He stood beneath the waterfall letting its refreshing waters beat down on his tired back. A thick layer of sand and dust had clung to his flesh. With the passing minutes it slowly let go of its hold, getting caught in the mineral deposits on his skin. He closed his eyes and cherished the moment. The locals had told him of his place, that it was a gift from Solis. He figured it was as good a time as any to see if it had the feeling of this connection.
The lush landscape was an inviting reprieve from the desert sands. Enormous ancient trees casting their shadows across the water. Birds and other wildlife had clearly discovered the oasis as well, mingling and frolicking about. He shifted his weight, hooves clacking on the stone. With the waterfall pelting the stone, the entire place had a sort of rhythm. A calm and ever present order of life. He could see why locals revered it, it was quickly being added to one of his favourite places.
He produced a small pouch from which several small leaves were removed, with his mind he crushed the leaves into a lather. The soaped leaves rubbed against his flesh, easing the itching of his skin and releasing the last of the sand and dirt from his pelt. His long mane was normally contained in tight bands atop his neck. He had let them loose and was washing away the build up of sweat from within. The thick hairs wavy from being contained in the ties. It was a feeling Jarek rarely felt to be entirely sodden but refreshed. To an extent washing away the concerns of the day, relishing in the freedom of the moment.
Icey blue eyes closed with a sigh as the hulking stallion relaxed. He wondered for a moment if Solis himself had ever enjoyed this oasis. How many generations before had stopped and eased their worries, washing them into the oasis?
OOC: Open to everyone and anyone <3
image by:https://giphy.com/Allyouneediswall
05-16-2022, 05:11 AM - This post was last modified: 05-16-2022, 05:11 AM by Jarek
Why was she out here again? The question ghosted through Phoebe's thoughts for a third time as she trekked across the sandy eastern territory, beneath the sweltering rays of the summer sun that shone completely unhindered in the bright blue skies that spanned the entirety of the heavens. The sands below seemed ready to drag her into them, her purple hooves sinking with each new step, while the heat threatened to melt her into it from above, the combined effort making the sunset mare feel tired and gross. Wasn't it enough that she'd had to pass through the mountains to get here, with all its winding trails and precarious paths? Now she had to sweat just from the exertion of walking? No wonder the soldiers out here are stronger...
Ah, yes. That was why she was here. The Day Court's famed soldiers. Word had finally gotten around to her about this widely know, highly talked about army that the desert boasted of--and now that she was here, she understood why. It took a very special sort to call this place home, let alone to train and strengthen oneself beneath the sun and upon these challenging sands. She wasn't sure she could imagine doing that with any regularity--wasn't entirely sure she wanted to--and yet there was some part of her that did. Not because she enjoyed sweating or feeling exhausted or sore after a good workout--in fact, it was all very tiring and uncomfortable, even for days afterward. But it was a step in the right direction for her, further progress toward making herself into the soldier she had always longed to be. It was, to her mind, a necessary evil.
Though maybe she should have enlisted company. It was becoming more difficult to push herself into continuing onward, the constant press of the sunlight whittling away at her resolve. Her head turned and she glanced wistfully over one shoulder toward the mountains behind her, so far away now that they would prove just as challenging on the return trip. Phoebe sighed, almost whined, as she finally stopped and took a second to take stock of what was around her through a tired, disappointed expression. Surely there must have been respite here somewhere? It couldn't all be sand, sand, and more sand, right? The Day Court wouldn't just choose to live in an empty, barren--
There! That wasn't sand. Even at a distance Phoebe could recognize the hard lines of stone, the faint hints of green sprouting from it, and with perked ears and a hopeful heart she stumbled forward through the sand toward it, her gait hurried until she stepped out of the sand and onto sturdy, reliable rock. An audible sigh escaped her as she stood steadily for the first time since arriving in the desert, and though she wanted nothing more than to rest beside the rock face, the sound of tumbling water was a greater temptation. Hooves clicking upon the stone, she walked toward the source, hardly paying attention to the surroundings as she imagined how cool and refreshing the drink from the waters would be.
