d'Artagnan watched as Farenjer took in his words and was happy to see him consider them at least, the shade had little or no interest for those who didn't even think about their answers. It was a question he knew his own answer to, an answer that would never change and in the minds of others would brand him a monster. Those were the foolish little souls who had the audacity to place themselves within his sight. Faces he remembered, faces to be eliminated later so he could paint his cave a macabre shade of red. Quite confidently the lighting lad spoke, the shade frowned but said nothing as Farenjer came to a close on his answer. It was both satisfying and dissatisfying, happy that it seemed Farenjer would fight beside his own species in the future but concerned over his lack of hatred. The Nightshade had to almost commend the dear boy who had artfully negotiated his question with an answer that d'Artagnan could neither argue against or rope him into a band of racist unicorns.

Recruiting him into The Plague was not such a good idea right now so d'Artagnan remained quiet on that front, instead the shade would keep an eye on him. Maybe he could convert him later. Maybe. "It's reassuring to now you would fight by our side, wars are bloody here." There was a rather bitter taste in his mouth, d'Artagnan had never been in an invasion here. Instead the enemy had taken him out of the battle before he could even start. Bastards.

It was then that a familiar voice pierced his thoughts and mismatched eyes fell on the alabaster appearance of Arah. Another new recruit that d'Artagnan had saved from the depths of the cesspool that was the Windtossed Foothills, albeit with the help of Descaro's nuisance daughter Frost Fyre. Merlot head dipped in greeting to Arah, finding himself pleased at her respectful nature and willingness to take up a rank so soon. If he had heard from the meeting correct, the mare had taken up a rank under Faelene. She would surely excel there, Faelene seemed to be developing quite a following that d'Artagnan almost wanted to go join in himself. Almost. "Arah. It's good to see you working hard for the herd, keep it up" a rare compliment but still said in his normal brusque tone.

He allowed her to introduce herself to Farenjer then, musing over the young faces before him and grimacing at his own age. Time waited for no one, and he seemed to be in the grip of it. It would be some years before he started hobbling around from arthritis, but it was still a depressing thought.

d'Artagnan watched Arah flitter away with a grunt, he admitted she was okay and would no doubt benefit the herd in her own way, but he wished she wasn't so sickly shy. It made him cringe inside. As she moved away from them it seemed their newbie had turned his attention back to d'Artagnan with a gaze looking full of questions and the shade awaited them with a simple man's curiosity. The words bubbled up and red lobes received them, it seemed Farenjer knew much about the ways of the unicorn much to the shade's satisfaction. Though he grinned as the stud finished his enquiry but he wondered why, if he knew the unpredictability of his species, he needed to ask such a question, but d'Artagnan humoured him anyway. "If you were a wise horse you would be careful of them all, as you can imagine, there is a slew of magical power in this herd as well as strange creatures who accompany them. No need to worry though Farenjer, keep your head, work hard and they'll likely not bother you. Fight admirably and show loyalty then you'll have their respect." He said. Each word as gruff as the one before it.

Time ticked by and d'Artagnan sighed and great sigh, he said enough to his new herd mate. It was time he learned the ropes by himself, there was only so much the shade could say before there was nothing more to be said. In all honesty, he thought Farenjer was most likely over thinking it and that if he just relaxed the lightening boy would find it much easier to fit in. However, d'Artagnan knew nothing of the stallions previous life so left his thoughtful comments to himself and started to walk off. "I will leave you now Farenjer, there are things I must attend to, feel free to track me down if you have more questions or a problem."

With that, the Nightshade flittered off into the Basin. He wondered if he'd be able to track down Aviya to see what she had been up to. It had been a long time since he'd had a chat with his daughter, each day she grew taller and already a yearling. d'Artagnan knew he shouldn't have a favouritism between his children, but Nao was still just a babe and Mesec was always so distant. His first born daughter seemed to be the only one he could talk to and make sense with these days.

[ooc; Sorry for the wait.]