Dusky Skies, Lantern Mazes [Dusk in the Hollow x Labyrinth]

[~Latonia de la Courtel~]

Making his way through a looming forest, Dusk In The Hollow mused on the fact that he had no herd to speak of, no real home. A homeland, true, but one that fell behind his hooves many leagues ago. From the start had wandered with no real goal in mind, at least, none beyond putting distance between him and his siblings. Some were more troublesome than others, but all of them were left behind as he set out on his own.

Let them hunt or forage or foray where they would, often things were better when they were solitary. For his part, Dusk felt that he would be better off to put distance between them for now. Whatever would unfold before his hooves was of far more importance. Regardless, there was time enough for the wind of fate to whisper between his ears and encourage him on whichever path it chose.

Fate had a way of winding, preferring a meandering and looping journey to a straight line. As a consequence, Dusk had been trailing along through the forest for some time before he had the fortune to run across an accessible lake. Parched and clicking his jaw in delight at the presence of water, the shades of purple stallion strode forward until he was up to his knees in the water, sinking his skull below the cool surface until the water reached halfway up his face. Cracking jaws wide he began to drink, ears flicking this way and that as he quenched his thirst.

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[~Latonia de la Courtel~]

It took several heartbeats, but eventual his thirst was assuaged enough that he could lift his head from the lake depths, drawing several deep breaths of air into his lungs. Water streaming down the pale bone bridge of his muzzle and dripping from his jaws, he turned his head at the sound of a somewhat-timid greeting.

Standing in the shadows of the old oaks, at the edge of the lake glade, was a dark-coated mare. Though Dusk had taken no notice of her on his arrival -distracted by the water- he clearly had plowed right past her. That was, embarrassing; clearly he had been more parched than he'd realized.

Giving a rough exhale -the breath whistling softly as it exited his skull in a fine mist- he bowed his head and attempted to convey his contrition. It was difficult, lacking a great many expressive featured. In his journey he had learned that more often than not, those he encountered had trouble reading him.

When they managed to do more than catch sight and flee in outright terror. But, enough about those he had left behind. They were back there for a number of reasons, and it had no bearing on the now.

"I sincerely apologize." He offered in his soft voice, his pronunciation careful to counter how each word whispered and echoed inside his skull. "I admit that I took no notice at all of you upon my arrival, I am very sorry for such poor manners. It seems I was a bit more preoccupied than even I had realized. I meant no offense or trespass.

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[~Latonia de la Courtel~]

Considering the strange mare as she continued to observe him with her stunningly glowing eyes, Dusk slowly backed out of the water. Once again on dry land, water streaming from his coat, he idly snapped his tasseled tail to shake away the excess water. Keeping his neck arched and his head slightly low so he didn't visibly tower over her, his ears swiveled forward in interest at the delicate sound of muffled laughter.

"Ah, no? Please also excuse my assumption then." He offered with another bob of his head. "I seem to only be mis-stepping here."

Feeling like he was being dismissed, he was nevertheless bewildered by her words as they sank in. "Ah, no use for me? Because I am not lost?"

He couldn't help but tilt his head in question, tail swishing from side to side. "That's certainly, different?"

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[~Latonia de la Courtel~]

Her gentle words made him want to smile, though considering things he always seemed to be doing so and there wasn't quite a way to express an emphasis on that fact. Still, it made him duck his head slightly, shyly, and give a bashful huff. "Ah, you are very kind to say so."

Her words about not having use for him didn't make much sense, but it seemed as soon as he parroted them back to her she heard exactly what had been said and reacted with her own shade of embarrassed shyness. Then again, if she didn't sleep, it certainly made sense that she might misspeak thus.

"Well, if it was not intended, then I am not offended." He offered hopefully, flicking his ear as he cautiously straightened up again.

It didn't seem like she was dismissing him like an underfoot colt. More like whatever her calling in life was, it applied to those who were lost, and she seemed to think he was rather found. Which, all things considered was a flattering thing. He wasn't sure how accurate it was, but that was beside the point.

"I'm all for forgetting it, and need no amends be made." He offered readily enough, adopting a playful tone. "Though you might do me the favor of taking a nap, if it is all the same to you? I think it might benefit any you cross paths with, at least in the near future."

He clicked his jaws in a soft chuff. "No offense meant, of course."

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[~Latonia de la Courtel~]

Idleness, being something he was not accustomed to, did not sit well with Dusk In The Hollow. As such, he shifted now and again, readjusting his weight and balance. As something of a self-soothing gesture, he idly lifted and placed each of his hooves as he squared his stance and arched his neck, canting his head to get a better look at his companion.

The conversation, his first in quite some time, if he were to be honest about such things, seemed to be going well to Dusk's understanding. And a pleasant conversation with a beautiful mare was a better benchmark for such things than a satisfactory one with another male... So perhaps he was better at socializing than he realized. Even the silence that stretched between them now and again was a comfortable one, the two of them trading commentary and quiet in equal measures. A comfortable lull rather than an insurmountable chasm.

It was one thing to have a pleasant conversation with a beautiful lady, it was another thing to make that lady smile and laugh. But it seemed he had been successful, for the maze marked mare was giggling softly. In spite of the fact that they just met, Dusk puffed up with pride at the dainty sound of her amusement and clicked his jaws, pleased.

"If so, let us hope that you take the suggestion at your earliest convenience," The indigo-coated stallion offered with an encouraging tilt of his head. "So that it does not go to waste."

Her offer to start over was a welcome one, and he gave a nod and a flick of his tail in approval. "Labyrinth, I feel that is the most agreeable option, to be sure. I take it that you prefer the nickname to your full name? So then, in the spirit of beginning anew, it is a pleasure to meet you Rin. My name is Dusk In The Hollow, however, I find it agreeable to be referred to as Dusk, rather than the full length of my name. Please feel free, and I will call you Rin."

He hesitated for a moment and then offered. "I'm afraid I am not familiar with this place so other than wandering through here in need of water. I am not accustomed to the area or able to be of particular assistance in regards to local customs... While I understand you do not claim territory, I don't suppose you know any local customs or information about boundary lines or the herds that dwell nearby? Anything that might keep me out of trouble later? I would appreciate any advice you might be able to provide. I feel I have already misstepped enough today."

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