At the base of the summit is where he feels smallest. The force of his responsibilities weighing down on him, and the height of the mountainous hill suddenly forces him to a standstill. His shoulders are weary with work, but it is his spirit that has suffered the most. Worn and ragged, the excitement of life had dulled in his seasons as King. Where had the time gone? Where had his spark disappeared to? It surely had to remain, somewhere in the recesses of his soul. Buried beneath the rubble of duties and worry, perhaps, but hopefully still alive. How was he to search it out, though? Even standing there, dwarfed even in his massive form beneath the shadows of the god's creation, he was merely playing out a role. Patrol, of course. The only escape from the borders he had, ones he rarely left, fearing the moment he strayed disaster would strike.

Gossamer clouds gathered round the sound of his sigh, clinging to his lightly whiskered face in the moonlight. Silvery rays illuminating further the sign of winter at his exhalation. In that moment he felt completely alone. But it was a freeing feeling, and as he stared up into the clouds, the tip of the earth shrouded from view...there was a sudden determination to fix what had clearly gone wrong to have turned him so far from the path of his true self. Made him lose sight of himself, his real priorities.

In a mighty sweep he turns to cast his head beyond his shoulder, and in his wake he finds her. One of the few he can converse with freely, the one who had helped him shift free of the burdens when he had first fitted the unseen crown round his ears. Cheveyo's painted form moved through the thick snow at the base of the hill, but Kaj turned to her and began to stride back through his own marks left in the snow. Wings flaring in open invitation. A loose, boyish smile curling on his lips as majestic gait became a prance, slushing the snow shamelessly. A sparkle of challenge lighting up his previously deadened expression.

"Care for a race?"

@[Cheveyo]

Like a sudden flare of a match bursting into existence, a smile brightens her face, luminous and attractive. Then she explodes into motion, a bullet of excitement zinging into the air as she leaps for him, snow sprouting as if conjured from her very hooves. It is fluffy and delightful, if masochistically cold; in moments it is descending upon him, and he gives an awkward squawk that mingles into a deep, boisterous laugh. Snow coats and melts upon his spine and the flat tops of his wings, and he peers beneath frosted lashes to watch her dance away from him on strong, graceful legs. His grin splits his face ever wider, mischief dancing in pale blue gems. "I'll get you for that," he chuckled, shaking himself like a massive golden retriever, sending the snow flying with a snap of his wings.

Not giving her time to react or rest, he coiled his hindquarters and lunged for her swaying frame, grin devilish. She had the advantage of speed and agility, but his wings were more than capable of aiding his heavy frame. Wings flared in a playful show of dominance, neck lowering and snaking in a herding motion, excitement thrumming in his very bones. Aiming to bump his bare forehead against her flank, he quickly retreated, lurching over the snow. He does not slow as she did, a challenge clear in the set of his brow and the taunt he throws over his shoulder. "Think you can keep up?" It swirls into the air like the crystalline flakes around them, coating and clinging to the locks of his mane and tail. Outlining each feather in ivory that melts away quickly.

Hoping she is close in pursuit he crow hops, thrusting the snow right back at her as payback for her previous dousing. His laughter is deep, rolling over the snow like a summer thunder storm. Practically glowing from within, enjoying the peace and playfulness that he could experience with so few. He is a candle, burning bright and fierce, aided by the zephyr of her nature.

They are helpless to the other's antics, dancing about and kicking up snow like frisky yearlings. Of course, they are far from that age of youth and innocence, but Kaj reveled in the experience nonetheless. Chasing after the playful Captain, grinning as she gasped, gossamer threads of clashing temperature lingering near her muzzle. Her laughter was a ringing, clear sound. Bells on a summer breeze, wind chimes and hummingbird wings. Kaj respected so much about her, from her modest, composed nature to the way she didn't mind gallivanting with her King like they were foals. She had Kahlua's joy and Evangeline's patience and wisdom. Kaj couldn't have asked for a better friend and companion, and as he showered her in snow he realized that he didn't feel so troubled. As if she had simply walked up and brushed it away as easily as the frozen flakes, casting all his trouble off with a simple stare. It was exhilarating.

As he reclined his head and arched his neck over one powerful shoulder to gaze upon her, his eyes widened and the breath from his lungs was stolen in an entirely unfair way. Tiny, crystallized flakes were glittering through her wavy golden hair, clinging to her lashes as they framed the amused coral gems that blinked back at him from a face as pale and beautiful as the scenery around them. Guilt temporarily washed over him, remembering Kahlua and Evangeline. But they were not his, and he was not theirs. Kahlua had left him with a broken heart, one that Evangeline likely couldn't fill with her own tentative feelings. Even so he felt guilty, he was far too loyal, even in situations where emotional attachment was only hesitant. But who was to say that anything was permanent or secure? He had so much love to give, and one of the reasons why he was so stressed was because he'd been pining over beautiful mares he could never hope to mate with.

Maybe Cheveyo could wash away that stress, too, with her glowing smile. It seemed nothing was out of her reach when it came to lifting Kaj's spirits.

She was a vision, and a distracting one at that. She easily caught up, her hip bumping into his side and causing him to stumble. Laughter tumbled, surprised and joyous, from pale golden lips. He chased after her, hooves thundering and breath ghosting in happy panting puffs. Reaching for her mane, he playfully nipped and lipped at the strands, hoping to pull them gently. Crowding in on her, until their heat magnified and melted the stubborn remaining flakes on his body. Kaj jutted his muzzle towards the delicate arch of her neck, smirking mischievously down at her as long legs kept pace with her small, slim body.

@[Cheveyo]