[PRP] - Shared Territory (Anelisse & Fenghuang)

[Epine de Rose]

It had been a number of weeks since his cover had been completely destroyed by his brother. He had returned to his parents, there had been reunions and discussions; and in no time at all he'd been thrown out again. It had been done with a great deal of love and he would continue to worship the ground his mother walked on but it still left him at a bit of a loose end. He couldn't be blamed for this, he hadn't anticipated that he would bump into Anelisse so soon after he came down from the foothills. To be perfectly honest he had assumed he would lapse back into the same routine and she'd never know any better - well, all of this should technically have happened AFTER he'd had a chance to savour some freedom.

He'd had it all planned out too. He'd socialise with some friends, take in a few races and enjoy the nightlife. He'd make a few bets, perform a few stunts and maybe spend a week or two exploring untouched areas of the province. One might have assumed that after his discovery he would have lapsed into routinely but oddly enough, he hadn't. He had acted exactly as he had planned (though mildly baffled by Anelisse's demenour) and in doing so had thoroughly enjoyed his freedom - this just left him with one problem...

He'd enjoyed it just a little too much.

Unfortunately, as much as his rebellious spirit had enjoyed this freedom he had been compelled by the more honourable and probably mildly crazy side of him. No sooner had he enjoyed his freedom than he found his hooves leading him away from the plains and back to that fabled forest that hid his princess from view. Or rather, it had formerly hid her from view, the last time he had encountered her she'd been outside it. This did cause him to panic (albeit mildly) at the possibility that she wasn't there anymore and if this was the case then where the hell had she wandered off to? Obviously, it was imperitive that he locate her for her own safety and probably his own sanity too.

Alas he could be safe in the knowledge that she hadn't wandered far and for a while he had reverted to his stealthy former nature. He'd kept to himself, he'd made sure that his existence remained unknown and he had done his utmost to ignore the more unpredictable and rebellious aspects of his personality. Unfortunately this hadn't really worked out the way he had planned it.

This was probably why he was to be found at the very top of a waterfall that particular morning. In full view of the forest and all its creatures, wild in appearance as always and with a decidedly impish look in his eyes. You see, this particular waterfall was really quite high and the pools beneath were really quite deep. He'd been rather fond of giving his parents heart attacks as a foal and there was nothing he loved more than to do something that could only be described as suicidal - after all he had no wings.

Unsurprisingly he would have looked suicidal to any on looker, they didn't possess the ability to see into the depths of his mind and as a result had no idea that he was skilled in this stunt. He would be fine of course, even as he plunged from such a height he would come out triumphed and hyped up as any adrenaline junkie...he'd just scar any witness for life. This wasn't really an immediate concern though, he hadn't had the forethought to consider this this morning and consequently his rebellious streak had overruled whatever sense he had.

Thus it was with a rather satisfied roar (or was it cheer) of delight that he backed up and then promptly leapt off the ledge. It would have been enough to wake anyone up!  

[Cajmera]

Anelisse detested the spring. As far as she was concerned, it combined the worst possible natural elements: wet, cold, dreary, unending...and muddy. It was impossible to stir as much as a step without throwing up a splash of the hideous substance, and for the duration of spring she was consigned to her own personal purgatory of filth. Even taking thrice daily baths it would be impossible to stay ahead of the wave, and as Anelisse refused to resign herself to lethargy for however many months spring lasted, her legs spent much of the season encased in mud.

Spring had left her peevish and cross, but the light at the end of the tunnel had finally arrived with the end of the wet season and a drying out of the land. Green grass covered the landscape, and her forested home was surrounded by bright greenery. It was a beautiful, wonderful time of year...

Finally.

Anelisse didn't know how many weeks it had been since she'd parted from Fenghuang on the edge of the forest, but it had been many. In the passing time, the pure white snow had given way to the miserable slush and mud of spring, and now the green grass of summer. She had gone home from that meeting quite pleased with herself, and quite confused at the same time as to just what an attractive stallion Fenghuang was, insufferable as he could be otherwise. And that had been it.

