[ No worries! And I love that picture of Brisa. <3 ]

They had been left blessedly alone for more hours than Irma could've asked for. Animals had sensed their quiescence and passed in silence and calm. Even the smallest of animals had dared to pass right beneath the owl's watchful gaze, while the occasional curious deer had paused to observe Mauja's sleeping form before moving on. They barely made a sound as they came and went, and by some twist of fate the equine inhabitants had avoided their peaceful glade. Irma was grateful. The horses of Helovia had a way of twisting her bonded's mind into knots, not to mention that they'd become aware of being wanted before leaving. They posed a very real threat, and if they would find him lying here.. defenseless until the moment he snapped awake... She knew of the dark, terrible depths within him, of the cold fury—just as she knew of the peace and light.

Would they ever find the balance?

Movement broke her train of thought, pale eyes following the direction of her ears to pinpoint it. It was larger, heavier, than the deer who had come through earlier, but blocked from view by the multitude of trees. A horse, maybe. The world was starting to wake up now that it was approaching midday, and to remain longer would, perhaps, be unwise. Gently she nudged Mauja's mind, felt him stir from shallow sleep. Sky-blue eyes opened to a sunlit, tranquil world, and his thoughts opened to the wonder of restful sleep. His head tilted back, gaze going to the owl sitting upon a branch. She looked back at him with her impassive eyes, and a small smile curled his dark lips. Things felt natural, and normal, for once. If he could just ignore the thoughts circling him like vultures, the confusion and lack of direction—why, then today was just like any other day.

He hauled himself to his feet, shook the morning stiffness from his body like a dog shaking out dust; his long hair flew everywhere before settling against his neck, and with a relaxed sense of curiosity he looked about himself. If he'd been the more explosive kind mentally, the utter peace probably would've irked him, but as it was, he appreciated it. It was a chance to unwind, to let go of the thoughts he held against his chest in cramped hands, cradling something that was already dead and cold. Life had to go on, after all.

Irma fluttered down, out of the tree, to grasp his withers and settle. He'd slept for a long time—now she needed sleep, too. As he started to walk through the calm forest he felt her thoughts slip into darkness, until the only thing he could hear through their bond was the steady beating of her small, cold heart. With a fond smile he mentally tucked her in, and kept going through the forest to try and figure out what normal horses did with their days when they weren't busy plotting taking over the world.