He’d been having these.. thoughts lately. Thoughts of finally trying to achieve something with his life. Thoughts of Felinae and Makai and others he’d managed to subsequently come across in his travels. Within all of them was the same kind of fire that he found lacking in himself. Zeik never knew how much he could crave that flame until now. Today though, he’s alone with his thoughts, not flying across the unusually empty Field like he normally would, but instead walking. The season is bitter this year, causing his coat to grow in thicker than usual. His normally speckled blue-black fur is dark and full, making him seem broody and bigger than his usual self.

He doesn’t expect to see anyone really out and about in this weather, but to his surprise there’s someone braving the cold like him. It’s a mare, short and hardy with a curiously half-shorn tail and what seems to be burnt hind fetlocks. She has the look of another world about her, and Zeik pauses to consider her for a moment. She shakes her head, returning to the present, and Zeik cannot seem to stifle his newly found interest, so he makes his way easily to her, ears risen in a show of goodwill.

“A bit too cold for my liking.” He says, commenting absently on the weather. “What brings you out here?” His eyes, mahogany and depthless, peer into her own sapphire ones. The pause grows for a moment as he remembers his manners, and then he’s quick to fix his mistake. “I’m Zeik by the way.”

Everything we are and used to be is buried and gone

He’s glad she’s not tucking tail and heading for safety when he approaches. Zeik has seen how some stallions act - like animals. Normally, he would’ve considered this just how life went, but the idea of controlling another horse's life based on your own instinctual needs is unappealing to him. She had nothing to fear from the blue roan. She seems to understand this though, and she replies to his comment with equal brevity and kindness. Zeik returns her smile, finding her company a welcome distraction from the days usual events.

“Whatever it was, I’m glad it brought me across you.” He says, truthfully. It was hard to find others who could hold his interest for long, and Miku was certainly not like the others. She turns the question back to him, and he’s willing to answer her truthfully. No sense in lying, or trying to make his intentions flowery. Zeik was a practical character. “I’m here to find like-minded companions.” Her shiver draws his eyes, and though it may seem uncouth, Zeik extends his nose to bump her shoulder gently.

“I can offer you protection, a home.” He says, retracting his touch so he could restore her personal space. “Even friendship.” He smiles again, looking out to the empty Field and feeling the cold begin to settle in his bones. “You’re free to turn me away, of course. But if you need somewhere to feel welcome, even if it’s only a stop on your way to something bigger, consider me.” He looks at her then, this strange mare with half a tail and a story to tell.

It was true. If she felt his intentions were too bold, Zeik would step away and let her run her course. It wasn’t his place to force her. But, like the few others he’d come across in his travels, he’d like to see her again, to hear what she had to say. But the Field, and this inclement weather, was not the ideal place or situation for it.

Everything we are and used to be is buried and gone

He’s actually surprised at himself. But then again, the surprise comes with a quick dash of a sensibility, and Zeik thinks about the outside factors that surround their new relationship. The weather is turning, the Field is scarce, and she’s alone. It makes logical sense that she would go with Zeik - he’s level-headed, polite and rather to himself, so their pairing is a mutually beneficial one. Still, he smiles at her reply and feels a slight rush of adrenaline.

Purpose. Miku had given him purpose. He turns away from her, ears rising to the wind while he charts the horizon. He’d had a place in mind for a while, a lonely little outcropping of riverland covered in misty woods. It was just far enough from any prominent kingdom while still central, maintaining a pleasurable temperature all year round. Never too hot, never too cold. He thinks she’ll like it there, and it won’t be long before others join them. There’s a word for this, but Zeik cannot seem to think of it. Instead, he turns back to her with a determined grin.

“It’s not terribly far from here. Southwest around some low mountainlands and then once we come to a great lake, we follow the river due west. I hope you like it, I’ve been itching to call the woods there my home for some time now.” He takes his place then at her side, confidently stepping forward in the right direction. In normal circumstances, he would shift and fly, but he’s unaware of any traits that Miku may have so he chooses a steady pace and looks forward to getting to know her on the journey. With luck, they’ll reach their new home before dusk, and she can explore to her hearts content then.

As they leave, Zeik recalls the word he’d been searching for: Family. With Miku in tow and hopefully Felinae to join them soon, they’ll be a family. Something he’s never had.

Everything we are and used to be is buried and gone