Unusually for her, she had kept her own counsel on the subject. After leaving Feng, she had managed to find Raccoon within a very short time, the familiar proudly toting some long strips of birch bark and a few blue jay feathers. She had been in a good mood, had praised Raccoon's finds and chattered on about what a good day it had been for exercise, but that was it.

She didn't know why she hadn't told Raccoon about her run-in with Feng. Normally she told Raccoon everything; there was no ear as faithful and no heart so sympathetic as her adored familiar. Yet somehow, it hadn't seemed right. Raccoon could nod and sympathize, but unfortunately she'd be of no use in making sense of things.

So Ane had mulled things over herself, appreciating the diversion from her irritation and the mud of spring. She'd still been peevish, still been cross, but at least she'd been distracted.

Today, she was none of the above, which was odd. Having been awoken at a very early hour by an inopportune bird call, Anelisse had decided to just make the best of things and actually get up. It was a pleasant morning, warm and clear (with none of that fog that so often clung to the river, and consequently Ane's home), so it seemed like an excellent day to take a stroll. Raccoon had quickly embraced the plan, dressing Anelisse's hair in two thick braids that hung on either side of her face and neatly tied with hair bands, then scampered off ahead of her mistress into the woods.

Anelisse had taken a more leisurely approach, not so much strolling as meandering down the eastern path, destination unknown. She even managed to forgive the bird that had awakened her, it was such a beautiful day and she was so happy to be out and not muddy!

The path she was following followed the river in turn, so it was somewhat twisty. But it also allowed beautiful views, as the trees didn't completely block the sky as they did almost everywhere else. She could see the mountains, WAAAAAAAAY off in the distance; the place where the terrain of the forest itself rose, the epically beautiful waterfall that marked the divide, sparkling in the early morning sun and naturally drawing the eye to it...

Just in time to see an orange shape go flying over the edge, accompanied by a yell that rolled over the trees like a wave.

Now, at the distance she was at, Anelisse couldn't be sure of specifics. She couldn't honestly know the species of the orange form, let alone the specific identity, but that orange had been so familiar...

Within moments, the mare was tearing down the path, braids flying behind her and legs flying; she might be a lethargic unicorn, but she was still a unicorn, and when it came to speed, she could kick it up as well as anyone. And at the moment, she needed to get to the base of the waterfall! Needed to see, needed to make sure that it wasn't, that it hadn't been...damn it, she just needed to get there!  

[Epine de Rose]

A tidal wave of water rose up and assaulted the shores as Feng's rather weighted body plunged into the depths of the pool. His delighted yell was stifled as he was submerged many feet beneath the surface and all was quiet for at least a short while. The impact understandably took an instant to recover from and for a time he remained underwater, allowing his eyes to drift across the 'horizon' and to the odd plant and animal life that lurked underneath. He'd always been fascinated by it as a child, particularly the snails - he knew fish could breathe under water but he'd never known how snails did it.

Nevertheless he could not breath beneath the waves and as he recovered from the shock of the impact he felt that familiar tightening of the chest. Kicking his hooves, he thrust himself forward and proceeded to the surface, nose peaked so that he could gulp the air the second he broke free. Alas, Fenghuang wouldn't be who he was without giving a whoop of glee as he did gulp in his first breaths and as he did resurface he sucked in a large and delicious amount of morning air before releasing it again.

"That was awesome!" he hollered to no one in particular, a laugh escaped his lips. Unsurprisingly the successful dive had done exactly as he had anticipated. He was quivering of course, the adrenaline junkie in him wanted more, but the tension and stress no longer existed. Suffice to say it was a good thing that he had opted to revert back to who and what he was - rebellious, eccentric and definitely not quite right in the head. That being said, none of his siblings were without their quirks and this wasn't the craziest think he had ever done.

