He brings the mug of coffee to his lips, sipping it lightly as he relishes the flavor. He had once been an individual who liked all things as they should be; where a horse only ate grass and drank water. Novus had changed him over the years, though. No longer did he sleep beneath the stars but in the quietness of a shack. His body would lay in a bed of straw, kept warm by a fire that flickered in a fireplace. And to think that now he enjoyed the flavors of Novus! Coffee and danishes were amongst his favorites, though his pallet had been growing each day.

As she comes to stand beside him, he swallows the last sip  of his coffee before tucking the mug back in the satchel that hands loosely along his shoulder. He nods quietly at her comment of this place’s beauty, finally turning so that he may lay his eyes on her. He’s seen her before, though he doesn’t recall a formal meeting. He offers her a welcoming smile, one that tells her he is not upset that she has come to stand beside him.

He sighs, his chest heaving with breath that creates a smoke. He listens thoughtfully to her words and it brings a smile to his lips. "I could die a happy man to only be able to see this view." This had always been a favorite place of his. It was a place to feel his connection to Brighton, to feel as if he was meant to be in this world. It was his place of idle conversation that seemed to hold the most meaning. This was the place where he had made so many friends – Atlas, Erd, Ard, and Asterion. So many pleasant memories clung to this very spot on the cliffs.

He turns to look at the tree just beside him, that he had planted and raised. The tree clings to the rocks in an unearthly manner. It was Rhone who had given its roots the ability to hold tight to the rock and sandstone. It was Rhone who had breathed life into it and it was Rhone who made it blossom now. This tree was growing each and every day and seemed to defeat the odds. Each morning Rhone would encourage it to grow taller, to produce life. He was happy with this tree.

He turns back to the mare now, his eyes scanning her and then giving her a proper welcoming greeting. "I come here each and every morning. I’m surprised our paths have not crossed as of yet." He is an old man, however. It is possible he just cannot remember the meeting. Blame his aging mind. But despite his age, his joints do not ache like most. Instead of walking the path of life towards death, Rhone feels as though he has so much more life to live.

@Mephisto

Routine. It seemed as though Rhone had always been a creature of habit, always enjoying the simplicity of doing the same thing each and every day. He always knew where his day would start and where it would end. Some found this life boring, but as of late, Rhone found it soothing. His life had been so unpredictable and often stressful at times. There was something relaxing about not having to worry about where his next meal would be, if he would be a good king or a bad, or if his children loved or hated him. Right now, he could simply survive and it was enough for him. Perhaps it would lose its luster, but for now, Rhone would take the peace and tranquility that his routine offered him.

When she states that she is rarely a creature of routine, especially in this day and age, Rhone offers her a soft chuckle. He knows that feeling. He knows that life all too well. "I did not used to be a creature of habit. But after many years, the unpredictability got to me. There’s something comforting in a much slower, more predictable lifestyle." Would he go back in time to an era where unpredictability ruled his every thought and motion? Yes. He regretted many things in his life and there were so many things he wished he could change. He wished he was a better lover. He wished he was a better father. He wished he had been a better king. If he had to trade in this tranquil life for a second chance, he would do so in a heart beat.

Mephisto. He had heard of her before, if only by means of others. It was nice to be able to put a face to a name and he made sure to align the two, locking them away deep within his mind for safe keeping. He would not forget her so long as his mind remained intact. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mephisto. I am Rhone." Many knew of who he was, but he was really no one important. He was not a soldier like she was, although he had once been a soldier. He lacked the appendages the Halcyon army required, and so he hung up his sword in favor of a more diplomatic approach.

As she speaks of the sunset, he nods his head in understanding. He had seen the sunset over Terrastella before, but he didn’t think he had ever seen it from this vantage point. "I will make sure to enjoy it here from time to time." He supposed he could spare the time to make the trek up here. Where else did he really have to be? Nowhere. He was required to be nowhere nor was his required to be in anyone’s presence. Yes, he would make sure to visit a few sunsets.

