No Time for Lies and Empty Fights The low drone of whispered confusion rose like the angry tides of a churning ocean around them. It was an atmosphere he had learned to tolerate; a level of simmering stress that no longer prickled apprehension through his auburn hide. With well-proportioned ears (still far longer than any natural being), angled towards the painted woman, and the hum surrounding nulled by the strength of his resolute mind, Hector did not immediately notice the plucky approach of the golden stallion. Right away the face of the other was familiar and a mild-mannered gesture was given to him; a brisk nod and the slim curve of a fraternal smile. The same writhing strain that was strewn through most of their kind, was more than evident as Pheonix’s sky-blue gaze met the soldier’s own, flame-kissed eyes. They were Pegasus who sought liberty in the vast heavens- dwelling in tunnels like they had been forced to, was as unnatural to them as life on land would be to a fish. In vague sympathy of their combined plight, the vivid orange feather’s flecking Hector’s glorious wings bristled. “I know of you Pheonix.” The ivory dressed face of the larger male dipped cordially to hail the greeting offered by his herd-mate; impassive civility the best he could offer. The life of a solider warranted such inter-herd knowledge, the faces and names of those who the Throat harboured were as well known to him as those very sands spilling throughout their homeland- it was his responsibility to know who belonged, and who did not. “We are brethren of the desert, yes. Well met…” Although his manner did not reflect the barefaced courtesy of the palomino, a sturdy mutual-respect was set into his heart, much like it existed for Sohalia, for Shadow, or for any other of their kin. The strange creature whom Hector had guided home followed into the fissure not minutes behind, and rapidly the winged creatures eyes were drawn to find her; lusting perhaps silently and against his better judgement, for yet another glimpse of her cunning brilliance- no matter the slick of filthy sweat upon her, there was some allure that his hormone-charged frame was helpless to retire. Dressed smartly in naught but the simplicity of a soldier’s distant, poker-face, he allowed the ramble of his eyes to quench their thirst- irrespective of the company which now rose from the dank shadows of the realm beneath their rest. A heaving barrel was all which betrayed the level of exertion which had brought the mare, and himself to safety. Tight-lipped and cleverly composed, the athletic warrior concealed that fatigue which ricocheted subtly through the nerves flanking the stretch of his auburn coat. Hector was impressed still more by her resilience. She seemed at first glance to have weathered the trek well- he had pushed to the brink of a ground-dweller’s capability he was sure; but this mare was here squarely upon her long-suffering limbs, where the sunlight could not sooth those aching muscles shared between them. At last she spoke, and a weak scoff fluttered the chestnut’s nostrils at the tardiness of this, her first question. Never the less, he could not scorn the foolishness of her trust. “This cave has been dubbed The Sanctuary…” he informed her blandly; not overly comfortable while the fresh wind trawled beyond their reach. He continued… “I am Hector, and this is Pheonix.” He gestured typically to the golden stallion standing with them. “Our herd normally inhabits the desert south of here… (for now he strategically failed to mention the lush oasis that granted their ability to thrive in case, she who was still a stranger, was not well matched to their clan) …The region is called Dragon’s Throat.” Confident that enough had been offered to satisfy any initial curiosity, Hector fell silent- wishing for his counterpart to follow his lead for the time being, until they knew what manner of creature had been brought into the cave. The cave would undoubtedly house many around them- four herds, and many nomadic bands coloured Helovia’s culture and he was not fool enough to presume their suffocation beneath this toxic cloud. Whether she stayed as the soldier’s recruit, or moved deeper to blend with the anonymous crowd below, Hector would limit his information about their family appropriately.

Anxiety bubbled within him, spreading to his nervous system. It was a troubling thing, continuing with the bold stance despite his pounding heart. His eyes wishing to shift away, look down or somewhere to avoid looking directly at the broad stallion and the mare. Despite excelling in the area of fighting, Phoenix wished for once instead of teaching a spar, that someone would teach him some key points on social interactions. A grin played upon his maw, but he looked at the mare, and she seemed somewhat uneasy. It was something the stallion could relate to, but the lovely femme didn't seem unsettled because of anxiety or anything like that.

Taking a delicate step back, feeling the soft brush of a wall gently prod his rump, the palomino tried to not be a disturbance, moving out of the way. Burning heat washed over his face, a sensation of pure embarrassment as he carefully stepped to the side. The darkness envelops the bodices of the three horses, and in the dim light that softly shines from the boundaries of the world outside outlines tiny beads of sweat upon the flank of the woman. A half heart smile appears on his face, but emerald orbs give away much emotion of discomfort. She wasn't alone in this ordeal. The curvature of her elegant nape gleamed with a sheen as silvery pools shifted around the place. It was as if someone was speaking to her, a spirit of some sorts.

