Lost Angel{Scapeh}

[violetstar]

Phantom

~Swear to me,
Never do tell~

The soft wind whipped against the stallion's ebony coat. The hard rocks of the cliff sunk into his worn hooves. This journey would be hard. Scaling these rocks to reach the top of the cliff was tricky and possibly dangerous. But it was what was needed. Around the other parts of this land other creatures might be waiting, but not here. No one would climb these cliffs in this kind of weather. Except for someone desperate. Which this stallion was. He wanted to keep away from any other living form. They only caused him pain. The only company he wanted to keep was that of the shadows that concealed his monstrous form. And the wind. Which sang to him as he journeyed up the cliffs. A solemn, slow tune. For the wind knew the tale of the stallion, and knew that sorrow was all he had ever experienced in his life.

The creature continued to travel up the rocky slope, stretching his long wings out to help him balance. Though what would be the harm if he slipped and fell to his death. Who would care? It would be the perfect death for him. Far away from any soul who might want to disturb his deathly peace. But he did not fall. Phantom did not wish to die, though he was alone and angry. He knew that his mother, and his love, would not want him to go like that. And so with the wind at his back the creature climbed the last slope and stood upon level ground. His dial turned upwards to the sky, noticing the clouds that were beginning to form. The wind sang songs of rain but the stallion did not run for cover.

No, he stood out in the open as the first droplets of rain began to fall upon his ashen coat. Blue orbs starred into the sky, daring the universe to do its worst, he could take it. Pristine ears flicked backwards to keep the wetness from getting in. His nostrils flared in anger at an unknown entity. Lightening struck in the faraway distance and the rain began to fall harder. It soaked his pelt, intertwined with his thick black banners. Curling into the one strand of white mane on his right. Streaming down his pristine dial. Pooling in the indents of his scar that marred his once perfect face. Laying on his feathered wings. Phantom's lips pull back into a snarl. And his head tossed defiantly. His wings snap straight into the air. Thunder shook the ground that he stood on and the stallion sent out a deep scream back to the universe. It was what had done this to him. Cursed his pelt with disgusting white. Killed his mother and love. Not him. Oh but it was him. All his fault.

Another scream erupts from the stallion as strong legs lift him into the air, front legs striking out into the rain. He did not choose this life of sorrow, it chose him. He was cursed for reasons unknown to the stallion and it drove him mad. He had done nothing to deserve what life had thrown at him. Being born white. That was his only crime. And that one crime turned his whole life into despair. Lightening sizzled onto a tree near the stallion, sending him rearing again, teeth gnashing towards whatever gods had decided to torture him. Strong feet landed on the stone, his body shook with the anger that raced through his veins, and one last scream of despair left his white lips. Then the stallion allowed silence to once again fall over him. The only sound being that of the rain that covered his body. He was alone. How it should be. How it always would be.

~The secret you know,
Of the Angel in Hell.~

[Scapeh]

Silence, with nothing but the grey clouds overhead that cast a soft glow to the grounds before me. It smelled of the rain long before it pelted down against my sooty coat, drenching the bloody bay colour to that of something darker, near black. Oh, but the white of coat shone brightly in defiance. I snorted, my nares flaring out to take in the scent of the rain as it washed over me and my coat. I closed my orbs, letting everything seep away from me as I lifted my dial to the clouds. It was a chilled rain, yet the warmth from the lingering sunlight against my pelt made it tolerable and welcome. I shook my mane, tossing droplets away from me, not that it did much good, as I was already soaking. It was then that I heard it, just past the thunder and the lightning. A cry.

It was the sound of utter defeat, of loneliness and sorrow. It was the sound of a stallion with nothing left to give and to live for. It was the sound of the death of the soul. My orbs opened again, the startling blue light flashing against the lightning as I tried to find the source as it cried out again. Among the rocks. My audits flicked, trying to protect themselves from the water as I started my ascent. It was hard going, as the rocks were made slick, and my pillars drove me upwards at a careful pace. I listened, and eventually, nothing but the rain came to me. I paused, waiting to see if the sounds would come again, but nothing floated to me. I continued my journey upwards into the unknown. I wasn't quite sure what I planned on doing once I reached the creature who was in such pain, but I knew that I had to do something. It was not how I was raised to stand idly by while someone died inside, male, female, it mattered not to me. A living being was a living being, and they deserved comfort.

