Quilyan

The stallion felt... awkward.

This was not a problem he had had in Th'orqui.

As they travelled, primarily in silence, he found his mind wandering back to the days of his youth, when his main problems were which mare to flirt with on any given day and learning how to manage his father's kingdom. He supposed that he had not been a very kind stallion, but at least the heartbreak he may or may not have caused was not of the lingering sort. After all, he had never made promises to any of those mares. He had never pursued anyone with any serious intent. Those relationships were for kings, and he was but a prince, at least for a few more years. He prayed every day that his father's reign would be long and prosperous - all the better for his wayward tendencies.

The prince sighed softly to himself, ruefully mulling over the 'good old days' before the anarchists came. If only they had never come... if only he had been able to remain in Th'orqui... if only he had never met the mare... -Resplendence,- his apparent companion's voice resounded in his mind. -Her name. It's Resplendence.- He looked at the mare again, his one-time mate, if all he had been told was true. She walked in front of him and slightly to his left, enough ahead that he did not think she would notice his gaze. She was lovely, he had to admit. Apparently he'd had better taste here than he'd had in Th'orqui. Her name was fitting. Again, the guilt flared its ugly head, and he looked away. Looking at her, admiring her... it felt dirty. Tainted.

If only he had never met her... or, perhaps, if only this was the first time...

Resplendence spoke suddenly, explaining their location to the little marmoset perched upon her back. The monkey had continued braiding as they walking, weaving ever more intricate patterns into the mare's mane. He merely nodded. It meant more to his companion than it did to him. She was distant at best - not quite cold, but more... resigned. He felt, somehow, as though he had robbed her of something, but he could not quite decipher what it was.

If he could do anything to make her more at ease, he decided, he would. He did not realize that his magic had begun to seep through the air, creeping toward the mare; but so it did, reaching out to engulf her in a calming, almost sedating shift of mood. "And what is your favorite place to visit in Helovia, my lady?" he asked cautiously, unaware of the magic exuding from his general area. Perhaps some small talk would ease her tension and, at least, allow them to part as... well... if not friends, then acquaintances.

"Talk talk talk."