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He was starting to regret coming out of hiding. For so long now, he had kept to himself, learning to survive based on the information he learned from his father. He had avoided his family and other soquili like one would the plague after that. He didn't come out of seclusion because of loneliness. It was more out of curiosity. He knew that he was very different than others. He knew that it was not normal for him to feel absolutely nothing. Every day was the same, it seemed.

He got a little enjoyment out of life, but even that was a conundrum, wasn't it? His only enjoyment came out of snuffing the life out of others. Causing them as much pain as possible and then removing that life from their bodies. Even that seemed to be fading lately, becoming repetitive. He flirted with the idea of killing soquilis instead of animals but he knew that it would be the same. After a few kills the fire would die and he wouldn't lose most of the enjoyment from it.

Maybe if he watched other soquilis, he could learn how to feel. Or at least how to mimic it enough to where he could fool others and eventually fool himself. Maybe with practice, the feelings would become real. If not, he would have to find some other source of enjoyment.. and fast.

There was an odd scent in the air. It reminded him vaguely of the fire pits the two-leggers danced around some nights, only it was rather faint and obviously different. It was interesting enough that he began walking to see where it was coming from. There seemed to be a sweetness to the smell as odd as that may be.

It didn't take him long to find the mare by the water's edge. She was dark for the most part but the moon lit her up quite well as did the fire that seemed to dance in her hair. She didn't seem to pay it any mind though. Did it not burn her? He watched her for a few minutes and though the fire burned with life, the hair did not become damaged. He had never seen anything like it before.

Gabriel had a thirst for knowledge so he wasted no time in stepping forth, making his appearance known. "Tell me, why does it not burn you?," he asked. He didn't like talking to these creatures but he had to know. If it was a secret that could be learned, he would beat it out of her if he must. If the fire went out, could she will it to start back up? There were so many questions running through his head. Though he had his spikes and they would work well in a battle.. having the ability to burn others and not be burned.. it was too tempting to resist. Such a gift was surely wasted on this mare.

So she was born that way? Well, that didn't help him one bit. Of course, there was always the slight chance that she was lying to him, or that one of her parents knew how to acquire such a gift. He was a little surprised that she had returned his question with a similar one of his own. Usually he caught the obvious and it bothered him slightly that he had probably come off like an idiot.

On the other hand, wings and unicorn horns were quite natural, unlike the fire in her hair. The spikes that adorned his body were unnatural though and like her, he had always had them. "No, they do not cause me pain," he admitted honestly, "though they cause my father and sister pain."

Though the spikes were unnatural, they felt entirely natural to him. Perhaps part of that was because they never caused him pain so unless he was in a fight of some sort, he seldom noticed them? He knew he was different than other members of his family when it came to them as well, because unlike emotions, he could feel physical pain, yet they truly did not hurt him like they did the others. Nor did he bleed from them.

He swished his tail about him, letting the spikes glisten in the moonlight. It was his greatest weapon, aside from the two horns that adorned his head and he liked to make others aware of it. "Well, at least you're not ordinary," he commented dryly, yet truthfully. It was odd how fascinated he had become with the fiery hair. How did she avoid burning down trees by walking close to the branches? It was possible that her hair was as much of a hindrance as it was a gift. That's one thing he couldn't say about his spikes.

"I have not used them against my family though the thought has crossed my mind a few times. No, they have their own share of spikes. It hurts them a great deal, I imagine. I do not know why my own does not cause me pain. I suppose I'm just lucky." Of course, he didn't believe that for a minute. He did not believe in luck. He believed that things are the way they are for a reason. He was not meant to suffer. Whatever curse befell his family did not befall on him.

"This mask is but a reflection. No different than the lake beside you. Instead of hiding, it mirrors who I am from the inside out. A monster, little more. I have a name, given to me by my father. It is Gabriel, but a name is of little importance. I suppose this is the part where you tell me your name? Bat your lashes at me and try to woo me like the other females? Or will you try to convert me? I've played this game before and I didn't like it the first time around."

He really didn't care who knew his name or not. Names were forgotten. Actions spoke louder than words. Actions lived on. Those were the important things.

