Falls

There was a reassurance in the company of another, a fact that was reemerging in his life with every horse he encountered upon his return to the Isles. It was a slippery slope for a man of such strong habit, so easy to fall back into the comforting gravity that came with having that type of family. Yet he denies himself, shoves the desire deep within as he is so well versed at doing. Instead he tried to make light for her, and the success seen in the slight curve of her lip increased the warmth in his soul. There were a few things he was good at after all. It faded quickly however as she seemed to give in to what thoughts that crossed her mind at his comment and he gave her the gently silence between them until she responded. He knew the tone, knew the reminiscence behind those words and he felt for her. He might deserve this life, but he would never wish it upon another especially not the gentle woman before him. They all had their crosses to bear.

The weight of her gaze is as warm as her features as his own emerald eyes meet hers, reveling in the calm acceptance he finds there as she so deftly states the alternative of what giving oneself too much space can do. It is something that hits close to him as she so deftly diagnoses exactly what has happened to him. He shuffles his weight slightly, shifting his bulk on those thick, feathered legs more in shame than awkwardness. He knew the shelter that two quiet ships passing in the night could offer one another, the likelihood of their ever meeting again allowing things to be said which might otherwise be repressed. His broad shoulders roll as he lets out a soft sigh. “You’ve a shrewd eye to see straight through a man with such ease.” He avoids her question for a moment, his recent brush with sheltering with a stranger in a snowstorm fresh on his mind. How aware he was of taking the refuge another offered could be a salve on his battered soul.

Yet did he deserve the respite? Should he be allowed to receive that precious escape? “I’m not sure its decent to burden a pretty lady like yourself with my long list of sins.” He drawled as softly as he could, though his heavy voice still carried despite their snow-muffled surroundings. His heavy head shook lightly, strewing the dark tresses of his mane about his spotted neck. Those mottled ears however remained trained upon her more delicate body. “Suffice it to say that they are many and I am but a man paying his penance now.” He half smiled once more before fixing her with an open look. “But my shoulders are strong enough to bear the weight of my own as well as a few others if you need someone to share your load with.” The desire he had to take on others burdens while not shedding any of his own was an eternal crux of his self-sacrificing existence which wasn’t apt to change now.