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Pheonix jumped the small creak separating her from her destination. He was so stubborn! Hadn't she told him that she didn't care? Obviously her word wasn't good enough or believable for him to have stuck around. No, he had to take off and leave her, knowing she wasn't going to be able to follow because her leg needed to heal more. Well she would show him. Latcho would be getting a piece of her mind and a hoof up his rear. Weeks. Weeks she had been searching, asking anyone who would listen if they'd seen him. A few had completely ignored her, acted as though they couldn't even see her, let alone hear her asking. She huffed as she trotted onward towards the overshadowing cliffs.
Of course he'd be somewhere this remote. Couldn't be somewhere easy to get to. Nope. That wouldn't make for much of a hideaway would it? She wondered if anyone had ever tracked him down before to scold him? She wasn't sure, and as she neared where she was hoping beyond all hope he would be, she wasn't sure if she was gonna yell at him, or kiss him! Pink tinged her freckled cheeks at the thought, but really, who could blame a girl?

For his part, Latch had been wandering in a depressed mood. Every choice he took the path darker and more remote. He wasn't really thinking about it, if he had, he would have known better. The little voice in the back of his mind was trying to get his attention, to turn him around, but for once he wouldn't listen to it. He had barely been eating, just a mouthful of grass here and there.

He knew he had made the right choice. He couldn't burden someone as wonderful as Phoenix with a twisted companion like himself. He made sure the area he left her in to recover was safe, then he did the best thing he could.

She had probably already forgotten about him. If he was lucky. He would much rather think that than think she might be thanking the spirits he was gone.

He had been ploding along for a while, lost in dark thoughts when he realized he was in a ravine and that the sides were narrowing. With a sigh he stops and looks at the shear walls arond him. He only half turns around to go back when it's just too much and he lays down right there in the middle of what was likely a waterway when the snows melted in the mountains.

Pheonix plodded onwards, making her way along the edges where it sloped downward into a crevice. The area had a wet chill to the air that clung everywhere. and seeped to your bones. She shivered as the wind passed, tossing her mane and leaving her just a bit colder. It certainly was the right place to go to get lost, plenty of places to fall into, the air made you just want to be warm..."LATCHO!" She felt so small in the vastness and was sure her words were lost in the expanse. She would never find him here.....She huffed and stomped her hoof into the hard ground. Her temper rising. Here she is feeling sorry for herself when she knew he had to be here. Somewhere. She was so close, was she going to give up now? "But I feel so lost..."

He was hallucinating. He was hallucinating her voice. Odd though, how frustrated she sounded. He had dreamed of her yelling in scorn or fear. And imagines her voice softer . . . He tried not to imagine that, it was too painful. But frustrated . . .
Then he heard the echoes of her voice and the whisper of lost.

Head up he looks around. The ravine bouncing sound made it impossible to tell which end her voice had come from. She was here, she was really here . . .

This was bad. Something must be wrong. He didn't understand, but no matter how much he knew she was better off without him, he couldn't resist her close, not again. He just wasn't that selfless.

He wasn't aware of how he looked. Hair matted and disarrayed. He hadn't let his little mouse friend tend it at all. And he was thin, perpetual wandering on not enough food had left his ribs showing. Eyes a bit sunken, dark, but alive again as he looked for her, he calls, "Phoenix?" But he didn't know where to go, how to find her. He had been paying so little attention he didn't even know how to get back out.

Her heart stuttered to a stop at the sound of her name and then thundered in her rib cage with such force she gasped. He was here, he heard her and she was going to yell at him. She was sure of it. Phoenix frantically looked for a way down when she found a slope that wasnt as steep. She trotted, slid, and tripped her way down, cursing the whole while. She'd never find him if she killed herself trying to get down into the ravine.

Mud chilled her up to her knees but she was on a mission now. Or at least the peak of her mission. "Latcho!" She frantically and cautiously searched the darkness for him. The rocks and dead foliage casting strange shadows about, some of them startling her. "Do you have any idea how hard its been to find you? And you're all the way in the spookiest place...of course you are. Why wouldn't you be? Couldn't be in some remote field of flowers oh no..." Her ranting kept her from being as startled every two seconds, until she heard hoofbeats, soft at first, then louder as she went on. Finally movement caught her eye and she stopped moving, breath caught in her throat. She let out the smallest whisper, "Latcho?"