However, he was well raised and did take note in hindsight that it was morning, his yell probably had woken some individuals up and they were probably traumatised by what they had seen. He made a mental note to apologise and reassure any shaken critter he did find, but reminded himself that it would probably be a regular occurance and if the critters were anything like the ones at home they'd just sigh with exasperation or join in. He rather hoped they'd join in, it would have been nice to have the company.

He didn't stay long in the pool and instead pulled himself out onto the shore, shaking off his hooves and glancing over his shoulder. It was spring of course, his winter coat was moulting and he was bound to lose a bit of hair, but what he was greeted with was just a little comical. On the surface of the water was a rather large amount of hair, it was dispersing as the waterfall pointed against it and pushed it down the river but...

"Well that's one way to get rid of it," he mused thoughtfully, regarding his legs and flank where he was a little more patchy than before. Now he had a choice, he could either have breakfast and then find a tree trunk to scratch some of the remaining hair off or he could have breakfast and then jump off the waterfall again.

It was a tough choice.

Well, not really.

"Waterfall," he said with a curt not. Well if anyone argued he'd point out it was a more efficient way of getting the hair off!  

[Cajmera]

She could kick that stallion. Kick him, skewer him, and boot him off an even higher cliff, watching him go splat at the bottom with a great deal of satisfaction. What on EARTH could he possibly be thinking, jumping off the top of the waterfall like that? If he was committing suicide, it was awfully selfish and rude of him, not to mention wasteful and potentially unpleasant for whoever found him at the bottom of the fall or wherever he came to rest as his body floated down the river. It would also taint the water. But had he considered that? No, he had just gone and tossed himself to the rocks, no thoughts at ALL about anything else except his own whims...

The casual observer might have no idea why Anelisse was upset. The casual observer that was privy to her thoughts would be even more confused, as her thoughts seemed to be filled with anger and criticism and radiating hostility even while she was thinking the worst of fates for the jumper. Yet in spite of her anger, she was flying down the forest path, neatly leaping any small obstacles in her path. It was all very strange, and very contradictory.

And truth be told, it was just as perplexing to Anelisse. She didn't know why she was upset, exactly; for all she knew, something is his conscience had gotten to him. He had been rude to her at one point, perhaps he had a history of nagging mares and he now wanted atonement. Except he'd already gotten it from HER by talking, and the forgiveness of any other mare had to pale in comparison. And she'd THOUGHT that he seemed very normal last time.

Maybe something had happened. Maybe he had been infected with a debilitating disease that made him lose touch with the physical world and think he could fly when he couldn't. Maybe-

All thoughts of that nature abruptly and succinctly ended at the unmistakable crow of delight drifted down the path, in a voice she was able to place in an instant. Skittering to a stop, Anelisse looked down the path in shock, the realization that with a voice there was life an obvious relief.

Well, a relief for a moment. Then her eyes were narrowing, and she was heading down the path once again, her voice carrying on before her as her own personal calling card.

"Fenghuang, you are WICKED!"

Imagine, the nerve of him! Yelling to wake the dead, dramatically jumping off one of the highest points in the forest into a pool that most knew had rocks in it, only to laugh and crow about it? She had gone and gotten sweaty, left Raccoon far behind, and generally been put to a great deal of exertion on the basis of him going and hurting/killing himself, and all he was doing was playing around? She would kill him herself, darn it!  

[Epine de Rose]

Dishevelled, thoroughly soaked and with patchy hair, Fenghuang wasn't looking quite as reasonable as he had been the day he had encountered Anelisse on his return to the lowlands. Unfortunately this was unavoidable due to the staggering amount of hair he had to moult, but it should have been of no surprise that he wasn't affected by this. Accustomed to being an utter mess in the presence on the mare, he could only lift a brow and glance over his shoulder as she postiviely shrieked at him.

Was she going to start nagging?

