OOC| Am AWOL currently, real bad sick, but will try to check in here often! Hope to be able to talk again soon, lovely!
BIC| He twitched his ear curiously at her replies, a faint grin curving his lips as he easily fell into step with her. Small nuances in her voice seemed amplified - along with what could have been a rustle of wings a moment ago. What sort of image could be pieced together from the little clues her sounds left him?
Not much of one, so far, but there was still something exceedingly familiar about this one.
Regardless he seemed to have underestimated her. However proper she had seemed to him at first there was obviously much more to her. The deep, grinding sizzle of his voice held a low note of admiration as he responded to her inquiries.
"You came from deeper in, Pretty? That's good to hear, as I may need an escort myself through some parts."The tone of his absent little name for her had changed somewhat, as well. Rather than a note of a high-class pretty-mare it more stood in place of the title Lady. There were different sorts of Ladies, of course, yet so far she didn't seem to be the bad sort.
Expect the worst, hope for the best, as they said. She hadn't risen to his light teases; a good sign that she wouldn't squeal a fit if she chipped the shine on a hoof. Although why anyone such as that would be wandering a cavern to begin with was beyond him, yet the same could be said with much else this type of mare would aspire for.
"My eyes aren't exactly made for this sort of lighting," he continued, his ears shifting constantly as he kept track of the feel of the air she displaced along his flank and the way their hooves echoed off the cavern walls.
"More for sudden, violent flashes of light if truth be told. I haven't even a clue what you look like, Pretty, though to be honest I rather like it. You're a mystery to me now; let's keep it that way, eh? Makes it more intriguing. And difficult, perhaps, but I always enjoy a good challenge."A note of playfulness, a little dare and spark flickered through his voice as he admitted this, though he was careful to pause a beat before continuing. He couldn't see her expression, after all; was he boring her? Normally he only spoke this freely with those he knew well, yet in this case without the usual distractions he found he was left with little else. There'd be no choice but to speak and reveal themselves; else they could walk in silence, and what would be the point in that?
"The challenge is part of why I'm here. But if I'm to be honest, Pretty, only a part."Another pause, a moment to reflect on how to explain; to contemplate rather or not he wished to explain. Well, why not?
"My friends - my bondmates - they call me the Soldier," he said suddenly, his hooves faltering for a moment as his shoulder brushed up against a boulder somewhat abruptly,
"and it's because of things like this. I've handled rebonding by learning everything I can about everything possible. If you know your own strengths and limits you can arm yourself better, for whatever sort of battle you might have to face. It doesn't only apply to physical blows."Another pause, a mere breath, and a shrug entered his voice, as if he were casting off the weight of his own words.
"I don't know about the dark. How to use it, how to remain aware, my own ability or restrictions when attempting to adjust and cope. So I'm here to learn about it, as well as understand as much as possible in case any who wield it aim that power towards me."A bitter smile, a small hint of which rolled over his tongue for a moment as he added
"I'm not that appealing to have as company, typically. Being prepared for getting run off is essential for someone like me."And then the tone was gone again, a chill running down his spine as the air cooled while they made their way deeper.
"And if I'm to be perfectly honest, there is another reason. I have an... Interest, in someone. She's of the shadows herself. It makes me feel closer to her, to have the dark shroud me."For a moment - a mere moment, while he mentioned this interest of his - his voice softened into a near-purr. And then shifted into a rough sigh as he added
"in truth that's the main reason, this mare. I can't even figure out what it is about her that captivates me so much, but there you have it. I'm in the caverns because I'm wishing for things to become more with her. Eventually, if she chooses to notice me."A snort - soft, resigned, entirely thoughtless - and then a loud clop as his hoof landed on a pebble and he caught his balance again. Some things, it seemed, could determined from the echo of hooves and the way the air currents shifted against his skin, but there was still quite a bit of danger left for him.
Moving slowly and carefully would be essential.
"What of you, Pretty?" Hybrid asked, true interest lifting his voice as a most amusing thought struck him,
"What brings you to these tunnels? Not that I'm complaining, mind, as you've been kind enough to grant me company while I stumble along blindly, though ye've already walked this path yourself."He couldn't help but wonder what she might say - and moreover, rather it would be true. Without the extra cues, it could easily happen that she lie through her teeth. He knew some could control their voices that well; his bonded could be in the midst of crying and answer in a perfectly normal tone if spoken to. His own voice was still beyond such influence, something he didn't mind in the least. For his bonded it was instinct; what others were allowed to know was severely limited. For himself, it was considered deception, and Hybrid honestly prided himself in his frank honesty.
But did this mare?
What sort of reply will you conjure up for the odd fellow in the shadows that tosses out such random honest just to gauge a reaction, Pretty? Hard to tell what's truth or lie while it hides in shadow.He was starting to feel another side to this whole darkness thing; and he found he didn't much care for it at all. There was in all truth a darker side to the dark, one that made him mildly uncomfortable.
This was such an alien concept lately that he had to admit to himself he found it rather appealing.
Hopefully there wouldn't be any great chasm for him to plunge headfirst into while he explored the sensation.