Helios sees, with surprise, the triumph in the ebon steed’s eyes as though he believed he’d drawn some deep secret from the soldier like poison from a wound. Were the russet stallion the kind to enjoy games he might have felt victory himself at the success of his lie, but it simply nestled coldly in his gut. Such truths were caged solidly within his chest, never to be released. And to whom would he release them? Ba’al retained enough innocence despite their shared pasts that Helios would not taint it with his darkness and there was no one else in the world he considered his friend. The Triskeva were his comrades, associates at best and though he was loyal to them, there were none to whom he’d open up. But perhaps that said more about him than those surrounding him- his mind, his heart, it was all a steel trap.
The man’s statement irks Helios, though his already hardened gaze does not alter. Instead he remains silent until the question follows, the muscle in his cheek feathering as he clenched his jaw. The Black Sun wonders what it is like to have such wealth that you can freely spare it, toss it around as though it were little more than leaves in the wind. Perhaps it was out of uncharacteristic spite, but Helios declined as politely as he could with a shake of his head, despite the burning embers in his eyes.
At the soft whip of the dark steed’s shadowy tail across Helios’ hocks, he breaks the intense gaze and flicks his gaze involuntarily to the man’s tail. The muscles in his legs tense and release as though the touch of the fine hair made Helios jump, slight surprise filtering through his amber gaze despite his frustration. Something stirs in his gut, like the fire that always burned deep beneath his russet fur, an uncomfortable and unfamiliar feeling that he tries to ignore. Thankfully the stallion’s voice (Helios comes to realise neither had given their name yet) draws his attention away from the tingle in his hind legs, where the ghost of a few hairs still seems to trail there. Helios begins to feel out of depth in this little game, smouldering embers of his gaze only just hiding the awkwardness that was beginning to claw its way from his chest (or at least he hoped the spotted steed could not see the unease hidden there. The sudden departure of his body heat and that scent of lavender had Helios feeling oddly bereft but he continues to stare mutely as the panther-esque man assures him he’ll cover the figs and wanders off, promising they’ll meet again. Helios, a little dumbfounded now, can’t decide whether to dread or anticipate their eventual encounter but as his picks a few figs from the tree he does decide that despite what the stallion said, he was still going to make sure the money made his way into his hooves. Helios was anything if not honourable and he did not take pay outs, even if it was for a good cause. Reminded of the entire reason for his being that, Helios turns tail and heads toward where he last saw the street-girl.
@Corradh <3
