Watching the mist drift in over the water the large stallion finally let himself relax for the first time that day. Many things had been troubling his mind but he pushed it all from his mind for the time being as the peaceful scene soothed his restless soul. The wisps of mist swirled and danced upon the surface of the darkened blue puddle more accurately described as a lake for those not following. Slipping the willow branches over his head he gently rested his mystery egg upon the pine boughs he had found to create a nest like pad. Turning himself in a circle he carefully let himself sink down to the ground curled around the delicate egg like a feline would its litter of kittens. Pulling the vine like branches of the willow away from the silvery shell it carried he nosed the sling away off to the side for the night.

Something about this egg seemed to call to him on some level that he couldn't quite understand. It was his to care for and to keep warm, it was his responsibility to protect it from danger. There was a level of affection involved in the unexplained relationship between himself and the strange egg almost like one felt for their own family. Parental concern maybe? Not that he had any idea what that was like for he had no children of his own to draw from the experience. At nearly five years of age he really had nothing to show for his time on this earth other than the knowledge hidden within the realm of his mind. Some would likely call him a failure but it was not the way he thought about the whole thing. His time spent here so far had been lonely majority of the times but there were the beacons of light shining down on occasion to guide the way. Each beacon resembled people he had met that had left a lasting impression forever ingrained in his history. The brightest two being a result of Merou and Parelia, his most treasured friends. The painted mare had been a saving grace in tough times and continued to be one of the reasons he woke each morning. It was nights like this one that made him wish that she was there beside him to comfort his mind.

As midnight dawned a rather strange feeling woke him from his sleep, it was almost like someone was talking but you couldn't make out more than a hum in the distance. Listening intently he lifted his head to look around only to find nothing out of the ordinary, hmmmm strange he thought quietly as his head turned back to his egg or at least what was left of his egg. Before him the once flawless exterior of the shell was cracked in multiple places with chips missing in other areas. Feeling his blood run ice cold in panic he couldn't help but think that he must have somehow damaged it in his sleep. Had he accidently rolled onto it!? Please no... Cr...ac..kk..

The sound of the shell breaking startled him, wait he never moved but how? Looking down again the light of his glowing markings revealed something emerging from the shell... oh my...it was hatching! Excitement quickly replaced the fear erasing it from the picture completely as he watched intently as the creature managed to finally break free of its confinement. A gurgled chuff sounded from the small feline as it shook its head trying to make sense of things in this new world. Elegant black stripes adorned the cat's damp white coat, a little female by the looks of it. The tiger cub turned its head catching the scent of the stallion curled nearby only to look upon him with closed eyes. A gentle wicker sounded from his vocals as he reached his nose over to nudge the beautiful cat ever so softly in affection. The touch between the two was like fire as something seemed to click in his mind allowing things to feel beyond perfect. So this was what it was like to have a companion, it was... incredible and beyond words.

"Kiara.. my little warrior" He murmured softly with adoration his heart soaring as the cub leaned into his touch with a soft purr. The name had just come to him out of thin air but somehow it seemed to fit this little fireball. Lowering his head to the ground he completed a circle around his companion as she snuggled up close into the crook of his neck drawing in all the warmth she could get before settling down to sleep. Sighing contently he felt all the stress slip away leaving him with a warm fuzzy feeling, it was glorious. Now he just needed to make sure to awake early so to find something for the young cub to eat, maybe some skewered mice might satisfy her tastes? What else could he find in the category of meat at this time of year? They would have to make due until some of the snow and ice began to melt drawing more succulent prey from hiding.