Gabriel smirked reflexively at the mare, "I am of a mind that the mares do the wooing. If not for their nagging, begging, whining and pleading, I doubt a stallion would do more than rut her. However, most mares find great offense to that for some damn reason. They should be lucky any damn stallion gives them a bit of attention, even in rutting. No, they whine, cry, plead. Weak, stupid creatures. I have no interest in any of that. I have no weakness for the tears of mares."

He paused momentarily to arch a brow at her, "If my beliefs were weak, I'd be converted by now. No, I find it a waste of time and nothing more than an annoyance. I cannot be saved. There's nothing to save me from. They think there has to be some great tragedy to make me the way I am. No, I couldn't be like this naturally. There has to be some cause. That's what irritates me. They find it easy to accept that there's evil and wrong in this world but they can't accept that it can exist for no damn reason."

Ember. At least she had a name fitting of her. He had been given an angel name, one his own father had used. Perhaps like his father, he should take up a new name, but then again, what did a name matter? It only had relevance if you gave it so. He would strive not to.

His attempt to insult her hadn't gone as planned so there was no need to continue the pretenses, "Honestly, I couldn't agree with you more. Stallions are equally worthless and ridiculous as the mares. Perhaps that's why they get along so well." He really didn't understand their actions to try to impress one another. If you didn't act similarly, you were the unusual one. Did they honestly never take an outside look and see how stupid it all was? Guess that's where years of inbreeding and teaching foals to follow in their hoof-prints got them. He wanted no part of it.

"I couldn't be more different. I have no pressing need or want to rut with any mare. If I do, I damn well will not 'strut around like a turkey'. I have no need to want to impress a mare. That implies I would give a damn for their opinion and I don't see that happening any time soon. Flustered is something I have never been and never shall be."

He wasn't sure why she was laughing. "Like I said, there's nothing to save me from. I don't need saved. Not from anyone, definitely not from myself. Why would one ever need saving from oneself? Whoever said that was obviously a moron. Oh, help me. Help. I scare myself," he mocked dryly.

He wasn't sure he knew what she was talking about. It seemed rather pointless to regret one's own actions. If it was not something they wanted to do, they wouldn't have done it to begin with? It seemed that simple to him. He didn't do anything unless he wanted to do it, and he couldn't see himself changing his mind down the road. "They are weak if they regret their own actions." That was his opinion on it anyhow. If they lacked conviction, they shouldn't act on their desire. It reminded him of his father. He had done such great things when he had been younger but seemed to be of a different mindset.

Her question brought a hint of a smile to him. "Oh, there's one thing I'd like. I'd love to kill my father. I'd sell me soul to be able to do that. I have no pressing need or want for anything else. What about you?" He had never told anyone of his inner yearning to want to kill his father before. It was something that he felt others did not have a right to know. He found himself wondering why he had said it so easily to her. Perhaps it was the fact that she seemed equally honest to him. Like she too, had nothing to hide.

Then again, perhaps it was because he had already been reminded of his father so it had already been on his mind.

He weighed her words thoughtfully. It made sense. Where did he fall when it came to strength of body? He knew that he was no match for his father physically. His father had seen many battles and his body was well protected. However, his father was also getting old. Age had a way of tearing down the body regardless of how well it was kept in shape. It was only a matter of time, right? A twisted smile danced upon his face at the thought. Perhaps in that time, he could work on getting his body as strong as his mind and spirit.

He had to give the mare credit. She was no fool, no idiot. It was a refreshing change and if he could feel, he was sure she would have been quite likable. It wouldn't hurt to make an ally of her. One that could wield the flames. Even the toughest hide grew weak against fire. She had a great ability to her. It would be hard to win her to his side, to manipulate her though because she was no fool. She would probably see through his attempts as soon as they were made.

"Have you ever.. burned one like us? Or another living creature?," he asked curiously. It would be an interesting thing to behold. He had killed so many of the tiny creatures in the world but he had never seen one burned alive. The more he thought about it, the more he wanted to see it happen. If she enjoyed it, it would make it easier...