Finally... They came into sight. I was correct in my assumption of stallion tones, for he certainly was. I could see through the sheets of rain, and I could fill my lungs with his fresh scent. Strong and hard yet broken and fragile. I could not see his whole being, but I could tell his black coat was soaked through much like mine own. There were flashes of white, and he held wings. Such a strong being, much larger than I was, hardier, of deeper lineage than my own. Still, I lifted my head high, my white mask shielding me from darkness of the clouds as the thunder rolled once more. I made my steps towards the stallion from behind, clearing my throat. My black banner twisted behind my legs, dripping wet. "Enjoying the weather?" Oh that was a right stupid thing to say. Still, it was the first thing that had come to my mind. It was the best way that I could introduce myself to the stallion. After all, a mare was one thing, she often wanted to have the comfort and charm of a gentleman. A stallion was another thing entirely. He did not want the help or pity or charm of another. But perhaps I could befriend the creature. He seemed to be well off enough, anyways.

My pelt shivered in the cold as the rain drained away the warmth that was left from the sun against my coat and I waited for the stallion to recognize me and take in my appearance.


-----
Word Count: 602

[/color][/blockquote]

[violetstar]

Phantom

~Child of the wilderness~

The silence shifted about the stallion, cloaking him in its darkness. The rain soaked through to his bones, chilling him. He was broken, and totally alone. This cold, silent, darkness was what fit him best now. Not somewhere where the sun would shine down on him and promise a life filled with wonder and happiness. That could never happen for this stallion. His life was cursed to be lonely, for evermore.

Then a sound echoed. Hooves climbed the rocks close to the stallion. His ears flick slightly. It was most likely just his imagination. There was no way that another soul was out in this horrid weather. And so the creature went back to sulking. But then a voice rang out. Asking if he was enjoying the weather. What a horrid, and stupid question. Phantom spins on his haunches to face the stallion. His pristine ears pinned flat against his ebony mane, teeth were barred in an angry snarl. Who dared to break his silence? To ask such a ridiculous question when he was so obviously in pain. But the sight that come to his blue orbs shocked the stallion.

The face was painted white, a mask just like Phantom's covered the stallion's dial. The stallion's coat was marred by white markings, such was Phantom's. The stallions ears pricked up, eyes widened, and lips snapped shut. His expression matched that of a curious and shocked colt. Then the stallion got a hold of himself. His ears flicked back to his mane, a slight frown creasing his lips, his normal look crossing his eyes. That of a cold uncaring. His wings snapped close to his hide. Then his face tilted to the right, realizing that he had not hid his scar. His dial moved so that it would be just out of sight of the stallion that faced him. Then he sighs. Preparing himself to speak.

"Indeed. This weather is what I deserve. Cold and harsh." The stallion tosses his head defiantly. If this unknown stallion was to ask such a stupid question he deserved an answer that would make him stop and think. Maybe Phantom's statement would make the stallion shut up for good, leave him alone to his guilt. But the wind twisted around the cursed stallion, whispering words of friendship acceptance. Who was the stallion to deny the wind's tellings? One more sigh escaped the stallions maw.

Phantom was in dire need of a friend. Someone who might accept him. If he did not receive this he might truly go mad. But should he dare? Every friend that the stallion had was taken away from him in cruel ways. This was his curse? And so should he dare to deny the world this and hope to have a friend? And who was to say that this stallion would even consider this? He could just wish to torment Phantom. But the wind whispered words, telling him that this was not true. Singing that his life could change. He could end up not being lonely. Was the wind right? Well it had never lied to him before.

"And you sir? How is this weather treating you?" His voice slid out like velvet, coating the wind with dark tones. His ears flicked upwards in a sign of friendliness. He did not try to smile, he knew that would never work for him, it had been too long. His head tipped lower, as not to try and out do the other stallion, but it continued to tip right to hide his scar.
"I am Phantom." His right foot outstretches as a bow, his head dipping farther along with it, then the stallion straightens himself out. "A pleasure to meet you." Silence then expanded between them as Phantom waited for a reply from the stranger.

~Born into emptiness.~

[Scapeh]

I did not expect the stallion to wheel around as he had. The wings had gone wild with the wind and as the thunder rolled, I could have sworn I saw evil intent upon his eyes and I struck down to the ground. I started, backing up a bit to give him room. He snarled at me and the lightning flashed, and I could tell that it was the end of me. And then, just like that, he died down. The spark to his eyes which I had been sure to mean my death changed to that of childish curiosity, and that look made my pelt lie flat along my spin once more. My audits flicked forward in a friendly greeting as I watched him. He was a stunning beast, large, powerful, muscular. Yet he was marred. His features held scars along the right side of his face, which he promptly tried to hide the moment he became aware that they were visible. I decided not to make comment upon them. Obviously those wounds were part of why he was pained so.

