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It had been a long time since Zaphiro had been out on his own, and it felt strange and almost sacrilegious to him that he had considered or consented to his mate's scheme for him to get out of the glade, walk and fly around, and clear his head. He and Hienna had been nearly inseparable for the years that they'd been together, and it felt wrong to go away without her like this. But Zaris was with her, and she had been vehement in her insistence. Ever since he had learned the surprising news that his best friend had agreed to be the lifemate of a stallion she barely knew and moved to the mountains, Zaphiro had been in a pensive mood, and his mate thought it would be beneficial for him to get out and clear his head. He disagreed, but finally gave in to Hienna's determined persuasion.

The end result was Zaphiro out and about, far from the comfortable and secluded glade he and Hienna called home. He had been flying and walking both, moving around in a suitably aimless fashion that had, in combination with the hot sun and his dark, sparking coat, made him very thirsty. Fortunately, there was a body of water nearby, and it was towards this he was headed.

It said something for Zaphiro's inward focus, that he didn't notice the mare right off the bat. Usually very observant and mannerly to a fault, Zaph had always prided himself on behaving with the utmost of consideration and decorum in all social settings. Today, though, he had zeroed in on the pond as though he were laser guided, making his way straight to the edge and actually starting to bend to drink before he realized that the water was actually occupied.

Immediately, he was contrite and all manners. Straightening up quickly, he looked out towards the mare and gave her a cordial bow. "I do apologize for any intrusions, Miss; I was merely looking to get a drink, and I confess that I was so focused that I didn't realize you were here. I assure you that I meant no slight, and most cordially hope that I am not interrupting any sort of reverie." Brushing his curly mane out of his face with a wing, he gave her a most polite smile, adding, "If I am at all any inconvenience, please say so, and I will seek refreshment elsewhere and leave you to your relaxation."

Even when stressed and tense, he was the perfect gentleman!

Had Zaphiro been made aware of the shock his behavior had excited in the mare, he might have found himself cheered up greatly; his strong sense of chivalry and impeccable manners had often surprised people, but it had been a long time since he'd been in such a position. And frustration or no frustration, it was no fault of the mare's that he was in a bad mood, and it was unrealistic to expect her to accommodate him when she had been there first!

He tried to voice that concern as soon as he realized that the mare was getting out of the water; conscious that it might be due to him, he called out, "Please, don't trouble yourself on my account to abandon your soak. It is a warm day, after all, and the pond is more than large enough to satisfy both of our needs."

"If you are certain." Polite but not overly pushy, that was how Zaphiro tried to be. He had always had a high consideration for the comfort and safety of mares, but he wasn't about to assume that he knew better than they what suited them. Perhaps this mare simply didn't like to share water. He could respect that, and let the issue drop. "I live in the foothills beyond the northwestern edge of the forest, myself, but am enjoying this current journey. Are you from this part of the land, or a visitor like myself?"

Though he found the mare's turn of phrase a little peculiar, Zaphiro felt reasonably confident that he understood what the mare meant. "So this particular pond is outside of your home territory, but you call this region as a whole home, am I to understand? Well, you have a very attractive and comfortable homeland, from what I have seen thus far." He gave her a pleasant smile, nodding a acquiescence to her apology but dismissing it at the same time with a gesture of one wing. "And there is no need to apologize for humor, as long as the humor is not of a malicious or insidious intent. I find it pleasant to be amongst people who can see the lighter side of things."

Though he had to snort to himself as he spoke. After all, wasn't the whole reason that he was here in the first place due to his current inability to get past a fact that was upsetting him? That was hardly an example of embracing the lighter side of things!

"Humor is a balm that can salvage the darkest of moods, it sometimes seems." Zaphiro's tone was kind, but both his manner and his posture retained his classic formality. It was true that he was more relaxed than he had been originally, but 'relaxed' for Zaphiro would always imply something far different from the average Soquilis's definition of the term. He appreciated the distraction provided by the conversation, even if he wasn't going to throw himself into it pell-mell!

At her query, he bowed slightly, but his reply was brief. "You may certainly ask, but please forgive me if I do not respond. It's a matter of a somewhat personal nature." A bit of a brush-off, but a kindly one. "I hope that my ill-humor is not so obvious that it would interfere with your own cheerful mood; if so, I can definitely go elsewhere to brood." He hadn't considered originally how his own negative energy might affect those he encountered, but now that he was aware of the possibility he was most anxious to avoid it!