He turned round fully as was polite and regarded the mare who was looking a little out of sorts this morning. His brow lifted higher as he took her appearance into full consideration and then his lips slowly twisted into a rather sly smile. Putting aside the fact that a dishevelled and disgruntled Anelisse was both a novelty and highly attractive, he couldn't help but wonder if her appearance was partially down to something she may or may not have witnessed. Well, well, well, did this mean that she could actually care for another beyond her loyal Raccoon? He wasn't foolish enough to think that it extended beyond common decency but she wasn't the ice princess she made herself out to be.

...In short, it confirmed what he had suspected all along, deep down there was a little more to her and she deserved credit for that.

"What am I supposed to have done this time?" he replied in what could only be described as a relaxed tone. His manner was easy and he was suitably calm now that he had fed at least some aspect of his more rebellious self. He shifted his weight from one hoof to the other, tilting his head to the side as he regarded the mare for a few moments more. "To my knowledge I haven't spattered mud at you, attempted to drown you or invaded you personal space as of late...?" he was doing this deliberately of course, but it was the simple pleasures in life that entertained him.

That, and there was something incredibly intriguing about how she looked when rankled.

"Ah, but if I am responsible for waking you up this morning I apologise profusely, I had assumed I had left my diving until a reasonable hour. If you are a late riser then I shall take that on board for future reference," he finished, the impish smile still lining his lips.  

[Cajmera]

What was he supposed to have done? What was he supposed to have done, indeed!

Being unused to running for long distances, Anelisse had to take a few moments of a breather before she could even answer the questions. But not being one to waste time, she gave the stallion her most regally balefully appalled look, annoyed at the same time that the impact would be lessened by her panting back her breath. But she was sure that he would appreciate the sentiment; eyes were universal.

And she didn't leave him much time to wonder, drawing herself up as soon as she had gotten back her breath and promptly clearing things up for him. "What are you supposed to have done? You mean that you don't remember taking a nosedive off of THAT waterfall," indicated with a fierce jab of her tail, "just now? Yelling as though pursued by the hounds of hell? That doesn't ring a bell?"

She was huffing, but some of it was the huffing of unease. He had made a very good point, he HADN'T done anything to her. Not directly, anyway. It was really his fault she was sweaty and out of breath, but he hadn't made her run, exactly. No, she had done that herself. So why was she angry with him?

Well, it was common decency to be worried if you thought you saw someone killing themself, wasn't it? Of course it was, she was completely in the right! Reminding herself of that fact, she was able to avoid appearing overly defensive as she responded, "You didn't wake me up, and I agree that you didn't throw mud or anything at me, but it would be a very deaf, dumb, and unobservant Soquili that would have missed your performance this morning. You looked like you were trying to kill yourself, you Ninny! Or at least succeeding at killing yourself. It's very inconsiderate."

That sounded very sensible, and surely he had no arguments with that. She hoped. He was smiling, and didn't seem to be suitably remorseful even though he HAD said he was sorry. It was really very suspicious!  

[Epine de Rose]

Bless her, she was trying and unfortunately he lacked the ability to control the ever growing grin on his lips. She couldn't run the length of herself, that much was apparent, and her attempts to chastise him lost a great deal of effect when she was sucking in breaths. Suffice to say her composure was lacking at best and it even showed in her next remarks. He could tell she was attempting to tell him off but he probably wasn't responding in the way she wanted him to. In fact, his reply to one of her queries would probably go down like a lead balloon.

...But he really wanted to see what would happen if he ticked her off.

What could he say? He liked living on the edge.

"No, I can't say it does ring a bell," he replied easily, rolling his shoulders in a rough shrug. He tilted his head to the other side, regarded the mare a little more and then twisted round to inspect the height he had plummeted from. If he was to be entirely honest he had jumped off waterfalls higher than that before - he'd been absolutely destroyed by his father for doing it but it had been totally worth it at the time. "But I do recall diving off the waterfall," he added after a few moments.

"It certainly adds a rush to the whole aspect of swimming, don't you think?" a winning smile flickered on to his lips and he clearly had no remorse. She had regained her composure by now and she was even admitting that he hadn't done anything wrong. Yet still, she did her best to try and place fault and true to form he would at least give her a little help in that - he knew he wasn't at fault and he'd bet that she'd figure out he was totally playing her but he just...well, he just couldn't help it.

