Feeling rather stiff and sore from all the events over the last couple weeks the grey had decided to just try and let his beaten body rest for a little while. Lately it had been near impossible to stay anywhere for long as his mind would not let him forget about that mare. She was not just any mare, she was the one he had fallen so deeply in love with that without her here with him it felt as if he did not know how to breathe. Every thought turned into yet another painful reminder of what he had lost. He wanted his family to be by his side not living somewhere where he could not be, he wanted to be the one to help raise their son. The whole situation was tearing him to pieces inside making him not really care what else life threw at him. Between the couple spars and the incident with Aurelia his body had taken quite the beating with bruises here and slashes into his hide there. Overall he felt the pain but without his heart beating normally nothing really mattered anymore.

Trailing his long tail over his back more out of habit than anything he stood staring off into space just wishing the ground would open up and take him down. Movement drew his silver orbs back into focus as a blur of motion dropped down in front of his face. Whipping his head up and back in surprise he snorted but otherwise did not draw backwards any steps. If it was something here to hurt him so be it, let it try.

As the object slowly came into focus recognition found the bird to be Penna. Irritation was the first thing that came to mind, what was he doing here? Flicking his harks back to touch his skull he tried swatting him away with a flash of his horn and exposed teeth he turned to the side lashing his tail out, if he was here to deliver some message about Parelia he had come for no reason as he couldn't bear to listen to whatever it was. When the bird persisted further he finally gave in and turned his gaze back to the falcon. It was at this point that the clump of fur caught his attention clamped between the birds beak. That looked strangely like... Kiara.. No it couldn't be.. Reaching his mind out towards his bonded he felt nothing more than a faint lingering presence, something was not right. This was not their normal connection at all, where could she be? Was she hurt?

Panic engulfed him as he feared the worst, he had already let her down once he couldn't have done it again. He needed to find her now! Seeing Penna take off his powerful hindquarters launched him forward into a canter after him.

Soon enough the scenery changed into that of the Thistle Meadow and the borders of the Secret Grove. Why had they come here? Kiara wouldn't have come this far would she? Pushing the questions aside he continued forward into the trees trying to keep his eye on Penna which was becoming increasingly more difficult. The burnt flesh upon his neck was searing painfully in the places it had reopened from his movements but he did not care he was too concerned about Kiara. Feeling the trickle of blood drip down his neck he was finally forced to slow his pace having lost sight of the falcon. One loud call sounded from his lungs calling out but no answer came. Dammit Penna! he fumed silently pacing back and forth trying to figure out which way to go next.

It was not the cry he had been expecting, but sure enough another familiar voice echoed through the trees. "Parelia?" Surely his mind had to be messing with him, he was out here trying to find Kiara... It was just too much of a strange coincidence that he would happen to run into Parelia as well. Then again the world seemed to be out to get him lately so should it really be that much of a surprise?

Stepping forward through the trees he caught sight of the mare frantically searching for something. Where was Ilios? His heart lept with fear as he moved forward until he was only meters from the pegasus. " Parelia? Whats going on? Where is Ilios? Did something happen?" He stated fearfully his eyes whipping over the landscape all around them.



Ciceron talks
Ciceron thinks
Kiara speaks

The situation unfolding around him almost seemed like a dream. Things were happening but he couldn't really process what all it actually meant. Most of these dreams commonly ended up the same, turning into just another nightmare of the recent events. Should he be turning around and heading the opposite way? This did not make any sense at all, why was Parelia here? What was going on? "He is safe." The gentle words took away his initial fears of something happening to his son but still his muscles stayed tense. Everything had put him so on edge the last couple weeks making him virtually feel like he was unable to relax even when there was no physical danger around him.

Hearing his name leave her lips he felt inclined to try and comfort his soulmate and try and take away her worries but how could he do this after everything? Did she even want him around anymore? If he went to her would she just turn him away as she had before? Pain made his heart swell making each breath a struggle, he did not know what to do.. While he wanted to pull her close and make everything just disappear he restrained himself with much difficulty not wanting to make things worse between them. He had longed every day they had been apart for things to go back to the way they were. He had missed them so much it hurt to think about.

"Pare.lia.. I.. I don't understand..." He managed softly his voice hollow and lost in the dead silence around them. The sentence had meant to be much more but he found himself struggling for words as he fought back the pain within. He wanted to tell her everything was alright and not to worry but that would be a lie considering he couldn't believe it himself. Why was she so upset? It was killing him to not be able to draw her close like old times, to love her like she was supposed to be, to be a father to his son.. His eyes couldn't leave her face fearing she would disappear and he would have to realize this was really all in his head.

"What's wrong? You are upset.." His question finally managed to take form as his mind slowly recovered from such a shock of running into his love again. He did not know where things would go from here but the one thing he did know was he couldn't just turn his back on them. With this acceptance in himself he flinched away from the throbbing pain shooting through his macerated flesh upon his shoulder and neck. By the feeling of it there was likely blood staining much of the area by now, it would eventually stop and scab over again..