Reaching the waterfall, Phoebe glanced toward it--and immediately did a double take. She wasn't the only one taking respite here at this rocky oasis. Another already stood in the basin of the waterfall, slicked over completely and surrounded by a sudsy residue from an in-progress bath. He stood out starkly against the sparkling blue water, the pale cream of the stone, a dark void that drew all eyes toward him, though his beautifully cut physique would have been more than enough to catch anyone's attention. It was impossible not to follow the gentle wave of his damp mane, or to admire the planes of his restful face, so at peace and full of contentment. He was absolutely gorgeous, a godlike creature bathing within a small slice of heaven in an otherwise empty world.
...and she was staring. Gods, how long had she been staring? All at once, Phoebe became hyper aware of her surroundings, her own slack-jawed expression, and a surge of nervous energy flew through her. Oh no, what must she have looked like, after scaling the central mountains and then traipsing under the desert sun? A mess, surely! Part of her wanted nothing more than the stone beneath her to swallow her up before the Adonis in the bath realized she was there, but any sort of retreat would surely draw his eye--there was no escape. Struggling for composure, for confidence, Phoebe cleared her throat below her breath and mustered a charming smile, hoping beyond hope to somehow salvage the situation. "Hi," she called out in a chipper greeting, praying she didn't look as gross--or nervous--as she felt, "I'm sorry to interrupt. Um..."
He had been standing beneath the waterfall for some time when the serenity was disrupted by a feminine voice. His ears flicked erect, he shifted forwards slightly moving his head from beneath the water. Piercing icey blue eyes opening to examine the situation before him. His instincts switched first to suspicion then relaxing slightly when he saw the form of a much smaller woman. It didn’t mean she was entirely to be trusted, but her manner and her greeting reassured his nerves slightly.
“Good morning, I am Jarek, a soldier of the day court. You appear to have traveled far, I can see the way the sand is clinging to your skin” he chuckled softly and stepped sideways beneath the waterfall. Not letting his eyes rest on her form for too long. She was muscled and well toned for a mare, but he didn’t want to give the impression that he was being too forward. “Come, cool off, wash off.” he said simply beckoning her to join him beneath the cool water. The waterfall still hit his back, sending dribbles of water cascading down his mineralised hide. He had never met a mare with such markings before, she was unique. Her nervousness endeared her to him more than anything else. He felt his concern almost entirely falling away.
“It is a hard journey here, you have earnt a well deserved rest here in the Oasis.” he added gently, his tones were soft but his voice was gravelly. “You’ll see, the sand slides right off under the water and the cool against your skin will make you feel alot better”. She was beautiful, and lavender hued. He had not expected for someone such as her to find him here. Perhaps it was that even though quite different, her colours reminded him of the mare the Veil nebula. That the way her sweat clung to her form, showed him she had trekked some distance to arrive here. That she was capable of exerting herself. He wondered what her role in her day to day life was.
There was a way where suffering was a great equalizer. Each man and woman in a similar fashion would find solace within the oasis. He felt like this place was surely a gift from Solis. He was careful in his mind not to allocate too many thoughts of fate to any one meeting. Or too much of an assumption of what was supposed to happen in life. He had learnt the hard way of what happened when such a rabbit hole was entirely consuming. He had shaken himself free from the devils of his past to find himself in Novus. In this beautiful Oasis, with this divine looking woman before him. The marks upon hermade his mind wonder if she was a creature of the night or a creature of daylight. Surely it meant something that a mare with these markings arrived to meet him in such a location? “What name do you go by traveler?” he asked softly, his ears perked with interest.
OOC: <3
image by:https://giphy.com/Allyouneediswall
05-17-2022, 09:54 AM - This post was last modified: 05-17-2022, 09:55 AM by Jarek
There was the briefest moment of concern, worry, for herself as the stallion reacted at last to her presence, an initial indication of defensiveness appropriate for someone dealing with a trespasser. Apparently he hadn't heard her walk up, as she'd guessed, but whatever he saw in her seemed to cool much of that rising fire. Though it did make Phoebe wonder yet again how she must have looked to his eyes, and she had to consciously stop her new telekinetic gift from fidgeting with her mane as she wanted to do in an effort to smooth it down--undoubtedly he would see that and she didn't want any preening to be visible. There was no further hope for her appearance anyway.
