"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 had been too long since he had been visible in the kingdom. Since the last meeting no doubt and he knew another would be lingering on the horizon as the magic of his scars and the magic of the land was ripped away. He would be there like he had been before. Although perhaps this time he should work a little harder at being a productive member of his home than just an observer. Just the thought of it made him a littler wearier than he had been before. A weight that settles over his shoulders as the possibilities of more duties becomes a possible future.
Ah well, such was life. He shakes it off, moves through the more visible parts of the kingdom with his wings at his sides. He probably should find Offspring, have a nice chat with him. Or he could find Brynmor and his daughter. Or...just someone new. He could do all of that, even perhaps just let them come to him.
Yeah that sounded better.
So he finds a small pond that was frozen over and proceeds to thump his hooves against the ice until he breaks open a small shallow part. He drinks in with a thirst he hadn't realize he had. Once he is done he sighs, water dripping from his chin as he takes a long look around for who ever might be around and want to chat.
07-27-2016, 07:24 PM (This post was last modified: 07-29-2016, 12:43 PM by Xylo.)
Death And All His Friends
Xylo wasn't entirely sure what led him to the Tundra. Perhaps it was the distinctive, yet varying smell of many equines. He wasn't exactly looking for friends, but no matter how much he wished he could find comfort in being alone, he hated feeling lonely. He hadn't felt right since he'd lost her- since he'd lost them. But the mere presence of others, although often awkward on his part, made the dappled stallion feel better. To an extent that it.
He would hardly heard the small, soft sound over the crunch of his heavy hooves on the hardening, dead earth. Yet somehow his ears picked it up and swiveled in the direction from which it came. He followed it, his pace slow and rather unconcerned. It was not curiosity that drove him. Perhaps it was the mere hope that somehow, someway, the sounds could belong to her. He knew it was foolish and impossible, yet Xylo still clung to childlike hope.
Of course, he was wrong. Xylo stumbled upon a creature drinking with immense thirst, and the stallion questioned when the last time he'd enjoyed a drink was. Or a meal, for that matter. He hardly took care of himself. Luckily, his drafty build hide and sign of ribs jutting through his skin...at least he thought. He sighed gently, announcing his presence to the stranger and then dropping his head slightly in a nod. The male was taller than he was in frame, but Xylo had stature on his side. Not that he expected a fight, but he had very willingly wondered into someone else's home. Maybe he should find out who's.
"Xylo." He stated his name simply, smiling as genuinely as one with a heavy heart can muster. "Who are you? And better yet...Where have I found myself?"
Xylo
This is, I have some Xylo muse but also am rushing to go out and get drinks (:
The once-upon-a-king can see the stallion approach long before he actually gets to him. Perks of living in a mostly flat land. Also of having watched the borders for more years than he can count. He watches with a curious eye and nods in return when the other male offers a quiet greeting. An eye glances over the stallion, seeing his ribs stick from his skin and his dull coat. He doesn't miss the glance that the other stallion gives to his body either. His was filled out, thick with the fluff of winter coats and his wings. Well mostly filled out, the winters in the Tundra could be hard. This was hadn't been too much, even if the snow was taller than he was in some spots.
"Hello Xylo." He says in response and nods again slightly with a smile. "I am Ianto." A shift of his weight and a glance across his home. "You've found yourself in the Tundra. Once a Bachelor Kingdom, we now welcome both males and females." A pause, a critical eye taking him in. "You'll have to bulk yourself up a little to make it through the winters here. Good news is Winter is on it's way out." He looks towards the snow that was slushy and starting to get muddy. The nights weren't as cold and the days were a tad warmer when the sun was out.
"But you are more than welcome to stay and make a name for yourself. It's a good time. Lots of new recruits and all kinds of news to get caught up on." And then the stallion quiets, waiting to see what his reply would be.
07-30-2016, 11:21 PM (This post was last modified: 07-30-2016, 11:22 PM by Xylo.)
Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends
Xylo felt only slightly strange about stumbling into this new land. He had been wandering alone for so long, it was almost pleasant to hear the voice of another. His face visibly twitched at this Ianto's statement about him bulking up. He'd almost forgotten just how sunken in to the bones his skin was, how hollowed out his previously vibrant eyes appeared. He could not help but wonder how he would ever motivate himself to be the stallion he'd been before. Hell, he wondered if there was anyway he ever could.
The words 'bachelor kingdom' stuck in Xylo's mind for a moment. He could not imagine living with only other men. Not that he wouldn't get along with them, he could get along with most people. He could not imagine that much testosterone all the time though. Surely it occasionally got messy. The introduction of females was interesting though. Xylo had never much liked herd life. The thought of being responsible for the lives and providing a sound home for a string of females terrified him. When he cared for something, he poured his all into it. But he was not equipped to lead a herd. Leading by heart instead of head had gotten him in too much trouble. But a home where he was not solely responsible for the well-being of others? That didn't sound terrible.
Besides, he knew he needed to get himself back out there. It was tragic and unnecessary the amount of time he had spent alone. And it was growing on him. He didn't realize it yet, but deep inside he was yearning for companionship, to be able to hold a formal or genuine conversation again without every word feeling as if it was a task. He thrived best with purpose, but losing his had been the most earth-shattering thing to ever happen to him.
"I think I might stay a while....If that's okay?" The words escaping his mouth catching the stallion himself off guard.