”A stallion does not deserve the cold and the harsh,” I commented, stepping forward so that I could be within better conversational distance of the brute, so that he could hear me over the howlings of the wind. A soft smile, however, graced my lips as he asked after my enjoyment of the weather, and I had to chuckle, the baritones of my chest throbbing outward with the thunder, making it almost feel as if it was not meant to startle, but to welcome those who had been caught in the downpour. ”As of myself, I think that the rain is rather cleansing, a great and lovely thing to be true.” I paused, then dipped my dial down, my eyes shimmering between blue and green like the sea that roiled below us on the cliffs.

”They call me Horus Tarkus, but Horus is just a right fine name as any, and less of a mouthful. It is a pleasure and an honour to meet some as noble as yourself, Phantom.” I brought my head back up to high and comfortable, watching the creature before me. My banner flicked back and forth, tangling between my legs as water slid down my pelt. I shook myself and took a step forward. ”Come, how about we take ourselves out of the rain and into a place where we can properly speak and hear ourselves think, eh?” I tilted my dial to the side, watching the stallion. He truly had a lot of pain stored up in him. I wanted to befriend him, to see if I could relieve some of that pain, to bring a light back into his eyes, for surely there was a great light that had once resided in them. I smiled a soft smile against the lips of my maw, offering him the friendly gesture for him to walk at my side into the shelter of the trees that seemed not so far off.

-----
Word Count: 506

[/color][/blockquote]

[violetstar]

Phantom

~Down we plunge to the prisons of my mind.~

The equine cowered in front of Phantom's strength. But then realized that he meant no harm and returned to a happy status. The stranger's words plunged through the howling wind. Saying that a stallion did not deserve harsh and cold. But alas he did not know Phantom. His head nods slightly, pondering on how to reply to this.
"Ah, I am sure that most do not." His head nods once more. "But those who are cursed, much as I am, deserve that and so much more." Surely this would lead this accompanying stallion to wonder as to Phantom's past. Maybe he would even ask about it. But the stallion was not sure if he would answer his questions. His past was his to know. His sorrow his to carry. The wind sang to him, his ears flicked towards its sweet sound. He would be friendly, he promised, but his secrets would stay his for now.

The stallion told that he believed the rain to be cleansing. Phantom did need cleansing. But the rain had never supplied that. "I suppose many would agree with that belief. I believe it is the anger of the Gods. But I seem to be the only one who believes this." His banners twirl around him, knotting around his legs, sliding between his feathers. It was true, every soul that Phantom had stumbled upon never really believed that the Gods showed their wrath to the mortals here on earth. But Phantom knew better. The Gods had cursed him from their high homes in the heaven. Leaving him to burn in this lowly earth like hell. But he did not expect others to know of this. They had not lived the life that Phantom had. Not experienced the sorrow.

The other stallion's words slip through the rain once more, announcing his name, Horus. This name seemed fitting in a strange way. Gentlemanly, like the stallion so obviously was. He then called Phantom noble, and the stallion nodded proudly, he was of noble birth. Though that was part of what led to his curse, he was still proud of it. Then the stallion offered to travel into the cover of trees so that they were more comfortable. This sounded somewhat pleasing to the stallion's ears. But in the protection of the trees the wind might not be able to reach the stallion and that scared him. But the wind twisted itself around the stallion's form, twisting his banners, and lifting his feathers towards the skin. Its force pushed him towards the trees and so Phantom went to the side of Horus. Beginning to walk towards the trees.

In the shelter from the rain the stallion stops, turning to face Horus. Phantom resigned to showing the right side of his face, so that he could be more comfortable looking at the other stallion. Something told the stallion that Horus would not think bad of him for it, surely he had already seen the scars when he had turned so sharply to meet the opposing stallion. He had not said something then, and so maybe he was not the judging type.

Phantom shakes his body, spraying the water from his coat and feathers. His eyes laid on the stallion before him, softening somewhat. "Ah. This is better." It was the best that he could do. It had been such a long time that the stallion had been away from conversation that he was not sure how to continue one. And so he waited, hoping that Horus would be better at it than he.

~Down once more.~

[Scapeh]

This stallion believed in the wrath of the Gods, and I tilted my dial, watching him carefully. Obviously, he felt truly that he had deserved this sort of treatment from them. My mind wandered to think on the scars that caressed his face, and I wondered as to how he had gained the features. It was then that he was beside me, and I knew that he had accepted the invitation to take to the trees. I smiled softly, walking with him at an easy pace. I watched as the wind blew our banners around us, ruffling his feathers so close to his body. He was massive, especially when next to me, rippling with muscle and intent. Sure, I held some waves myself, but I was not nearly as strong as he, and this I could tell. But it was not just his frame that made him so, no. His life had hardened him into a beast that made him this way. He rippled because he had been raised to do so.

