They dance around each other, one afraid of harm, the other afraid of harming. Resplendence is so small, so fragile, in more ways than one. She is like pristine glass, crafted by the finest artists with the most loving hands available. Yet she’d been scarred up and chipped by the cruelty of the world and the stupidity and savagery of others. How she trembled so delicately only furthered this view of her, making the protector feel as if she’d shatter into a million tiny coral pieces if he so much as dared to breathe too heavily upon her frame. For a brute of his size, it was a daunting prospect, one that terrified him. He’d harmed mindlessly for many years, protecting his family, but he’d never been one to inflict fear or pain without valid reason, and shied away from harming any delicate or helpless creature. Resplendence, as it just so happened, was both. She eyed his wings with fear, puzzling him, but at the very least she continued to shuffle uncertainly towards him. It saddened him that, in the end, it was the drive to live that brought her to his side, and not trust that he wouldn’t harm her. Nobody should have such deep mental scarring so as to want to hide behind that thick barrier instead of move past it, ignore it, even deny it. The latter three were far more common, and Kaj didn’t know how to handle the beautiful mare with the endless tresses. He feared scarring her even further, damaging her with his inexperience, and the thought was like fire eating up the marrow of his bones; excruciating.

Cold as it is, the moment she is beneath the canopy of his wing- for it cannot be a blanket with how high he holds it to keep it from touching her- their combined heat is already a comfort, and it brings a soft sigh of contentment and relief to his pale muzzle, exhaling into the frozen tundra to leave a cloud of ice behind. It takes the edge of the chill away, soothes the sting of the sword he can almost feel pressing teasingly into his canvas. Still, her soft vocals keep him grounded, and he tilts his head to look at her. Shame hides her face, and he assumes it was due to his puzzled expression, and murmurs a soft ‘don’t be sorry’ to her. Even if she didn’t verbally apologize, didn’t say the words he knew must be tickling at her throat.

Kaj watched from azure gazers as she timed her breathing to a beat he couldn’t hear, her inhales and exhales soothing and periodic, repetitive. It was almost like a lullaby, tempting him to rest, but inside he knew he couldn’t give into the siren’s song. No matter how tired he was. If he stayed exposed, he’d die, and if he tried to rest, it was likely Resplendence would as well. So instead he let her calm her fragile, hummingbird heart, and patiently awaited the moment she felt courageous enough to peek back out from the cracks in her shell like a curious mouse.

Like a viper she struck out at his wing, a shot of bravery he found impressive, though he was more focused on the fact she didn’t know how a cloud felt. After all Kaj knew the truth about them, but surely she’d seen their cotton candy nature and beautiful afternoons? Her sharp movement luckily didn't startle him, but the ghost of her warm breath on his feathers was pleasant in the frosty wonderland. It was perhaps a little surprising, not the most elegant of actions, but Kaj didn't mind so long as she was okay. Already he was taking on the mindset that she was far more important.

”The common conception is that clouds are soft, delicate, and fluffy. But no, my wings are incapable of doing such things, in fact they’re very fragile. The bones of my wings are hollow, to be lightweight, but it means they’re delicate. A pegasi’s wing is perhaps the softest thing I have ever felt, nothing sharp is concealed in our wings.” He would not swear it to her again, if only because he feared she was growing tired of hearing it.

At least she’d tried it out, he was proud of her for that.

“Don’t apologize, really. Where I hail from, there are winged equines everywhere you look. I know not all places are like that.” Curiosity pricked his ears as a name crossed her lips, however. “Quilyan? Is that your dear one’s name? The one seeking medical attention?” Kaj asked, trying to draw the lines together in his head. Sighing to himself, relieved to see she was shivering less as they began moving, he glanced at the horizon where the spot of darker color was flickering in and out of view. It was going to be a long walk, but with such interesting if sorrowful company, Kaj didn’t think it would seem that long in his mind when he looked back on it.

Turning, he surveyed the skies to see how they'd fare for weather. It didn't look particularly promising, but they might be able to escape the impending storm depending on how close cover was. Worry drew his lips into a frown, subtly increasing the pace just enough, hardly noticeable at all. Kind blue eyes peered down at Res from where she was cloaked in her pale locks, head bowed. "So, what do you like to do for fun, aardbei?" Okay, not the most traditional of questions...but then again, Kaj wasn't the most traditional of Helovians. He'd likely never understand them, after all.

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Notes: It's like 6am xD so no table, sorry