[open] shadows fall over my heart;

[cringe]

how to be a monster:
1. learn the taste of dirt and pain.
2. teach it to others till your knuckles bleed.
3. see if that makes it easier to breathe.

Her fright at his words is palpable, and a part of him jumps at it. She is a skittish thing, and he wonders how fast she is. He could be crude, could set upon her with nothing more than the bludgeoning weapons of hooves and teeth, yet –
Yet he is not so polished in those. He is no fighter, he prefers his battles to be made with his advantages – with them disarmed by fear and welcoming his hungry mind.
She gives her name, and then -
Before he can sup too fully on her fear another thing emerges – from the river, now – and it’s more monster than mare, and he is curious but also bothered, because she had been his prey first, couldn’t she see that?
But then, what respect do monsters have for boundaries?

His breath exhales in a sharp huff, meant for the kelpie’s ears, and then he is smoothed again, looking back at the girl.
“Cineres,” he says, and he does his best to make his voice soothing, make it something sweet she might want to follow, “you don’t have to go home. Not if you don’t want to.”
“This place,” he says, nodding to the expanse of the river, but meaning more, meaning all around them, “is quite full of monsters.”
She is close enough to touch. He considers it, but does not do so – not yet. There will be time enough for that, he thinks, or hopes, although there’s still the kelpie to consider.
“Where did you come from, Cineres?”
Her name, again. As if they are friends.

cringe

@[Nilam] @[Cineres]