Romancing the Stone | [Private RP]

The morning had found him kneeling in the praying pool, head lowered so that the breath from his nostrils disturbed the surface of the water. There were no words that flew through his mind, just a nameless hope that swelled within his chest and the silent request that it would be answered. That was how he started his shift, and for the moment, as he strode onto dry ground once again, he was at peace. He breathed deeply of the crisp air and raised his head to look at the ruins that surrounded him. Then he blinked, hard. 

Just yesterday he had begun patrolling during the day again, after a full month of charting his progress by the moon. He still felt his body reeling from the shock, and it's ire at the sun for daring to suggest the hour was not so late as it felt. It would take a few days for him to sink into the new routine, but he would do so, and without too much effort in the end. Shaking the drowsiness from his head, he picked a direction and began a determined walk; head held high, nostrils testing the wind for any scent, ears flicking with every rustle of the wind through the vines. The city may have been well-frequented, but it was hardly safe. He would not tip-toe through the streets, but nor would he move about carelessly. It was his duty to ensure safe passage to other pilgrims today, and he could hardly do that if he allowed himself to be ambushed by one of the less kindly residents. 

The first bit of the day went off without a hitch. He kept his eyes roving into all the shadows, all the strange caves that loomed dozens of feet above his head, kept his ears sharp, but there was no sign of anything harmful. He walked briskly and varied his course at random, lest any should seek to ambush, and when he heard a faint clipping sound ahead, he paused and tilted his head in that direction, as if it would aid his hearing. The clipping continued. It was another horse. Cautiously, he moved toward it, and when he felt that he must surely see the source when he rounded the next bend, he paused and peeked his head out first. He couldn't tell much about the horse he was following, just that it didn't look familiar, and he had a notion it was a 'she'. He ducked back behind cover and made a quick decision. If it was an enemy, he needed to stay quite so he could maintain the element of surprise, but it would be a poor thing to pounce on one of the good horses who made their way into the city to pay their respects. He weighed the likelihood of each, then shrugged and began following the beast with his feet markedly striking the stone. 

The mare spun around to face him, and it was definitely a mare, he noted with interest, a fine, tall creature all in rose and silver. It took him a moment to recall that she'd spun about like that because he'd startled her, and a grimace lit his face. "My apologies, Miss," he said ducking his head and walking up. He took a bare moment to scan their surroundings again. They were still in a tight place, with empty holes staring out at them from high above, but just a few steps beyond the mare was open ground, where one could see what was coming, and where perhaps a mare might be more inclined to stand and talk to a stallion who'd accidentally spooked her. As he drew nearer, he found himself standing a little straighter, his neck a little more arched, his steps showing a little more action. "I didn't mean to frighten you. I was wary for enemies and did not think the unicorns would bless me so early this morning."

He smiled brightly and tossed his head toward the open space before following his own advice and walking past her, praying she would see fit to follow.