blushing and shifting again, feeling the tug of his hair under Maion's... now his.... pendant, enbarassed that he was talking like this to one like a father to him.

Maion turned and nodded once at Sonnet, before returning his gaze to the lake. Elijah snuggled back against him, obviously his little fox could feel his pain... not surprising, they had been together a long time. No more words were needed, Sonnet knew what he needed to, the herd would be in good hooves... and Maion would be free to wander and seek.... something. He didn't know what. He would be sad to miss the birth of Eden's foals, after everything the strange female had gone through, after finding her own mate... it would have been nice to see it reach it's conclusion. Three boys. He recalled Alice telling everyone at the party, he was still overjoyed for them. Then there was Crown, the lad had always looked up to him... abandoning him was just as difficult as leaving his daughter and sons, then again, the whole herd had become his family. Direct or indirect. They were his... no... they were no Sonnet's. Still, the idea that he could still call them his herd, still have a place to come back to... was reasuring. Especially since he had no idea where his heart would take him.

Sonnet nodded and picked up the bag he had brought the apples in, giving Maion a nod again as he stood and turned to leave, feeling the weight of th star about his neck like an alien thing, especially as it tangled a little in the dream catcher, maybe he could give it to Renesme and see if she could work out how to put th dream catcher in his mane. He wouldn't disguard it, his father had given it to him when he was young, but he couldn't wear both around his neck comfortably, and the dream catcher was lighter. Heading towards where Renesme probably was, betting she was with her daughter, and there being a chance Chan was too. Though he would see her later anyway, this was a quick stop before gathering the protectors.

Chandra bit back a chuckle at Eden's actions, and words, after all she could hear what the other mare was saying... sure that her mother could do. Who, Chandra noted, took it all in her stride. "Shall we continue....?" She was about to say more when she heard footsteps, for a moment she jumped a little in surprise, instantly relaxing the moment she saw it was Sonnet. Her smile bright and fresh upon her features. "Sweethe--" The endearment stalled in her throat as he eyes fell upon... her fathers star necklace? Her heart started to beat too fast and her breath shallowed... why... why did Sonnet have that? Her eyes trailed up her mates neck before seeking his eyes in silent question.

Renesme didn't even blink as Sonnet appeared, seemed completely oblivious to Chandra's reaction or the cause as she looked at her daughter and son-in-law. "Did your brother come and say good bye this morning? His... eh.... friend, seemed very nice, don't you think?" Crown had made the situation known, and it had completely surprised her... her son liked... stallions? Sure the guy seemed nice enough, but that would mean no grandchildren from him? Something that disappointed her a little even as she wanted him to be happy. Her mind was still trying to sort it all out and process it.

Orion smiled softly at his mate and tried to ignore the rest of the world.

Sonnet went pink at the look on chandras face tohugh the worry there made him move closer and nuzzle her reassuringly. Sighing and speaking loud enouh so that the others could hear though he wasn't announcoing anything really. "Maion made me guardian." The silver star gleaming as he shifted, he would let that sink in before asking Renesme if she could work her talents for him on the dreamcatcher.

Eden gave Orion a peck on the nose and lifted her head out to look at her mother, glancing at sonnet and Chandra, leaving the to talk. "Kyran is nice, you might have herd about him before, Heze called him Mr Fluffy when she was small, though she ran into him totally by accident when out with us. They will work things out, Crown just needs some time I think, now he is finally admitting the truth of himself. He will be back, they probably both will." Smiling warmly at her mother, feeling very sure that her brother was going to be fine.

Chandra smiled softly and nodded at Sonnet's words, taking them into consideration for a moment instead of saying more. The idea that her mate now wore something from both his 'fathers', natural and mated-into, made her smile more. She turned her attention to Renesme sure that the mare would be able to do exactly what Sonnet wanted.

