Peeked ears twitched slightly, capturing her words with whirl of confusion. Thanks. She had uttered her thanks, to him? The last time anyone had made such a simple gesture had been... He could not recall. And could not recall even caring. Yet with those two little words the faintest warmth crept through the stallions cool heart, the briefest glance cast over her elegant features taking note of a smile that could only be directed at him. Most would have allowed themselves to revel in that tiny pleasure. For surely what could be better than bringing a smile to a presence so lovely. Yet he withdrew, pulling himself back away from that unfamiliar brink lest he should topple over into depths unknown. All he knew was the shadows, the quiet, the emptiness. He had no right to aim for anything else.
In the darkness he hid once more with the closure of his eyes, unaware that the weight of his sigh had drawn her gaze back upon him once more. He was as surprised as she by the offer that left his velvet lips, perhaps more so. It required no effort, knowing just who the shimmering lady of gold he had encountered that night was. To on pass the knowledge of it if fate should ever lead those who she awaited into his shadows. Perhaps a small corner of his mind desired that information just for himself, no matter who he should meet in the future. Perhaps the echoes of emptiness that made up his days nudged his quiet conscience to try to ensure she did not live her days as isolate as she. To the sunlight she should return. To times that would make her shine as brightly as the moon hinted at right then, to company that would paint that smile forever upon her face. To a realm and a life his did not touch.
Eyes opened and his head lifted. Not to the beauty of the falls which remained still lost to him but the lightness that smile brought to the lady's features. Something his words had brought about. And yet as his still gaze settled upon her he felt through the depths, undeserving. He had done nothing to earn that smile. Others would had led her across the lands in search of her friends, kept to her side until she was safe. What had he done but offered to pace on her name?
"Avangeline." The pureness of it slid through him, unaware he had echoed the answer given. And he found some odd inclination to bow before the lady yet he remained still but for the breeze teasing its fingers through his thick dark mane. He should have anticipated the question that swung back his way. But so few had cared to enquire it he had not even considered the posibility. Midnight eyes stared upon that life filled visage. "Anonymous," he uttered emptily, "I am Anonymous." Saying it was a sharp reminder to what he would never have, what he would never be. Without a thought hooves shifted, withdrawing the dark steed a step from her presence, unworthy to stand in her light. He would return to the enveloping night, and she would wait out her day. It was the way it would be.
