The ice reflected the snow, and sky making it a rich cyan. If it were not for few rainbows she had seen she would not have known what to call it other than blue. Captivated by the natural structure her eyes slipped over the it with much precision, taking in the frozen ripples to the unblemished smooth curve. If she were a child she would have thought she was looking at the world's biggest piece of glass. Lips twitched if to form a faint smile, but there was a distant sound of something meeting ground. It was then her body would tense, muscles becoming stone still as the arch itself. Ever slowly, she would draw her black face to the open space to see who was before her. Nightmares were about to become reality.


The same height as Mauja, and also marked with a pale coat was a huge Pegasus with chestnut wings, the color of rich bark, to prove it. Curved nostrils quivered, but her thick pillars made no move. Fuzzy black ears,however, tipped at his greeting which seemed rather decent, perhaps even friendly. The tip of his cran, she briefly lost all sense because there was no way in hell a winged had done that to her. The truth was if Faelene had known a Pegasus had been above her, she would have possibly been torn between coming unglued or standing like a pathetic bunny, awfully still with prayers to be unseen. She was doing the later, almost. She was not praying at this moment in time. She let her charcoal irises take in his marbled figure, reminding herself how dangerous this could be. She had not encountered any of the friendly sort to say the least, and did not trust them any further than she could fly. This was why she was here of all things, to not let her past control her future. This land, it was different.. She tried to convince herself in the moment she was staring down her nose at a massive winged.

Another twitch of nose, she let out a silent release of air. Swallowing a stale taste, she found her own voice, "Hello," she at last managed to reply back in the warmest tone she could muster. Standing like a scared little fawn was not in her plans, and she pivoted her haunches to face him. "I"m Faelene," she would offer, trying to make up for her first speechless reaction. She couldn't help, but wonder how long he had been following her and why. A twitch of her long, crimson tail she was trying hard not to let her mind go there. Deciding to try to be a bit more, normal she continued,"I'm sorry you startled me. I figured this place was kinda...desolate. But it looks rather lovely, so maybe not." More collected she peered at him through her dark lashes, her visage neutral as these lands.

Natural enemies? Or was it more of the environment in which they had been placed that caused them to think so, to expect something bad to occur when around the other. She wasn't sure, never thinking if that was the way things were really suppose to be. But, if only she knew he was wary of her, as she was him. That would cause a blow to her mind, something she would have any even harder time of understanding. These were background thoughts, collected in the back of her skull with her other musings. Now, she only hoped he did not hear the rapid pace of her heart thrumming inside her chest or he might take it for her still trying to ease from first sight of him.


"Hmm," she quietly answered, a cock of her ear at the announce of his name. She was clearly unsure what to say to that. She didn't think it would sound the same if she muttered it back because she did not know if it was true. Leander was placed in her mind for now with his picture, maybe a scent when she could only catch it on the wind. The mare was also wondering what was within, because anyone could spout kind words, use their manners. The stallion's body relaxed, large wings, which she chanced to give a glance, tipping to the frosty covered earth. They looked soft, but she had never thought wings to be. When he spoke again she could not hide the surprise that crept on her features. "Me?" The question, the unexpected emotion of it rang in her feminine tone. It was logical why he had startled her, the other way around struck her as...odd. A hint of a smile at the corner of her lips, then there was a start of a laugh, "I've never had anyone afraid of me. You expect to be alone?" Once more trying not to be rude, or ill in her manners there was a playful undercurrent to her words. Well aware his warm gaze was upon her, she could not pull her charcoal colored ones from him. It never ceased to amaze her how they could fly no matter their size. His wings were massive, it was then she noted a scar at his waist. She would not let her eyes linger long. She lifted them to the grey sky, taking his comment for agreeing, nothing more.

He dared to come closer, giving her room, while he peered into the crystal depths. She carefully turned, letting herself look back into the hollow that had first caught her interest. He ears kept close to her head, catching the faint sounds of his breath on the ice. "You've never seen anything like it either?" She asked, wondering if it was only so foreign to her. The way his own golden eyes stared with interest she thought so, but let her eye drift side ways to study him further.

The arch seemed to shrink when Leander filled the space. Thankfully she was not claustrophobic, strange enough, being in a ice cave with a Pegasus and all. The glow of blue light seemed to keep things tranquil, equaling things out between the space that really was, with what it appeared to be. The clip of his hooves struck at the ground, he wandered further ahead. Faelene lingered at the entrance, noting the scar at his marbled flank again. It was in the shape of a clipped moon, and seemed to have aged with him. Cream face drew around, light topaz eyes staring upon her again. She met his gaze directly, hearing the deep thrum of his own chuckle. A smile flinched on her lips, coming and going,relieved he had not taken offense to her statement. What troubled her now was how they were treading on eggshells, but had no idea how to change that. She best tried to keep the small annoyance from crawling under her skin. The stallion was quiet for a time, pondering over something she guessed. The red maned lady made no move to go closer, or speak, whatever it was it seemed he needed to work out and she wasn't about to interrupt him.


