Perhaps, if she hadn't been so focused on watching the sky she would have spotted him where he stood at the top of a dune. The silhouette of the silver grulla contrasted sharply against the bright sky and proved to anyone with at least a little bit of common sense that he wasn't trying to hide. If he did, it would have been idiotic to place himself in front of the sun, on the highest place he could find along the beach. Adding to that, the slender little dragon that accompanied him did nothing to make his presence less noticeable; white scales glittered in the bright light for every casual circle she made above his back, when she didn't veer off to one side or the other to chase after the random seagull.

Where he stood and looked down upon the unicorn, Lace was reminded of a different time when the roles had been reversed. Then it had been him who thrashed in the waves, and someone else that had studied him without being noticed; a wry smile twisted the sooted lips as he watched the mare throw herself into the waves. He wasn't half as good as Mirage at being mysterious. Overall the situation was completely different than that time; the weather was infinitely better, the horse that frolicked below didn't look like she was about to kill herself, and he was not a dragon lady with a mind set on snaring depressed vagabonds.

Still, something about the way the unicorn continued to press out into the ocean was a little unsettling, and with the wind teasing the tip of his mane the stallion began to manage down towards the shore. Warm sand sprayed up around the knees as he worked his way through the sand, comfortable albeit a little unused at moving in the loose grains. It was many years since he patrolled a similar beach on a regular basis, he had almost forgotten how demanding it was on the leg muscles.

"Hey, don't go too far out!" he shouted at the black mare once he was close enough to be heard, quietly hoping that she would care to listen. He really didn't want to have to go out after her, not with whatever currents there might be to drag you out and under the vivid blue surface.

Ears swiveled backwards as the hostile tone of the mares voice reached them, and Lace couldn't help but frown slightly. He kept his eyes on the shape of the dark-coated unicorn, more concerned about the water she was in than the horn upon her head.

"Because it's dangerous" he retorted with a voice that easily carried out over the gleaming waves. "The water might look calm and safe, but you never know what currents run beneath the surface. If you're not careful you'll get dragged out further than you can swim back."

It was longer an explanation than he really felt like giving, but for now the grulla managed to overlook the rude tone she had spoken with. Perhaps he had startled her, and that was the reason for the sharpness. Then again, the looks she gave him where he stood by the waterline, where the waves barely managed to lick at the dark hooves... White silk snapped behind his rump, and a hoof stomped irritatedly into the sand.

Perhaps he should just leave and let her drown, if that was what she wanted.

Eyes with the color of liquid honey watched warily as the mare began to make her way back to the beach. If he was surprised that she had chose to listen, it didn't show upon the black-masked face, that still sported a rather stern look. Lace studied her as she sloshed through the salty water, taking in every movement with the trained eye of a soldier. She was slightly taller than him, but with a built that appeared somewhat lighter. A rough guess would say that she was built for endurance and a hot climate - whereas he was more of a sprinter, agile and powerful but tiring quickly.

He waited until he she came closer before replying, the tone softening a few notches as her mood seemed to change. Perhaps he really had startled her.
"Nothing of the sort" he said and backed away a few steps to allow her more room to maneuver on the beach - and indeed staying clear of the shower of salty water that splahed around her as she shook the black body. "I'm just a traveler passing though, willing to offer some advice to a stranger. I used to live in a place similar to this once..." The voice trailed off as he turned the head to look out over the clear blue sea, pausing both because of the painful memories and the fact that she didn't need to know more about him. Not right now, at least.

"My name is Lace" he soon continued and returned the gaze to the unicorn, the cobwebbed head dipping down into a polite nod. "May I ask who you are?"

Torn between the entertainment found in chasing seagulls and a growing curiosity towards the horse her bonded was talking to, the little dragon soon came flying back. Pearly white wings shimmered as they cut through the crisp air, easily carrying her through the sky toward the four-legged beings. Shadow dancing over the sandy dunes, Fajira gave off a loud trill in greeting to the shadow-black-rose-mane female that rose from the waves. The dragon made a loop over the head of her bonded and then continued on to meet with the horned femme, only to begin circling above her, watching with curious misty eyes.

It wasn't the first time she had seen a horned one. Fajira remembered both The Valiant and the lightning-kissed-night lady, as well as some others she had met during travels. Still, she kept comparing the strangeness of their appearance to Lace's, collecting memories of differences and similarities like a child might collect shells or curious rocks. In that way she was perhaps somewhat different from other bonded dragons, because normally they didn't pay much attention to anyone who wasn't dragon, bonded or dragon-bonded. She wouldn't go so far as to intrude into the horse's mind and speak to her - not after just meeting her anyway - but it didn't mean she wouldn't expose the black unicorns ears to a set of trills, warbles and cries as curiosity got the best of her.