She was there. She was actually there. Standing in front of him. And he couldn't move, couldn't breath. Then his name a whisper in her throat and he takes a shaky step towards her. "Are you okay? Did something happen?". He would kill anyone who threatened her, overcome and challenge that hindered her, just to see her again.

His throat dry, "What can I do? I will do it, whatever you need." He only hoped it wasn't for him to leave again. He didn't have that kind of strength, not twice.

Phoenix puffed up so quickly, fire crackling in her eyes as she marched over, looking up at him sternly. "Do you have any idea how hard you've been to find? Any at all?" She huffed and stomped a hoof for emphasis. "I have been all over the place and through areas I hadn't realized existed...did you think I was going to just forget you? And....my...Latcho what have you been doing to yourself!?" She stepped back and took in his appearance with her mouth parted open, tears pricking her eyes. "You're not aloud to leave. I chased you half way across the kawani, if not from one end to the other and I don't know what I was expecting to find but..." She laid her cheek against his throat and sighed. "You left and I was lost and now you're here and...well you cant make me leave." She pressed in as close to him as she could get. "Its my turn to take care of you now."

His knees get weak, but she's leaning into him and he won't fall and possibly hurt her. "No." He answers her first question, trying to get his brain moving. "No, I'm sorry, I don't know how hard it was. I just . . . Walked. And . . . I hoped you had forgotten, if was better than fearing you hated me. I . . . I only dreamed . . . I dreamed maybe you didn't, maybe . . . But you're here! I don't understand. I . . . I'm not strong enough Phoenix. I can't do it twice. Not even for you. I can help you find your way, get you back where you're going, you don't need to be lost. But once I do . . . Maybe I'm a monster, but I still . . . I still need . . . I need more than being alone. I tried. I tried to do what was best for you. But I can't do it again. When you figure out . . . When you figure out I'm not what you want, you'll have to run. Because I'm not strong enough to let you go again."

He tucks her head under his, tentacles reaching down with tentative brushes, almost like petting. His whole body trembling, voice a broken whisper, "Please, please don't run. I think I'd shatter."

A garbled half sob half laugh bubbled up and bounced around the emptyness. "I don't chase halfway across continents for just anyone, Latcho." Phoenix sniffled and stepped back, a watery smile on her face. "I don't have any intentions on leaving you." She nudged him gently, nuzzling her nose into his mane, ignoring the tangles. "I'm not lost anymore, I'm where I was trying to be." She walked around him to stand on his other side and intertwined her tail with his and stepped very close, turning her face up towards his. "I'm not doing any running, Love. I'd like a nice leisurely walk by your side though, after sleep and warm cuddles."

He just stands there, eyes wide, so very still for a dozen breaths. Then his eyes close as she shakes his head, "no. No!". Tears leaking from his eyes, his knees finally fail. "No, it feels so real." His voice a sob, his dispair clear.

"Nonononono..." She knelt down beside him and gently nudged his chin. "Latcho...Latch, honey. Look at me." She nuzzles his cheek, unable to keep from touching him, reassuring herself he was really there. "Its me. I'm here. I'm not leaving. Please don't cry." Her voice broke again and she shivered against the chilling wind. Was it colder down here? She hadn't noticed...

He shakes his head, keeping his eyes closed. "You can't be real. You . . . You're beautiful and amazing and . . . Everything! You're everything. And I know . . . I know you can't be here. Not with words like love. Not for me. So I . . . " He pulls in a breath and opens his eyes. He looks straight forward for a moment, a weak deturmination in his features. Then he looks at her and all strength is gone, a hoolow brokeness replacing it. "I thought I got the better end of the family curse. My voice mostly helped. But this . . . ". His eyes close again and he shudders, then grows still. Laying his head on the ground, he looks as though he has given up.

Phoenix guided his head to her chest, holding him there, time felt still in this place. like the world was happening around them but they stood still in their moment. She knew her heart was thundering in her chest, pounding against her ribs, making her skin pulse. "If I really wasn't here, would it be so loud?" She nuzzled into his mane, giving him soft kisses. "Listen to me, I'm here. I'm real, I'm not your mind, I'm Pheonix. Please hear me."