Her magenta eyes lit up for a second as the beautiful stallion introduced himself--Jarek--as a soldier, one of the famed warriors she had been hoping to see--though the excitement was immediately stifled and smothered as he commented upon her journey being visible in her appearance. A little piece of her wilted inside--Oh no, it is obvious!--but froze, surprised, when he scooted aside to make room for her in the pool beside him. Phoebe stared, gawked, at the godlike figure, still glistening under the waterfall, a picture of temptation and beauty. And he was looking at her, expectantly, with eyes even more dazzling than the pool he stood in. He was waiting for her.
She wasn't aware her breath had caught until she took in another to follow it, and again she cleared her throat, regained her smile, and dipped her head in polite gratitude. "Thanks," she muttered, unsure how to else to respond as she stepped forward into the pool, careful not to slip on the slick stone, and began to dip herself into the waters. It was only as she did so that she realized just how large the stallion was, easily head and shoulders above her, much like the young winged stallion back home. But they were very different. There was a rugged beauty to this soldier, a strength and power that simply radiated off of him, effortless and beguiling. Now mere feet from him, Phoebe gave up any pretense of hiding her stare.
The sunset mare didn't venture into the waterfall yet--that would bring her so much closer to the stallion than she felt ready for--but instead gave herself time to adjust to the sudden coolness, the brisk relief that immediately overtook her body as she submerged almost entirely up to her back. This section of the pool was clearly better suited to the stallion's much larger frame, but she wasn't about to complain let alone comment on it. "Oh. I'm Phoebe. Of the Dusk Court," she answered with what she hoped was a winning smile, all nerves tucked away behind it. "I'm a soldier too." And suddenly her thoughts turned: what if he thought like her old herd did? What if he believed she, so dainty and fragile beside his toned, muscular physique, was ill-suited to such a line of work, incapable of holding the title?
Subtly, Phoebe lifted her chin, commanding a sense of pride in the little gesture. Well, Adonis or not, if he did think that way, she just needed to prove him wrong. "It's so nice to meet another soldier," she added, the vaguest challenge behind it, daring him to question her standing as an equal--at least in this regard.
“Ah, it is no wonder then that your soul was drawn here like mine was” he said with a soft chuckle. “You know Solis appreciates his soldiers. Or so I am told. I am still learning much about my court, I am new to Novus.” he commented softly, his voice gravely beyond his control. Icey blue eyes continue their fixation on the mare before him.
“It is nice to meet a fellow soldier” he commented in agreement. “Sand is an amazing training tool for muscle growth.” he added thinking out loud. “But it's very important to wash off properly, it gets everywhere” once more he chuckled warmly. She felt easy to be around, his own uneasiness settling further. He hoped that she too would be able to relax and enjoy the soaking the oasis offered.
There was something special about the waters that always seemed to soothe his aches. It went beyond cold water, perhaps it was something to do with the plants that grew here. It occurred to him that perhaps she was not familiar with some of the other plants. He produced some more soap leaves and with telekensis he offered these too her, “If you crush them, they foam up and help you wash.”
He had bathed with other soldiers in the past to unwind and relax. Gender hadn’t really played into the balance. But this felt a little different. He felt drawn to Phoebe the dusk court soldier. It takes all kinds to run an army properly, and each individual would always have a task they were better suited to. In previous fighting Jarek had always found himself close to the front, his large body allowing him to fight off assailants and keep them distracted while more lithe creatures dealt damage directly. Yes, he could see her place in battle and this was something admirable. He wondered if she too could see it?