Most unexpectedly he explained, not in great detail, but enough to give her understanding about his own reaction, the old wound. He was going out on a limb, telling a mere stranger a personal detail of himself. Why? She questioned his motives, felt her mind repeating his words. It made her uneasy how sweet, kind he appeared. Eyes betrayed nothing. She had long carried a mask to hide beneath, and it was no different now. She studied him with a thoughtful eye, wondering about what exactly had happened between him and this unicorn. What he said was not a lie, but she felt it was missing important details. It would be pathetic, and poor of her to expect it. She didn't, but again why tell her? Had he caught her eye glancing at the scar? An an utter apologize she lifted up her head, rich red locks drifting back along her nape. "Natural don't you think? Seeing me would do that then," she offered with a meek smile. There was no need for him to explain. The fellow strode closer, she had to refrain her hind legs from pulling her back. It was too familiar, sweet dark tones talking to her, coming for her. The skin atop her spine feeling like frost was nipping it, breathing down her neck. She had to remind herself she was no longer a slave, and had not been for a year. Keeping her breathing steady, she forced herself to stare at his long white locks that hung around his eyes, scaling down his nose and cheeks. They reminded her of feathers, gave her something to think about. Then she caught his sand toned eyes. Why did he have to say that? Could she head bang into ice chunk now? There was no way in hell a Pegasus was being sincere or polite to her for real reasons. Options, options. There had to be a better one.

"Me? Nice try, you must say that to all the pretty things you find," she said, peering at him through her crimson hair. Purely as test, possibly in jest, she bumped her dark nose to his brown, pink tinted muzzle letting out a flicker of warm breath. A laugh of mirth glided in her throat, a smiled placed to on her face. The mare took a couple seconds to glance around at his comment, giving a bob of her head. Daring, she glided closer to him. Before she lost her nerve, she cantered her head close to his cheek."And I've never met a Pegasus I liked," she whispered,"but, you might change my mind."

Taking a breath, release a breath.


Through all her life she had never tight roped such dangerous lines. It would be much easier if she knew he would hurt her, or if his wants were more basic. That she could do something about, she would know what to do. This, what the hell? Life must be pure entertainment for those who watched. It was almost like some god had said oh look Faelene has decided to take a walk lets stir things up. Even now they had to have their excitement, the night taking it's turn to show it's face to make it all more dramatic. Claws of panic were gliding across her chest, telling her there was little to do, she was trapped again. Strange as it were she did not believe he would hurt her, not yet. She ignored the sensation of her fear that always wanted to hold her.


The charger's deep voice questioned her on the one thing she rather not answer. She could lie and say no, it would not be a good lie. It would be fake, and fragile. She reasonably decided to answer him with the truth. A cold laugh, completely alien compared to her others, erupted from her lips, then she harshly snorted. "Problems is an understatement, but yes. Let's just say I have my own reasons for being wary, and those will be mine to keep." The coldness had crept into her alto voice, not entirely but it was there. The lady blinked, shifting her shoulders if to be done with the matter. At the same time the sigh of his affliction did not go unnoticed, but she bit back words she wanted to say. She was already too deep, and did not need to dig herself a deeper hole. She couldn't afford to be reckless because this forebode of trouble. If only she knew how much. Faelene may think he would not do her harm, she did not trust him, nor would ever think or believe he was taken with her for good reason. Faelene no matter what species a stallion was would never believe he had pure intentions.


The cream marbled stud took her banter well by the look that marked his face. The light mood she had hoped to keep changed by the weight of his voice. How much she wanted to shake her head, brush it off, make his words worth nothing. The glint to his eyes she could not find her voice, nor see anything but the golden pools of his eyes. Then they were close, and she could sense the heat pouring from his frame, sense him moving the already thin gap. Dark body went rigid to keep herself from shivering by the satin edge of his muzzle gliding along her neck. It spark contrasting thoughts within her, a tug between wants and reality. "You sound so certain," she murmured back, not yet having the heart to break contact from him. Brought himself beside her, the plush of his wing tip dancing along her spine. He's a Pegasus, she was reminded, a reason why she had not wanted to leave the Edge. Faelene was not about to be cruel, only she wasn't sure what was going on with her own heart. She made a great effort to swallow, and though her head was pointed straight ahead, she let her eyes rest upon him. "You seem so noble, but you should find yourself a damsel, one who can join you in the skies not one who would torment you." There was an undercurrent of sorrow to her words, but there was no doubting how meant they were. She glided backward, to the open space of the darkening sky.

