Phaedra wasn't normally the humming-type. Or the singing. It was probably because she had only an-okay voice, but today, with no one around, she let herself. If things could transpose from world to world, one might recognize the tune as "Hallelujah" by a creature called "Cohen". But she version she hummed, was closer to that sung by something called "Wainwright". But it makes no difference here. It's pretty and sad, sort of like her, but it isn't due to any deep psychological reasoning that she's humming it. She just sort of likes it, and it doesn't sound too bad as it strums her vocal cords.

What is certainly out of character, is the fact she's walking. Normally, Phae stays in the skies as long as she can. For the most part, she is safer there. Although there is far less cover than there is on the ground, Phae has only met 2 others who could best her in a full out race. Grimacing at the thought, she suppressed those dark memories, and continued to walk. She had been swimming the day before and woke up incredibly sore. Realizing that perhaps she could use some exercise which didn't involve her wings, she had decided to peruse through the Fields, as she had never been to them before. She was upwind of Leander, and did not catch his scent on the wind. It was only until she his angry shout, that she was aware of his presence. Trap! Her mind screamed as she abruptly stopped humming. Her wings stretched out to their full width, as she prepared herself physically to flee.

Her green eyes narrowed as she focused on her possible-assailnt. She recognized those large mahogany wings...and that sultry palomino coat. Leander His name drifted through her mind. He had been her target only days ago. She had followed him silently, gaining information in an attempt to steal him away from his heard, of only for a short while. To get him alone. And now here he was...He must have seen me, she thought. Biting her lip, she recollected the hours spent trailing him with the utmost caution. She was almost positive that he was unaware of her presence and yet...Here he is.. She doubted very much it was chance. If she took flight now, even if he was some how luring her towards him, she could still escape. He was much larger than her, and his wing-size alone would grant him speed, but she was lithe and an expert at aerial defence manoeuvres. She could get away. Still... As her eyes narrowed, she noticed how...cold? he looked. Not due to the temperature but his demeanour somehow, had changed. Uncertainty welled up within her, as she stared at the strange stallion. Muscles aching, Phaedra decided to simply wait and watch...if he had noticed her, she would decide what to do, then.

Phaedra could sense, if not smell the rage wafting off of the palomino stallion. Some how that made her less timid - Stallion's were not the brightest at the best of times, but even less so when engorged by rage. From what she had seen of Leander, he certainly wasn't a typical dumb brute, but at the same time, had done nothing to really surprise her. Came to Helovia. Instantly fell in love. Fought against the edge. Faelene drama, boo hoo. Became Sultan.Typical, she thought. As he neared, she kept her wings out stretched; even though she was quite a bit smaller, she didn't need to feel like she was.

So it was you. He had said, his words feeling more like an accusation, than she would have expected from the LionHeart. Honestly, this was a refreshing side of Leander. It made him...more interesting than the gallant gentleman-type that she had seen him be. While she was following him, she really couldn't understand what all the fuss was about. Of course he was handsome, but really, after entering Helovia, she hadn't found a stallion who wasn't; nor a mare who wasn't strikingly beautiful. It just seemed to come with the terrain. And being so nice all the time - didn't that get exhausting? Not to mention the mellow-dramatic love-affair with Faelene. Ughh.

As he finally halted, she felt herself bristling with anxiety. This was not how this meeting was meant to go. Ktulu or Ophelia were meant to have this conversation with Leander, not her! This was...a diplomatic mission, not an Intelligence one. Still, she needed to deal with his accusations first: "Yes it was me. I would have thought the Sultan of the Throat would be a little bit more observant" She said challengingly. Although that wasn't entirely fair - obviously his attention would have been elsewhere. Still, it sounded like as good a thing as any, to say. "I do know you've been having problems. That's why I-" tried to steal you "Why I'm here now." She bit her lip, hard to keep from saying more. She wanted to tell him to pull his head out of his ass. He had helped invade the Edge, it shouldn't have taken any great depth of retrospection to have known there would be fall-out, and repercussions. And he had accepted the position of Sultan, hadn't he? This was his cross to bear, quit the whining. But as she tasted the salty flow of blood in her mouth that she had caused, she kept quiet. Diplomacy She reminded herself. She was just supposed to tell him about The Grey.

Taking a breath, Phaedra levelled her cool green gaze - which still involved looking up at Leander. "Have you heard of The Grey, Leander? Her tail flicked back and forth, as she spoke, nervously waiting for his reply. If he hadn't....how much information would she tell him? If he had...An icy fear crept into her veins. What if this was a trap? A trick? Did the Throat have some issue with The Grey that she didn't know about..? She knew there was something about Kri...and that she was not to be targeted, but she had originally thought that was due to personal reasons. But now....?