Renesme blinked in surprise at the explaination, "Oh?" At least until her expression turned to a bright smile. "It would be my honour... guardian Sonnet." She said, using hsi title for a moment. "Leave it with me." She got up and approached, asking permission with her eyes before she undid the dreamcatches tie and took it carefully in her mouth. Sitting down she looked at it for a moment. "Do you want some of your hair wrapped around it, or would you rather it was simply clipped into place?" She mused, already seeing several possibilities and options, her warm honey coloured eyes looked up at the guy, her head tilting slightly as she considered everything. "Also.... it may not be my place, forgive me if I am out of line.... but the best thing anyone can do for Maion right now.... is..." She remembered exactly how the old stallion had cared for her. "Not mention the issue and just be there, silent support, distraction and happiness... it will slowly entice him to come out of his gloom once more." She frowned a little, wondering what had the old elder so heartbroken... Sengdroma? "It will be slow and hard road though."

Sonnet held still letting Renesme remove the dreamcatcher, though he had to work at keeping still, her nose tickling as she worked. Shaking when she removed it, his mane still caught under Maion's pendant. "I know... the heart takes a long time to heal, and even when you move on, its still not fully fixed and always bears the scars." His eyes sad and a little haunted, it would leave some to wonder if he was the one that had been heartbroken. But he had seen his father go through this, twice if you counted the insane part of his family turning up again... "As for what to do, you can do whatever you like with my mane, I have enough hair to go around. Just remember I dont fuss with it as a rule so nothign that will tangle too badly or require lots of fiddling every time it has to come out or go back in." Shrugging a little and hugging Chandra, givign her a hopeful look that she might get his hair out from under the pendant so it was more comfortable.

Renesme nodded to her daughter and wiggled her little wings playfully, "I can't fly much anyway....." Most forgot the fact, but her little wings really could only just manage shoudl bursts... it had surprised even her when she had managed to fly to the other herd when the skinwalkers had come to attack Maion and the herd. She had been pregnant too, but it had been the only thing Renesme could do and she had WANTED to do it. A short burst was very different to a more perminant situation. Chandra had already spoken to her about it, they knew her limitations. She would do what she could but still... and of course Orion didn't generally show off his wings, how was he meant to fly for long periods of time with everyone? Then there was Cael and Ab who were both grounded stallions. No, walking was really their own option.... of course Chandra had mused that flight would give them an advantage in defence, even if the other mare hadn't seem particularly happy about it. Renesme understood, for someone who honoured life so she couldn't understand the need of others to destroy it, she knew it exsisted, had seen the worst of the darkness in the world, knew death lirked for the unlucky... she just couldn't understand it. Not that Renesme blamed her, she had been hunted all of her life and even she couldn't understand it. "Ok. Don't mind me then, I'm going to work on this for Sonnet." She smiled brightly and started getting to work, wondering if she would need to gather some supplies to finish it.

Chandra chuckled slightly, "My old man then." She kissed him affectionatly, nipped his now free mane and then licked his cheek. "Don't worry too much ok, we'll be fine." Her eyes wandered to the necklace... her father had always worn it, it was odd seeing it on Sonnet, yet strangely... "It suits you." It really did. Even Chandra didn't know where it had come from, but she was sure that she had seen Kimi wearing one too.... family heirlooms? Whatever it was, she knew her father had wore it with pride for many years. "You know...." She said softly, accepting the small peck on the lips in thanks. "I have a hankering for...." She gulped, unsure why she was suddenly saying this, perhaps it was because her father had accepted the, or maybe it was because she knew Sonnet worried and she didn't want him to be distracted by her.... or maybe it was because she was starting to realise that maybe she wouldn't get a choice. She would always run, but if she couldn't... what then? "...for watching you in your training. I.... eh... I might even let you..." She blushed brightly and looked down at her hooves. "...show me something."

Eden smiled and settled down, quite happy to have a nap or just rest and chatter idly with her mother while she worked. Her work done thanks to much help... and Sonnets weird knowledge of knots, he knew all kinds and had shown her many. She would learn more another time.

Sonnet grumped a little at beign called an old man, not pointing out that he was younger than her, though not by much, a few weeks maybe? Looking at her as she stumbled over what she was trying to say, not totally sure but thinking she was wanting him to help her learn some self defence. Though he rejected that idea right away. His expression questioning and curious as he waited quietly for her to actually get th wrds out that she needed to.