Night had fallen across the land of Helovia. Where the rest of the world had to sleep, so did the sun, and in his mighty place stood the queen of darkness herself, the moon. The bright moonlight shone across the land, illuminating the grass and creatures who called this blessed land home... It was time for the world to sleep, to overcome their physical trials of the previous day and rest to take on what tomorrow would bring. Yet, for one creature, no such peace of mind came to him.

With troubled thoughts the black and white stallion moved through the thick, soft grasses of the Heavenly Fields, his mind troubled and restless. No matter how hard he had tried to lose himself in slumber, the unicorn had been helpless to do anything except toss and turn upon his makeshift bed, nestled protectively in the embrace of a collection of thick pines that also called the Foothills home. Since retaining his magic and living in the trees of the Deep Forest, Apollo had always felt secure and loved in the embrace that the trees offered. Call it habit if you would, or tradition, or simple foolishness, either way; the trees made the stallion feel safe. That was all that mattered.

Yet no matter how safe the trees made him feel, they could do nothing but watch over the medic as he struggled to obtain the blissful unconsciousness that was sleep. He tossed and turned, groaned and grunted, and eventual his restlessness had drawn Apollo out from the trees. He stopped first at the waterfall that cascaded brilliantly through the Foothills for a refreshing drink, dampening his parched throat and dry lips before continuing on. Oh, how his mind raced...

Loneliness plagued him, uncertainty gnawed at him, and self-doubt tormented him. Apollo knew he was being foolish, he knew, but he couldn't help how he felt. He had been named Earth Medic of the Foothills, and in turn, the Grey. It had been a weight lifted off of his shoulders; finally he could help those who needed it instead of cause pain and suffering, or death. The life of a warrior, of an executioner, just wasn't for him, and so when Ophelia and Ktulu had graced him with the title of Medic, well... By the Gods if he hadn't been relieved of his new occupation.

His new title and his new job, however, didn't stop the loneliness that swelled within the confines of his ebony breast. Despite having his family so close, Apollo was filled with a loneliness that came from the lack of companionship. He yearned to be loved and love in return, but honestly... How? How could he attempt something like that when his heart was already stolen by the lovely Phaedra? Seeing her again at the herd meeting had been difficult, for she was as beautiful as she was the day that he had met her in the Threshold.

Yes, he had already admitted his love for her... But she had said nothing of her emotions for him, and that alone was reason for him to worry. Perhaps he was thinking too hard. Perhaps he should just... Let it go. At least for a little while.

It was with these heavy, downtrodden thoughts that Apollo meandered through the Heavenly Fields, his soft, honeyed eyes soaking in the atmosphere around him. The night was still warm, a lingering after effect of the merciless summer sun, but it was a considerable difference from when the sun was actually out. Each step brushed aside the thick grass, the rustling and crunching echoing across the equally empty fields. No one was out tonight, it seemed... And perhaps that was for the best. Apollo was certain that he would be poor company, anyway.

[ooc: I really need to stop with these mopey Apollo threads, but... At least I have an excuse this time. Open for anyone.]

I can never fight for myself, but, for others, I can kill."

It isn't long into his silent, midnight aventure that Apollo realizes that he's no longer alone. At first, the cry of a voice resonating across the field threw him into a state of alarm, for the stallion had been rather lost in his musings and had been paying little attention to the surroundings embracing him. Looking left, then right, and upon spotting no one, Apollo's confusion lasted for maybe a few more moments before honeyed eyes spotted a welcome, familiar form approaching. It was Midas.

Despite the melancholy that had plagued him merely seconds before, a grateful, friendly smile crossed his maw. Midas... He was perhaps the truest of friends that Apollo had gained in Helovia since his arrival. Where the Grey was his family, and would always be that family, he knew that Midas wanted nothing from him other than returned friendship. It was simple, and wonderful, and right now, Apollo could think of no one better to save the monochromatic stallion from his own thoughts.

"We do, don't we?" Apollo chuckled to the heavens, watching as the golden-tinted Pegasus dropped from the sky and came to a rather elegant landing, wings tucking close to his friend's sides. Just how Pegasus managed to land and work their winged appendages was beyond Apollo, but then again... He was a unicorn. That knowledge wasn't for him to know. When Midas approached and outstretched his head towards the paint's, Apollo immediately reacted and stretched his own, willingly brushing his muzzle against the Pegasus' in welcome greeting. It was a simple, yet affectionate touch, and that simple action alone did wonders to help heal the Earth Medic's wounded spirit.

"I've been better, my dear friend," the Earth Medic said honestly, finding no reason to lie to his dearest of friends, "But it isn't anything out of the ordinary. How are you?" He asked, tilting his head slightly and sending the ice-blue horn that rested upon his head askew. "Have you and your family in the Throat been well since the day of the invasion?"

That had been another thing that Apollo found welcome in Midas; the Pegasus had fought alongside him during the invasion of the Foothills, watching his back as Apollo did the same. They were a formideable force, the stallion realized, and how well they had worked together caused a genuine smile to form.

"I was finding it hard to sleep, and so I decided to come up here for a walk to help clear my mind... I'm glad that you showed up; a moonlight stroll is always better with a friend."

I can never fight for myself, but, for others, I can kill."