Mauja the FrostHeart
ice cold man watches earth die, eternal winter takes its reign

He wasn't quite sure why he had apologized on behalf of his herd - was it for Aury's sake, or for his own, making some excuse for their lack of response? He turned his head aside and scowled, so the pony couldn't see. He shouldn't make excuses for things. Excuses sucked. Reasons, however, reasons were good to explain. He didn't know which of the two he had done, and gave a somewhat agreeing grunt when told that it was alright. He was right about one thing, though. It was no shame to seek shade. Still, it disheartened the King somewhat... But he tried to push it aside. His night's court would come alive, and greet their formidable pony. It just wasn't meant to happen right now, but sometime later. Whatever. He couldn't control what everyone did. Mid-step he did a shrug, brushing up against a thick tree moments later to scratch his shoulder at in passing. As time passed, the trees thinned out and it was noticeable that the ground sloped down. Still there was no sign of his herd, so he'd have to make do with Aurelius for company. Not that that was bad - it just wasn't what he'd hoped for.

Psyche, where are you, woman?

Not a tale of much joy? Well, who ever had a happy past? He refrained from snorting. Few people left home because they were overjoyed back there - no, most had something dark in their baggage, and that was what drove them away. Mauja himself hardly had a stellar past, but it wasn't about being the most pitiful ever - it was about learning what life taught you, accepting it, moving on, forward. His ears flickered to the sound of the tale, and when he came to the part about showing up at his father's, the pale King actually gave a hushed laugh. In front of them he could see the ocean spreading out; the wind smelled of brine and sea gulls. They were still some ways off, and he felt that Aurelius wasn't quite finished with his story, so he kept his silence. And just as he thought, more came. "Indeed he shall," he said with quiet amusement. If there was one thing that bothered him slightly about this pony, it wasn't his size, his mismatched eyes, his shaggy features or his ram's horns. No - it was his frequent use of your grace, m'lord, things like that. It grated on Mauja's nerves, but he refrained from commenting on it now. Better see just who this mountain goat was before he got all comfy with him.

"Y'know, your father sounds like a real idiot," he said lightly. "Not for blaming stuff on you, but seriously? If you live in a culture like that and do something like that, you have to expect it to come back and bite you in the ass. You have to anticipate the consequences of your actions, and weigh them carefully. His mate sounds like a real idiot, too, blaming you, who I doubt stood there and goaded your parents on. She ought to have stabbed your father to death if she had a problem with it, because it was all his fault." As if to somehow emphasize his point, there was a split second's forewarning - a grinding, metallic noise - before an ice spike, easily reaching Mauja's shoulder, thundered up from the ground a mere yard off to the King's right. He glanced sideways at the pony to gauge his reaction; he himself had not flinched at all, for he knew exactly what had been coming. Sagely, yet mocking, as if imparting some great wisdom to him, he said, "There are many ways to stab, Aurelius," before breaking into a trot. With playful ease he made his way across the roots and rocks, releasing a powerful neigh as he dashed across the sand, white tail streaming behind him. It was hot underfoot, but the surf greeted him like a playful old friend, splashing against his heated legs, cooling them; no need to be so serious all the time! Grinning like a fool, he spun in the waves, turning to look back at Aurelius, hoping he wasn't scared of getting his pretty little feet (or, given his height, his pretty little shaggy belly) wet.