"But the dream, the echo, slips from him as quickly as he had found it and as consciousness comes to him (a slap and not the gentle waves of oceanic tides), it dissolves entirely. His muscles relax as the cold claims him again, as the numbness sets in, and when his grey eyes open, there’s nothing but the faint after burn of a dream often trod and never remembered." --Brigade, written by Laura
It was mid day and the weather was cooling dramatically. Winter was upon them and so were harsh conditions. His attention turned from his day dreams to the Falls as he heard a whinny similar to that of Lillex. He broke into a jog and made his way over to the appaloosa mare. She was almost healed physically now. He was happy to see her on her feet and able to talk, well able to hold herself up even.
As he reached the mare he stood before her "Good afternoon Lillex, how are you feeling today?" he asked curious to her health, surviving an attack like that could not have been easy to recover physically or mentally. Although something was odd about the mare, she did not seem happy about the conversation they would hold today.
The warm fall sunshine felt good against the pelt.
Leaves slowly fell drifting downward to the ground which would soon freeze and winters death grip would soon envelop this beautiful place.
Lillex looked up at the pinto's approach. Oddly enough she was happy to see him. This almost made her feel uneasy.
The spotted femme does not know how to recognize affection in her self or others.
She could tell however that this soul was gentle, special, caring, and for that she did owe him but what she did not know.
"I am doing much better now thanks to you. I do appreciate all you have done. I hope your sunshine queen is not to angry with me for staying here. Though I suppose I have stayed past my welcome and should be leaving. I would not want to cause anymore friction for you after all you have done for me."
The stag turned from relieved to anger to sad in the short conversation they had. she was leaving? she could not leave, she had just been healed. She has not even had the chance to explore the kingdom. Jedi knew Lillex would love a life at the Falls, he knew that Ashara and Ygritte spoke harsh words in the earlier weeks, but they just wanted to heal her. It was foolish to not accept the help, but it was a choice Lillex made for herself.
"Lillex, please don't leave; you will love it at the Falls" he begged. He came to enjoy the mares company, aside from boarder patrol and the casual conversations with the herd he did not do much. He would love the company of Lillex from time to time, and he knew the kingdom would enjoy her as well. She may be damaged but she could always help the kingdom out. "Ashara and Ygritte just wanted to help, they are great woman, you would like them!" he spoke the truth, Ashara and Ygritte were amazing and anyone would be a fool to not converse with them. Jedi flicked his ears back showing his irritation with her desire to leave.
Her ears flick atop her cranium as she listens to him speaking.
She has in some ways grown fond of his quiet company.
Part of her did want to stay here with him.
Part of her yelled she is a fool because others were not capable of truly caring or loving her.
It was sad to think that maybe you are meant to be alone forever.
It was sweet of him to offer and when he said "Dont leave" she almost even believed him enough to stay.
"Lets be honest what do I have to offer you all here? Nothing, I have no skills. I am not one to thrive in social situations. I would only weigh you down as I have since I met you."
The stag was irritated in the mares decision to leave, Jedi has been with here since he found her battered and mangled half dead. He never expected her to leave the kingdom, he has grown to know the mare and enjoyed her company. He listened as the mare said she was of no use to the kingdom. He shook his head in disbelief, he believe the mare could be useful. She could watch the foals while the other ventured off. There was always a position for others. The mare may be emotionally scarred but she could over come it. He could see the mare as a care taker of the herd, for the foals at least. They are easier to handle, they don't fuss as much.
"Lillex, please don't leave. You haven't even seen the Kingdom in all its beauty. You will love the Falls, and we can always use an extra body regardless what you have to offer." he gave a last attempt to keep the mare in the Falls, he could not see another kingdom taking her in and treating her how she should be.
The mare asked him why she wanted him to stay, he did not know what she wanted him to say. He was not interested in courting her, she was clearly not in the right mind to have a foal. He would not beg her to stay, if it was her wishes to depart the Falls than he would let her.
"Lillex, the Falls can always benefit with you being around. There will always be something you can do around here." the truth seeped from his mouth. The mare could always have a job in the Falls, even if it was to watch the foals while the others went off. Alas he hesitated to finish his sentence "And....I have grown to enjoy your company" he said it. He had not intentions of courting, but he had cared for this mare while she was healing and over the time he has grown to enjoy her company, and it would be odd to not see her every day.
Lillex questioned
herself.
Anytime she was alone
the flash backs start.
It goes dark.
There is a snarl
ripping
tearing
aching
bleeding
flesh.
What did his
words mean?
What did the
awkward way
she felt mean?
(the awkward
way he made her
feel)
It was like
she had
swallowed a
bunch of butterflies.
Her stomach
a flutter.
"Honestly I
have nowhere
to go. If it means
that much to you
I suppose I could
stay here a bit longer
until I figure out
what I am going
to do with my
broken self anyway."
The stag grew a smile as Lillex agreed to stay at the Falls. It was such a beautiful kingdom, the best option for sure. It would be odd to meet Lillex again as another Kingdoms member. "I'm glad to here you will be staying?" he gave a nicker and turned around trotting back towards the heart of the Falls. He stopped looking behind him to Lillex "The kingdom has really grown since you last interacted, there is always a horse around!" he knew this would be stressful to be around so many horses, but it could grow to be calming as most of the horses were friendly that he encountered. She could gain a friend other than Jedi if she chose too open up to them.