Flash of distant images hung at the edges of her mind, she payed them no attention. Instead she stared deep into his vivid golden pools. It was so very strange what she found, and her mind could not comprehend what made him look at her like that. It was with concern he looked upon her as if he really had a heart in his chest. None expect of her own kind who every looked at her if they cared to help. Faelene's tormentors were far beyond these lands, she had made sure of that. She was not the only one to change in passing sentences. He was not only looking at her, but telling her she could come to him if need. Talk about a loop to loop. This seemed more threatening to her already questioning thoughts than the proximity of his body. Taking a moment to let the idea settle in her head, she was lost for words. They she could not tease him about nor doubt. "I promise if it comes to that I will," she said in seriousness. It would surely have to be something dreadful; she wasn't about letting anyone fight her battles for her. Something in her had to assure him.


"I just meant in your aura you're so secure," she tried to explain feeling she had not made the best choice of words before. How cautious they had been upon meeting, there was no doubting he had confidence in himself. It made her envious he knew who he was, and likely what he wanted. Where she, it was endless unknowns to what she would make of herself, who she was.


She had only began the damage to the kind charger. She wasn't sure if words would be enough of a fix what she had told him next. Much her body screamed for her to run she could not. Surely she should. The dark was only a small part of the problem. The cool air wrapped around her in place of him, what she had expected did not come true. He merely faced her, not the horrible things that were ground to spaces of her brain. What would outreach, dominating it's own etching was the pain she had placed upon his face. It was not something she had ever wanted to see. He spoke so smoothly in a way that soothed yet bothered her to her core. "You are right to think it should not matter what's in the heart, but it is the world outside of it which makes it and everything else vulnerable to suffering," she answered a plea in these words, yet a conviction of what she believed. It frustrated her how he might see her to be so shallow in this, and she briefly closed her eyes to find what she needed. Courage and words. A broad step she held her crown high to meet his gaze with a hard look,"You are mistaken if you think I am only wary of you for being winged. If you were my kind it would hardly be any easier for me to believe and understand...this," she half hissed the last word, incredibly frustrated by this point. It was not entirely directed at him, it was more of being fed up with herself. Turning head not wanting to look at him for the fact he would be looking at her, she let her face hide beneath her small wavy locks. Heat of anger slowly boiling beneath the dark surface before making a quick death.

"I'm a unicorn, wouldn't Dragon's throat be a bit repulsed by the idea?" She questioned, keeping her vocals more hushed than before.

The cold was nothing to Faelene, it was familiar company, and her coat had long started preparing for the harsh months ahead. If her heart had not beating so quickly she may have noticed it was dropping in degrees. The red maned lady's thoughts were upon Leander, almost wishing to hear his. She told herself it would not make a difference;nothing would change her mind.


She fought the wince that wanted to capture her face. It was never easy hiding such things, and carrying them around. How much was he doing that now? "How lucky for you," she more calmly answered, but her voice was starting to become empty of anything. As if she was somewhere else, though she lingered so close to him. Soon she thought she was secure in her choice, he said something that made her want to change things. It would not be so easy, least not for her. "No, it's never entered my mind to wish you harm. But I wish I could make you understand it was not long ago the sight, the sound of wings terrorized me...that I would be caught...I would be nothing...again."


The force of her other words had not been meant to hurt him, but snap him into reality, to make him understand there was nothing for them. He took them steadily, giving her something else to mull over. Why, why did he have to be decent? Silver orbs softened, knowing he was putting himself out there not completely fragile, but exposed. "There is no denying that," more sweetly she answered trying to keep from frowning. She knew what he said to be true, and he believed it to his core. "What happens if you make it out alive to only wish you were dead?" As it escaped her tongue she wasn't sure if he would understand. Eyes were desperately searching....clinging to his. If this was love, and they pledged themselves what would be the price they paid? She wanted no world which she found love to have it taken from her. It was her pure reason for not getting instantly attached to anyone.

Again she did not mean to pour more salt into the open wound, but half of her really wanted him to hate her. Seeing as he was nothing but patient and kind, hanging on a string of hope, she did not know what else to do."It's fine, I'm more upset with myself." She confided, letting her chin alter upward to convey her sincerity. Ears cast in his direction, attentively listening as he continued to speak."Me too," she sadly murmured," but I can't instantly change who I am or what has made me this way."

Slowly she forced back the lump in her throat, letting her ears perk up again at his deep, soft tone. His herd harbored no prejudice, it should have made her feel better.....but it didn't. The change to his cream colored face it did not help. It made her feel more terrible, because she would kill that hope. "Leander, it is not that simple. If it was I would not have moved from your touch, and be lingering here in want......trying to make you see no good can come of it or me."