OOC: <3
image by:https://giphy.com/Allyouneediswall
05-17-2022, 06:57 PM - This post was last modified: 05-17-2022, 06:57 PM by Jarek
Phoebe was ready for it, anticipating it, the slightest little twinge of Jarek's expression to indicate he thought of her as a child playing pretend. Maybe she'd only gotten lucky in Dusk with the validating reception her sovereign and fellow soldier had given her. Maybe it was too much to ask to receive the same response elsewhere. Her strong stubborn streak was ready to refute any claims to contradict her statement, but none came. Instead, the daring look upon Phoebe's face became confused, curious, and then dawned with a belated understanding as the beautiful stallion informed her of the Day Court's patron favoring warriors. That she had every right to be there at the oasis because of it. In the most subtle, easy way possible, just like that of Uzuri and Aeon, Jarek claimed her as his peer...she was a soldier.
She blinked, taken aback by how readily his answer had come, how quickly her defensiveness was eased and swept away like the suds in the basin they stood in. A small spark of pride ignited in her chest--the strapping Day Court soldier accepted her!--and pulled a pleasant, confident smile to her pale muzzle, delighting in the fact she was welcome here. It was almost enough to help her overcome the beauty of her companion--almost. She found her bright eyes drawn to his, so piercingly blue they rivaled the pale sky on a cold winter's day. But there was no coldness there, no frost or ice, but a breathtaking burn that seared straight through her, captivating in their contrast to the rest of him. She couldn't drown in them, no, but...maybe time did freeze in that moment while she admired them.
"Mhm..." The dreamy, quietly assenting murmur hummed from her without much thought, answering a question or phrase she couldn't recall with any clarity. Had he said something about sand? Was he talking about the desert? Maybe she should be paying more attention. It was difficult to though when he took up the whole of her vision, standing so tall and broad beside her that there was so little else to look at--not that she wanted to. The way the light caught the water as it trailed down his mane, his side, was distracting, enough so that she almost missed his attention drifting to a pouch beside the pool and the leaves carried back toward her in offering. Her eyes blinked and a bit of clarity returned, studying the leaves with a slight tilt to her head. "They..? Oh." The suds in the water. That was where they'd come from.
Remembering her own telekinetic gift, Phoebe accepted the leaves with a grateful smile, her gaze once again lingering on the generous Adonis beside her, before she realized the intent. Bathing. With this gorgeous stallion right beside her. She knew she was a mess and definitely needed this--hadn't he already implied as much?--but something about wetting down completely, with him standing just feet away... She was suddenly nervous again. Phoebe laughed, trying to hide it behind a smile, as she scooted little by little into the stream of the waterfall, letting it cascade off her side before scooting again to let it wet the base of her neck and back, the rest of her mane billowing in the water beside her. She held the leaves close, hesitating to put them under the water and into her gritty mane, to actually begin the process, and piped up in a weak attempt at stalling. "How, um...how quickly do they work?"
When he awoke this morning he hadn’t thought he would have found himself in this position. Bathing with a beautiful sunset coloured woman, who appeared to be enjoying his company. It was in a way, soothing. In recent times his attractions had found himself into a world of trouble. That was however, indeed due to his misguided belief in the desert devils. His mind had been given a clarity after the visit with the prophetical mare the veil nebula. It was pleasant to simply enjoy the moment with another soul.
Despite their staggering stature difference there was much they had in common. She clearly cared to better her own abilities in much the same way he did. She was a soldier with a duty, a lifestyle he had always embraced. A lifestyle that was blessed by Solis. Valued and embraced by his new court's priorities. It was a moment that tasted almost too sweet to be true, the ever niggling paranoia tickling at the back of his mind. He pushed this aside almost immediately, he was enjoying himself far too much.
He felt alive and invigorated. It didn’t matter that they had just met, correct? There was in some nature a primal connection that he could feel. He hoped that this wasn’t his mind once more building something to inappropriate heights of obsession. These grooves that were deeply grinded into his brain from his previous experiences, left him emotionally wounded. Vulnerable to his own over-thinking.
The buzz of the insects and the splattering of the water was the only sound around them. The spoken word seemed to hang thick in the air, heavy with weight and intention. He was in no rush to make decisions that he could come to regret. He would simply enjoy the moment with Phoebe. “Well, they work quite fast, even when my hair is terribly tangled.” he said with another soft chuckle.
