some by virtue fall; any

[Kushiel]

Kushiel mercifully, did not have children. He did, however, have a mother who he had abused as a child. As such, he had an unusual sympathy for mothers. It was lingering guilt, his subconscious told him. He was like a catholic who no longer attended mass. He would cross himself on occasion and indulge in a great deal of self loathing, but not actually do anything to rectify the source of his guilt.

Kushiel had his self loathing out in full force today, along with a healthy dose of contempt and pity. It made for a volatile combination, and though Kushiel was entirely threw with smoke and ash, he kept a little flame blazing along his neck. He felt the crackle and pop of the fire and took some consolation it in.  

Kushiel could not count stoicism among his great many virtues. He was, in fact, perfectly alright. He just needed something better than his own misery to occupy his attention. So when the mare appeared, brood of children in toe, he felt instantly better.

Kushiel liked to think that it was their company that he liked, and not the fact that someone seemed more put upon then himself. The mare did not look like motherhood was giving her a warm glow. But, regardless of the reason, Kushiel visibly brightened, and then grinned lopsidedly at her comment.  

“Not much at all. Unfortunately, a good alibi is a lot harder to come by.” His mane blazed a little brighter, a little higher, and the stallion sized up the foals, as if assessing how much fire he would to raze their little bodies. He didn’t, of course, intend to do that. At least not until one of them did something truly beastly. Lucky for them, Kushiel had a high tolerance for beastly. However, from the look in the mare’s eyes, her children may be even worse than he had been as a child. She looked tired, and more than a little pissed. Kushiel couldn’t help it, he grinned again. In response to her name he gave his own.

“Kushiel.” He said with a nod. He glanced to the foals, then back at Aurane.

“We should take you around to teach the fillies about abstinence.” His grin broadened a little bit, becoming wolfish. He didn’t stop to consider that this was probably not what women wanted to hear. He wasn’t done, however.

“Not that I’m a proponent of that.” And then he winked, completely at odds with the tone of the conversation and their bedraggled appearance.