In the peaceful quiet of the night which envelops them her soft cries call to him like a beacon, though he is no hero set out to save the damsel in distress. The sound of her sadness touches a part of him which had lain dormant for some time and he cannot resist approaching her. So enveloped is she in her despondency the white-splashed mare seems to not even notice his approach, giving him ample time to study her. His golden eyes travel over her moon-washed form, petite and delicate, admiring the way the dark copper and black of her coat is contrasted by the white that climbs across her body all the way to her two-toned tail. His own inky pelt stood in contrast, the moon deeping its color to that almost navy hue save for the smattering of scars which stood in pale contrast across his chest and back. At his soft inquiry she finally seemed to notice him, though with such quickness it was clear he had startled her and his ears fall back slightly in apology. Much to his surprise she does not seem afraid as many a lone woman might, confronted with the towering dark figure he posed and it only intrigued him further. He was rather used to intimidating others, mostly without even trying, yet she seemed more preoccupied with wiping away the last of her tears.

Patiently he waited for her to find what composure she could, his mind churning over what could have possibly led her to such despair and then wondering why he cared so much at all. He did not know her, did not even know where he was, and yet he was so distracted by her mere presence not to notice he had strayed into someone else’s home entirely. His breath hitched slightly as she moved towards him, a heightened awareness of their proximity suddenly very apparent to the stallion as he towered over her. Her shaky plea, weighty with her recent anguish, stills him as his head cants to the side slightly though her next words do nothing to clarify the situation. His heavy brows furrow slightly as she reveals her fear of being forced to leave this place. A bell rings somewhere in the back of his mind, alerting him once more where his nose had failed that he was in someone’s territory who may not take too kindly to his presence but once more he ignored it.

Instead he adjusts his weight slightly, his footing uneven on the shifting sand as he lowered his head to regard her better. “I don’t know Maslakhat, but if ever we meet your secret is safe with me.” He offers her a slight smile shared between strangers, but he cannot help but inquire further about her situation. “Would leaving be so bad if you’re unhappy here?” It crossed his mind that she might be here against her will, and the idea caused his stomach to clench. He did not meddle in the affairs of others, but could he leave her to such misery if that were the case? The dark stallion had never been a slave to his emotions, willing to sit back and look at things with a calculating eye which had led him to advising and managing his families affairs even if it had been a thankless thing. Still, the dainty woman before him seemed capable of clouding his judgement even if he did not yet realize it.

“I am Aidoneus. Is there anything I can do to help?” It seemed he didn’t waste any time getting involved in something that had nothing to do with him, but what harm could there be? Surely one woman would not change his life.