d'Artagnan watched as the bundle of fur raced through the trees, darting in and out of rugged trunks with ravenous barks echoing through the woodland. A small whip like tail lashing from side to side with obsidian, curled ears pinned forwards and red elemental markings which glowed ominously in the shadows. His paws looked big compared to his slender, baby body and d'Artagnan saw a potential killer in the gilded eyes of his newborn pup. After a few unsuccessful attempts to catch something bigger than a rodent, it seemed to have bore a new determination in Aramis' face, who now found his hunts getting easier with each practise. The shade found it strangely comforting, to have Aramis' companionship, like a part of him was missing until now. Undergrowth cracked and out tumbled the babe, d'Artagnan grunted and let the child rise to it's own feet with an admirable determination. Darting to bounce alongside his bonded, a speck next to the leggy Time Mender.

The pair rounded another corner and d'Artagnan slammed his hooves into a halt. A mare of bay and crimson stood in their path, a horn formed of glass (like his own) was lowered in a strange act of hostility. d'Artagnan didn't move. Instead he kept his own ground, the mare was only small, any wrong move and it wouldn't be all that hard to slam his hooves down on that precious horn of hers. Smashing it just like one of his own. A low growl ripped from the lips of Aramis, the hound inching a little closer to the sooty legs of his friend with precious eyes narrowing. The Nightshade lowered his head and blew out air through his nostrils, a mocking smile on dark lips. "I would watch where you put that horn, otherwise, it might end up like mine... Shattered."

Cloven hooves shifted and d'Artagnan stalked into the open, arrogantly confident that he would be safe enough. Aramis followed, little chest puffed out as he marched beside his bonded, the odd growl here and there whilst pointed tail lashed from side to side. "Do you greet everyone like that?" Came his gruff voice that had slight hints of annoyance. It wasn't all the surprising that a stranger to a new land would be so jumpy, but that sentiment was lost on d'Artagnan.

It was the familiar, bulky form of Zar'roc who broke the silence first, the shade watched as the stud that had formerly been his herd mate made his way through the trees to join them. d'Artagnan watched him curiously, he had not followed them to the Basin nor had he seen him after the invasion, would could of almost thought the worst for the silent stud. Yet here he was, well within himself with no trace of the wound the shade had healed all the seasons ago. The question of his whereabouts would have to wait until later as it seemed the red tinted mare replied and almost hissed at Zar'roc. d'Artagnan allowed his ears to flicker back, not taking too well to her tone.

Seconds past and the shade found his rage rising again, snorting at her sarcastic comment. Really he should be trying to recruit, but as was always with the shade, he found his anger running away with himself. Coldly he slapped his tail through the air and shuffled on cloven hooves "The only arrogant one I see is yourself, careful who you offend girl." d'Artagnan growled, ironically with a hint of arrogance. Emphasizing her youth compared to himself. Aramis barked in support, standing like he was a full grown hound, but actually still a pup. One day that bark would carry more meaning.

The shade continued grumbling under his breath, some of his language quite colourful and he tried to regain control of himself. Flaring nostrils gradually came back to normal as he anger abated, instead he turned to Zar'roc expectantly. Half wanting demand where he had been all this time but he kept his lips shut for once. Hoping the situation would regain control itself, for the shade's temper was not one to be trifled with.

[ooc; bluurggh. Sorry for that horrid post x.x]

d'Artagnan watched, nostrils flaring as his anger simmered beneath. Zar'roc didn't seem like he wanted to contribute anything to the short tempered conversation. That in itself infuriated the stag, he wanted to know what his former comrade was speaking. He had questions, like why he didn't follow them into the mountains, and now why he wasn't apart of their herd? So much to ask but too little time and only minuet interest. In all honestly, the shade couldn't care less where Zar'roc had been and what he was doing now. If he came to the Basin he would be no doubt accepted back in amongst the ranks but d'Artagnan wasn't going to offer anything here. He was too enraged annoyed, he blamed that on the infuriating female before them.

She seemed to take a while in her answer, testing the patience of the Mender to its limits. A sarcastic comment rose and bubbled on his lips but she spoke in time before he could deliver his irritated comment. Teeth grit together and a growl escaped the lips of Aramis, who lowered in his stance and red tipped tail stiffening, pointing at the mare like he had found his prey. d'Artagnan watched as a smirk rose to her features and the urge to wipe it off her too smug face almost over came him. In her next words she drew the attention away from herself and instead to him and Zar'roc. She was more perceptive then he gave her credit for, but that did little to calm the riled up beast. Blood pumped around his body and the stark ringing began in his ears, the need to kill filling his mind and making him quiver. He clenched his magic and drew it closer, feeling the darkness wreak from it.

No. He couldn't kill this child. Not his own kin.

She was aligned with no other herd and she was a pure unicorn, his own species. He wouldn't be doing himself any favours if he did. The grip on his magic unclenched and he left it unused for another day, he was not given this power to kill his own kind. His anger had gotten too wild and d'Artagnan conflicted emotions clashed. There was only one thing he could do. A small, dark smile touched his features.

"I need nothing from either of you, smirk all day girl, you'll only get yourself killed with a face like that." With his mind spoken, he grumpily walked back through the trees, Aramis still growling as he followed, heckles up along his back. The conversation may have gone smoother if someone with a bit of diplomacy was in attendance. Unfortunately that was a strength the shade lacked and he was getting dangerously close to starting an all out fight.

In that scenario, retreat was the better option.