Falls

The pair seemed to settle around each other, the easy comradery that came from two life-worn men of similar and yet vastly different worlds. His dark humor eliciting that heartfelt laugh from the roan stallion’s lips that had a true grin pulling at the edges of his dark mouth. Too many took themselves too seriously these days and he appreciated the easy air with which their meeting was growing. His broad head nodded in understanding at the golden man’s response to his query. A man’s place in the world could be varied, and some he knew unlike himself never found any joy in the traditional paths. Bondurant had thrived under that life, taking care of those in his charge so much so that he was determined to not slip back into its inviting grasp. To hear that he was a man of the Lagoon however drew his interest and had bells of familiarity ringing in the back of his mind. There was something about him, the way he carried himself and how he spoke that echoed something he had heard long ago yet could not place.

However, the mention of war cemented his intrigue, for though he had been back on the mainland for months now he had heard mentions and whispers of the unrest but had not cared enough to press for more information. Now however, especially with his daughters’ interest in joining the Peak sisterhood. What all was she getting herself into? “I am impressed they let you enter in the first place, there was a time I remember the Vulcans only allowed in those of our sex who they considered captive or lover.” He drawled with an arched a brow, though he could ascertain that the slender man was neither of those things to them. “What war have they trespassed into? It surprises me to hear, I always reckoned they tended to stay out of that sort of thing.” In the past the Peak and Lagoon had been neutral territory respectively, it both surprised and troubled him to hear it might no longer be the case.

One mottled leg shifts underneath his bulk, transferring his sizeable weight from one side to the other as his companion seems to also settle in. In truth Bondurant enjoyed the comradery with one who seemed of such a similar situation as his own. His next question was unexpected however, as was the intensity which burned within his eyes as he continued. He was an eloquent man, rather the Politian as far as the white-splotched man could tell. The gentleman had never been good with words, too often saying too much or too little and more of what he meant than perhaps was needed. The fervor in his words however does mirror that fire which had been stirred in his own soul. “The Forest is the only home I have ever truly had, but it is not the place I belong anymore.” It was something he had accepted long ago now and it did not due to dwell on the past. “But you of all men can appreciate that with age comes a certain perspective that most are not willing to acknowledge being blinded by you. I’m sure you remember the days when we knew everything.” He huffed a laughed, the fact that hindsight was twenty-twenty had more truth than he cared to think about in the present moment.

Still the passion with which his new acquaintance spoke was palpable and he felt the echoes of it in his own emerald gaze. The other stallion seemed to grasp for some sense of composure, which Bondurant could appreciate knowing well how easily emotions could rampage if left unchecked. And with the name he finally gave by way of introduction something clicked. Rade was a name he recognized, surely none could have spent any amount of time in their world in his younger age. While the two may have never truly crossed paths in their youth it explained why he was so familiar. “I’m Bondurant.” His deep voice rumbled in a simple reply, curious to see if the recognition went both direction. He had been no where as impactful as the palomino on the scape of these lands, but they had shared time together no doubt. “And it is about time my ears were blistered, they have been dormant too long and need some good use.” He had a feeling about this, about what the future might hold with the burgeoning friendship of two old souls, neither ready to simply accept the end of life and go quietly.