He pulls in a shuddering breath, her scent thick around him. "I don't understand. I . . . I did evrything I could, I . . . I just want you safe, happy. If you're really here . . . Why? Why would you come? There must be stallions lined up for you to choose from. Why would you . . . would you follow a monster into the wilderness?"

He blinks and opens his eyes to look at her, "it was the hardest thing I ever did. Every day I . . . It was like walking away from sunshine. But it was the right thing. You deserve bettet. And . . . I'm not that. I'm not even good. I struggle just to resist impulses born in dark magic and blood."

"You don't know me. You just saw what you needed in a moment of fear and weakness and . . . I'm not a prince or a knight. I'm not gallant and good." A tear rolls unheeded down his cheek. "You are. Beautiful and . . . and good. You're strong. And you make me smile, down deep where my dreams live."

Closing his eyes with another deep breath, "And when you really see me, see the monster I am . . . I never wanted you to feel like you had to tie yourself to me. Out of obligation or misguided gratitude or honor. Your heart shines so bright, I don't ever want it dulled, but . . . How could it not? How could you keep shining with me around?"

He presses his forehead against her chest, tentacles softly, tentatively touching. "Either I've gone mad, or you have. And I'm so afraid it will kill us both.". He draws another deep breath, drinking in her scent, "you smell like hope."

"I shine brightest when you're with me. How could I not?" She couldn't keep herself from snorting and rolling her eyes. "You're the only stallion I will ever see. Anyone else is hazy, blurred. And then there you are, so startling clear it makes time stop and my heart beat quicken." She nuzzled in closer, pretty sure that if she got any closer they'd just melt together, but she couldn't stand any space between them. There had been so much for so long and now he was here.

"I'm not here because I think I owe you and need to repay you. I just need to be closer to my heart. You have it, you know." Phoenix ran her nose up and down his neck as she spoke, nuzzling a few of his tentacles tucked against his skin.

The scent of her, so close, so warm. It draws him. Nuzzling into her he can feel her pulse, her life. Something in him stirs, awakens. Her blood singing to him. He can't remember the last time he ate and she's right there . . .

Shaking his head he scrambles back away from her. Never quite getting back to his feet, he stumbles in the dirt and old mud, shaking his head, eyes wide. "Get back. I'm not safe. I . . . You smell so good . . ." His eyes flash quickly to red, tentacles writhing.

"Please . . . go, I . . . I'll find you. I . . . " Eyes close, nostrals flaring, his stomach speaks with a low growl. It scented food; rich, warm, and thick. "Pheonix . . . Run." Eyes an almost glowing ruby red, he gets shakily to his feet. There is no doubting that he is a predator as he stands, sinewy grace in every line. His wings flair, tail lashing. Eyes distant, not thoughts behind them but primal hunger.

Phoenixes temper flared at the best...or worst of times. This was one of those times. Her blood ran hot, skin prickled, fur stood on end, bristling out, puffing her up. She launched to her hooves, tail whipping behind her as she glared daggers at the Stallion that she loved. "No! You can't tell me you can't stand it if I leave and that it hurts and expect me to just.. Ugh leave!" She snorted and turned away, not thinking just glaring and steaming, scalding tears pricking her eyes, rage coupled with hurt made her turn back to him.
"So you go. You hunt. Go find something with a heart that doesn't beat for you and you come back to me. You come back and I will be here, waiting."

When he left, a huge sigh of relief left her and she wondered what he would do. Would he come back? If he didn't? Would she chase him again? "....No." Her heart couldn't possibly take it. Her stubbornness could only take her so far and the little flame in her heart couldn't possibly keep burning without him. She wasn't sure what drew her to him, all she knew was she was cold when he wasn't there, but burned in his presence.

She jumped about a mile when he returned, having been so engrossed in her thoughts, the sound of hooves brought her jolting back, literally. She looked up and found him staring at her, and she couldn't bring herself to break the hypnotic hold he had on her. When he spoke her name she found herself being pulled towards him. Her eyes drank in his appearance as she drew nearer until she was a breaths reach away. She smiled up at him, tail curling. "Hey you."

Her first instinct was to release the stranglehold she had on her temper, "What do I...." she cut off her sharp words, trapping her bottom lip firmly between her teeth, forcing herself to take a deep, steadying breath. Releasing the trembling exhale, her gaze raked over the stallion in front of her. Drank in the sight of his damp fur where he washed off the muck, looking past the scuffs and seeing his taught posture.

