A P O L L O

And how can you say that your truth is better than ours?
Shoulder to shoulder, now brother, we carry no arms

Life as he knew it was beginning to change.

Apollo had never been happier. For the first time in years, he had a family. He had friends. He had her. Finally, after so long spent searching fruitlessly for his beloved sister, the two painted siblings had finally found one another. The dark evening when he had found Andreas wandering the borders of the Foothills, Apollo had been delighted. Tears had stained his honey-hued eyes, his heart had nearly burst with joy... And hope had blossomed anew within the monochromatic boy.

But the surprises hadn't stopped there.

Ktulu, his dark lady, had deeemed him worthy of leading the Grey beside her. The event was still fresh in his mind, and the wandering outcast turned Medic turned Chief still found himself reeling at the notion. And yet... Sometimes he wondered if Ktulu had made the right choice. Yes, he lived and breathed for the Grey, but he didn't know if he would consider himself leading material... But the newly appointed Chief would do everything that he could to make sure that Ktulu's trust in him wasn't in vain.

His wanderings had taken him from the edges of his home and to the familiar plains of the Thistle Meadow. It had been a very long time since he had wandered this terrain, and in the beginnnings of Birdsong, it looked much different. The eternal darkness also had something to do with it. The melting snow squished beneath his hooves with every step that he took, but Apollo's eyes were focused on the path ahead. His mind was a whirl-wind of thoughts and wanderings. Things had finally started to look up, but even then the self-doubts remained.

Just then, something flicked in front of his gaze, causing the stallion to stop short. His head snapped upwards, horn shining in the rays of the moonlight, and it was then that he spotted an ebonite mare frolicking in the darkness. Apollo's head turned slightly in curiosity, his mind taking a few moments to realize that yes, he did know her. It was... Antheia? Was that her name? They had met in the Threshold during high Frostfall, before the eternal darkness had befallen the land. He had lead her to the Edge, where they had been greeted by the good sir Kaj...

A smile crossed his lips and Apollo's head tossed upwards, a beckoning nicker escaping him.

"Miss Antheia!" He called, forehooves pushing his body upwards so that he reared only a few inches from the ground. Coming back down, the melted snow beneath his hooves splattered in wayward directions, but he paid them no mind. "What a pleasure to see you again!"

A P O L L O

And how can you say that your truth is better than ours?
Shoulder to shoulder, now brother, we carry no arms

It was soon after spotting Antheia that another joined their little reunion, one who happily bound up to the dark mare and proclaimed the elder as her 'mother'. That, immediately caused Apollo to tilt his head in confusion. When they had met in the Threshold, Antheia had been no mother; she hadn't even been pregnant! Or... If she had, she hadn't been showing, and this youngling was far too old to have been birthed and then aged from the last time that he and Antheia crossed paths.

Still, Antheia came forward at a pleasant gate and gave the overo a gentle nudge on the shoulder, which caused him to chuckle warmly. He listened as Antheia explained just who the foal was, and he smiled. "That is wonderful, Antheia. I'm very happy for you." He said softly, his words gentle and sincere. It filled him with relief that she was making a home and a name for herself in the Edge. Even though he had wanted her desperate to join their ranks in the Foothills, all that mattered was that she was happy, and perhaps that was for the best. The life of the mercenary could be a harsh and unexpected one.

Honey-brown eyes turned and lingered on the young Harmony, and he dipped his head in a gentle form of acknowledgement. "It's great to meet you, little Harmony," Apollo stated with a smile, eyes twinkling in genuine mirth, "I'm glad to see you and your mother so very safe, and happy."

It was only then, when Antheia regarded another who Apollo had overlooked did he realize that a dear friend of his had been surveying the entire scene. Turning his head, Apollo's lips softened into a reminiscent kind of smile, his eyes locking on the familiar golden hued form of the Dragon's Throat General. It was Midas; perhaps the dearest of friends that Apollo had made in the entirety of Helovia.

"It's great to see you too, Midas," he returned the words when the good General had joined them. "It's been too long since we last have spoken, brother." Stretching his neck out, Apollo brushed his muzzle against Midas' own, breathing in the familiar scent of his brother in arms. They had fought and bled beside one another, and simply being around his fellow stallion made Apollo feel safe. It was much like the feeling that he got whenever he was around Andreas.

At Midas' question, a sheepish smile curled Apollo's lips. "I have been well, and I like to think that the Grey is remaining confident as ever, despite these dark times. Things have changed, though." Here, he paused, glancing to Antheia and her daughter, uncertain with how much information he could divulge. The Grey swore no fealty to anyone but themselves, but Midas was his friend. He could divulge a little, at least until he and Midas could find time to speak alone. "In the absence of her sister, our Consctrictor seemed to think I was worthy to lead beside her. It's... Taking some getting used to." Apollo chuckled in modesty then and shook his head slowly, the strands of his mane swaying in the light breeze.

"You should visit. I'm sure she misses you." A jesting comment, certainly, for Apollo was well aware of the relationship between the golden General and a certain Chieftess. "But tell me; are you and your home well? And Fina? I won't lie; I have been concerned..."

Turning his head back to Antheia, he smiled. "And how have you been? Settling into your home well?"

[ooc:Sorry for the wait, guys, and the rambly-esque post. XD]