Falls

If there’s one thing Gent has accepted about himself, it’s that he is - at his core - an animal, saddled with all the usual base animal urges. No matter how silver his tongue or sharp his mind, at a certain time of the year he becomes indistinguishable from every other wild creature mindlessly driven by the need to flirt and flounce. (Though at least Gent likes to think he is able to go about it with a certain amount of decorum and style.)

It’s a good distraction, at least, from the desolation and drudgery of the Lagoon. With practically every other bachelor off on this sordid mission of Cullen’s, Gent’s thoughts have been as heavy and dark as mud after a summer storm. A brisk walk into the common areas, therefore, proves to be just the remedy he needs.

He is strolling upriver, following the rumble of the falls beneath his hooves, when the trees part before him and he sees her: a pale vision beside the water, cutting a stark contrast against the dull browns and reds of the fall foliage. Gent knows immediately that he has no choice but to approach her, though he’s sure he’s far from the first to do so today. With an eager flick of his dark tail, he lets out a low whicker of greeting, and flashes her a friendly smile, which quickly melts away into an expression of exaggerated concern.

“I’m so sorry to bother you, miss, but are you lost? Heaven is an awful long way from here.” The corner of his mouth twists, revealing the mischievous intent behind his words, a split second before his facade crumbles entirely and he breaks down in laughter. “I’m so sorry, that was terrible.”