05-12-2018, 12:11 AM
It hadn't taken long to fall into the rhythm of the woods. There were new faces, which he predominately avoided, choosing instead to keep to his old haunts. The familiar surroundings felt surreal. This was where he'd been born, where he'd played as a foal. This was home, wasn't it? That was what he'd been telling himself since his first conversation with Modicum. That conversation had given him a lot to consider.
Was he an innately menacing creature? Hardly. However, he couldn't get it out of his mind. He wasn't the evil one. No, quite the opposite! He was the victim here. Mother hadn't cared enough to give him the truth. Klaudius hadn't dared to give it to him either, the coward. What had he been so afraid of? There'd been so many opportunities. So much wasted time. And now it was too late, for all of them.
With a grunt of annoyance, the winged youth realized he'd been grinding his teeth. Stretching out his jaw he paused, resting his forehead against the rough bark of an accommodating walnut tree. Kwartz squeezed his eyes shut. A few rough breathes slowed his heart back to a reasonable pace. A familiar odour infiltrated his nostrils, opening his eyes with surprise. For a moment he just stood there. That scent was woven through the edges of his childhood, and he briefly considered fading into the shadows of his homeland. It was tempting, but also unrealistic. He was stronger than his parents. He could face this.
He found them nearby, Jesper and an unfamiliar mare. The inky stag was reminiscent of the new ruler of the woods, though his face held a kindness foreign to Modicum. Today that expression was tempered with worry and weariness. The gold and lavender lad observed the pair, took note of the the tense atmosphere. He smiled faintly, dipping his head in greeting. "Jesper. I didn't expect to see you here." He commented mildly, before turning to the pale woman. "You'll have to excuse me miss, but I don't think we've met. I'm Kwartz. Jesper and I go pretty far back." It was true enough. Jesper has come to Sylva not long after the ex-prince had been born. Had he stayed after Sabra had abdicated? The girl is as weary looking as Jesper, her skin still steaming in the chill from recent exertion. She's pretty, he registered dimly, not sure if that mattered or not. Really, he can't bring himself to feel much of anything these days.
@[Jesper] @[Lepis]
Was he an innately menacing creature? Hardly. However, he couldn't get it out of his mind. He wasn't the evil one. No, quite the opposite! He was the victim here. Mother hadn't cared enough to give him the truth. Klaudius hadn't dared to give it to him either, the coward. What had he been so afraid of? There'd been so many opportunities. So much wasted time. And now it was too late, for all of them.
With a grunt of annoyance, the winged youth realized he'd been grinding his teeth. Stretching out his jaw he paused, resting his forehead against the rough bark of an accommodating walnut tree. Kwartz squeezed his eyes shut. A few rough breathes slowed his heart back to a reasonable pace. A familiar odour infiltrated his nostrils, opening his eyes with surprise. For a moment he just stood there. That scent was woven through the edges of his childhood, and he briefly considered fading into the shadows of his homeland. It was tempting, but also unrealistic. He was stronger than his parents. He could face this.
He found them nearby, Jesper and an unfamiliar mare. The inky stag was reminiscent of the new ruler of the woods, though his face held a kindness foreign to Modicum. Today that expression was tempered with worry and weariness. The gold and lavender lad observed the pair, took note of the the tense atmosphere. He smiled faintly, dipping his head in greeting. "Jesper. I didn't expect to see you here." He commented mildly, before turning to the pale woman. "You'll have to excuse me miss, but I don't think we've met. I'm Kwartz. Jesper and I go pretty far back." It was true enough. Jesper has come to Sylva not long after the ex-prince had been born. Had he stayed after Sabra had abdicated? The girl is as weary looking as Jesper, her skin still steaming in the chill from recent exertion. She's pretty, he registered dimly, not sure if that mattered or not. Really, he can't bring himself to feel much of anything these days.
@[Jesper] @[Lepis]