----------------------------------------------------------------

It was taking much restraint for the tigress to stay put in her hiding spot when she wanted to force her bonded to do something about his wounds. She had left him for less than twelve hours and he had managed to hurt himself more! They would eventually have to show themselves to the two lovebirds but it was too soon, she could still feel the sorrow through their bond. Just make it go away.. Shaking her head she turned to pacing back and forth along the branch she was perched upon trying to be patient with her bonded. How did he expect her to be patient when he goes and does who knows what to himself. Growling her displeasure she sighed before making herself sit in one place. It was hard enough trying to hide her presence from his mind, this was just making it harder.



Ciceron talks
Ciceron thinks
Kiara speaks

When it came to the world of love and disaster no one would ever figure out how it functioned. One could guess but then no sooner it would prove you wrong leaving you right back where you started. Gazing over his painted lady he couldn't be angry with her for what had happened between them, he might not understand but the outcome was all still the same. Deep down he felt that he should be angry but it was not in his nature to let such deep carnal emotions seep into his personality. Over the last weeks he couldn't exactly say what all had happened to him for he had been walking around lost in his own grief. Every moment that he could remember was heavily clouded making even those encounters difficult to remember. The only memory that did seem to stand out was Aurelia's attack upon the Falls. It was the one place he had managed to let Kiara down failing to protect her from the mares fire, granted it was how he had gotten the burns over himself but those were of insignificance.

"Ciceron you are hurt! What happened to you?" Hearing his name once again from Parelia's mouth still shocked his senses from the daze he had been under. It was almost all too much for him to take all at once, her scent, her presence, the sound of her voice it was testing what little restraint he could manage. The worry upon her face softened his posture slightly as he lowered his head to a more reasonable level. "It's nothing to worry about, I am fine." He said gently reaching his muzzle forward with a little hesitance to touch his fae's. Inhaling deeply was out of the question for he was scared he would subcumb to the euphoria he felt whenever he was with his mate. There would never be another that made him feel the same way for as long as he lived.

The warmth of her touch made all his nerves quiver with electricity making him crave more. The distance between them was too much to bear even though it was no more than a couple inches. . "I miss you more than I have ever missed anything Ciceron. You have always and will always be my everything. Even if you can't stand mmmme any mmmore at least think of your son." With these final words the last of his restraint shattered into a million pieces. He was in disbelief that she would ever think something such as this, could she not see how much all this staying away was killing him? Stepping forward he lifted his head to curl it over his lover's neck drawing her to him so no distance remained. Inhaling with some difficulty he fought to control his overwhelmed emotions as he was flooded with longing to never move from this spot again. The feel of her skin against his was the first comfort he had felt since the day they had left one another.

"Staying away has been the hardest thing I have ever done. Never say such things again for I will always love you regardless of what happens." The words were difficult to say but when he had he felt as if thousands of pounds had been lifted from his shoulders. Despite the protests from the side of his neck he stayed holding Parelia tightly against him never wanting to let go again. Thankfully the injured side of himself was away from Parelia to avoid getting any blood on her perfect frame or wings. Moving his muzzle over her skin he greedily took in her familiar scent and feel as he groomed her coat to give his mind something to focus on other than what his gender tendencies were trying to focus on.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Flicking her head to the treetops as rustling leaves drew her attention she watched as Penna finally arrived. It was about time, you would think flying would make one faster. Her curiosity perked as the smell of death drifted towards her. Watching as the dead dove was tossed towards her she tilted her head wondering what was up, was this for her? This was definitely a first for her, a bird bringing her a dead bird... a little odd but still. A grateful chuff escaped her throat as she crouched over the dove sniffing at it for a moment before starting to try and de-feather the carcass. This was always the part she hated the most about birds, there were always too many pesky feathers to rip off before you could get to the good part.

After a little work she finally got it to an acceptable product before she dug in easily crushing the fragile bones between her teeth. Leaving a portion of meat unfinished she nosed it towards the falcon with a purr, she figured she should share it to be nice. Sitting up again she lifted her paw to her face, licking it before proceeding to wash her face off. Eventually they would have to head back to their bonded, but she figured they might as well spend sometime together to make sure things were back to normal. Plus it would give them a chance to get any lovey stuff there might be over with before they returned.


Ciceron talks
Ciceron thinks
Kiara speaks

It had been so long since he had felt warmth enter his heart, felt the touch of another on his skin that was not trying to rip him to pieces, and most importantly felt whole again. The moment that Parelia had walked away was the day that his world stopped turning. Things became meaningless, time passed without purpose. His heart had fallen cold and he was just a passenger in this game of life. Nothing had mattered to the stallion in the weeks that preceded today hence the reason so many wounds littered his muscular frame. Each wound was a way of him trying to cope, trying to block out the deafening pain that made him want to die. Now that things seemed to have turned a corner between his love and himself things carried hope for a future where he existed.

