to live and burn is
the most exquisite form of self destruction

After a lifetime spent in warfare both literal and figurative, there was little that Rade desired more than a measure of peace.

Yet when he departed the meeting - every muscle in his body as rigid as if frozen despite the coals of anger that smoldered hard and hot in his belly - it seemed that the Vulcans would not even grant him the tranquility of solitude. As the larger body of the black-and-white mare fell into step beside him, Rade exhaled an exasperated huff of air. The mares of the mountains had made it clear that they would not trust him, and he had expected to be monitored closely. But setting one of their own to dog his heels went well beyond the caution that the situation called for. Eyeing the dark mare balefully with one golden eye, the palomino roan was just considering a test of how quickly she could pursue him through the trees when her words literally stopped him midstride. Your proposal has some merit.

Rade listened, at first offering neither reply or reaction to her words as they breached the stilted silence between the unlikely pair. He had given the Vulcans more than his share of dialogue, and it was tempting to let this one experience what it was to exhaust her own tongue in the futile presentation of ideas and truths that would go ignored. But to stoop to such pettiness would win the golden stallion no allies, and he did hold a certain grudging respect for this particular Peak sister. As firmly as she had spoken, the Friesian-blooded woman had not seemed as unyielding as those who surrounded her. There were no shortage of Vulcans whom he sensed would break long before they bent.

And it was as important to build a relationship with the Vulcans as it was the bachelors.

Resigned, Rade could only let the air his lungs had clung to be released in an inaudible sigh. "As a whole, we must be willing to release the burdens of the past. There is no way to move forward while constantly looking back." Too many clung to their memories with fierce strength, letting these events that had defined them in the past continue to determine their future. Change could never be possible for such creatures. "But that is not as easily done as said, I'm afraid. You say that mares are not entirely innocent - had you spoken those words up there, many of your sisters would have condemned you for them. They do not recognize that a war is not possible without two sides, the same as with peace." Cullen had made the choice to enter the fight on the behalf of those he ruled - but so had the Peak. Both had erred, and yet it appeared that only one side was being held accountable for their actions.

"We are not so different, the Peak and the Lagoon. Both are intended to serve a purpose, which has lain trampled and forgotten as we focus on petty feuds. But regardless of what your sisters - and my brothers - decide, I have chosen to do what I feel is right. Change, after all, does not need not be the collective effort of many - at least not in the beginning. It can start small, as it has with this conversation. A single step." And the hope that each consecutive step became easier. His bright head - a gold so deep that it appeared almost bronze - tipped to one side as the stallion regarded his new companion. Wondering about the reasons that motivated her, about the hopes that she held. But he did not ask; it was enough that she was here.

"Regardless if they are captive or not, everyone - mare and stallion - has their own life. But there are some have been tricked into believing that it can be taken from them. I intend to prove otherwise. If the Lagoon can rise from the ashes that they have become - if they can set aside their differences and align with those who had once been considered enemies - then how could that not inspire others to do the same? And there are many who would be proud to send their children to such a place, in the hopes that they might learn the true meaning of strength." Those who would refuse were trickier - for they were undoubtedly the ones behind the violence that had consumed the isles. That was why the Peak and the Lagoon needed to present a united front - to instill the very fear in these rulers that they had long utilized to control their subjects.

stallion . twenty-one . palomino roan . mustang mix . 15.1hh
debonaire x neassa