One push.
Two.
Three and the stranger is up and away from the river's embrace. Mateo follows shortly and quickly shakes himself dry like a dog, which is to say with more drama than necessary for some wet feathers and legs. "You're welcome," the young stallion says graciously, although he did not miss the stranger's shortness.
When the man asks about a place called Novus, Mateo laughs in surprised delight. "Well it's your lucky evening," he says brightly, the smile on his face freezing as he recalls that the man had very nearly fallen into the river just moments ago. "Except for, you know, the incident we just had, which I'm very sorry about." He moves onward quickly. "You're standing in Novus. Specifically, the fine kingdom of Delumine, home of the Dawn Court." He bows extravagantly, extending his great wings with a grace that is lost to the darkness of the night. "I'm Mateo, scholar and songwriter."
The black straightens and peers at the stranger. The man is tall (aren't they all though?) and has a strange silvery sheen in the moonlight. Through the thick darkness Mateo does not notice the man's scars or the runes along his neck or even the strange whiteness of his eyes-- it is all for the best, though. The man just survived a possibly fatal swim in the Rapax, it would be a shame to so quickly drown in Mateo's questions.
"You must be tired from your travels? Come along, we'll find you a warm room and a good meal at the court proper." He confidently leads the way, damp wings tucked close to keep the chill night at bay. When he's certain the grey stallion is following, he unleashes the question he's been waiting to ask. "So what's your story?" It isn't every day that a traveller shows up in search of the very land he stands upon.
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@Grey Oh I love him <3