"Ahh but it might have looked like I was trying to kill myself but I didn't, now did I?" he murmured gently and returned his gaze to the dishevelled mare. "Or at the very least you could say that I was incredibly unsuccessful if that was my intention," he conceded with a slight cough to mask a tiny bout of laughter.

But now, it was time for the final piece of bait.

"I must confess I was unaware that I had a lack of consideration for those around me," he began and lifted his brow. One might say the stance he had adopt was designed to infuriate, at the very least he did come across as an overly relaxed male with a complete disregard for the situation at hand. In short, he probably wasn't responding in the way she wanted but he'd already figrued out that grovelling just wasn't his thing.

"I was led to believe they didn't care, really I must extend my apologies to the locals. You make a valid point," he finished, unsual how he refrained from apologising to her though!  

[Cajmera]

He was not taking this seriously, she could tell. Why else would he be sporting that cocky little smile of his if he truly understood the severity of the situation, if he was truly remorseful? He obviously felt no shame whatsoever, and was even being dismissive of the incident! Unbelievable!

Well, it should be unbelievable, but it wasn't. He'd always shown a disregard for the serious, why should now be any different. Ooh, she could just kick him. Kick him right into the water he was so fond of, and see what he thought of that! Except he'd probably enjoy it, she could tell. Not doubt he'd fall in and pop up laughing and then splash her, or he'd manage to knock her in while he was falling in, or something else. It wouldn't work as desired, at that very least.

So she simply stood her ground, dignified even if she was disheveled. At least he would have no reason to judge her on THAT; even her braids were a bit loose. No accusations of fussing there. Now that she could breath, she was perfectly fine. Fine, and in control!

"No, I do NOT think." Wait, that came out wrong! "That is to say, I do NOT agree with you that it adds anything. I can think of many less-potentially-deadly embellishments, and I can't believe you're making light of something like that! Well, actually I can, but it's still wrong. Very wrong. Just because you don't see or know your neighbors doesn't mean that they wouldn't have their day or morning ruined by seeing someone die; we're not monsters, you know!"

Let him smile at THAT, and she'd know he was completely heartless. "It's really very remarkable. If I hadn't come down here, and I had just seen your jump, then I might not have known you WERE unsuccessful of you...not intentionally killing yourself. I might have thought you were dead, and it might have ruined the rest of my morning!"

Huffing, she crossed her tail over chest and gave him a very stern look. "I would like to forgive you, but you really don't seem very penitent. Or penitent at all."  

[Epine de Rose]

"I'm sure there are other alternatives to diving off waterfalls but they usually don't satiate my need for an adrenaline rush," Feng replied with great ease. He seemed thoroughly amused by the way she was acting, her attempts to chastise him and the overall lack of affect. Oh it was having some sort of effect on him but probably not the one she would have desired. It was just as well he had been raised appropriately or they would have been in very dire straights indeed - alas, he could do nothing more than savour the dishevelled look so that he might recall it at a later date. She might decide he was too unhinged to ever approach again but he'd bet good money he was the only one to see her in this state.

Or rather, the only one in public.

That was a feat in itself, he felt proud.

"That being said I don't believe I accused anyone of being thoroughly heartless but it would be logical to assume that most creatures in the area would be used to my antics," he pointed out in much the same tone as before. He might have seemed a touch arrogant at the moment, his relaxed manner and lack of regard for her distress somewhat inappropriate. "If I find any of them to be genuinely traumatised I will express my deepest apologies but they are accustomed to my antics by now...or at least most of them," he finished. He fell silent for the time being and then, as if he hadn't said enough already gave her one final blow.

"Whyever would you need to forgive me? I don't believe I have done anything wrong to you or asked for your forgiveness," he mused before flashing enough smile. He just couldn't help it, there was just something about her that made him want to peeve her off, he couldn't quite place it but she seemed to be more real when she expressed herself properly.  