When he had been a young colt his hair had been wild and unwieldy. The nursemaid's of his fathers court had tied it in tight braids to save the hours of brushing tangles and twigs from his mane and tail. It was a habit that had continued into his adulthood, it was not practical to have hair all over while one was trying to fight. Or well, trying to look rather serious and intimidating. He wondered how it might have been different if he had experienced the ongoing nurturing touch of his mother.
He stood still, letting the mare broach the distance between them. He didn’t want her to feel pursued or chased. This was a setting to relax and simply be. If something more developed from this meeting in the future, well that would be ok too.
“Phoebe, I'm glad you chose to train in the sands today.” he said with a smile, his ears perked and his eyes focused on her. Watching her in the water, watching the way it touched her sides.
Another tinkling laugh escaped her, the vaguest flutter of nervous energy beneath it, as Phoebe stared up at Jarek in wonder. She couldn’t imagine him having a bad hair day—at the moment, his mane appeared smooth as silk even with its gentle wave, glistening under the sunlight as it caught the water in it. He must have taken good care of it in moments like this for there to be no trace of the tangles he implied would form, and the thought made Phoebe admire him more. A stallion who valued beauty as well as duty to a cause. It was no wonder she’d been captivated by him from the second she saw him.
She was still stalling, hesitant and self-conscious about bathing in his presence, and she made herself take her eyes away from the tempting figure beside her, even going so far as to turn slightly away from him so that his image didn’t fill up the entirety of her vision. He didn’t appear to be leaving or distancing himself, nor did he entirely turn his back to her, but there was still a gentleness to his posture, an indirectness to his attention that gave the impression of privacy. Perhaps this was normal for him, bathing with female strangers? It wasn’t altogether a pleasant thought, a sliver of jealousy seeding itself already in Phoebe’s chest, but what did it matter if he’d bathed with anyone else before now? For the moment, the pleasure was hers.
Trying to forget Jarek was there, pretending that she didn’t have an audience, Phoebe closed her eyes and forced herself to focus on the lather of the leaves as they immediately began sudsing up when they touched the water. Her ears flickered curiously as she brought the soap to her mane, her sides, her back, intrigued by the sensation but also relieved. He was right; the soap leaves did make all the difference in clearing away the sand and sweat from her journey there, and even just this little respite was enough to draw a contented sigh from her lips. She took her time, stepping further into the stream from the waterfall as she cleared away the soap and sand and left a feeling of refreshment in its place, a renewal to her being that…would just as quickly go away on the return trip, she imagined. But at least she could bask in the sensation for now.
Phoebe, I’m glad you chose to train in the sands today.
Her bright eyes snapped open and her head swiveled quickly in the stallion’s direction, made aware all over again that she wasn’t alone. She studied his face, the gentle curve of his mouth as he smiled at her, the soothing coolness behind his intent gaze. She wasn’t sure if her skin was tingling from the soap or his look, but she smiled back all the same, beaming from the knowledge her company was so welcome to him. “Me too,” she agreed, silently thanking Vespera and this desert god Solis for her chance meeting with the soldier Jarek. “And thank you for letting me use the leaves. They really do help.” She took a second to admire her own coat and mane, now just as waterlogged as his, little rivulets of it streaming down her body. She rather liked the effect, and happily watched a few of the star-like pinpoints on her sides wink with their own inner light.
She sighed, followed by a little chuckle, as she brought her gaze up to meet his again. “I’m afraid it won’t last all the way home though. That climb over the mountains is a challenge.” But even so, she was grateful. At least this beautiful Adonis of a stallion had been able to see her, even just briefly, in a manner that better showed off her looks than the sweaty mess she’d wandered up wearing. It took her a second to realize she was staring again, still struggling to wrap her mind around the unbelievable scenario she’d wound up in, and Phoebe scrambled to think of something to say to keep her unwavering attention from becoming noticeable and awkward. “If I can ask,” she began, speaking slowly as the question came to her, “did you always want to be a soldier?” She couldn’t imagine someone with his buff, brawny build tackling a different occupation, and what a waste it would have been if he had tried. “I mean, you’re made perfectly for it.”