The stallion watched from the shore at the antics of his companion, an amused smirk playing over the sooted lips. Used to the sometimes shrill and piercing sounds Fajira created, he ignored it and focused instead on the dripping lady and the words she uttered. The more she spoke, the more he found himself forced to re-evaluate her. Her manners became more and more impeccable, the tone was smooth and hard to read - as was the ebony face. Her intelligence wasn't hard to pick up on from the brightness of the eyes, but if there was more to see at a first glance she must be good at hiding it. Moreover, when she offered him a smile Lace found himself warming up even further - she was pretty, without doubt.

"Greetings then, Faelene, it's nice to meet you" he smiled, tucking away the information of her past within the folds of the mind for later assessment.

Humming slightly at her question, he began to stroll along the shoreline and inclined his head, a silent invite for her to join. "Aye, I do indeed. More than I stay, actually, though for now I will be lingering in the area for some time. Come spring, we'll see what happens." He hadn't planned to linger any longer in Helovia, but ever since the long talk with Mirage he had been tempted to change the plans a bit. She was a persuasive mare, and Fajira had taken a liking to both the DragonHeart and her golden dragon. There were question to answer still, decision to make.. With a flick of the white tale he shrugged the thought aside and returned Faelene with a question of his own.

"What of you, are you a wanderer or a stayer?" There was a genial tint to the smile and the question, the gilded eyes warmer and kinder as they strayed to her dark form. It was a day much too pleasant for grumpiness, and as the company grew pleasant so too did the gray stallion.

What she did expect to see was a scaled white dragon soaring above her seeming to chatter to her in what appeared a happy greeting. This she could not quite hold her mask so tightly, Fajira was the second dragon she had seen in her life. (The first sadly an abused, and enslaved golden beast who frequently had appeared waiting for death) With her muzzle tipped skyward there was a lit of both astonishment, and wonder in her black pupils. She was quite a beautiful creature, and seemed quite the friendly sort herself. Especially the way she continued to chatter to her as if Faelene spoke dragon. "How do you do?" She would ask catching the own interest in the winged female's eyes. Though she would not see why she would be of much interest, but all young creatures were curious. Though it would be a blind guess to know how old this one was. Dragons were a bit of an unknown subject to her, except for the rare stories she had been told about them. With an open mouth in a most wide smile she proclaimed, "She is bonded to you?" Without trying to hide the awe or surprise to her voice. It pleased her to see the stallion gave her a chance to redeem herself, and by doing so it would seem in return he was more pleasant as well. Instead of continuing to beam at him and his dragon, she let her smile relax where it felt more natural. "Pleasure to meet you both," she responded her eyes moving from his golden stare, to the scaled dragon. She absent mindedly stirred at the sand with her left hoof, seeing he was in thought. The silver equine began to walk, and upon his invite she began to walk in stride beside her new company. The sun upon her black hide she was quickly drying, and soaking up the heat. She kept her step in time with his, and ear turned in his direction while she looked ahead. The warm sand rose to her ankles, and felt good where she was most wet. "Choices are nice to have, I'm sure you'll figure out what's best for you by then," she commented with a soft lift of her muzzle, eyes taking in the sea. Some she knew some had hearts of wanderlust, and nothing could make them stay in one place too long while others it seemed had a need to tie oneself down. "I'm much more of a stayer. I don't care for being alone," she admitted, though honestly she had never exactly traveled to travel. She was bit by bit exploring Helovia, but did not see this as the same. She would always return to where she called home, because she had one.

Pleased with receiving a greeting all of her own, Fajira trilled happily and continued to hover above the black unicorn as she joined up with the stallion. It was a good day, fresh and clear with nice winds that allowed for complex maneuvers and acrobatics. The little White enjoyed herself thoroughly, at peace with playing in the air while the horses below made horse talk that mattered little to her.

Lace nodded in confirmation at Faelene's guess. "Yes, she is. We have been together for some years now, but I still can't say that I have gotten used to it. The experience of sharing your mind with someone is indescribable, nothing like I've ever known before." He looked up at the dragon, affection apparent as he followed her movements across the sky. "Fajira is the best thing that has happened to me though, and I wouldn't undo the bond even if I could. I've lost count on how many times she's saved me..." He returned the honey-colored gaze to the mare and smiled gently, eyes filled with the miracle he was allowed to wake up to each day.

He enjoyed this conversation more than he had thought he would. While it was only small talk with a complete stranger, the mood was peaceful and pleasant as the weather. Maybe I should spend more time with other horses he contemplated silently to his bonded, while nodding and listening with mild interest to the rose-maned femme as she answered his question.
They don't bite was the indifferent reply he got back, and Lace had to hold back a chuckle where he walked, balancing deftly as sand shifted beneath the feet for every step.

