Others had come. He found himself watching them as they strode in, the way they would hold their self, to walk in on a high note, or to just mix in with the crowd, not really wanting to be put in on the spot light. He grinned to himself, remembering calling the annual meetings back in the Woodlands. They were always entertaining; a family feud at its best. A time for people to shine in recognition, to fight about what everyone loathes about the equines within, or the way things are ran. No meeting is going to have everyone bow down to their master. Hell, even in his time Nato and the beautiful roan Queen that ran the forest before him had it out plenty of times before he took the throne. Without conflict, there would never be reason, nor peace. It was only a matter of time before someone raised their voice. He was sure of it.

Turning his attention back to Mirage, he let the ocean breeze brush through his threads, rippling them gently as he hears his name rolling off her lips. How sour was that taste, he could only imagine. They didn’t know each other well, but they had more history than meets the eye. He grinned to himself, arching his head, and digging a hoof upon the dusted rock below his chiseled cannons. Call it arrogance, that made him take pride in her notice to him; but he loved to make someone squirm with wonder. Shortly after her speech however; the air changed. Pressure seemed to drop, and the air was thick as clouds rolled around the gathering. A storm was coming, and so sudden? Well, he had not seen anything like this..in such a long time.

DON’T LIE TO HIM! The voice of a another boomed like the circling thunder; Kaj, a stallion he had met his first moments upon the lands of the Edge. He was addressing Mirage and so boldly. Audits pinned against his skull as the winged stallion erupted into view. Nato was intrigued to say the least, as the winds rumbled around him and the sky flashed with lightning. His powers, all to familiar to him; and he rather enjoyed it. Though, to play off with the rest of the crowd he firmed his stance, and turned to face the stallion, making sure to keep Mirage in his vision; if only to see her reaction. How would she take a contender challenging her judgment? If she was anything like her father, it would be a good show.

He breathed, as the Kaj thundered on about Lace, and Equality. Why was he accusing Lace of being a racist? Nato must inquire to this issue; as he never would have guessed Lace to be such. After all, being Equine it meant that he couldn’t stand one or the other between Unix and Pegasus. The black beast cocked his head as he turned and looked among the groups standing before him. He could smell the anger swelling in the hearts of others here. A fire had just been ignited, and for the first time he wasn’t the cause! Well.. he might have been.

"My my.." Nato whispered under his own breath as he listened to Kaj carry on, and on for what seemed like the biggest moment in his life. Finally, things seemed to calm. This stallion really seemed to have something against Lace; what had he done that was so horrible to leave such a lasting impression on this stallion? Better yet, where was the newly dubbed King? Why had he not answered Mirage’s call of adherence? Natos thoughts could jumble in his mind all evening; but as the storm clouds seemed to clear so did his mind. He found crimson eyes resting upon the confused Pegasus as he retreated into the mists in disgrace. It didn’t take long to get a response out of his fellow herd mates. Another Pegasus landed as if from out of the heavens, and stood before his Queen. His words were true, and wise as he mentioned asking her kingdom whom we thought should rule alongside her. But even then, another stallion crossed his mouth booming out in arrogance against the golden Pegasus Kaj.

Nato had to refrain from rolling his eyes, as he turned to the ocean and just gazed into its beauty as the nights calmness had been restored. How was the moral and integrity among the herd now? What would the DragonHeart do now that some have risen against her? Nato could only question himself- what would he do in this situation? Simple. Though, he figured it a bad idea to voice he was a racist, and had led the Woodlands (a neutral herd) with no problem. Perhaps she would agree, to advise a council to appoint a new King, or maybe she would blow it off and let people throw fits no matter her choice.

Where the hell was Lace? He was really missing some dramatic shit. Another mare spoke, and took side with the Queen. STOP. His attention, flashed to a mare as she pleaded the arguing to seize. She seemed to stand beside Kaj and his opinion. Her speech ended in her weeping a thanking the mare that spoke before her. Nato found himself ready for this herd gathering to get on with it already. ”Such a fuss, and Lace is not even present. Where is our new appointed to be King?" His vocals were calm, questioning his absence of his herd meeting. Crimson eyes beaming in the moonlight as he turned his direction between the herd members.