[prp] Something always brings me back (Tocapo and Lona)

[Fatal Irony]

It had been a long and difficult patrol. The cold had set in harsh and unforgiving in the north, forcing the stallion to walk much of the way. Normally he would have just hunkered down and settled wherever he was until the weather passed, but for some reason he found himself restless and eager to be home.

Home. He'd never really considered the herdlands as such before and couldn't place when he started thinking it, but he suspected it had something to do with the appearance of a new mare in the Kateri. Tocapo had never considered himself much of a romantic, and had no desire to settle down or become involved with anyone. He threw himself into his work for the herd, and stayed away as much as possible. He had always felt displaced and homeless, but since meeting Lona he suddenly felt he had a place he belonged.

His trips have become shorter, his mind less focused than it used to be. He thought it funny, considering he'd spent only brief periods with Lona. There was something soothing and charming about her that Toca couldn't quite place. She made him feel lighter somehow. He smiled a bit, coming into sight of the herdlands.

He shook off the cold and stretched his wings, flinging bits of snow in all direction. He knew the secret path that wound through the mountain pass, but he still preferred to fly. He launched into the air, struggling a bit on his cold bones, but climbed slowly until he could more easily support himself on the wind. He rose up over the river, above the waterfall and through the clouds until the familiar landmarks of home came into view. He glided downwards in lazy spirals until he settled on the ground. He was meant to give his report upon his return, but couldn't resist seeking out Lona.

He assumed she would be out gathering somewhere in the vast valley they called home, though it was possible she was beyond the wall of the mountain gathering the rarer things the herd needed. He folded his wings close to his body for warmth and began his search. He nodded greeting to those he passed, but didn't stop to chat. He considered taking wing to find her more quickly, but thought it would be better to "happen" upon her on a walk. He chuckled to himself at his own foolishness.

There was nothing to be done for it, though. He wanted to see her, and didn't care if he looked foolish. Before long he spotted her. It was lucky that he happened upon her so quickly, considering the vast areas the gatherers went to. The problem was, he had no idea what to say to her. He hesitated, wavering between approaching her and pretending to be busy with something else.

 

[Fatal Irony]

His heart fluttered as she smiled at him. There was something special in the expression, as if it were just for him and no one else. He savored the moment before stammering through his thoughts to come up with a reasonable excuse as to why he'd returned early from his expedition. To busy himself while finding an answer he kicked through the snow, inadvertently exposing a frozen flower preserved in the cold. He stooped to pick it up, shaking it lightly to free it from the snow before offering it to Lona.

"The cold does't bother me too much, but I didn't want to be stuck out in the mountains. There has been kalona activity nearby and I didn't want to be too far out in case I'm needed here." It wasn't a lie. He was a strong warrior for the herd and knew if it came to war he would be needed. However he was also confident that the kalona wouldn't make a move in the snow either. Wretch was a clever mare from all accounts and she wouldn't be foolish enough to attack their fortified position in the winter.

He shook the military thoughts from his head, bringing his focus back to the present and his current company. "Are you having much luck foraging? How are our stores?"

 

[Fatal Irony]

He sheepishly helped the mare put the flower behind her ear, taking his time to be close to her for a little longer. He drew away reluctantly, savoring her sweet scent made more pungent by the flower now in her hair. It suited her. He looked at the buckets gathering sap and nodded his approval. They really did have a wonderful home, full of everything they could possibly need. It was strange to think so, considering how much he had avoided the place for his entire life. He was seeing the herdlands in a completely different way, luminous in the light of Lona, the unicorn. He didn't know how to process these feelings.

"You're doing a lot of great work," he said, feeling as though the words fell far short of how he actually felt. "I'm really impressed by you."

 

[Fatal Irony]

"Frightened?" He didn't know why the question surprised him. He thought about it for a while, his gaze fading into the distance as he called up memories from his travels. He had been in plenty of situations that were dangerous that had raised his heart rate and filled him with adrenaline and occasionally panic, but he never really thought about being afraid. "I don't think I can really afford fear," he said finally - though that didn't feel quite right to him. He supposed he didn't feel frightened because he didn't have a lot to lose. Looking at Lona he thought perhaps that was changing.

"I don't really know any other way to be to be honest. I have a duty to the herd." That was true. He liked protecting them. He enjoyed knowing the herd was safer with him on watch. He took pride in his work. He couldn't deny a lingering part of himself that wanted more though.

"I have skills the others don't have, it's my responsibility to use them for the good of us all." There was a twinge of something in his voice and he turned away from her, his claws twitching. Impure...not like the others.... He tried to push the thoughts away. That was another reason he stayed away, to avoid the stares and the judgemental eyes. It's not like he was the only other-than-unicorn member of the herd. He hated the small-mindedness. The newer members were better about it and for that he was thankful, but the world was so much wider and more accepting outside of the Kateri.