Rouge

Pain, loss, confusion - these were nothing new to the russet stallion. He knew them too well, felt the uncertainty of Death and the apprehension for rebirth. The tears that flow so restlessly down the alabaster mare's cheeks are all too familiar - she's been brought somewhere strange, expected by Death to acclimate to something new - it seemed cruel and unusual now, as he watches the mare pitifully cry. He remembers his first resurrection, the hesitancy and distress he felt as he walked through the Veil to find himself alone against a hazy shoreline. Rouge remembered how it felt to see a face within the fog; it was comforting to know you weren't alone.

 It didn't seem fair that someone who seemed so innocent be ripped from everything they knew, and he grows a bit angry at the thought. Although it was too late, he silently cursed whatever Fate decided the ivory mare should end up here, alone. Empathetic blue eyes stare into her honey-dipped irises, watching as they linger on his face for awhile. Rouge feels his chest tighten, his heart begin to ache for the terrified femme before him. He bends his neck down slightly, as if to say "I mean no harm."

Finally, she manages to speak. The words are broken and scarred, as she struggles to release them from her lips. Only then does she decide to rise, wobbling like a newborn as she tried to steady herself. Rou raises his brow slightly (it wasn't everyday that he saw a grown mare wrestle with her own legs), but decides to go closer to help her regain her balance. "Where did you come from? You can hardly stand," He observes, standing strong against her pale shoulder so she can attempt to move without the fear of a fall. He glances over at her, acknowledging the faint cerulean dots that grace her undereye - so simple and delicate, yet so beautiful - and then looks away before she can notice.

Rouge

There is little he can say as he watches forlorn tears flow down the delicate curve of her face, staining the virgin snow of her cheeks with salty brine. He wants to look away, to shield his cerulean eyes from this display of sorrow but he cannot pull his gaze from her amber irises. How they stare so profoundly into his soul is enough to make his chest tighten; this gut wrenching show feeling all to familiar. 

How he wants to take the pain away from this stranger, to bare the brunt of her emotion, to let it lay on his shoulders and weigh him down. Why, for such a peculiar creature as she? Was it simply because he knew in his heart she could not protect herself, especially with the creatures that lurked in the deepest corners of Novus? Or was it more complex than that - was it because he saw himself in those confused golden pools, another victim in Death's cruel game?

She thanks him, and he nods solemnly. "I'm not from here, either," He admits to her, watching her closely as she finds balance. A leathery wing spreads out over her, a blanket of security for the uncertain mare. "I'm Rouge." He tells her, finally removing his wing and tucking it back to his side. He stare intently upon her, letting her speak her peace. No She had said to herself, just loud enough for the russet stallion to hear. He tilts his head curiously, but brushes it off for the time being. 

"You could say I've had many lives, too," Rouge says, taking in that look of longing in her eyes. What could he say to comfort her? It seems almost silly to try.

But he will...he always tries. "It will be okay..." His voice trails, and he wishes he could grab the words as they leave his lips. For who is he to guarantee things would be okay? "...I, I will help you, if you so wish. I live in Delumine, just north of here, in the kingdom of Dawn. You're not alone now, I can take you there if you desire." He says in a comforting tone, continuing to stare at her. He hopes she will accept his offer, he hopes he can assist her. 

He was a born protector, after all.

Rouge

Equines are not solitary creatures by nature. This fact is not lost on Rouge, considering the entirety of his lives he had been one. To seek out relationships, however distant they may be, was only natural - horses, himself included, needed protection, compassion, but most importantly love. Standing there before the mare, he can see that maybe she had spent too long alone - frightened, agitated, he feels her tense bodice against the bulk of his skin. She takes in a prolonged breath, as if an unknown force holds their hand against her airway - as if she's drowning in her own sadness. 

Before he has a chance to ask her if she was okay, she is responding to him. "You have?" She manages to ask tremulously, and Rou nods his head. "You don't have to be afraid...I understand your pain." And he did - wholeheartedly he felt every bit of her sorrow and distress, for he too had lived it many times. 

When she accepts his offer to bring her back home, the stallion smiles. She tells him she needs his help, and then gives her name. 

Reckitt. Her voice saying her name, soft and sweet, replays in his mind. He bows her head to her, glances up through cerulean eyes and grins. "A pleasure to meet you, Reckitt," He says. Before he can say another word she is eagerly asking questions about him. He lets out a warm chuckle, and nods to affirm.  "I used to be a leader, long ago. I'd do anything for those I care about." Rouge lets the words settle, resonate with her for a moment. He looks down to his hooves, swallowing as memories wash over him, nostalgia chilling him to his bone. He'd only been in Novus a short time, but already he felt he was doing right by his own intentions...but he can't say it doesn't hurt, having no closure in any other life. 

These thoughts fade as he hears her hushed whisper. "I am no horse..." She says almost secretly, as if she is ashamed of it. To this, Rou tilts his head - how could she not be a horse, if she is standing right there before him as one? Rouge is hardly one to judge, though - he knows the things Death is capable of - so he gives her a friendly nudge. "I suppose I'll have to teach you to be one, then." He says tenderly, gesturing for her to come forward. "Come. We can talk about some things on our way to Dawn..." He looks deep into her haunting amber eyes, stares at her virgin ivory, and then carefully drapes his wing over her once more. "You're safe now Reckitt." 

Rouge

There was never a shortage of lives to be lived.

He realized this long ago, on the last deathbed he found himself on, before he had made an appearance in Novus. It was comforting, at least, to know He could carry Rouge onto the next life - that after that black veil brought itself over his eyes, Rouge would find himself somewhere new; a fresh start, to put it simply. This wasn't without sacrifice though. This did not come without pain or uncertainty or anger. For why must he continue to rebuild, to take the weight of his nostalgia and create something new? Which was scarier - to be reborn or waste away in cold oblivion? 

He listens to her, how her bitter voice bites for something, some remnant of hope that maybe this was all a dream. "...had I been given a choice." Ah, but what was a choice to Death? They had no control over how He decided to handle them - should Rouge tell her she was lucky for this chance at all?

He doesn't...not now anyways. He figures she will figure it out on her own time, and with his wing still draped protectively across her back, he leads her home. Delumine, he hopes, will give her some solace in such a terrifying time. When she asks him what safe is, he sighs.  "Safe is just a feeling. I couldn't tell you if we are ever truly safe from the evils of this world," Rou replies, glancing over to her, watching how she stares longingly at her own reflection. As though if she had any choice, she'd be back to where she came from...unfortunately, he knew that wasn't how it worked. She apologizes almost immediately, to which Rouge smiles.  "It is surely alright...this is all an adjustment. I hope I can help you feel safe, though." He says, moving away from the river and traveling east towards Delumine. 

"...I have to be a horse, whether I choose to or not." To this, Rou can only nod. He's never been out of his own equine body before, so while he feels the innate sadness of her tone, this isn't something he feels comfortable commenting on. Instead, in an attempt to give her some sort of respite, he pulls her closer with his wing. Was this what she needed, a shoulder to cry on?

"With the body you reside in now, I doubt you will have much issue with the equines," He says, sighing. "As for your own...I'd be cautious. I assume you come from a land of peace among horses and wolves...not every place is so loving." He knows this will strike her heart, but who is he to lie? He only hopes he can help her find peace within herself here...

He couldn't be blamed for hoping.