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Keliptis Lilia stood out against stark relief against the evening sky, the gentle evening breeze playing along his long mane and tail, gently lifting the hair before letting it fall back. He flapped his wings, letting them stretch after a long day's flight before settling them against his body as he looked around. He stood on a rock outcropping in the middle of a vast forest that made for a great lookout. He thought he could just make out the city of Avendere to the southeast. Lowering his head, he watched the breeze play through the tops of the trees, noting the movements. There was a storm coming, though the evening sky was largely free of clouds. Snorting, he tested it's smell and knew he would have to seek shelter before the night was out.

That seemingly decided, he turned his attention to the sky above. The sun had long slipped below the island, leaving things in shadow against slightly lighter sky that would quickly loose the last of what lingered soon. What little there was caused the lighter parts of his body seemed to glow slightly like an etheral spirit restless for peace. However none could compare with the eternal glow of his eyes.

He was lost in the sky now, all thoughts of what was around him lost for the moment. He was seeking answers to questions that he could never voice aloud. Not that they were something he couldn't tell another, it was more there were not words that existed to express them. All he knew is he would know the answers when they presented themselves. Least that is what his mother taught him.

His mother, long since gone, brought back memories of the lullaby she used to sing him to sleep will. He had been scared of the dark, and it was her voice that was the only thing that lulled him to slumber each night. Since her passing, he sang it every evening as a homage to her, sending his love to her into the great beyond.

"Home is behind, the world ahead,
and there are many paths to tread.
Through shadow to the edge of night
Until the stars are all alight.
Mist and shadow
Cloud and shame
All shall fade
All shall fade...."

There were a few other verses she'd taught him, but it was always that one that stuck with him most. He could barely remember the others, but it did not matter. He knew she was right, that a traveler was what he was, and that all he had to do was trust the light would come in the end to get through his darkest times.

He sang it a few more times, his gentle tenor voice letting the words float on the breeze, and unbeknownst to him, it seemed as if the world was listening. He sang for his mother. He sang for himself, and he sang of hope that he might one day find what he sought so hard to find.

Keliptis let the last note linger, noting the storm clouds in the distance. It was still too far off to truly hear the thunder yet, but flashes of light could still be seen as the very last of the sun ray's slipped from the clouds. Another night was upon him, but he felt well met to it's dark embrace now.

The moon, however, was showing it's face just above the storm clouds, giving just enough light to see by above the tree line, but the forest below would be dark as ever. Shaking his head, he started to pick his way when he heard a voice say Merry Meet. He paused with one hoof held up, looking around for where the voice could of come from. Still, as before, he saw no one, and pondered what to do.

"Merry Meet, indeed, friend. You may come out, I will not harm you...I seek shelter. A storm lays on the horizon, but is fast approaching," he said softly, but loud enough to carry, as he put his hoof down and made no other movement, but to settle his wings more firmly against his body as the first gust of wind blew by. "I ask if I may share the time with a friend, if you have a desire for company for awhile, and I am not interrupting anything..."

His heart fluttered when she appeared, she was beautiful, even admist the shadows she was hiding. He waited for her judgement (he had no intentions of ever forcing himself on anyone against their will even for a bit of company during a storm), and was pleased when she asked about the song. Something about that felt right. Instead of replying right away, he let his gaze drift to the coming storm for a moment before locking his gaze with her own and singing his song for her. He couldn't say why, just that it felt right.

"Home is behind, the world ahead,
and there are many paths to tread.
Through shadow to the edge of night
Until the stars are all alight.
Mist and shadow
Cloud and shame
All shall fade
All shall fade...."

He began gently picking his way down the slope, using his wings for balance when the shale became a bit slippery, but did finally manage to make it down to where she stood, talking gently as he did so. "It's...When I was very little, the dark frightened me. It's a lullabye my mother used to sing to me to sleep and remind me that the darkness never lasts forever. Neither do dark times in our lives, though it may burden us greatly, weigh us down with heartache, sorrow... Eventually, all things fade away - become new. Peace is found and life is once more sweet. We have but to endure the darkness, and the light will come."

Now standing before her, he spread his wings and bowed his body before her. "I am Keliptis Lilia..at your service. Thank you for your hospitality. I do agree, this is not a storm I would like to be out in either on the ground or the air."

Standing upright once more, he settled his wings lightly agaisnt his body, the lighter feathers almost seeming to glow like his eyes in the moonlight. "You could say that, yes. I wander alone, but without a true destination of where I am going - just have the faith that my heart will guide me right one day. I am...hoping to find someone who can answer the questions of my heart - things I cannot put words to. Least not any that would do them justice if spoken aloud.

For a moment, he looked at her, cocking his head in curiosity. "You know many, but live here alone...and you said you hardly leave the cave. Least I assume alone, or with the storm the others would have come, naturally. Has the outside world become to you as the cave once was? Forgive me, that was too forward a question for me to ask to one I've only just met."

"Whereas for me, it may be easier to get around, but I have no home to return to...seems I live at the mercy and kindness of strangers more often than not, but I have yet to find a place to call 'home'. If I may be so bold as to ask, would you like to travel with me? The companionship would be most appreciated, and you most not think you would slow me down without wings, for I have no place I'm in a hurry to get to, after all." He dipped his head to her. "It's been a long time since opportunity has come my way for any sort of companionship, however long or short the journey may be."

He pondered her other words for a moment, realizing the possibility she had no mate or else it would not be her daughter she'd of considered asking to come as her first choice. He wondered if it'd been the one she once loved she'd be waiting for, but he had not the heart to ask, for then he'd have to wonder how could anyone leave someone so fair and beautiful behind?

"I have no qualms with the earth, just darkness," Keliptis chuckled a little "and though Mom helped to fix that, still the company of another is never amiss no matter the location." He started to move towards the cave but hesitated. "No wait, I take that back. Depends on the company especially if they're affiliated with the Six, of course. Yours, I've no doubt I'd enjoy at any time and any place. You're very kind and gentle...I don't understand why you would be alone for so long. One such as you does not deserve that fate. Forgive me, but....was it your mate you were waiting for?" He turned his gaze upon her and studied her a little, tail swishing as a wind turned up a few notches. He enjoyed how it played with her mane...shaking his head mentally, he added "If so, then it is his loss, and another's gain...you deserved to be treasured. It would be my honor if you were to show me your home. I'm not afraid of small places, either, for especially in storms, another's warmth is welcomed." With this, he bowed a little and waited for her to proceed him within. It was her home after all, even if only for one more night.