Features softening, releasing her abused lip, slowly she slid closer to him. Head dipped so that her golden irises peeked up through her lashes; "I see you...Latcho"

She kept her voice low, just above a whisper as she continued her slow approach. When she was close enough that she could feel his breath against her fur she tentatively reached out her muzzle to trace along his jaw. "I just want this. Us. You." A sigh trembled from her as she, too let go of her armor and allow herself to be vulnerable and transparent for him.

A short, surprised chuckle escapes with the relieved gasp that she couldn't contain if she wanted to. The tentacle curling in her mane sent goosebumps shivering across her flesh from the delicate contact. When he pressed his cheek to hers, she caught herself leaning into the warmth of him against her. "I don't know what I'm doing either, but I know that I don't feel the cold quite as sharply when you're near and my bones ache when you're gone."

She reveled in his closeness a bit longer, inhaling his wild scent that was uniquely Latcho. Filling her senses and devouring him down, soothing the anxiety that had built in her while she sought him out.

When he speaks again, the rumble of his voice brings her back to the present and it takes her a moment to register the words, When they sink in, its like a spell is broken and she realizes she is cold. Her delicate wings are plastered to her sides and she's trembling.

Stiffly, she lets him guide her around. "Y-you might be right." She tilts her head and gestures towards the far end, where she came from. "If you're look-looking for a way out, th-there is a slope that way. Its not a-as steep, if you think you can climb." She stays as close to him as possible without causing them to get their legs tangled. Shelter from the biting wind sounded positively divine in this moment.

An incredulous laugh bubbled out of her as she came to an abrupt halt close to their exit. "Right! You can fly." Mirth danced in her eyes at her own ridiculousness. Having wings, but unable to use them, made her forget that others actually could use their wings.

She sobered as he extracted his tentacles from her mane and looked at the incline. How she had made it down without falling tail over head was beyond her. Steeling herself for the climb, she shook off her apprehension. "Are you sure? Maybe you should fly ahead, so I can see you and I wont worry." She gives him a saucy wink to lighten her words, though his appearance did cause her concern.

Turning back to the task at hand she begins the climb, picking her way through the rubble and placing her hooves in the sturdiest places. She can see the evidence of her haphazard descent. grooves where she slid and many a displaced rock. A flush crept across her cheeks, slight embarrassment making itself known.
Despite her forward nature and general fiery disposition, she did feel a bit out of her element. She had been telling the truth - she didn't know what she was doing either. But she knew for certain that she wanted this, whatever it was, for however long she could have it. So she would be brave for both of them, lend him her strength when he needed it and she fully prepared to still give him a (gentle) verbal lashing when they were safe and warm.

Pebbles skittered under her hooves making her slow down and take her time again. She didn't want to cause anymore delays or unnecessary injuries between them. Her goal was to get them both to where they needed to be, and in once piece.

Phoenix groaned as she hoisted herself to the top, appreciative of the help. "Whew. That was way easier going down than it was coming back up." She beamed at him when he landed next to her, but concern touched the edges of her smile.
"Of course. Of course. You need to eat." She brushed her tail absently against his leg and darted her gaze around the landscape, as if something would wander into their path in this echoing landscape. "Okay - shelter." She brought her gaze back to his and nodded with determination. "I will look for the stones, you...you should look for food. Your food"

She reaches up to rub her nose under his chin, unable to keep herself from touching him for very long and reveling in his attention. "We can do both. I'm fine - it's fine. I'm more worried about you."

Phoenix lets herself have a light nibble of his shoulder while giving him a light glare. "I'm stronger than I look, you know." She smirks and soothes the n** with a nuzzle to the same spot. "Just because I hurt myself last time doesn't mean I'll do it again." She smirks, but allows him to lead the way.

When they find the marker a relieved sigh escapes but is quickly shuttered by a sharp wind that whips her mane into her face. Sputtering and tossing her mane, she redoubles her efforts to help find the shelter, trotting a ways a head to peer at the high walls of the mountain. She glances over her shoulder towards Latcho, tilting her head. "Before I get too excited...would it happen to be a cave?"