He'd watched the skies gradually turn burnt umber, then coral and red as the sun slowly descended. Little Klaudius was a bright boy, intelligent and quizzical but not in that pushy way that most children were. He was calm about it, respectfully curious with spontaneous outbursts of joy that could surprise you into laughing right along with him. Clever too, and so very determined as he'd labored the strength in his young wings even if he was only running; so eager to dance with the stars one day.

He found that he didn't mind the colt, almost enjoyed his company, even. He was an attractive color, too, that odd purple that now matched the darkening skies as they made their way to his home. At first he'd found that coloring obnoxiously strange, but perhaps it was a charming shade of royal purple that well suited the growing personality in the boy.

When they'd finally reached the hollowed cave the colt and his mother resided in, he'd settled comfortably on the earth as though he'd been there a million times already with Klaudius or Karaugh. It was easy to be at ease here. Dark eyes sought out the little rascal, curious to see how he interacted with his dark surroundings of home. Do you enjoy the caves? he asked him, genuinely intrigued at the workings of his young mind.

It was not long after they'd arrived when he could smell her, his head pivoting around to the entrance with an instant gleam in his eyes. He rose to his feet before he knew it, pausing at the doorway to look out into the falling darkness of night. She was not alone, and he almost wanted to growl at that. But of course she would not be alone, she had been to the field for just that reason: to bring more home to their Sylva. And so he buried easily that rumbling urge and a warm smile spread across his lips.

She is here, Klaudius, he called gently over his shoulder, motioning for the boy to join him at his side. He liked that purple against his black, surreal and beautiful. She brings a guest for you to meet. Would you like to? He was slowly becoming aware that most of his questioning always centered on what the boy wanted or liked or enjoyed. What made him happy and content. But for now he brushed it off as they turned to watch the approaching couple.

Welcome to Sylva, he greeted her company, I am Stillwater. A slow smile pulled his dark lips, a glint of neutral interest in his shadow-blue eyes.