"Sometimes I forget how pleasant it can be with company of my own kind" he offered with half a grin. "It's easy to get caught up in the bond, so much that I almost forget that we aren't one single being. Dragons have a way of simplifying matters; when you've spent time with one for a while, things like history and race and allegiances become trivial. If there's anything I've learned over the years spent with Fajira, it is to simply appreciate the moment and not sweat the small details."

It was a matter of perspective, he supposed. Through the eyes of a dragon a horse's life was foreign and strange, as much as a dragons priorities seemed strange to him. They had discussed the matter many times, compared the others dreams and ideals. Eventually they had been forced to settle with the knowledge that they would always have different opinions, and accepted the other the way they were. It was easier than to constantly argue about small things, it would only lead to a mental war that sooner or later might have lead to the madness of both.

Charcoal iris reflected the white dragon who held attention with not only her chattering, but the way she took flight, easily navigating the sky. The red maned mare was quick to pull her eyes from the air to Lace when he spoke. It was a look into his world shared with a dragon. Faelene could see he was sincere in the way he spoke, and directed a look to his companion. She had never been able to understand it as an outsider, and wasn't fully disappointed he had no words to explain. It was something she would learn for herself, or be kept a mystery. Something she did not know, or wish to at this time. Life needed it's secrets, and surprises. Much as a companion appealed to her, she wasn't sure if it was in the cards."Well, you are lucky," she stated for all the things he said. Having anyone who loved,cared, easily knowing hearts. It was a bit for her mind to hold, it seemed something simple by a look, but was a lot more complex. The sun continued to warm her body, half damp it felt just right, something she wanted to enjoy before the cold time that would soon come. Continuing to walk, not yet deciding if she liked the sensation of the sand her dark nape arched and she looked upon it briefly. Her head had lowered with much more of a relaxed aura, but she continued in stride, keeping track of him from a side view. Her ears would turn at his hint of her possibly being pleasant company, but it was only with the pull of his lip she needed to be sure. Slowly she nodded in agreement, not hiding her own pleased smile; she had not expected to like his company either. It was with interest she continued to eat his words, becoming more curious about his life, who he was. She did not know what possessed her to be fascinated about details, but she was. Maybe, because she liked depth, knowledge was power, and she had drive to learn, eat anything handed to her in that sense. How rare it was to have found a kind gentleman, giving her a different perspective of life. An equine no less. Something she should have feared, but did not. Another thing, that had her mind humming with questions and thoughts. "That's good advice, something I wish I was better at. I struggle finding reason to trust, always thinking of the negative. It does carve you in pieces, bit by bit. I hate it, and constantly seem to be at war with myself. Trying to look at things from a different point, rather then face value," she somewhat rambled with a sheepish smile to her dark muzzle. "But this is nice. I haven't really had a quiet, uninterrupted conversation in while without worrying what it would mean. I'm usually stuck wondering what's the point, what's the motives," she would confess. A burden she had placed upon herself would began to lift.

The nobly arched neck dipped in recognition of her words, a glint in the eyes revealing that he knew well what she meant. He was prone to cynicism himself, seeing the downsides of everything without being able to appreciate the good of the world, of situations or the intentions of others.

"Still, while that can be both frustrating and agonizing, in the end I think it's better than to naively follow along without considering the motives someone might have" he said, deftly stepping around a rock jutting from the sand before returning to her side. "I can't stand for those who claim that ignorance or innocence excuse them - once someone has been victimized because of it their actions become only foolish. Better then to be able to take care of yourself."

Once back alongside Faelene he gave her a warm smile, feeling somewhat pleased with himself for being able to bring the lady some measure of peace, even if it was only for a moment.

"Haha, I'm glad you're enjoying yourself. You can rest assured for now" the stallion grinned. "The only motive I have for talking is to steal your friendship, with the point being to save myself from the shackles of boredom. Horrible, am I not?" He blinked mischievously at her, the wind from the ocean tugging gently at the forelock that hung down the nose. Lace felt like laughing, battled an urge to align with the glimmering sea and stretch out across the beach, run with all his might simply because it was fun. There was too much energy left within, and so much space calling out around them. He threw a curious glance in the direction of the rose-maned mare, wondering if she liked to run as well. He wanted to ask, but at the same time didn't wish to disturb this tranquil setting.

