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Maion flew over the trees and fields from his herd lands to the beautiful beach that had once been visable from his old home high up on the mountain's side that overlooked the Ocean. The Ocean had always been dear to him, his closest friend and dearest allie. It was soothing to hear the crashing waves, the turbulant waters of blue and green with a light dusting of white foam going about their daily buisness. The night sky was reflected prefectly in the water, providing a double view of the world. Maion had often told his children how the reflection upon the water, while fragile, was the truest form of Life. After all, life was messy, full of unpredictablity and waves that sent everything crashing around you... or even a calmness that settled and warmed your very heart and soul. Life was to lived, and lived to the fullest.... and he hoped that of all the lessons he had taught them, that was the one they would carry with him.

Within his heavy mane he felt his other dearest friend start to wiggle, Elijah, his ever loyal fox familar. With a soft thud he landed on the beach, his large size causing his hooves to sink slightly in the soft surface of sand. Unable to help himself he kicked it slightly, sending a glittering spray of sand to fly before him. A soft smile covered the gentle giant's face, he missed playing in the sand.... he would have to bring his children and grandchildren here again soon. Perhaps a little outing would do everyone good after the skinwalker attacks and kidnappings.

Elijah wiggled again, causing Maion to chuckle softly as he turned his head as best as he could to look over his shoulder. "What are you doing little one?"

Elijah nosed her way out of her masters heavy mane, wiggling her whiskered cheeks at him before sighing. "I was just thinking that it smells....!"

"It smells?" Maion asked with a soft chuckle and a smile of amusement. Elijah had never been one for the Ocean, far more suited to the woodland enviroment she had once called home.... before a skinwalker had ripped everything she had ever known from her. Still, Maion could not help but wish to indulge his little familar. "Do not fear Elijah, we shall not be here long."

It had been because his sence of duty had summoned here that he had left his herd to visit his previous home. And although everything seemed still and at peace Maion couldn't easily shift the feeling that he was needed... that something would happen here tonight. This feeling had struck him many times before, once to save a young mares life, once to stop a stallion from committing suicide.... only time would reveal his purpose here tonight.

Returning his attention to his small friend once more he smiled, his teeth shining like shares against his midnight pelt. "For now friend, perhaps you should think of other things? I am sure my hair is tangled after our journey into the forest today?" Maion never expected Elijah to groom him, but the little fox had always seemed to love doing it. Ever since they day they had first met Elijah had insisted upon caring for him in such a way, claiming that it was in repayment for him saving her life.... but Maion suspected she simply enjoyed working with hair. Still, he could not deny his little friend anything, especially after he had granted her a male name... that was an embarassment he still lived with today, yet Elijah seemed to like her name and cared not that it was meant for a male. He suspected she simply enjoyed being unusual. He smiled at that, remembering their early years together. In many ways she had been the yang to ying.

"What was that?" Elijah asked, her attention now utterly defensive, her ears twitching as her eyes scanned with each twitchy turn of her head. She had been a weary creature since the attack the stole that stole her family from her, it was the main reason why she practically lived in Maion's long mane unless they were at the relative safety of the lake they now called home. Part of Elijah had hoped that she was getting better, yet as he little body quivered and shook in the cool evening breeze she knew better. The fear still remained.

Maion's attention turned from Elijah to the surroundings at once, he always took his familars nervous twitching into account knowing that she rarely reacted without cause to do so. "Calm yourself Elijah," He spoke soothingly to her, allowing the tones of his voice to caress her into ease as he took over the role of 'watchdog'. It didn't take him long to locate the source of the disturbance, and it seemed they had found him also. Maion took in the features of the dark figure, wind wings and a unicorn horn. Both gentle features, "I believe it is a friend Elijah. But hide yourself if you wish." Maion knew his little friend rarely stayed in sight in the presence of 'strangers', prefering the safety of secrets and shadows. Sure enough a moment later he felt her wiggle and move back into his mane, followed by a sharp n** to the back of his neck... a silent thank you. It brought a smile to his face that even after all these years of travelling and growing together that she still showed him such curtosy, did she not realise he would do the same with or without a thank you? Yet part of Maion understood why she did it, she didn't want to be considered just another of those he helped, she wanted to be his equal, his partner. And she certainly was, her skills had come in handy many a time over the years.

Maion gave nothing away about his little familar as he watched the dark stallion approach, he seemed to merge perfectly with the night sky, a body of black and dark blue littered with the soft twinkling of stars that reminded him of his own pelt. With a smile and a bow of his head Maion greeted him. "Good evening stranger." All the while his mind was curious.... was this his reason for being here tonight?

Maion watched the stallion take him in, it wasn't the first time and he knew it wouldn't be the last. Most suspected he was a fraud, after all the Angeni breed were rare mythical creatures that many believed was more myth than truth. Yet with yet breath he took he proved that the 'myth' lived on. For the Miakoda herd Angeni blood was common, most of their members being gifted with at least one set of Angeni wings.

When the stallion eventually bowed back Maion couldn't help but smile, for a moment he had noticed a moment of indecision upon his face.... curious. There was a reason the 'bow' was used as a greeting, in a way it was a submission of power, a show of vunderability, a show of respect and proof that you meant no harm. So many thoughts and feelings in one action alone.

Elijah wiggled softly on his neck as she found a more comfortable place hidden by his mass of thick black and white hair. The grey was slowly starting to twinkle in it down.... was he really growing old?

Maion slowly brought himself back up from the bow, a bright moon like smile still peeled upon his face. "My name is Maion." It had been a long time since he had introduced himself to someone so young that he hesitated for a moment, should he, or should it not say his title? There had been a time when Maion would have told everyone he met, but that was an age ago now... a time and place reserved for his memories. A moment later he had decided, he wouldn't say unless asked. After all there was no honour or pride in 'bragging', respect was earned not simply given.

Maion watched the other stallion, his old eyes adjusting nicely to the night -after all he had long accepted that the night would be his home, his herd spending most of their lives among the delicate twinkling of stars.

As the young stallion spoke Maion couldn't help but chuckle softly, "Fear not, tiredness can have strange effects on people." He smiled, finding it strange that someone out of the herd would address him as 'Sir', there had been a time... an eternity ago now... where he would have almost demanded to be greated in such a way, but with age he had mellowed, content to simply be called Maion; even his title that he had once worn like a badge of honour had long been placed on a shelf. After all, he was no longer simply 'Maion - Guardian of the Ocean' but 'Maion - mate, father, protector, guardian' his roles in life having expanded beyond his wildest dreams.... and he would change a thing.

In an effort to relax the lad he smiled again, showing his bright white teeth, as he turned. "Shall we go for a short walk? I am afraid these old legs of mine grow stiff if I stand still too long." Maion was aware that he had not yet been granted a name, but he understood that some soquili believed that there was power in a name and often refused to give them in case the other held evil intentions against them. Personally Maion had never seen evidence of this, but he would not judge or comment on such a belief.

As he started to walk, unsure if the young stallion would follow or not, he looked to the Ocean. The draw to it was ever with him, calling to him.... like a missing part of his soul that wanted to become one once more.