It was only when the words left her mouth that it registered in her mind how forward the statement could be construed, how direct a comment upon his appearance it was, and combined with her staring, she worried how it may seem. Her smile took on a self-conscious quality, a little nervous as she chuckled yet again. Hopefully he wouldn’t mind the commentary; she couldn’t take it back now.
He didn’t move as he could see she had turned slightly from him. In his eyes between warriors there was little need for modesty, but he could understand that not all had been raised in this manner. It wasn’t their genders that was significant, it was their station. Two soldiers relaxing in the oasis, the electricity of the moments between them didn’t change this. He could hear the slight swishes of the water with her movements and scrubbing.
When she turned back to him in response to his speech he dipped his head slightly, “they are readily available around this oasis, you should take some home with you.” he said, maintaining his soft speech. He was capable of loud bellows and shouting, of deep and hoarse speaking. But it was all unnecessary, he’d rather those he speaks to need to pay attention to the words then get drowned out amongst the loud noises of the world. In this oasis the only sounds were those the horses made and the insects, such projection wasn’t needed.
She commented that the neatness of hair wouldn’t last. He let another chuckle escape his lips at this thought. “Well, I believe I can assist with that as well” as he took a few steady steps towards her, closing the distance with ease at his natural long strides. “When you combine the hair in a manner that it doesn’t freely fly about it is easier to manage. It often also makes it clear to others that you value a practical appearance, and makes it safer when training.”
“Let me show you.” he said softly, with telekinesis reaching to pick up strands of her mane. He combed them, pushing some of the water from the strands. He started to work it into a fine plait. Then procuring a band from his collection of things at the water side, he worked the plait into a shape that held it together off her neck. It was rounded in shape and held together well. It would take some time to perform this with her entire mane, but he was convinced to show her the benefits of it.
As he worked at her hair he listened to her next questions. “Well” he said softly, capturing the next section of her hair with his mind. “It all really begins with my family and my birth.” he stopped for a moment to think of how best to phrase this history. “My father was a foolish man with more wealth than sense. My mother was a spirited creature who down on her luck ended up with my father. I am thankful for her fiery spirit and her bloodline.” The image of his mother was in his mind at this moment, sleek and agile.
“I was being raised to one-day replace my father. Our tradition supports warriors as leadership, so they would lead a band to war or peace as appropriate. So it was imperative that I was able to fight well to be fit to lead.” He continued to work on her hair as he spoke. He did contemplate for a brief moment if it was worth finishing the story, as this had answered her question.
The next question answered the one in his mind. “I was, however, not perfect for this role. I was still really a colt when the revolt had begun. My father had been a vile stallion, he was not only incompetant but reprehensible. The people had called for my fathers blood, and I spilled it and ascended the throne. My attempt to fill the space in an already dissatisfied tribe was unsuccessful, and in my youth I made many mistakes resulting in my exile. I had been impulsive, reckless and explosive.” he felt some shame in admitting this, but it was part of who he was. He realized he had yet to really tell anyone on Novus in great detail about his previous life.
He shifted to begin working on her tail, his rough side brushing against hers briefly. The warmth of her skin was welcome and comforting as he had just revealed part of his demons to her. He began gathering sections of her tail. “There were factors at play that led me to Novus, and we can discuss those if you wish. What experience do you have of gods? Or of men who have been misled by them?” The distraction of working on her hair had made it easier for him to speak freely. He would tell her the rest of it if she showed interest, about the desert devils and his mistakes. He had hoped she wouldn’t judge him too harshly for ending his fathers life. The man had been violent and unruly for some time. He was thankful that he had been given a second chance on Novus.
Oh! There were more soap leaves nearby! She hadn't expected them to be so readily available--surely something so useful and practical was guarded with a close and careful eye--but it was such a pleasant surprise, and already Phoebe began looking for them. From her vantage point in the waterfall's basin, it was a little hard to spot them, what with Jarek taking up half her vision and the large stones of the waterfall encompassing a majority of the rest, but she thought she saw little sprigs of green in the same shape and color as those that the beautiful stallion had given her. Likely they would need a closer look to confirm they were one and the same, but she made a mental note of the direction for whenever she decided to leave. Which, she hoped, wouldn't be anytime soon.