Silently he wondered how his son was doing as he had not seen him in a number of weeks. It had been painful not to get the chance to watch as his son grow up and made him feel as if he had failed not only as a mate but also as a father. The words of his own father haunted him daily making him question his ability to raise anyone other than himself. Things were just so confusing and uncertain making it hard to figure out what was the correct path for him to follow. What did this mean between himself and Parelia? He was doubtful that she would ever return to the Falls so where did that leave them?

"I'm sorry for how I left Ciceron. I should have calmed down before I spoke. I was rash and mean, and for that I am deeply sorry.”
Listening quietly as his mare spoke made his heart twist. “It is not your fault.” He replied quietly not wanting to move an inch. “Everything is my fault. I am the failure.” His silent additions to the conversation made things all come back to him, making him regret not doing more to fix things before they had walked away. Sighing softly he tried to brush off the depression brought along by his recollections. Spasms in his torn muscles made him tense up and straighten his neck slightly trying to relieve the pain. He could still feel the thin lines of hot crimson trickling down his shoulder but again he ignored it as he turned back to Parelia. He deserved the wounds that had been inflicted upon him, a small price to pay given his many failures.

As the burning questions finally came forth he knew there was no putting off responding but to be honest he did not know how to respond. She was asking him to leave the Falls where he had given his word to protect and go somewhere unknown. Could he essentially abandon his duties as Praetor and just leave? He wanted to be with his family but in a sense both places where his family, the falls was his adoptive family while Parelia and Ilios were his true blood family. The decision was difficult to make but somehow he knew what he needed to do despite how difficult it would be. “Your home will not allow me to enter their borders. To them I am only an intruder… I have not spoken with Midas about leaving..” The words were difficult to conjure up but his decision had been made. He would need to leave the Falls if he was to ever be happy though he was not looking forward to the impending conversation with Midas. “ I will still come if you would like me to but I must leave again shortly afterwards. I doubt I will be welcomed by the Edge being still associated with the Falls. I would like to see Ilios though but I do not need healed it will heal eventually.” He replied finally ignoring the burning spasms lashing out through the deep wounds.




Ciceron talks
Ciceron thinks
Kiara speaks

Parelia leaned against Ciceron enjoying ever second of his touch. This was the best the cremello mare had felt in weeks even with her lively son the silver knight was what she really longed for. Parelia did love her colt, more than most things, but Ciceron was a feather farther a head. That being said she knew she would give her life and Ciceron's to protect her baby boy. Shaking the nasty thoughts from her head she pressed her chiseled face against his warm shoulder. This was her chance, maybe her last to get him to come be a family again. Her chest felt tight like it was in a vice keeping her from breathing easily until he replied. Shaking her small head at his words the mare sighed heavily her sides heaving. ""It is my fault Ciceron. I know there is no way I can make up for what I did to all five of us." Her small ears drooped slightly as she thought back to the few weeks before she had given birth to Ilios. A sudden idea came to her mind her voice was excited, "Stay here for a second I'll be right back!" Smiling brightly she rubbed her head on him once more before cantering off. Her bright eyes gazed around carefully searching for the plant she needed to help him. Once she found it she plucked a few leaves and head back to him. Skidding to a stop in front of him she dropped the leaves at his large hooves. Her voice was warm, "This is yarrow and it helps with bleeding. I wont take no for an answer mister." She smiled playfully up at him before adding something else, "It might sting a little ok?" Lowering her arched neck she carefully picked a few of the leaves and chewed them up grimacing at the bitter taste. Once she was sure they were nice and chewed up she moved over to his injured side and carefully spit them onto the worst parts of his bleeding wounds. Using her soft muzzle the gentle moved the pulp around trying to be as nice as possible so she wouldn't hurt him anymore. Satisfied with her work she stepped back, ""I'm no healer but my friend Brisa taught me about this plant." Moving back to his uninjured side she nuzzled against him once more. Pulling her wings tight against her slender frame she waited on the edge of a cliff for his answer to her suggestion. Heart pounding she listened carefully taking in ever word he had to say. She waited quietly until he was completely done speaking. "Oh Ciceron, Ilios will love to see you again. I'm sure that my herd will not deny you the chance to see your son and where he is growing up. We are a peaceful herd." She hoped that her words would not be proved wrong. Silently she called for Penna, since their plan had worked it was time to take her knight home, even if just for a little. "I know why we're both here, I think we need to thank out bonded for this meeting." She smiled playfully as she moved away and turned for the World's Edge. ------------------------------ Penna sat quietly with the cat waiting and hoping it would have worked out, and by the feeling Parelia was having he could tell it was going good. Her call sent set his heart alight. He cooed happily to Kiara and playfully swiped a wing at her white striped pelt. It was time to return to their soul-mates. He took to the air flying lower ofer her head before leavign the trees calling to the cat as he went. "Talking"’Thinking’ Words: 617 @[Ciceron] Parelia