Welcome to Gaia! ::

Reiko nodded, eyes sparkling as she nuzzled him back. "Of course I am." She couldn't help being both excited and nervous, but both emotions were tempered by her usual calm. As they approached the colt, she couldn't help but notice the similarities between him and Brise. They could've been full siblings. "Hello," she greeted as well.

Deldragan shuffled in place as the pair approached him. The male's coat was a cream color that was only a shade darker than his own pelt's white patches. The same went for the stallion's pinkish-purple patches. The designs weren't the same either. But there was enough similarities to know the male was obviously related to his mother as well. Probably one of the half-siblings he hadn't met, since his Uncle Lysander apparently had wings. "Hello," he muttered back, just wanting to continue his run so that he wouldn't have to talk to this pair--and embarrass himself again. He didn't take off, but he didn't look directly at the couple.

"Running," Deldragan replied simply. "I'm Deldragan, the youngest and unimpressive one." No special talents, no wings or horns.

"You don't look unimpressive to me," Reiko replied gently. "It's nice to meet you Deldragan. I'm Reiko, and this is Brise." She paused and then inquired, "Why are you running so early in the morning?"

"I'm training." This mare was... strange. Most weren't this patient with him. Then again, most of them were Del's age. What Reiko asked next surprised him. "Because they have horns and you don't?" Del blushed, his face getting... well, pinker. "N-not all of them," he grumbled. "Dio doesn't have horns either, but he's stronger than me to, so..." The mare's next action surprised him almost as much as her guess to his motive.

Reiko laughed. "He's like a mini you, Brise," she noted, clearly amused. "Always training to be better than siblings." Well, Brise hadn't been this sullen and grumpy, but the similarities were uncanny.

Deldragan could only stare at the pair in confusion. He was like Brise? Really? And was that a good thing or a bad thing?

Deldragan's eyes widened at Brise's words. Oh. So that's what Reiko meant. And how did he know about Dio's bullying? Was it that obvious? He nodded slowly to the offer, steely gray eyes locked on his half-brother. "... Kay." He turned and looked like he was going to take off, but his speed was... slow, not much faster than a trot.

Reiko smiled in amusement. "He's like a grumpy you," she murmured to Brise before trotting after the colt.

Deldragan went in search of his father first. His mother could be various places, but Damir was usually with Aila in the morning--and thus easier to find. He didn't slow when he spotted his father though; he wanted to actually get to his parent in the near future. "Dad," he called to get his father's attention, then moved out of the way so that Damir could see Brise and Reiko fully.

Reiko smiled as she was introduced to Brise's father. "It's nice to meet you." Her eyes sparkling, she added teasingly, "I apologize for stealing your son away for so long."

Deldragan accepted the nuzzle, but didn't really nuzzle back. He stood quietly by as Reiko was introduced, jumping a little when he was nudged. His face flushed in embarrassment. "What?" he grumbled.

Reiko nodded to Brise before replying to Damir. "So am I." Ruin had definitely endangered both their happiness and their safety... "It's beautiful here," she remarked, looking around. It was much greener and more peaceful than the southern deserts.

Deldragan gave Brise an oppressed look, reluctantly trotting after him. What was his "big brother" gonna say? Was he going to scold him for his tone? Would whatever advice Brise had for him actually help?

Deldragan gave him a look, but obeyed. His run was notably slower than even an average foal, and the colt was well aware of the fact. Why couldn't he just do his normal routine? He thought it worked pretty well. It kept him away from Dio for the most part--except when Dio went out of his way to find him during his morning ritual and bother him--and most other foals that teased him were more interested in playing than training with him. Cedomir liked training, but he always did it by himself. He wasn't surprised; Cedomir and the others thought he needed to be protected because he was weak and had no horns. Or maybe it was weak because he had no horns. Either way, he hated it. Hated their biased judgments against him. He knew they meant no harm, but his siblings' "protection" was a hindrance. Del couldn't get strong if they were getting between him and every obstacle!

Deldragan let himself sink into his thoughts as he ran back and forth. Back and forth. An endless task. He but simply rolled himself back onto his hooves when he tumbled and kept running. What was the point of this? How was this supposed to help him? He didn't feel faster or anything...

How long had he been at this? Looking at the sun's position would break his focus, so he just kept running at his pathetically slow top-speed.

Deldragan was so focused that it took him a minute to register Brise's voice. He grumbled about the loss of his morning schedule as he trotted over, but he obediently plopped down on the ground across from Brise. He wondered what his half-brother would say. He obviously observed his horribly slow speed, but the stallion's expression seemed... well, thoughtful. That was good... right? Hopefully?