[mature] bro, i'm straight up not having a good time

[Tarian]

Tarian remembers everything in his life with unusual clarity: precisely, and like the silver stallion, predictably.

There is never a moment out of place. They do not get lost or jumbled against the currents of time. They stay perfectly in place, reminding Tarian of everything he has lost and everything he could have been. He can recall multitudes of moments when he had been the heir of Paraiso. He can recall the lessons: the sparring and the histories of previous battles, learning about the tactics that had won wars and cost lives. There had been lessons of healing and the herbs that grew in their ancient valley, of how the inhabitants had learned to cultivate them over the years: leafy basil was good for easing unsettled stomachs (especially in pregnant mares), needle-like rosemary could be applied to wounds to prevent infection, pale-petaled chamomile was best for lulling anxious minds to sleep.

And then there had been the lessons with Aunt Cherish.

Etiquette lessons.

Those lessons had helped him with Lady Oceane, because it had been easy to remember court manners and protocols, thanks to his paternal aunt. They had served him well when he was a captive in Pangea; Tarian had opted to use his word and his honor during his stay there instead of attempting to rip their throats out.

They are not with him now as he scowls through the dark. He is too on-edge (though who can relax with things that would swallow you whole roaming the dark?) and his wide wings remain partially flared, a warning to whoever (or whatever) is nearby. It hovers - and morphs - into the shadowy berth of a tree. Tarian glowers at the thing - a stallion - that growls through the dark.

"With pleasure," the other pegasus growls back (manners be damned).

He spreads his wings to their full span, ready to take off and he almost does. Until a light comes from the darkness. A pair of glowing, yellow eyes that track his movements. That flick towards the direction of the other pegasus and a chittering sound comes from it's... mouth? (or lack of one, Tarian can't find any definitive features on the creature). The silver stallion pauses, knowing that he has long enough to either take-off or warn the bastard in the dark.

"Shit," he curses aloud, distracting the monster momentarily as it approaches. Hopefully, that's enough for the other stallion before they both become chew toys for whatever it is manifesting before them.

@[Ashhal]