02-14-2018, 06:39 PM
His self assessment is interrupted by a soft voice, one he does not recognize. Relishing the chance to look at someone new, to see them, he looks up and over at the approaching mare. She is lovely, for all that she's nearly as coated in dirt as he is. A cape of blue-gold-green feathers cascades from her back, wings such as he's never seen before. But it is the bone-deep weariness etched into her face that he notices the most. It's the same expression he knows he's worn for the last year. Deep pain, harsh knowledge. A taste of the darkest of hells. He's more familiar with that expression than he'd like to be.
"I'm fine, truly. Better than fine, as of this morning. And you?" He asked, leaving it to her to decide what to share, or not share. Only shortly after this exchange does another appear over the low rise. She is outlined by the rising sun at first; a haloed silhouette against the pure blue sky. His eyes tear again, reacting to the unaccustomed brightness the day was bringing. Blinking them clear again, his face jerks back to the approaching figure as he hears her speak his name. Bragi? It is then he recognizes her. Amorette. Balm to his blistered soul, patient healer, the light in his year of darkness. She has come close enough that he is not looking into the sun to see her, but it hardly matters. The ever-present care in her steps, so that he knows it's her approaching. The deep concern she expresses for him even as she acknowledges the ragged newcomer. Words catch in his throat as she sees him look at her, and really see what's before him. For an infinite moment, he cannot respond. The gold-and-pale stallion just stares, as though to memorize every plane and dip of her, the exact deep color of her hair and eyes. As if she'll vanish the moment he looks away.
"I knew you'd be beautiful."
Every discomfort in his body fades as he waits for her response. And then returns with an embarrassed flare as he recalls just how filthy he is. She's looked on him this whole time, never making him aware of the state of his appearance. Not that he would have cared, then. Most days had been a success when he could get through them still desiring to continue living, let alone groom himself. It then registered how careworn she looked. As though life was not panning out how she'd hoped it would. He wanted nothing more than to erase the lines of worry from her brow. To bring a smile to her perfect lips, no matter the cost to his own dignity. And that, was not a common emotion for the prideful man.
@[AuroraElis] @[Amorette]
"I'm fine, truly. Better than fine, as of this morning. And you?" He asked, leaving it to her to decide what to share, or not share. Only shortly after this exchange does another appear over the low rise. She is outlined by the rising sun at first; a haloed silhouette against the pure blue sky. His eyes tear again, reacting to the unaccustomed brightness the day was bringing. Blinking them clear again, his face jerks back to the approaching figure as he hears her speak his name. Bragi? It is then he recognizes her. Amorette. Balm to his blistered soul, patient healer, the light in his year of darkness. She has come close enough that he is not looking into the sun to see her, but it hardly matters. The ever-present care in her steps, so that he knows it's her approaching. The deep concern she expresses for him even as she acknowledges the ragged newcomer. Words catch in his throat as she sees him look at her, and really see what's before him. For an infinite moment, he cannot respond. The gold-and-pale stallion just stares, as though to memorize every plane and dip of her, the exact deep color of her hair and eyes. As if she'll vanish the moment he looks away.
"I knew you'd be beautiful."
Every discomfort in his body fades as he waits for her response. And then returns with an embarrassed flare as he recalls just how filthy he is. She's looked on him this whole time, never making him aware of the state of his appearance. Not that he would have cared, then. Most days had been a success when he could get through them still desiring to continue living, let alone groom himself. It then registered how careworn she looked. As though life was not panning out how she'd hoped it would. He wanted nothing more than to erase the lines of worry from her brow. To bring a smile to her perfect lips, no matter the cost to his own dignity. And that, was not a common emotion for the prideful man.
@[AuroraElis] @[Amorette]