Always on the move, Valerian set his eyes on the spiny teeth of mountains inhabiting Novus. Something to get lost in, to delve in fully – mentally, spiritually, physically as each precipice defied the heavens. He would never admit truthfully to his nomadic tendencies, that it was his wings that ached to keep him moving rather than his limbs. That it was truly an ingrained sense of wanderlust, that existed fervently in each person. To be without this sense, this desire – meant like something of a death to Valerian. Who, hardly satisfied with a sedentary life style, could not envision a life confined to one familiar space. Unbroken, untested and ultimately chained to the rudimentary.
 
It was with a heavy, beating heart that he dove further into the winding paths. The trails became necessary to travel by, when the weather did not cooperate. Which it hardly did between mountains – how Valerian knew, and respected the giants that rested within Novus’ heart. The wind could not escape their twisting knife-edges, nor the rhythm of trapped and lost humidity. “Aye, but what a prickly heart you have,” he mumbled with a huff. “Calloused and… rough, unforgiving… son of a –,” he held his tongue between his teeth. Shivering, when a light breeze ruffled past his wet, sweaty sides. Superstitions set aside, Valerian did not want to evoke the fates upon him.
 
In the distance a fleet of plumed clouds sailed against him. Tall, bodacious, churning as the air filled with the scent of dust and nearly prickled against his skin. Charging the air with forewarning to those who traversed throughout the mountain’s sides. The high sun dull as the clouds moved closer.  
 
While a jolt of trepidation furrowed his brow, a likewise smile crawled defiantly along his lips. Taking the challenge, he picked up his pace and unfurled his wings to test the airs around him. Time was on the horizon, slipping away as the encroaching storm buckled forward. Though the winds were hardly cooperative the further he pulled up. Each swoon and push became more unpredictable than the next. His eye sought a means for shelter along the road. And just as he was about to give up, Valerian spotted a ledge carved out from one of the sides. Housed by a small patch of conifers, gnarled and beaten, Valerian made his unsteady descent against its edges. The path remained at his left side, as he made purchase of the ground with his hooves. Nearly loosing his footing he stumbled forward. His wings beating to compensate for the loss of traction.

Valerian cursed underneath his breath. He crooked his head back to the left, eyeing the fringes of the rock ledge that crumbled beneath his hind hooves.

While the air whistled about him, growing stronger and steadier with time.

He only realizes the stranger moments after he’s found his feet. Where his hooves can safely purchase the ground, and whilst he surveys the small outcropping with his one good eye. “Oh,” his voice is low. Too low and soft to be of any use between the spaces that surround them; it does however, leave the stallion’s lips ajar. Just a smidge, as Valerian folds his wings against his body and turns to face the fellow traveler with an unwavering smile. Erasing the small moment of hesitancy, and surprise that clearly ignores the disheveled appearance ahead of him. Or the piercing blue eyes that cast themselves into the encroaching storm.  

“Sure! If not, we’ll make do. Yeah?” He calls out above the wind with a hearty breath, and faces the sky with a quickly beating heart. A grin curls at the edges of his dark lips, as the fear in his gut is mistaken for excitement. And the passionate wind beating against his frame, jostling his locks whichever way, remind him of flight.

But his gaze does not linger long, twisting his head back to the slim stallion. “Come!” He moves himself further in and between the conifers. Their bark brushing harshly against his sides, chafing, as the ledge offered limited space. Valerian settles in what appears to be the area of maximum shelter offered by the foliage. The wind is still able to rattle their limbs, and push itself through now and then in waves. Loose, dehydrated needles filter down from the limbs that housed them.

Valerian turned himself around in anticipation of the stranger following inwards. While he hadn’t taken a very long look at him, the first thing that came to his lips was, “You okay?” Tilting his head just so in curious nature. Ears drawn forward, intermittently twitching here and there as the storm began its descent. Naturally his left eye searched his body for any wounds. Leading his head to point slightly right. The right eye was all but useless. Serving its purpose as a good icebreaker, or a tale of woven lies – depending on his mood. The scar that ran down on that side often proved more intriguing.

At least now they could talk without the wind completely silencing their voices.

Though their proximity is close, the stallion is rather familiar with it. His sense of personal space is condemned by his upbringing. And perhaps the stranger’s presence brings about a fleeting sense of warmth, when the nostalgia settles in. Of late, cool nights and warm bodies staving off the cold. Laughs and late night philosophies bouncing and dancing between the smoldering coals, all but vanish as the howling wind reminds him of the present. 
 
The pearly stranger appears aloof at first, lost before it hits him. And Valerian can’t help himself but chuckle alongside the stranger. “Aye, if you say so.” Better safe than sorry later, and as far as he could tell the stallion did not harbor any scrapes or bruises. No cuts that have pierced through thin skin. It baffled him briefly that his companion had trekked this far into the mountains. Alas he could not admit where exactly this fellow originated from, or where his natural environment took residence. Though he had never seen a coat like his, even dulled by the grit and earth, it seemed to glow when hit with the right amount of angle and light. Intrigue embedded a lopsided smile against his mouth.
 
“Sure. It’s a mighty risk, but… There wasn’t any shelter along the road I was following then. So I took the chance. Hell of a fight, too. It was rather refreshing,” he teased with a laugh. “A pleasure Vadim. I go by No-name.” An impromptu bow allows Valerian to dip his head just so – given the amount of space. He forgets that the inhabitants of Novus are assigned to their courts, their ideals and histories that flutter vicariously above Valerian’s head. Too new and magical to have imprinted themselves against his heart, mere concepts and ideologies will have to play out for a far longer course.
 
“What brings you to Novus’ spiny heart, fair Vadim? Despite the predicament we find ourselves in, I’ve heard the stars are the brightest here at night.” He had always wondered if the stars could be captured. Held, if just for a moment to gleam what mysteries they held from the rest of the world. Or perhaps they were too pure for mortal hands, too far and distant – safely tucked away into the places no mortal dared to reach.