It's a shame your tongue doesn't match your looks. Rage flared within her, but only instantly, as it quickly ebbed into amusement. With a silvery laugh, she snorted at him: "Why? Because I won't just spread my legs for you and follow you home, like all the other lost doves you meet?" She didn't mean this as much of an insult - but it certainly was true. In the time that she had spent following the golden stallion, she had seen many mares follow him doe-y eyed back to the Throat. The Leander she saw there - the charming and diplomatic warrior of the Throat - was an appealing figure for many mares. In another life, perhaps she could have even been his friend, his sister even, for their colouring was somewhat similar. Did he know they shared ties in common? That her bestfriend, Tolio, was close with his love, Faelene? That there was a chance that Faelene may join The Grey, if Tolio did? Likely not, or she was sure Leander would have investigated them further.

As Leander stepped forward, forcing his gaze back at her, her head lowered somewhat submissively - her ears falling back somewhat nervously - though she kept his gaze, just not quite so boldly. "I tried to steal you, merely to pull you away from your responsibilities, if only for a few days. Too bad I was found-out, it looks like you could have used the break." She gazed at him now earnestly, slowly piecing things together. She did not need him to like her, nor did she want him to dislike her, for alliance's sake. But if the path that Leander took would eventually affect her Tolio, via Faelene, then she would make it her business to see that she aided the situation in whatever way possible.

"I have a personal stake in seeing that you...are kept safe" She said somewhat ambiguously. The Grey does not talk sense into anyone. But we do have a certain set of skills, which you may find useful, against the Edge. I tried to pull you away, only to educate you about other options that you might have in dealing with the Edge, or anyone else who steps into your path. As the Sultan, you must realize that you cannot be responsible for doing...the dirty work, as it were. You are too high profile and there would be many who would be saddened if anything were to happen to that handsome face of yours." Flattery and flirtatiousness inevitably crept into her voice. She couldn't help it - it was simply the way she dealt with men. Sex sells, and this was one idea she needed to have heard.
Besides, if there was one stallion who needed to relax it was Leander. And who didn't like to be flirted with? To be complimented, and paid attention to?

[FYI He can injure her if he wants. Later, he can just blame it on being possessed :P]

"Oh yes, Leander the LionHeart, charmer of damsels! But wait, if so many mares spread their legs for suave old me, then where are my hordes of foals? Oh! That's right, I don't have any foals! That couldn't be because I happened to be chasing after some girl I'll never have, could it? But maybe you don't even know that much, spy.

Phaedra stamped her hoof impatiently, waiting for the stallion to finish his little speech. Ears back, she shot him an icy stare - though nowhere near as icy as his had become. "Or maybe, if you weren't such a great bumbling idiot, you would be aware that you haven't even been here a season yet, and couldn't possibly have a foal yet. But to that point, I seem to recall 2 younglings that you did in fact adopt?" She snorted her frustration, and continued undeterred. "And I think my lack of interest in your soap-opera love life, does say what kind of spy I am."

By giving me that break, you would have put fear into a herd, and leave it more vulnerable to attack! Do you have no regard for the welfare of others? The ex-Edge is only waiting for a moment of weakness, and you would hand it over to them! "Either you think too highly of yourself, or too little of your herd. Either is a problem. If they would collapse, all because you disappeared for a week, then it is only a matter of time before the Edge reclaim what is there's. And you're a fool to think that you really matter that much. And I only have a regard for those I care about. None in your bunch fit that description." Was he trying to instigate, on purpose? Possibly. She took a large breath, trying to force herself to be calm. But something about this stallion got under her skin, possession or no.

Why do you want me safe? I'm just some big unobservant Sultan, right? You don't seem quite stupid enough to want me alive purely for my looks, though the prospect is very flattering. Phaedra was temped to bit her lip again, to keep from lashing out, but it was already quite sore from doing so only moments earlier in their conversation. She hadn't quite figured out Leander yet...by flattery did he mean he was flattered by her being flirtatious? Or that he truly believed that he was that good looking...? Her already flustered mind ceased it's whirling, trying to figure him out. It didn't matter anyway. For the first time, when she met his gaze it was collected and empowered. yet her voice was soft and sincere as she said, "Not for your sake, do I wish to keep you safe. For Faelene's." She would not divulge her relationship with Tolio until it became necessary, if it became necessary. It was still too new, too precious to her. He was after all, her only friend.

What skills does your group have that could subdue the ex-Edge? And what would you want in return for such help? I'm not sure what you mean by 'dirty work', though I will tell you that nothing would keep me from fighting for the Throat. Being a warrior is in my blood, as much as being a diplomat is. I protect my herd with my life.

"If certain key members were taken out...or certain information passed along...it may be possible to dissuade the former Edge. I have heard that Mauja has been a rarity amongst them, and that the mare in charge has allegiance's with the Plague, that not everyone shares. If The Grey were involved, it might not come to full out war. But if it did and an agreement was made, you could have our support." What is in your blood is all very fine and well, but you yourself said that your herd would be vulnerable with you. All it would take is a well-placed kick, or horn, to permanently remove you from the equation. Have you no regard for the well-being of others?" She asked, throwing his previous accusation back at him. Surely he must see that as a diplomat, he needed to be kept safe?

