(09-12-2013, 07:41 AM)Artemis Wrote:

criss-cross over miles of eyes, endless looks shooting over His voice reached out through the dark before her eyes could make out his figure and swiftly her eyes softened, the steely grey glistening with flecks of teal. She was not sure why his presence made her spirits raise from the abyss they had, until now, settled into but she did not question it. In this land of strangers and of people who, essentially, saw her as just another tool of battle that was added to the collection, he was a welcome face. Sure, the herd was her home, but no one made her feel welcome like Tharos did. Apollo came close, of corse, but Tharos was the only true friend the mare had. It was odd, considering everything, that she was closest to a stag of all things. Her mother was warned her that men were cruel and only used the 'lesser gender' for one thing. It seemed Helovia was far from the stereotype of her barbarian homeland, and it was a welcome change. As he greeted her, his muzzle stretched outward toward hers. For a second she froze, letting his maw come close to her face yet before he touched, she backed up quickly. Her ears lay back for a moment, eyes filled with doubt and hesitation at the tender gesture. She threw an apologetic glance, but said nothing to excuse her actions. Luckily he distracted the nervous mare from her own worried mind. Missy, he called her and at first she let it pass over with a simple scowl, yet despite his sweet words he wasn't getting away with it twice. She lowered her head, moving forward gently in an attempt to prod him with the tip. "I have a name, lad," She said, half joking as she raised her head, arching her neck with pride. Yet as she did, she let his words sink in. He was worried about her? Why? And why had he greeted her so warmly? She was not accustomed to that sort of behaviour directed toward her. The tiny voice seemed to come from nowhere. She had missed the near collision in the darkness, so when the voice emerged from below, she threw her ears back and stomped a hoof in response. Glancing down, she saw the winged creature gazing curiously toward the pair. She vaguely recognised her, but could not say who's foal it was. It didn't matter much. Artemis had no time to question it as the child's question flew her mind into a daze. In love? She shook her head immediately as Tharos denied it. The phrase, thou protest too much came to mind, but the child would likely accept the answer blindly. Still, it was an odd situation to find the pair in. Artemis never thought of how questionable it was before it had been pointed out so blatantly. Damn, the foal would likely tell this tale to others. Hopefully, she did not know Artemis' name, but her description alone would be enough. She swore at herself inwardly, cursing their luck. "N-no! Just friends, like he says. Now... Run along to your mother...Okay?" The embarrassment was stamped across ber face clear as day. Love was not something the mare had ever thought of, let alone felt. She couldn't even touch another horse, let alone let one into her heart. She sighed. "Worried or not, Tharos, it's dangerous to be here. You are lucky she's a child, if any of the others saw you... Lets just say they might think far worse than she does!" She shook her head, tail slapping against her hocks. Still, she did not force him to leave. Why, she did not know. Her voice was fast paced and whispered in hushed, frantic tones. She made a mental plan to simply act as though her wished to join if the others came, or maybe she should act as if she simply did not know him? That might risk their friendship, however. That thought made her heart grow heavy. She was the only friend she had in the world. "You need not worry about me...." She added, her voice much quieter than before, the aggregation in her voice fading as she glanced nervously at the foal. "Speech goes here"

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