Mauja the FrostHeart
ice cold man watches earth die, eternal winter takes its reign

His dislike of her solidified at her chilly smile, and if it had been possible, he would've just rammed his horn straight through her. As it was, taking on two pegasus on the outskirts of their heart territory was a bit too risky and stupid, so he reigned the flare of temper in and, instead of allowing his pale gaze to go sour, put on a mildly crestfallen look. He'd hoped she wouldn't turn out to be a frosty bitch, but it seemed that way, but still - he appreciated her honesty, if perhaps not her. But still, a Sun-loathing pegasus was way better than a Sun Emissary. He'd been equine, hadn't he? The blasted sun kept shining down, and Mauja strangled a most annoyed sigh. The day had begun quite well, and despite the heat Azzuen had been good company - surprisingly so, if his leader was this unfriendly. Did she keep her men in line with shouts and kicks? Why hadn't anyone ever attempted to give her a lesson in the art of intrigue, in diplomacy? Did she bash their skulls in? Kri the Terror, he thought in his irritation, but merely watched her with interested, a thin film of disappointment across his body.

It was a rejection, albeit a somewhat polite one - irritation swept through him with renewed intensity, and if it had been physically possible he would've tried to rip the suspicion out of her. Did she have no allies at all? Did she treat everyone this way? Or did she, somewhere, posses a heart, so someone liked her, but she just couldn't bear to trust a unicorn? Are we more alike than I thought? Still, he had to salvage what he could of this, and heaved a small, mournful sigh. "So mote it be," he said quietly, tail slapping lazily against his hocks. "Likewise I have no interest in your home." He dipped his head slightly, sealing his words with the nod; lies, of course, all lies. Or, rather - he had no interest in their home, but he had an interest in their lives.. in breaking them, reminding them of their true place. He cared little for the terrain upon which they now stood, her red rocks could stand here for eternity without a unicorn touching them for all he cared. But to allow the pegasus to live here, freely, contesting with his own kind...

Such thoughts were hardly fitting now, and he forced them aside.

"I hope to one day prove myself worthy of your trust," he added solemnly before giving her a final look of his pale blue eyes - then he turned, paused briefly to give Azzuen a nod as well. He had been much kinder, with the a healthy amount of suspicion - not an unhealthy one, as someone else in his vicinity seemed to possess. Irritated but loathe to let it show, Mauja started the long walk back home again, across the sea of red rocks, his mind spinning idly as his body moved. He'd rather have Kri on his side until it was time to strike, but she seemed disinclined to like him. Snorting, he decided that if the Throat ever came under attack, the Edge would send a force of voluntary warriors there to help defend it (unless it interfered with his own plans; then they could just rot there among their roasting rocks) - just to spite her, if nothing else. Away from the eyes of the pegasus, a cold, predatory glint came into his eyes, and he laughed quietly to himself. Oh, yes; somehow he doubted she'd enjoy being helped by the Edge. If he was lucky, she realized she'd erred in her judgment, and began to trust him. Trust. Her trust. That was what he wanted, what he needed.

It would make betraying her so much sweeter.

[ Mau out. <3 It's probably good for Kri that she's wary of him. xD ]