The angel and the demon were arguing, but, at least, no longer fighting. It seemed the messenger was more of a mediator, calming them both - another angel, then? A demigod? Whatever she was, she didn't have wings, nor snow-white fur, and so he kept his distance, attention pinned to her... at least until the demon stalked back to him, nudging him with massive jaws hiding knives, and the gelding flinched back from sheer terror, a choked, garbled whine escaping his throat.

Pointed ears pinned back to his skull, and grey-gold eyes squeezed shut, his whole body shaking fiercely, trying to block out the sensation. If there was any doubt over whom the horse was afraid of, there could be no mistaking now. He barely kept his grasp on consciousness, mortified by his inability to do anything, much less save the little angel should Death attack anew. He fell into the gray space between sleep and the war outside, breath stuttering in his chest. Exhaustion and hunger settled deep in his bones, crept into his stomach and churned it, into his gem and make it flicker and flash with shining light.

His mother. His sister. Their images were fading fast, and he tried to catch them, but their wings beat faster than any hooves could. They chased each other around his memories, alighting on the broken homes of the star-room and tumbling through the snow-covered tunnel of his birth.

His name eluded him still.

Hide. He needed to hide from the swords and the flame. The gem nestled in the center of his chest sparked again, until sickly tendrils of off-white crept forth, over his frame, faded to soft, soothing black, covering him until his pelt was once more stained grey, blending into the stone tunnel, eyes shut tight to block out the rest of the world.

Kingsfoil was boiling on the inside, at first, until he heard the next words from the jaguar. He chased away the monster? The young stag blinked his eyes, confused. Had he simply been mistaken? He was sure that this black feline was the one who was doing the attacking... but it had been dark but. No. No! His father had warned him about this! Carnivores used tricks to fool you, to lure you in. The jaguar was doing just that. "Lying, tricksy, no-good, carnivore..." He muttered, but under his breath. He didn't know if anyone present would hear but he surely hoped the jaguar heard. He wanted the carnivore to know that whatever happened he didn't trust him. Not now. Not ever. He knew the creature's true heart. "Don't tell me what to do with the horse I saved!" Kingsfoil grumped indignantly. Even if the jaguar seemed like he was backing off King didn't appreciate taking orders --even if they were the same things he was going to do anyway-- from someone who had just previously tried to kill a fellow herbivore. He gave an annoyed sigh before looking at the gazelle. Her beauty helped to calm him and despite the irritation he felt at the jaguar he smiled at her. A pretty white doe, she had met? Hmm... That seemed to be familiar to his mother. He would ask her about it later."Yeah! Thanks! That would be awesome." He grinned before walking back to the horse. He gave one last glare at the jaguar before going to the horse's side and trying to nudge him. He was gentle with his nose-pokes, trying to help the creature understand that it was time to go. "Come on! We gotta go." Before that tricksy, stupid, carnivore tried something again. "Talking" @Eosophoros @Vicktor @Thistle OOC

"Oh, I have a note for whoever was supposed to help me find the place!"

Vicktor cared little of the note; but curiosity was a fickle thing that did draw him closer. Eyeing the horse who only darkened themselves against the tunnel's own colors. He listened halfheartedly to the bratty god-child's words. Playing it off as if he was so obviously ignoring him.

"It was a pretty white doe who told me that I had to find the place, and she said this is for you."

White eyes darted back to the precious gazelle, scanning that note that delicately hung around her neck. A pretty white doe!? Could it be? Clover!? Eyes wide he smiled softly at her, calm and relaxed he slunk closer.

"May I take the note now? So all of you may be on your way?"


"Speech"

"Thought"

@Thistle

She grinned at the prince unabashedly, then she looked at the jaguar who made his way towards her. She gave him a smile, then she said, "Go ahead, take it!" She offered her neck to him, and she let him take it from her neck with his teeth patiently, since she was, herself, unable to get it off.

She listened patiently to his directions of where Cetus lay, then she nodded, committing the directions to memory, and she said thank you with a beaming grin and a little bow, then she trotted off to where the prince was, to help him with the horse. Now that she knew the directions to Cetus, she should be going home to check up on her friends!

She nudged the horse too, helping him up with a very soft smile, full of sadness and pity and gladness that he wasn't super super hurt, and together the three of them walked down the tunnel.
[exit Thistle]

Eyes shut tight, the little angel's nudge only served to send the gelding flinching back against the tunnel's rocky wall, tiny points digging into his back. The prospect of sleep was beginning to look more and more inviting, to just rest for a while, let soft wings and gentle preening lull him to the grey - but the nudging came back, and he opened his eyes to glare, vicious and defeated... at the messenger. Blinking in confusion, the horse's gaze rolled to the demon, who seemed content - for he held the messenger's note in his mouth. A trade, then; his life for the message. He offered the tiny brown angel a gentle frown of apology, snuffling over her forehead.

Try. He would try for his guardian angel and the messenger, the white wings and the black. Slowly, stick-thin legs gathered beneath his chest, raising him up shakily, until he towered over all of them, even the demon. He peered down at his two saviors, snorting, the last remnants of the flesh that had once covered his chest dripping onto the floor. Shakily, he turned to walk between them - but not without sending a final, cold stare at the jaguar, laser-sharp within the fog, committing its face to memory.

There was room for fire and swords among the wings.

[ exit Eosphoros ]

@Vicktor @Kingsfoil

Taking the note tenderly from the innocent gazelle he situated it over his own neck, surprisingly it fit. Half mindedly meeting the horse's gaze as it committed his face to memory. A simple smile is all he flashed them, along with an inaudible 'till we meet again'. Fickle thoughts of how patience could pay off, especially with these three herbivores. conceptualizing the thoughts and steps on how he would find his horse...and that adorable gazelle too. They would make an adorable family together! Horse a trustful companion, the gazelle a sweet and curious friend. But that white god-child...oh how he sneered watching them walk away from him. His mind couldn't play what bitter plans were brewing deep within, not while mercy was running high. But this wouldn't be the last time they would meet. He promised himself that.

Slowly easing himself into the silence of the tunnel he unraveled from view. Black pelt vanishing and reflecting the surroundings as if he was transparent. Taking his time simply watching them leave until he too turned heel and continued on his way. Large ebony paws dancing over the tunnel's floor; invisible to any prospective 'friends' meals he would come across now.

[exit]


"Speech"

"Thought"

@Kingsfoil