As he shouted at her, she was so mesmerized by the trueness of the emotion that he felt, that she didn't realize that the weather was changing. It wasn't until she saw the wall of the blizzard racing towards them, that her heart began to race. There was no time to take flight, no time to get away. She knew that Leander had been possessed by a a demon yes, but in her time watching him, she had never known that this ability had come with it. She cursed herself for staying, for even contemplating his safety. Forget him and Faelene. If she didn't think she was going to die in the next 30 seconds, she would have screamed this all at him. As the blizzard crashed down upon them, she raised her wings protectively, feeling bits of ice cutting through her feathers down to her skin and fragile wing-bones. Even though the winds were suddenly howling, she was not being blow off of her feet. She might survive this.

As the storm lessened, she heard Leander warning her about provoking him. She was glad that she was covered by her wings, and that he was unable to see the expression of pure frustration on her face. In that moment, she vowed to learn how to fight, if not for protection, for...this. For this rage which was building inside of her. She wished so badly to lash out at Leander, but knew that he could likely kill her instantly - or simply wound her and let her bleed out in this storm. Tears streamed from her eyes - a mixture of the emotion she felt, perpetuated by the freezing air hitting her eyes and making them water. How could someone like him be leading the Throat? she thought desperately, still shielding herself from the storm. He had asked her to be understanding - that he could not control himself right now. Gasping, as the weight of the snow began to weigh on her wings, she bitterly thought about how she had underestimated him. Phaedra believed that we were all responsible for our actions, regardless of what motivated or precipitated them. No. This was surely Leander's doing, ice-demon or no.

As the storm lessened moreso, Phaedra dropped her wing-sheild just as Leander finished speaking. Her wings ached as she shook them, trying to remove the snow which had piled on. She gasped painfully, as she noticed several small gashed where moisture had flash-frozen under her feathers, tearing the skin as the ice hardened and expanded due to the snow storm Leander had caused. Her eyes were rimmed with moisture from her tears, and her gaze no longer held...anything, really, except pain and fear. She was beaten, and bleeding. She had no means to attack him, and her only defence - to fly - would now be a painful exercise. Her head dropped low, only meeting his gaze once.

She grit her teeth as she stood, shaking out of anger and the cold. Referring to Leander's statement of wanting to kill Mauja himself, Phaedra smirked. "But as you said. I'm not a very good spy anyways, so who's to say he isn't still around. Her voice had taken on a dangerous sort of tone - the tone of one who believed they were going to die, and had been spared, for the time being. It was slightly sulky, but careless and crazy at the same time. As Phae stood, staring down, she watched her knee's trembling. The Earth Amulet pulled heavily towards the ground - it had not protected her from this.

[OOC: Ack. That was weird - Phae's never been really angry before, or hurt by a male, so I'm not really sure what she'll do. But like I said, feel free to have him lash out at her - it would create an interesting Tolio/Faelane/Leander/Phae dynamic :P ]

This is not who I am

Did she believe that? She wasn't sure. She knew he was possessed, but in Phae's mind, a possession could only amplify was was already in ones' soul. And what Phae saw of Leander, was an unstable time bomb. Sure, he acted sure of himself and of his duties and beliefs for the most part, but seeing him like this, made her unsure of whether or not it was all just clever disguise. Other than when he was with Faelene of course. In what might be the most complicated aspect of his life, he seemed sure - his soul seemed to know it's purpose.

As he raised his wing, offering her shelter, she visible stiffened, and retreated several hasty steps. Again, she lowered her head submissively, but no; she would not go to him. Normally, she might have. If Leander felt some obligation towards her, because of his little outburst, that could be used to her advantage. It would be one more stallion among many, who had some sort of desire to keep her safe. The fact that he was a Sultan was even more reason why she would normally go to him, to play on the emotion that he was currently feeling, whether genuine or not. But she would not, something within her deeply distrusted Leander. She had been beaten and injured far worse than the cuts which peppered her wings from his snowstorm, but yet his actions resonated far deeper within her, than previous physical wounds ever had. Maybe it was because she had expected him to be the kind and trustworthy stallion that others made him out to be...and she had believed it. She felt betrayed by a stallion she didn't even know, and frustrated with her poor decision to remain here with him.

Without raising her eyes to look at him, she said softly, "Think on my offer, Leander. You can find us in the Deep Forest: Ask for Ktulu, or Ophelia" She purposefully did two things: the first, was ignoring his pleas for forgiveness. The second, was omitting her name. He could deal with Ktu, or Phi...they were more natural choices anyways. But more than that, she would not give him another piece of her, not even her name. Turning away from him, she grimaced as she realized that she was going to have to walk home, rather than fly. Irritating the wounds on her wings would only lengthen the time it would take them to heal, and she couldn't afford that.