James hadn't really come here with any true reason aside from collecting various seeds and plants. He had some sacks around his neck woven from vines and lined with leaves to create a makeshift bag, perfect for carrying what he needed. The stallion himself, though, was munching on some grass, lashes brushing against his cheeks as he eagerly munched away, humming happily as he did so.

Once he'd eaten his fill, he was off collecting more items. He very gently picked an apple off a tree and munched on it as he walked around, searching up and down for anything that Ari might be interested in. Occasionally he'd pick up things like sticks that had warped into weird shapes, or rocks that were especially colorful. In one bag they'd go, the other remaining empty. It was nice to just... relax.

@Aran

Aran found himself in Eridanus. He always was there. Despite seeking out knowledge it was much alike a home. The plants kept him safe, even if he wasn't scared of throwing himself into danger. That much was clear in what he did before with the group that were out to find the blood of the savage. They found the savage, but not the blood. That much was easy to see. As he moved through the place, something caught his eye.

A branch from one of the trees moved, and he moved closer in turn. Under the tree, the horse from before. Still a young thing, though it was nice to see that it was still living.

"Hey!" He called out, trotting over.

@James

James jumped about a foot into the air before dashing forward with a startled whinny, head snapping to the side to spot the deer before he ground to a sudden halt, surprised. He was... alive- and here! And okay!

He trotted forward, about to speak before his words caught in his throat and regret reared its ugly head, wrapping around his throat like a snake, choking him. He took a few steps backward, head down, and whispered something softly, "...I'm so sorry."

He struggled to swallow past the tightness and shook his head out to try and rid himself of his awful, guilty thoughts.

"I-I um- I'm sorry. That um... that happened," he said, "I'm so sorry that you got hurt because of me."

@Aran

The kid almost looked happy to see the deer at first, though it appeared to quickly change when memories of the swarm came back. The stupid batcat jrs were too prolific for their own good, Aran wasn't going to try to mess with them again. Who knows if he would come back next time. He wasn't surprised at the apology, but didn't feel a need to get one. It was all for one out there, it seemed. And James just survived through it. Of course, so did Aran, but he was stuck within the chrysalis for a few days. Had to avoid the batcats when leaving to make it back to Eridanus.

"There's no need for you to apologize." He grunted. At the next comments he shrugged. "Doesn't hurt anymore."

@James

James back twitched at the memory of claws on his skin. He would definitely have scars from the ordeal.

"You... you saved me," he said, looking away, "... I don't know if I would have made it to my chrysalis if you weren't there. So... thank you."

He finally shook his head and cleared his throat, "So um... why are you here? I'm just... collecting things."

@Aran

Aran almost frowned at the reaction. He'd not done anything - Aran didn't save anyone, really. The kid must have ran off before the batcat jrs could get to him. Which, Aran might have had a play in, but still. "All of us could have." He grunted out.

That kid wasn't one of them, nor was the feline. Aran was one of them that ran - though he turned to face the creatures when they swarmed the two of them. it was the right thing to do. Aran didn't quite like that it was the right thing to do. Maybe his morals should have shifted a bit, but they didn't.

"Though I do a lot of traveling, this is where my home is."

@James

James nodded gently, :Mine's in Orion."

He shook his head out and plucked a fruit from his bag, offering it to Aran, "I'm just glad everyone got out alive. Especially after Alpha just left us there."

His voice turned into a growl before he shook his head and sighed. He didn't like Alpha. Not one bit.

@Aran

Aran didn't quite care where the other hooved creature lived, though he mused the reaction came from Aran spitting out that his own home was in Eridanus. Orion had appeal, too. Alpha was the name of the thing. The green creature. He would have to keep that in mind, just in case they met again. To call it out for the nonsense that it created.

"One can still be alive but feel dead."

@James

James blinked and paused for a moment, brows furrowing.

"... Are you okay?" he asked, definitely uh... concerned, to say the least.

He didn't come across people who said such a thing very often. Or at all... But anyway.

"Fruit?". he asked, once again offering a fruit.

@Aran

Aran would have raised a brow if it was possible. Of course he was fine! Why would anyone think otherwise? Aran didn't think he gave off any signs of there being anything wrong, except for maybe thinking about taking his revenge on that burly green thing. One good spell and it would be over, except Aran wouldn't ever murder someone.

"Of course i'm okay." he snorted.

Aran took the offered fruit this time, crunching it down. The juice coating his teeth as he chewed.

"Thank you." He paused. Thinking. "Did you make that?" He questioned, motioning to the bag around the horse's neck.

@James