Shaking off the feeling, the palomino averted his gaze to the sun-kissed stallion, known as Hector. A smile arose on his maw, one of a boy that had found a new friend. Dipping his head, his kissers clamped shut once more, reverting to a normal gaze. Lifting back up to meet his fellow herd mate, the response was brief but still filled with confidence. "Well met, brother", the word felt strange on his tongue, as Phoenix had never referred to anyone like that. But it could be the beginning of the anxious palomino warming up to the concept of a family. Fiery orbs seemed to fixate themselves in a serious manner upon the lithe form of the smaller mare, and Phoenix decided to get a better look for himself.

Taut legs wobbled slightly as he craned his neck, emerald orbs caught the lithe figure of the femme, sizing her up. A pretty little thing, but oh so nervous. Hector's voice reverberated through the tunnels, and the palomino felt he had caught a glimpse of some sort of emotion laced within the rigid movements of the man. They were Pegasi, creatures created for the heavens. It was no doubt they both shared the same attitude, the yearning for freedom to be out of the constricting cage of the tunnels. He thirsted for the feeling of the frigid wind playing among his feathers, coaxing him to head higher into the sky until a fiery bodice was an orange speck in the blue atmosphere. Phoenix knew that they both lusted to be freed from the prison that was supposed to be a haven.

Audits pricked up with interest, hearing what Hector had to say. Falling silent besides him, the sun-kissed stallion had basically described the prospect of what the Dragon's Throat was. Unless the chocolate wanderer inquired more on what Helovia was like, he would stay quiet and tune in. There would come a turn where he would offer a valuable piece of conversation--he just had to know when to jump in.


//So I know I screwed everything up. >.< Ugh. But anyways, I posted before Morana, so after Hector posts, Phoenix will know Morana's name and all of that lovely stuff~

Finally the lynching lump in my throat had subsided as my breaths where becoming more stable, taking in the musky scent of the cave walls. The air was thin, and the heat rolled off my body in wisps of steam rising toward the ceiling; but vanishing quickly after leaching from my skin. Muscles were ablaze with soreness, fatigue although I did my best to distract myself from thinking about it as I kept a close eye upon the winged duo. His voice rang deep within my lobes, as I stood silently to listen to his answer. I gazed around the mouth of the cave in the distance, as he spoke the name of this place. The Sanctuary, although it didn’t feel like a sanctuary at all; it felt more as if you had been dragged down to your grave. I did not look back to him, as he introduced himself as Hector, and the other as Phoenix. I stowed their names away, listed them like pen to paper, and filed away in my personal office.

Maybe they’re not that bad. - We’ll see. My mother had been right many times in her years breathing alongside me. Sometimes she was more of a nuisance than a helpful advisor. She appears at her own will, in an illusion and voices in my head. Did that make me crazy? No. I didn’t think so. Taking a generous step back, dual toned tiara lowered to the height of my chest, twisting left and right as I shook myself from nose to tail to rid of the dust that covered my coat. Audits free roam the area, as the sound of my hooves clack against the cave floor as I regain my solid stance after my brisk shake.

Their home land was a desert, the place the golden bird had talked about; Dragons Throat. Confused, but not appalled by the idea I gave a soft bob of my head, to acknowledge his statements. She had forgotten to give her name to the gentleman, but she was rarely on a first name basis with anyone. But to be fair; ”Pleasure to meet you both.” I paused, my tones more fluid and well defined now that I had caught my breath. I decided not to repeat their names, they knew who they were. "I am Morana." I spoke freely, my name here wasn’t slandered or stricken with a murderous fear. Curving upon the edge of my lips, there was a warm smile given to the fire-eyed stallion, Hector.

You’re not going to tell them where you hail from, are you Morana? I let my mothers question echo in my head. They won’t know of my History. I couldn’t tell them I was a killer, had a lust to kill those who had done wrong in the world. My last victim didn’t lay far from this place; but I could only smile to myself and wonder if anyone had found her rotting corpse just yet; then again from their calls of anguish I’m sure they did. I beamed a little in my eyes, portraying the innocence I no longer held in my heart.

I could smell them, and my gaze peered down into the blackness of the cave of which we stood. "There are many here." I breathed, soft spoken as I turned back to the pair of stallions. "What were we running from?" I inquired, going back to the first thing he said to me in the Threshold. No one runs like that, for no reason. To push you on the brink of pain and agony, there was dauntless uneasiness about our travel here. Something here was just not right, to have so many unique smells in one cave, something told me the depths were quite packed.

"What keeps those with the ability to fly away, caged under ground away from precious skies?" I spoke bluntly, offering a tedious smile. It was a tight space, even for me and I didn’t have the wingspan to worry about. They live in a desert, why would a cave be much better? Maybe they couldn’t take the heat. Maybe they’re on the run. I don’t know.

Normal Speech
Mother's Voice.
Response to mother.

Table coded by Abba