A clear smile formed to her lips, she could see he was not befuddled by her choice of words. He could relate, and it made her feel normal instead of this guarded, non-trusting mare some might look down upon. There was a tip to her head in Lace's direction. A thoughtful nod of her head was given, that was why she was the way she was. There was no telling the true character of some, they were too good of actors. When he further spoke she quietly mused that it was a sad world to always be wondering, but it was the truth. Some had morals, and some did not. "I was always told it's safer to see the world as something cruel than kind because it's better to be surprised by good and kindness rather than evil," she would reply, not certain why she shared her father's only words she had heard. She did live by them, often being the key to help her continue rather than surrender. There was no regret in saying this to Lace as he seemed to understand. She was assuming his life had been full of trials, and misfortunes too. Side by side again his sincere smile was not something she would take for granted. With good humor he easily pulled her from an embarrassed moment, and brought humorous, melodic laughter to emit forth. "I could not think you horrible for that." Her laughter faded, but her smile did not. "It would be nice to count you as a friend," she said lining her tone with a more serious edge. There was a spark to his golden eyes, the wind tugging at the long wisps of white mane. Her dark brow raised, wondering... On an impulse, she stretched her neck, and nudged against the base of his withers with her snout. Then quickly withdrew, with a high nicker of invite before skidding across the sand, and stretching out her limbs in a smooth canter.

Perhaps it was a strange sight to behold, the trio on the beach. A dragon, and equine and a unicorn, strolling happily along the shoreline like there was nothing wrong with the world, as if things like race and countries didn't matter. Certainly, to the gold-coated stallion it was a truth that he never had cared to question, but would either of them have been so casual if they knew where the others allegiances lay?

Regardless, Lace felt nothing but content as he moved side by side with the obsidian lady. They seemed to understand one another, on the same wavelength so to speak. An unspoken but mutual agreement to enjoy the moment without demands, to put aside things like doubt and hesitation, of only for a moment.
The black-legged stallion grinned in honest delight when she said she wished to be friends. Yesterday they had been strangers and tomorrow might make them enemies, but for now they were the best of comrades, confidantes and companions.

"Then I will be, Faelene, and I hope I may count you as a friend too", he said. The smile softened, became gentler as a sense of warmth bloomed somewhere within the chest. Indeed, he would be her friend. Even if the world decided to pit them against one another, Lace decided that he was going to do what he could in order not to hurt her. He had lived long enough to know that promises of protection and loyalty rarely was kept, no matter how much you tried, and that such things often only led to sadness and hatred. So he made no promises, offered nothing and expected nothing in return. Time alone would tell what this encounter would lead to, and there was nothing more he could do but wait and see.

A snort of slight surprise escaped the elegantly chiseled nostrils when the horned femme stretched out and touched his whithers. He sidestepped, brow raising slightly as her voice rang out into the breeze; a smirk began to grow, tugging on the dark lips. Then she took off, kicking up sand in her wake and left him behind in quick bounds. Fajira gave off a startled cry and immediately darted forward, the white wings cutting the wind in rapid strokes to catch up with and overtake the slender mare. For a second Lace simply watched, taking in the sight of the black-rose-with-thorn, as the dragon called her, as she raced across the beach. Long legs, a deep chest, elegant neck stretched out; she looked like she had been born to do exactly this, to run forever under a brilliant autumn sun with the wind in her mane and the shadow of the dragon lending her a pair of wide-stretched wings. Aye, his friend was truly beautiful.

The urge to run became too much. His body moved on its own accord, with the energy of a yearling the silver-coated horse bucked and let out a neigh of pure joy before letting the hooves dig deep into the sand. He found traction, muscles tensed and gathered all the energy they could muster before quickly releasing, launching him onward in a leap that set sand showering all around. The lean body stretched out, long legs carrying him swiftly over the ground, tail whipping behind like a white banner. Faelene had quite the head-start, but slowly he began to gain on her, step by rapid step.

"Yes, I think that is what makes it so," she would answer, with humor to her eyes. They would seal the deal between them of both spoken, and unsaid words. A friend. Her mind repeated to assure her it was a good thing, even if a matter that could prove fatal. How could she be worse off? Already a Pegasus for her heart, if she was bound for misery and troubled thoughts she might as well make the most out of it. She did not want a lonely life no more, wondering what could have been. She too would wait to ultimately see if the words would really mean anything. A delighted laugh rang from her throat, catching him unaware. There was always something pleasant about surprising another. She stole a moment to capture his expression in her mind, and ran as if she had never been free. The invisible wind, the invisible force of the current pushed against her mass, and whipped up her locks. Fajira she heard calling to her, did the dragon thing she had taken off to leave them behind? She would let out a short neigh to the scaled lady to assure her this was all in fun. Eased power she danced across the bleached sand with no care to the world. She was aware Lace was not there, but she was assured he would catch up. She was in no hurry, and her slow gait proved so. It just felt good to move again without the need to run away, but for the sake of wanting to run.