The darkling prince was a sponge—especially for the Laurelin’s teachings; though he endeavored to not appear too eager, despite him (in actuality) storing every syllable of the golden’s lessons. And, despite his attempted faux-reservation, the colt was a remarkably quick study and good pupil. Rarely was a lesson needed to be taught twice (perhaps partly from his own penchant for dark arts, but mostly from the ominous impatience the lurked beneath each of the Laurelin’s lessons; he was not a teacher to be trifled with).

He learned to read body language—something he somewhat understood before being alone (yet had lost most of it while isolated); but now fully grasped it with Thranduil’s explanations. Sparring without magic was not something he enjoyed—though he performed it beneath the golden’s teachings, Kesui growling unhappily all the while as she watched the teacher rain blows on her bonded. Occasionally her bone-crushing jaws snapped towards Haldir, but only once did she nearly attack—stopped only by the colt’s mental command.

Kianzo’s most and least favorite had been the Laurelin using his own magic against himself. It had been unpleasant—lungs and eyes burning with hot ash as his body was trapped, immobile to do anything against it. But it also had shown him just how much power he had over others with his magic. All too soon, unfamiliar mists of a new home began to wrap their cold tendrils around the golden duo in an unwelcome embrace. A snort pushed out of his dark nostrils, condemning in the moist and chilled air around his muzzle.

Bright, sharp blue eyes look up to the elegant, massive black gate that stood as the only obstacle between him and his homecoming. Dark limbs stalled in the snow as his pointed stare traced the gleaming, silver lunar cycle—until it snapped to the Laurelin as Thranduil paused in front of him, “On second thought, I believe it's time your announced yourself…after you, AshenHeart.”

His eyes, which had widened at the sudden, overwhelming emotion and repercussions of this moment suddenly narrowed at his golden tutor. His jaw set for a moment, small and dark heart thrumming an fast beat through his veins—

And then he rose on his haunches, dark front hooves striking twice against the metal gate as he called wordlessly through the herdlands, young voice shockingly loud and deep. Two ashen hyenas jumped from his chest, racing past the closed iron bars in search of his other half, jaws open in silent, excited yips. Kesui joined in on his surprisingly loud bellow, sending a haunting and unearthly call through the borderlands. There were few that could match the eerie sound of her strange howl.

Then his eyes darted towards Thranduil, as if to ask, “Do you approve?” Though the colt would never actually voice such a question aloud.