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

After his lack of success in convincing the Vulcans to align themselves with him, perhaps Rade should have been discouraged. It would have been easy to succumb to the apathy that appeared to hold the bachelors; to shrug his figurative shoulders and silently reassure himself that he had done the best he could. To accept meekly the path that the Fates had laid out before him, instead of seeking a different route to the destination that he desired. But the roan stallion had never been one to quit simply because things weren’t easy - if anything, Rade had learned that greater challenges in turn reaped greater rewards. And so he had come full circle, standing before the very creatures he’d onced ruled as a stranger with as little power and influence as their lowest-ranked member. No, less - because he wasn’t one of them. But he would be.

And he would rise again.

With a posture that was exaggeratedly relaxed he greeted the dark male who approached with a soft huff of air and a scrutinizing gaze. As Rade had expected, the stallion gave the impression of one who’d held no favor in the Lagoon - no, he appeared far too comfortable in the confines of the Peak to have been one of those closest to Cullen. Good. “I am Rade, and I was of the Lagoon once - though I suspect that I called it home long before your time.” For now he did not elaborate, turning his dished head reflexively in response to the familiar voice of Fiero, his son. A nod of acknowledgment and a small measure of respect was given, though his attempts to conceal a smirk were not entirely successful. By the scents that clung to the dunalino’s coat, he could guess what sort of affairs Fiero had been held up by. Truth be told, it came to Rade as a bit of a surprise - he had begun to assume that his son held no interest in the opposite gender, though the thoughts hadn’t particularly troubled him. Procreation was, after all, a trivial thing in the face of the troubles that plagued their world.

“The Lagoon has strayed too far from what it should be,” Rade began, addressing Fiero with this statement before focusing his amber eyes on Collision. “A bachelor herd is intended to train the young and harbor the older creatures with no interest in gathering themselves a harem. Not to act as a recruiting ground for an army of mercenaries that is then hired out to the highest bidder. Whatever reasoning Cullen might have provided, it is not our place to take part in the endless bickering of kings - but this war has done enough damage that I feel it is our place to end it.” Rade frowned,, knowing that ultimately it had been this view that put him at odds with the sisterhood. Some had been willing to barter for peace between their two herds, but few seemed interested in concerning themselves with the ultimate fate of the islands, even now that they lingered on the precipice.

“It is my belief that the goals of the Lagoon and the Peak are similar, and that we should align in the interests of preserving the future. The Vulcans, unfortunately, were not in agreement when we spoke - though neither was my offer flatly turned down. It seems that their bitter feelings for Cullen run so deep that it has poisoned their impression of the Lagoon as a whole. Until we overthrow him, we can count on no support from the Peak - save that of their Codebreaker, who offered me her unsanctioned support.” He fell silent, allowing the pair time to digest this information. It was particularly vital that the overo stallion be given time to understand what his words portended - mutiny. Anarchy amongst the comfortable order that they had known for much of their lives. And, ultimately, change.

Whether or not they desired that change enoug to take part in the struggles ahead remained to be seen.

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