The little sunset mare gave a decisive nod to herself, committing the plant's location to memory, when she caught the sound of water moving, and looking back toward the burly soldier she felt her body freeze seeing him drift nearer. She watched as the water easily parted for him, the shadow of his figure almost casting her in entirely in its shade, and her eyes drifted up, up, to take in the gentleness of his focused expression. She could see even more clearly now how the water reflected the sunlight, causing his dark coat to glitter, and the varying shades of ice and sky that made up his eyes. Phoebe felt all over again just how small she was, how fragile and dainty and delicate, beside this towering Adonis of a stallion. But--thankfully--she didn't feel threatened by his size, didn't feel intimidated or worried for herself by his nearness. Soldier or not, he still carried himself with an air of dignity and grace, of calm intent that made her curious if not outright expectant.
Let me show you. Whatever she'd been expecting, the little bit of contact upon her mane startled her, eliciting a short gasp. She looked up, expecting to see some source of the sensation, something clearly but gently gathering up bits of her deep purple mane, but there was nothing--nothing except a look of intention upon Jarek's face. He's doing this, she realized belatedly, drawing her mane back, combing through it, gathering it so that it didn't lay plastered against her neck with dampness or billow in the water where it lay in the pool. She could only stare at him, awestruck, as it occurred to her that he was touching her, not directly but all the same, this gorgeous, godlike stallion pampering her as if she might be somehow worthy of such an honor. In that moment, she felt like a goddess herself.
Her eyes closed again, blissfully, and a slow, gentle sigh released from her pale muzzle. Easily, she began to relax into his touch, delighting in knowing it was him that she felt, even if it wasn't, and her ears twitched once when he began his story. It felt absolutely surreal, to stand there while he tended to her, spinning for her a tale of his youth, his history. It began so simply, far too simply, making clear that, no matter how godlike he looked, his origins were still very mortal, though one suspicion was laid to rest. His father was a leader, guiding the herd he'd previously claimed, and he'd been the heir. A prince! No wonder his manner was so dignified. No wonder he valued beauty alongside strength, and could be gentle in such a moment as this while battle scars hid just below the surface. It made Jarek all the more appealing.
The story took a darker turn, unexpectedly, and learning of his father's death, at his own hands no less, startled her out of her reverie, dissolving some of the magic that surrounded the moment and grounding Phoebe suddenly in the harsh realities of their world. Her eyes opened, mouth slightly agape, the news shocking her and filling her with a burst of sympathy for the beautiful stallion. Murderer. The word ghosted through her thoughts, haunting, and while one part of her recognized that, technically, this was the man standing beside her, it was difficult to see him as a monster. Wasn't death a part of a soldier's life? Wasn't war sometimes a gross and tragic thing, riddled with loss and pain and difficult choices? It was so easy sometimes to forget, especially as she was barely dipping her toe into that lifestyle. It was a harsh awakening for Phoebe, who tended to glamorize it all.
And yet the sympathy remained, the hurt she felt at seeing echoes of those conflicting choices still ringing within Jarek's face, still haunting his eyes. The urge to reach out to him, to touch him, to console him, built up in her chest, welling, cresting, but he moved again before she could give in to the impulse. The brush of his hide against hers, searing and solid, made her breath catch in her throat, distracting her entirely from the conversation for a brief moment as her tail was gathered up, drawn into the same binds as her mane. She felt a little fuzzy, a lot giddy, as she drew in a slow breath to calm herself and attempted to answer his questions. "Not-"--she paused, cleared her throat, tried again--"not much." A little nervous laugh. "We didn't believe in anyone like that where I'm from. I didn't know of any gods until I came here, actually. Apparently I look something like Vespera." She laughed again and shook her head flippantly at the statement, feeling the weight of her mane gently bounce against her neck at the movement. "Who would have guessed, right?"
But even as she spoke of herself, even divulging that little bit, made her curious why it was Jarek had brought up the gods in the first place. Her magenta eyes became curious again, concerned even, as she angled her head to peer back at him while he worked. Gently, softly, she asked, "What happened?"