And then she is asking him how long he’s been here in Terrastella. He wasn’t sure he really knew exactly how long. Perhaps it had been one winter or three, not that he was really keeping track. "Three or so years, I believe. I don’t really keep track anymore." He had come shortly after the floods, whenever they had decimated the court. "I came shortly after Terrastella was reopened following the floods. I helped to plan the grass and trees and flowers." His affinity for earth had come in handy more than he could have ever imagined. It was in that moment that he thanked Brighton for his gifts. He had been able to help his court rebuild following devastation. "And you?" Had she been here as long as he? Longer? Shorter? It was a curious question and he made sure that his eyes were on her fully, giving her his full attention. It wasn’t nice to be rude, now was it?

@Mephisto

The floods that had ravaged Terrastella had been a hard and trying time for the court. It had ruined the lives of some of the court’s greatest inhabitants. It had ruined the beautiful greenery that now flourished. The floods had destroyed so much and yet, somehow, they opened the door to new life and new growth. From the ashes (or rather marshes) came a beautiful court that only seemed to grow more beautiful by the day.

Rhone nodded his head softly to her silent question, affirming that there were indeed floods. He had not been there to experience them when they came, but he had ventured into Delumine’s library and read the chronicles. They sounded horrific and Rhone was a little ashamed to admit that he was thankful he had missed the destruction. When he had come to Terrastella he had been in a dark place emotionally. He was unsure if he would have had the strength to endure such hardship.

She wants him to tell her of the floods, but Rhone feels as though he is an inadequate story teller. And yet, he chooses to tell her what he does know, after all, it is important to tell stories and educate. "According to the archives, the whole court was driven underwater. The court had to temporarily relocate to Denocte. Perhaps that is why the bond between Terrastella and Denocte has been so strong. I’m afraid I don’t know many details, only what was written down during those dark days." Rhone had come just as the boarders had been reopened. He had been one of the first to enter and help to rebuild. Several stayed away until it was more inhabitable, but Rhone had the courage to be first so he could help them rebuild. How better to build trust with the court than to help the court rebuild?

He listens to her own tale of trying to pinpoint when she had come to Terrestella. She too had come after the floods and for that he was thankful. At least she was able to enjoy the beauty of the court from the moment she arrived.

The conversation naturally turns from the destruction of the floods to the plants around them. He looks at her, watching the way the earth reacts to his magic. The way the grass reaches for him, the way the flowers bloom in his presence. It makes him smile and his heart fill with happiness. The cherry blossom tree upon his right hip begin to bloom, passively telling of his happiness. When she finally speaks, he nods in understanding. "I have always been strangely connected to the earth, even since the day I was born." His earth magic had always been a part of him and it traveled with him to all the words he had called his home. While on Hoof Prince, he had much more magic, Earth had always been his favorite and Brighton would always be the one he worshiped.

As she speaks of her gifts, almost in a way to convince herself that they had purpose, he nods. "Everyone’s gift is beautiful in its own right." Each gift complimented the individual. Some had the gift of battle, winning wars and rescuing prisoners. Some had the gift of foresight, able to stop bad things from happening. Some had the gift of healing, others the gift of knowledge. Each and every gift was beautiful in its own way and each gift deserved to be celebrated. "I’m you’re your gift is no different." His gift made the world physically beautiful, but perhaps hers made the world a better place with regards to how she used her gifts.

@Mephisto

Rhone is nothing but a dear friend. He is friend to everyone, choosing words to uplift rather than to hurt. He wants her to see that he magic is a gift, not a hindrance, but he cannot force her to see it as such. He can tell that she is lost and confused, but he knows that she will go on a journey of understanding. That is a journey only she can go on and there is nothing he can do to make it easier for her. He tells himself that he will say a prayer for her and her growth.

He nods his head at her thanks, knowing that perhaps he had given her more questions than answers. But at least she knew which areas she needed to think about.

She looks to the sky and he knows that look. Duty calls her and he does nothing but let her go. One’s duty to their court is important and while their duties differ completely, each is no less important than the other. "Any time, my friend. I love to share." The libraries had been a place he was growing to love. They offered so much knowledge and wisdom, something Rhone was finding that he craved.

He watches her leave, taking leap into the sky and becoming one with the wind. He watches her leave with a smile about his face, knowing that he has changed her life forever, even if she doesn’t yet realize it. He sighs, watching the sun rise higher in the sky. Today had been a beautiful start to the morning.

And so, with a final glance at the tree he had worked so hard to plant and grow, Rhone turns himself away from the cliff’s edge. Steps take him back towards the court and back towards the bustling life below.

@Mephisto – a closer <3