that's all there is; Castile

[Castile]

and underneath the layers, I find myself asking what's left
a hollowed out form, the skeleton of a ghost, the pitiful echo of what once was

Time. It’s all he has and yet impatience claws at him now more than ever. It’s a need to know, a want for awareness, that bleeds through his thoughts and forces him to periodically stare toward the Pampas. The days come and go, each bringing a new wave of anticipation until finally, he sees the strawberry roan exhaustedly glide into the waiting arms of Loess. A smile crawls across his lips as he turns and moves toward her, gaining momentum every few heartbeats until she meets him as well, greeting him in her sweet, delicate voice.

”Noah,” he murmurs her name deeply as his mismatched eyes skim across her, taking note of any and all injuries before he can bring himself to search her face. There is a smile, an expression of happiness and pride, that surfaces through her fatigue and brightens the space between them. Such a seemingly meek girl, Castile is surprised but thrilled for the verdict the second it slips from her tongue.

A broad grin stretches across his lips and Castile’s eyes widen with an excitement so rarely seen. ”Congratulations!” He is leery about anyone else taking hold of the Pampas, his heart having learned to trust Noah and her ability to guide the quiet herdland into safety. ”Truly, I’m proud of you.” He reaches forward and bumps her gently along the soft arch of her neck, pulling away slowly only when she presents him her uncertainties. ”You celebrate,” he chuckles at first, light-hearted in nature as he reflects on his first victorious battle. ”The herd remains yours. You can do as you wish with it,” and although the herd is a very quiet corner of Beqanna, at least it is loyal. What, he cannot help to wonder as she peers up at him, is drifting across her thoughts as the adrenaline recedes and her injuries begin to ache?

castile