Most seem to think that the destination is where it’s all at, but the gold had never really believed such. Journeys, had their importance too, and this one was no different. As he and the Ashenheart journeyed north towards the sea cliffs, the gold spent his time wisely. He had found the colt to be of a certain interest. His dark heart and vulnerability made his strength and skills all the more dangerous. In the depths of the dark hedges of the maze he’d found the youth to be full of potential. For what he didn’t know, but like a great weapon, he knew it possible purpose. If he just sharpened it a bit. All the way through the woods the gold took time and patience to teach. It was –not- his day job, but his lessons the colt would need.

Already the youth had some ideas, but they were rough and unpolished. Now the gold taught him the finer skills. How to read body language looking upon those in the thistle meadow as they passed. How to spar by practicing with himself (though he denied the use of magic). He taught him the power of agility when teamed with strength. And he taught him how to slip through the grasses quietly, and follow a track. Basics. Nothing too fancy, yet. He even threw on the colt’s clothes for a moment, taking his form to practice his magic with him. Haldir especially hated this. Yet the gold showed him how to team up the abilities of stealth and magic, let him glimpse and try his hand to feel their power when merged together.

For now though, that journey was over, and it was time for another to begin. The gold walked with assured step, quite proud of the work that had been done. There was much more to go, but the young Ashenheart needed time to….play with the ideas. Besides there was more pressing business. It was time he was returned home, and the gold to reap the reward for he had done what none else could achieve. That was always such a delicious feeling. So wonderful, he didn’t even risk ruining the moment. The golden went to the front door.

Up to the gate they walked in the wanning late afternoon sun of winter. The world here was covered in snow and was bunkering down for the night when the gold and his charge came to the gate. The black iron stood out menacingly from the snow, but the gold could only grin. To him, such barrier seemed such a trifle. He stops, his head rising up as if to call. Then, he freezes and turns back to the Ashen heart. His gaze pondering for a moment, but each move was purposeful and calculated. He knew exactly what he was doing. “On second thought, I believe it's time your announced yourself…after you, Ashen Heart.” The gold side stepped and yielded, once again letting the youth think he held the power here. Yet all the while, the gold stood just to the side behind him, waiting, grinning to watch the colt feel the darkness, accept it, and use it. He couldn’t have been any more pleased.

OOC :: Zo's homecoming!
"Speech"
 

Anticipation clung to the air, hanging on a breath as earth eyes watched sharply from the sidelines. The colt did him quite proud. The clang on metal resounded unnaturally in the dusk air and the world seemed to freeze as the howls rose high. When the colt came down and looked with his proud hardened face, he found a grinning gold. The colt he met before in the Thistle Meadow had been brash and rough, this youth…this creature forming in the dark ashes had style, and there was nothing the gold appreciated more. Though he’d never voice it, never even lift a syllable, he was a bit proud of the young prince before the gate.

Haldir could thought decidedly otherwise. The dark stag on this whole journey had been thinking quite the opposite of the gold. In his chest he felt the darker feelings of past manipulations and dark deeds, but unlike before he saw himself quite powerless to stop it. The gold would hear none of it, and nothing in truth seemed wrong at the moment. He was simply passing along the knowledge. As he said, what the colt decided to do with it was his choice, but the stag knew better. He could see exactly what the Laurelin thought of this investment, and saw it to be a darker trick than might first appear. It didn’t help that the Hyena was constantly using every excuse to get closer to his neck. Still they’d deliver the colt home, and be done with him for now. That the stag was looking very much forward to.

They wait in silence, something though seemingly awkward, the gold did not alieve. It didn’t take long though as the sound of crashing hooves come tearing through the snow. A flurry of snow comes skidding through the gate and the gold backs a few steps from the whirlwind. But as it slowed the unmistakable flames emerged  from the mists. The hesitation made the gold give pause. His plans laid on the promise that this twin had desperately missed her other half….but relief was soon brought as she collided into him. A dark grin rose on the Laurelin’s lips from the shadows, growing with every sign of relief and longing the filly showed. For every love she showed her twin, his would redouble, and soon it would be quite a strong leash.

It was about now the gold stepped back. Though this moment is one he wanted, he wasn’t exactly into the gushing sappy family moments. Yet another appears and halts him. She came at a slower pace, but she came, and the gold became rooted in place. Earth eyes find the sea blue of hers. When she steps to him, the gold lets his pursed lips loosen to a more gentle smile. Rexanna. Kianzo held purpose. Was an investment. But at first he had simply been Rexanna’s son. It was always Rexanna’s son. Her grief that wounded. Her worry that pressed. Her asking that sent.

The rumble of Elephant King’s arrival was noted, but he was far from the gold’s attention. As the outstretched muzzle of the cream mare sought him he met it. No flinching. No hesitation. As she pulls in more, he comes as well, letting his larger neck sidle next to hers and their white mane’s mingle.  It unique, and unlike many feats others could pull. This touch and embrace wasn’t as heated and passionate as those with Hotaru. Yet something deeper lay there, at least for him. Those whispers in the cave, though not to be thought of, left their mark. To her thanks he merely rumbles low.

As she pulls away the gold glances to the still tangled youths, but finds instantly a darker gaze locking in. He glances away just as quickly, earth eyes leaping back to the stammering mare’s, but his mind would soon not forget the burning blue eyes of Tembovu...

Instead he acts as if he never saw it. The crowned head instead tilts at the mare’s gentle words of thanks, letting a light humor roll off. “Always with a tone of surprise…” There was decidedly and most definitely a difference between Rexanna and Hotaru, and the feeling each could call forth in the Laurelin, but Tembovu didn’t know that, and the gold was happy to keep him in the dark.

The elephant king’s voice breaks the more gentle moment, but the gold was ever at ease here. He had the upper hand…well, until the massive King stood. As he spoke the Laurelin turns to face the whole gathering. His head nodding to the thanks, though he notes the immediate correction given. Had he rattled the elephant that much with a simple embrace? Still the phrase ended with the golden gem of his desires. So the golden grins, ignoring or perhaps not even noticing the insincerity that barely laced the king’s words. This crowned head rises, and he seems nothing like the dark teacher that had schooled the prince only hours before. “Would be a pleasure to lend my skills.” Done and done. Honestly he couldn’t have planned it better himself.

Haldir had kept quiet during all this, watching with moon eyes each glance. He had not been too distracted by Rexanna to notice the father’s embrace, not the shift in his moods. Still he worried not, for a strange creature came barreling up behind him. Large ears go to full attention and his haunches tuck. Yet as the creature comes it seems no harm, and a smile even finds its way to the dear stag. He gruffles to her a greeting, but as she leans there meeting goes a bit south. Literally. The stag, though strong, isn’t exactly built to support the weight of an elephant. At her weight the stag stumbles and falls rather unceremoniously.

The commotion draws the gold’s attention. Though many would smile good naturedly, the gold does not. Instead he turns back to the small family. There was nothing left for him here. Nothing but gushing family reunions and sappy embraces. Things which…left him….uneasy. “If you will excuse me, I think I’ll leave you to your reunion.” He does not even look to the twins, he’d be keeping a close enough eye on them later. But to Rexanna, whether in show or good nature, his leafen starred head reaches out in one last brush of his muzzle if she would accept it.  

He draws back, prepared to go, but his eyes fall on the King, his King now he supposed, in a touch of more serious nature. “Before I go…anything else a king's sleuth should know?” The gold hesitated, curious indeed at the answer. What knowledge exactly would Tembovu trust him with? If any? His grin which had remained rather civil, began to curl at the edges. The Laurelin was back.

OOC ::
"Speech"