[Cajmera]

There were many things in life that Anelisse disliked. There were a few things that she could even say she hated. And prominently featured on that list was being at a loss. The problem with being at a loss was that she looked foolish, or might be assumed to be wrong, and as both of those things also featured on the list, it made sense that being at a loss was worse.

Which is why she was more than a little bit upset when she realized that she had no answer to Fenghuang's comment about not needing her forgiveness. The impertinence of the comment, the insolence of his countenance, the cockiness of his attitude; these things all bothered her. The fact that he was theoretically right bothered her more, and the fact that she had no retort made it absolutely worse.

So she merely glared at him, not about to give him the satisfaction of seeing her stammer or dig herself into a verbal hole. She should have just said he woke her up, THEN he would have had a decent reason to feel remorse. Cad.  

[Epine de Rose]

Oh now that was a look he had never seen before. His eyes positively glinted with delight as she introduced him to an entirely different expression. Accustomed to the pristine and ethereal princess, the dishevelled and otherwise 'defeated' mare was almost an entirely different creature. She was quite obviously annoyed and it was probably down to the fact that she had no retort. Anything she did say would sound rather silly in comparison and she knew it. He couldn't help it as satisfaction crept into his chest and gave it a slight flutter - although it was fluttering for a few other reasons all ready.

Nevertheless he didn't allow her to sit like this for long, he hadn't quite finished. Adrenaline still coursing through his veins he had opted to play with fire in an entirely different way. He was jumping off a waterfall so to speak, he was in the lion's den and baiting it but up until this point he'd been rather successful at outsmarting it. He wanted to go further, he wanted to see her explode and then he would know that she wasn't as pristine as she liked to think, that there was something much more expressive and interesting underneath.

He was definitely a masochist.

"What's wrong, hm?" he enquired with a small chuckle, placing one hoof in front of the other as he closed the gap between himself and the mare. "Kalona got your tongue, or are you just overwhelmed by the depth and weight of my argument?" he continued in a low tone. The glint continued to darken in his eyes and a sly smile flicked across his lips.

"I'll be honest with you sweetheart, you're going to have to get used to these early mornings, perhaps even earlier -" he leant in and snorted warm air onto her nose. "Because one of my most loved hobbies is diving and I'm not going anywhere..."  

[Cajmera]

He was evil. He took obvious pleasure in her discomfiture, made no attempt to hide that pleasure, and then pushed it even farther! There was no explanation for such behavior, save that he was evil. This was the thanks she got for her concern, for her spent energy; being picked at where she was the weakest (not weak in general, but weakEST. She was not weak, no way!).

Her anger was palpable, coursing through her body and causing her to almost quiver with the effort to refrain from lashing out at him. He certainly deserved it, but she was above that. She wasn't going to let him get to her. She had made progress on that front, she was calm, cool, collected...

And she bit his nose.

It wasn't a kick; she would have loved to kick him, but biting the intrusive nose seemed a much better way to give him proper come-uppance. Besides, HE had been the one to put his nose in HER space. "You are impossible!"  

[Epine de Rose]

She finally got what she wanted and caught the stallion on the back hoof. She'd actually bitten him and as he stepped away and gave his nose a quick shake in surprise, he couldn't help but cast an incredulous look in her general direction. Generally speaking an individual had more 'bark than bite' and he had put her into this category but she had proved him wrong by actually biting him. It hadn't been the most painful of bites, probably one designed to shock rather than to draw blood but the fact still remained...

"You bit me!" he cried before roaring with laughter, stepping back a little more. He wasn't in pain and the immediate surprise had dissipated to be replaced with a new found respect and a satisfaction that she definitely wasn't the perfect little princess. No creature of perfection would respond in such a fashion, deep down there was a passionate individual in there and it was expressed in the most unique manner. This was proving to be a very educational experience for him and perhaps even useful, after all if he knew her weak spots then he could cover for them.

...Right?

