They had won.

Won, but he had escaped unscathed. It was not for lack of appearing, for he had sought out an opponent the entire battle. Resplendence of all had fought! He had nearly burst with pride, only to deflate into somber moroseness after the war was waged and the medals pinned to the lapels of his brethren's jackets. He should not have been the one undamaged. He should have worn the scars and wounds of those too innocent to have bravely gone into battle with so little experience backing them. Why had they cowered away from him? Why had they sought to destroy the flickering embers, instead of daring to be true and honest and approach the vibrant, powerful flame? Why target the citizens that did not deserve it, and run with tail between hock from the sight of one who could actually defend his home?

It disgusted him, angered him.

...made him feel useless.

All those who had been left battered and broken, bereft, and he- their WingLeader damn it!- was not once faced in the duration of the battle. It broke his spirit, and once things had calmed and his duties were done, released for the day, he exploded from the tops of the boughs of the Edge and pushed his body to its limits of speed and stamina as he fled from the home he loved so dearly and yet had been unable to protect.

Worthless.

He was unable to keep his promise.

The grove was a haven for many, though more than just lovers had ventured beneath its shaded willows, waded through its sparkling sapphire waters, drank in the scents of the sweet flowers that colored the shoreline. He had never been, but the calming serenity of the land drew him down, down, down in a spiral of long wings and quiet breaths. Pale baby blues were sad, contemplative, as umber stockings touched the earth. Hardly a kiss, a breath, with how he had punished his muscles into landing silently. Such a strain. He deserved the sore ache, for all he had missed out on, for all those who had taken the blow meant for his skin.

A drink, he decided, lungs protesting from pushing himself so harshly. Instinctively he recalled the lay of the land he'd viewed from above, large frame moving with a startlingly quiet aspect. Only for him to find the shore was already occupied by a petite doll of porcelain and untouched henna. Clearing his throat softly, he stepped forward into the glow of the fireflies, feeling large and intrusive with someone so small and fragile in his midst. "My apologies, miss. I did not intend to disrupt you. If you would like, I can depart...?" Stepping to the side as he advanced so as not to come from behind her like some sort of predator. A smile slowly but surely warmed upon his features, pushing the malignant feelings behind a barrier inside his mind, genuine interest shining upon his visage.

"I'm dreadfully sorry, I normally have better mannerisms, miss. My name is Kaj, WingLeader of the World's Edge. May I inquire as to yours?" Quietly his deep velvet voice wrapped around the two of them, soothing despite it not being his conscious intention to calm or comfort her. He must be rather out of it, to be so disrespectful and forgetful of his manners. Pausing in his long stride he blinked down at her with that same golden boy smile, shuffling his wings close so as not to intimidate her, already a habit from being around Resplendence. It truly was a beautiful night, the fireflies only basking them in their topaz glow, spring still warm in the night, and a possibility at friendship on the horizon.

Like a transfixed doll she stared at him, blinking her big eyes and jumping, startled, when he came closer to her side. Dipping his cranium in shamed apology, he murmured out to try and rectify that which he had done wrong. "I am sorry, miss, I did not mean to startle you." He stilled all movement respectfully, wanting to make her feel as comfortable as possible in his presence. Even though they had just met. However once she seemed to grow more aware of his presence not being a mirage, her frame moved closer to him invitingly, and he took a few steps towards her in return; careful to keep the proximity in the boundaries of what was respectable in the presence of a newly met lady. Best not to seem like some promiscuous, careless fool thinking only on instinct and pleasure. He would treat her like the lady she was.

Flushing politely under her crooning praise, he turned his head slightly away almost shyly, though more humble than anything. "Thank you, miss. Though I only treat you with the respect you deserve, I should not be praised for something all others should do." Then again he'd met quite a few...unpleasant souls in Helovia, perhaps this stranger had only ventured across those of sour dispositions. The thought saddened him.

Her irises were painted in the style of autumn, rich pumpkin and cinnamon all rolled into one. With the flick of her gaze to his she declared her name, and Kaj smiled once more. "Yuri? It is a beautiful name befitting it's owner. A pleasure, miss Yuri." A large wing was swept elegantly across his chest, foreleg extending in a bow of greeting. To others it may be seen as overkill, but to him it was how he'd been raised.

Rose lips moved towards his own pale golden muzzle, and he blinked at her in surprise in his oblivious nature, but smiled warmly and accepted the touch, brushing their noses together and giving a soft chuckle. Maybe there were others like him in this land after all? Souls who were just as comfortable and familiar with physical kinship? "No dear, perhaps not the strongest, but I did have to battle to claim it in a tournament against my brethren. So, in a way yes." Amused by the somewhat confusing explanation he'd given, he shot her another crooked, endearing smile and hoped she'd understood.

Warm air cocoons around them, warm and tangible in its weightlessness. Fireflies are the only light surrounding them, and yet she glows in their soft luminescence to the point where the important details are not lost to him as he views her. Even though they've just met neither removes their gaze from the other, and it pleases Kaj to know that he is apparently interesting enough to hold her attention for any amount of time. After all she doesn't seem the type to be entertained by such a simpleton like himself. And she even goes so far as to excuse her manners, when she has done no wrong. "There is no need for you to excuse yourself, Miss Yuri. You have done nothing to warrant it, you have been very accommodating," he murmured with a smile, feathered appendages shuffling and stretching languidly without extending from his sides. Spending so much time with Resplendence, he was no longer used to allowing them the freedom he used to give them.

Demurely she dropped her crown and turned away from him with a modest smile, and he extended a wing slowly to brush the soft tips against her flank should she allow it. "There is no need to hide your beautiful visage, Miss Yuri. I am not worthy of being shy around, it is I who should be so self-conscious." Smiling gently at her he withdrew his light, kissing touch from her side. "You're quite welcome," he chuckled in reply as he shifted his stance.

"I have never been called humble before, thank you Miss Yuri. It is an honor to be a warrior, that is all I hope to achieve." A smooth roll of his shoulders accompanied his sheepish smile, flushing similar to a lovestruck filly over the kind compliment. He did not receive them often, and it was a wonderful change.

She invited him pleasantly to a gander across the lush carpet not far from the shore they stood on, and Kaj couldn't help how his smile grew as he followed her, walking much slower due to his much longer stride in order to keep pace with her. "I would love to, Miss Yuri." Pleasantly he kept himself at her side, careful not to come too close, letting her choose how close she wanted to be. "So, Miss Yuri, may I venture to ask you to tell me about yourself?"