What in the world is he doing out here?!

Oh right. Stretching his legs. Wings, to be precise. Kaj wasn't fond of leaving his home borders, but it wasn't a suitable place for his wings to be free and unrestricted. Duty had made him weary, and soon he had forgotten what it felt like to simply enjoy what had been gifted to him at birth. The northern lands were unfamiliar and unknown to his pale azures, a frosted hillside he was not keen on exploring. High in the heavens the air was already icy, and the golden stallion was not looking forward to having to land, already envisioning the shock of cold against his earthen toned pillars. Even so the elements disagreed, heavy wings beating against him with a power that could not be overcome by a mere flyer. The Lords and Mother Nature herself were intent on keeping all winged beasts from enjoying this land, birthing twisting winds that had all struggling to keep aloft. No wonder the unicorns had retreated to the frozen lands.

Aureate appendages thrust hard towards the earth, wingtips kissing each other below his mighty hooves as a sudden twist in the wind's finnicky path left the noble stallion dropping too fast for his liking. Clear azure irises gazed at the overhead clouds that dispersed with the night, the winds refusing to calm even as night's soothing caress touched the snowy lands. Tiny diamonds were cast out upon an obsidian blanket, illuminated by a light withheld from the view of the wind child beneath their blinking, silent faces. There was no time to enjoy the dazzling, mute display they put on for him. The weather was growing fiercer with each passing moment, and even in his exertion through constant motion of flight, chill was seeping slowly into his large frame. Huffing into the windy, frosted night, Kaj relished in the warm cloud that blew back against his face, and descended from the cloud cover. Moisture clung to every golden feather, and just as he was lowering himself, a brilliant ripple of color burst across the canvas above like an explosion. Kaj hefted his wings down, stilling his descent, and coasted along in soft-faced awe beneath the swirling ribbons of navy and turquoise, a touch of lavender and carmine, a wink of roseate hues. It danced upon his pale canvas like childish fairies, laughing just as silently as their pinprick cousins that were so outshined by the similar nightly occurrence.

When he could tear his gaze at last from the awe inspiring display of natural magic, the golden brute began to scour the earth below for a decent place to land among the hills of sugar. The condensation upon his feathers were slowly and painfully freezing, and soon enough he'd be downed as easily as a frail bird frightened in flight. Not to mention he truly didn't fancy ripping his feathers out if it iced over too badly. It would be the only way to get home, but it would also be an self-inflicted, agonizing process. Should he find decent shelter, he would likely be less weather-worn by the end of the night, an upon the dawn of morn he would be flying back out to his family. But where to find shelter in a land so unfamiliar to his presence and gaze? In an environment he hadn't encountered since foalhood?

The question was answered for him in the appearance of a small, pale wheat form below him. In a moment he is concerned, brows knitting as he swings a large circle and descends in front of her. He is careful to go slow, wary of the fact she may be part of the Basin he has heard so much of, the devils that had stolen his Queen away. Best not to startle the poor creature, definitely a female with the river of locks that surrounds her like a barrier and a blanket all at once. Instead of his usual flare for landing- usually borne of the remains of his exhilaration while exploring aerial stunts- his wingbeats are steady thumps against the snow that rises and stirs as he forcefully manipulates the air beneath his span. The earth is the same shock of cold he had anticipated and imagined, and a soft huff escapes his icy wheat-painted maw at the sudden temperature change upon his umber pillars. Shaking out his iced wings, the stallion did the same to his mane and tail in a rather canine fashion before tucking the frozen things close to his side in an attempt to thaw them and to not appear intimidating. Clearly she was no unicorn, but he knew of the wicked magical abilities of Helovia now, and was far aware in his meet-and-greets.

Despite all this, and in spite of the chill of his wings against his sides while they thawed, a warm smile was placed upon his light sunny features as he approached enough for his words to be heard. "Good eve, m'lady. My name is Kaj. May I inquire as to your own calling?" There was such a frightful look in her golden orbs, and in sympathy he cooed his words softly, not wishing to strengthen that particularly emotion by his arrival and continued presence. But her shivering, near full-body quaking, made him frown gently in concern. "M'lady, are you well? Have you gotten lost? I can offer a wing and my warmth until sunrise, and then take you to your home or loved one?" Worry echoed in his deep, honey sweet lyrics. Pausing so that she had plenty of room to run, unwilling to make her feel trapped. As bad as Kaj was with most social nuances, he was rather adept at reading body language.

Lowering his crown, but keeping his harks kindly upon her to catch any word she gifted him, he smiled sweetly at her to try and ease whatever fear she seemed to have been feeling and was still experiencing. Perhaps the action and new posture would make him see smaller, less of a threat. While he waited he observed her flighty, yet pleasing features, taking the time to try and understand and discern who the fair maiden was. And why she was out all alone, defenseless and scared.

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NOTE: So sorry for the wait love!!!
WC: 1,046