Well, he could certainly cover for them but driving her mad was certainly going to make his isolation significantly more enjoyable. After all, she needed him even if she wouldn't admit it and while she might try to avoid him there would be times when she simply couldn't. Now was a prime example, when the goodness in her shone through and she expressed concern for another. Any other stallion would have probably milked that for all it was worth but something could be said for Feng's honesty, he had purposefully dived off the waterfall for giggles and he certainly wasn't injured.

Although it did beg to question how she would react if he was hurt...

Plans began to formulate in his mind at that moment and he opted to file these away for later consideration. He truly was evil but when one was attracted to another, they did strange things (as his mother often said).

"Well, well, well - the princess isn't quite as composed a being as she likes to present to the world, is she now?" he observed jauntily.  

[Cajmera]

"Of course I bit you! You were being invasive." For all her self control, Anelisse was now starting to sound and look a bit defensive, drawing a bit into herself even as Feng was stepping away. She wasn't ashamed of herself, by any means; her actions had been completely justified and she had no reason to apologize for them. He had gotten pert, she had responded, and maybe next time he would think twice before he decided to cross into HER personal space without permission.

Next time she would kick him.

She should have kicked him this time, actually, because the bite seemed to have exactly the opposite effect, given his laughter. The laughter bewildered and annoyed her, chipping away at the self-control that she was so very proud of and making her want to scream in frustration. She hadn't encountered a great many Soquili in her lifetime, but she had heard that mares were supposed to have a reputation for being challenging to understand.

Mares? Try stallions. They were irrational and behaved in ways completely contradictory to what common sense and good judgment dictated, and they took pleasure in this perversity! It was insane! Especially insane coming from Fenghuang, who last time they met had seemed so...understandable.

"And just because I am willing to defend myself doesn't mean I'm not composed, you twit! I am a very simple and composed mare almost all of the time, and it works quite well, no thanks to people doing their best to try and ruin that composure." Not that she would name names, of course; she was a lady! "But that is not the point, anyway. The point is that...well, maybe there isn't a point, but it's still the truth!"

A bit of a silly ending to what had begun as a powerful speech, but beggars couldn't be choosers. In retrospect, she should have known better than to work herself up without knowing what she was going to say, but that was Feng's fault, too. Darn him and his cockiness!  

[Epine de Rose]

"I don't know anything about ruining your composure," Fenghuang remarked with infuriating honesty, the wry smile remaining on his lips as she became more and more flustered. "I'd say you came in to this entire encounter without any composure to begin with," he pointed out merrily. Nevertheless he could appreciate that you could only push another so far before substantial damage was done and he cleared his throat. He'd been thoroughly amused for quite some time now but even he admitted that it was probably time to give the poor mare a breather. In her defence she had performed beautifully and he was deeply grateful for what he had seen - it would keep him occupied for a reasonable amount of time at least.

"I wasn't chastising you from defending yourself," he mused, fighting back the urge to chuckle. "But biting someone isn't the best method of doing so," he added after a short pause. He crinkled his nose a touch, shooing away the tingling which now seemed intent on remaining exactly where she had bitten him. A 'lasting' reminder if there ever was one, although he assumed it would disappear in due course.

"Nevertheless I have obviously caused a great deal of irritation for you this morning though it was not my immediate intention," he heaved a sigh, refraining from admitting that the second he'd seen her dishevelled he couldn't resit digging his own grave. "I will apologise for that, I am very sorry to have caused such distress," he tilted his head to the side, shooing his smile away and schooling his expression into one of genuine regret before shaking his head. "That in mind I should take my leave and consider seeking out some breakfast."

What better way to dismiss himself? He'd already been dismissed thoroughly by the mare before, it was much easier and gentler on his pride if he did it himself.

"Give my regards to raccoon of course," he added and backed away a little more before turning his back on the mare. He'd at least give her the opportunity to have the last word, he'd figrued out that she rather liked it a long time ago. Well, he could be decent when he wanted to be even if ANelisse could never tell when!