He left the Threshold, rather more put out than he expected to be by the golden-backed woman leaving with the golden-winged colt. He signed, dark beard swaying with his lumbering strides. His massive wings unfolded, shook, but then refolded. He would walk, giving his multicolored feathers a rest until he felt a pushing need to return to the skies.

But he was not like most Korofi men. Yes he loved women, and yes he enjoyed life’s luxuries. But his veins did not roar with bloodlust and battle. He did not need to show how much strength his great size wielded. In fact, the behemoth had oft avoided the battle training by his father. His sire’s blows had been hard, his yellow eyes cruel. He had preferred warm goats milk and silken cushions to buffets by his father’s wings.

Though, his large and heavy body could pack quite a blow to another— there were a few mares’ backs he had warmed that had already been spoken for by other stallions. And he had defended himself; but he had not stuck around to finish the duels. No, he found no glory nor release in completing battles. Only bruises, bites, and sore muscles.

And he preferred getting those things in much more pleasurable ways than battle.

His bearded head rose as he approached a crumbling building, stark white ears perking as his sharp gaze studied the structure. It was ancient to be sure, but the columns were of fine craftsmanship —

The soft whooshing of wings jerked his yellow eyes to the skies. They widened as he saw the dark tipped, pale wings and dark undercarriage with hooves diving towards him. He stuttered a few steps back, before the falling pegasus drew up and landed lightly and neatly before him. If only he could manage such athleticism— but no, his great form allowed only for soaring and hard landings.

Though the surprised shock was wiped away as recognition flared into his eyes, “Couldn’t stay away too long, skerpvrou?” A rough chuckle pushed out his dark lips. He studied her bright red muzzle and her pale eyes. But he wasn’t left long to admire, for she was throwing questions at him.

He cocked his head slightly pausing for a long moment as he carefully watched her face, “And what do I get in return for such information?” A playfully mischievous grin crossed his white face.

G R A A S V O E L

Though the hulking stallion is no warrior and does not like to fight, he is by no means submissive. So his yellow and red eyes meet her challenging bright blue stare. His own stare was simple, strong, and anticipatory, though he was not striving to make her submit. ”I simply couldn’t resist your crude tongue, varke” His pale ears twitch at her harsh reply to his joking words, though a grin spreads further across his jaw. She was truly Korofi, not of Bahari but of the wilds and filled with the plateau’s fierce spirit.

And then her pause after his next question (proposition, truly) stretched for long, tense moments. His head cocked, as so much of his easy demeanor and words seemed lost on this fierce woman. And then she speaks, her words were skeptical and bordered on insulting, making his dark brows raise even further as his some humor began to melt out of his strongly featured face.

“With or without you, I will eventually find the answer to my question.” A humorless grin spread across his face as his great shoulders shrugged, tawny and rugged coat swaying with the gesture. “I am certain that a skerpvrou like yourself will find what she is looking for,” his grin grew marginally, “I only offer an easier way.”

And, despite initially attempting to recruit this woman for the Edge, this has turned into some sort of test of wills—though, truthfully, the giant man (after having grown up beneath the overpowering, imposing will of his father) was disinterested in such battles. They were tiring, and left the loser downtrodden and the winner victorious but lonely. And, to Gaal, that was no true victory at all.

Again, his head cocked and he grinned (though this time with humor), wings rustling and large feathers resettling as she questions his gentlemanly nature. “Even gentlemen must be paid, Mkali,” and he chuckled around her name as he awaited her reactions and decisions.

G R A A S V O E L