I dipped my dial downwards, a sign of respect, as well as to keep the rain from penetrating my eyes. I blinked rapidly as the water came down in sheets and the thunder rolled deep in the distance, coming closer, the eye of the storm sneaking nearer and nearer to us. At least in the shelter of the trees we would not be sitting ducks, nor the largest beings for the lightning to strike, so long as we did not stand too close to that which the fire would be willing to spark and strike. As we came to the trees and the shelter, I felt relief against my pelt from the constant pounding of the rain, softened by the branches that reached up around us. Phantom shook himself next to me and made comment on the change in scene, and I knew that it had been a good choice for us to move into the shelter of the branches. I shook my own pelt, flinging water about me and onto the already soaking trunk of the massive tree next to us. I nodded my head, white mask dipping down to follow along his frame once more. Truly, if he had wished me any harm, he would have done so already.

He turned to face me, and I knew that I held his trust, for he had gone to lengths before to hide his face from me, and now, on full display were his scars. I smiled softly, tipping my head downwards in a half bow before my eyes came up to look him over with respect. "Yes, indeed it is much better." I shifted, my pelt cooling and chilling in the rain, and I shivered, attempting to gain some heat to my being once more. Hopefully the rain would be ending soon. To go as quickly as it had come. I snorted softly, my nares flaring up to take in the scent around us, the pine, and the sap, and the scent of the stallion before me mixed with the clear cut smell of the rain. It was a gorgeous and enchanting combination. "I wish to ask, if I may, what brings you out to these parts and in such weather, all aside regards that the Gods are settling their wrath upon you. What I wish to know is why you have distanced yourself. Surely there is someone here who is part of your company. A noble beast such as yourself does not often travel alone." My audits twitched above my crown as I waited for answer, and I hoped to all things that one could hope to that he did not take offense to my questions.

-----
Word Count: 619

[/color][/blockquote]

[violetstar]

Phantom

~Learn to be lonely~

The question that Phantom knew would come rang out from Horus. Or something like it. The stallion asked why it was that Phantom was out here, alone in this type of weather, why he had distanced himself. At this Phantom gave a deep, rumbling, dark chuckle. Shaking his frame. “True, when I was younger I did not travel alone. I had a knight to escort me.” That was true. Even when he was younger and controlled by the King Phantom had been escorted by knights. They were there to be sure that no one would kill the young stallion. The King did not want Phantom to have that kind of courtesy done to him. No he wanted his son to suffer for a curse that he did not choose.
“But now I am banished from that place. For a crime that I did not choose. And so I am out wondering the world now.” He nods his head softly. There that was not too much of his story. If Horus wanted to hear the rest of his story he would have to inquire more. The wind whistled through the tree’s limb, making a soft melody lift through the air. And yes, if Horus asked to hear his story Phantom would tell him, the stallion seemed trustworthy enough. As Phantom pondered over the question that Horus asked the thought that he was not always alone placed itself into the stallion’s mind. Maybe if he told Horus this the stallion would not see him as pathetic. Maybe just lonely, sad. But not pathetic, because that was one thing that Phantom was not.
“There was a time after that, that I was not alone.” A slight smile lifted his white lips softly as he pictured the mare in his thoughts. “I had a mare that traveled with me for quite some time, you could say that I loved her.” Love, that word was not large enough for what he had felt for the mare. It was a feeling beyond which words could explain. “But my curse took her away from me.” His eyes went back to being cold as the images of his love’s death dance around behind his eyes. “That is why I distance myself from others. Because everyone that I get close to dies. That is my curse. Or part of it.” His head nods at the end of his sentences to emphasize that his story was over until Horus asked for more.
Then the silence once again enveloped them. Though Phantom had become used to this sound of silence he did not want it to close in on him again. And so the stallion decided to speak once more to Horus. “And why is it that a gentleman such as you is out here alone?” It seemed like a reasonable question. Here he was, being kind to me in a way that not many had ever been, accepting me. But he had nothing to show for it, no companion with him. The wind spoke words of how many Horus could become Phantom’s companion. But this question would not be asked just yet. No he would wait until some kind of sign comes from the Horus as to what he would possibly think of such an offer.

~Learn to be your one companion~

[/color]

[Scapeh]

I listened to the stallion's tale. He believed that he was cursed somehow, but by what I could not exactly tell, and it ate away at me, but I dared not ask, not so soon into our knowing of each other. He spoke of a knight, and it was then that I understood that my naming of him being noble was right on the mark, though I had only intended it out of respect. He truly deserved the title. He was not alone, though, and I could tell from the look in his eyes when he spoke about this mare that he did indeed love her as he had said so, but his curse, ah, the damned curse he spoke of, it tore them apart. It made my bones shiver, and not from the cold of the wind that howled about us in the storm, or from the rain that penetrated my pelt, but from the gut-wrenching horror that I felt at two lovers being pulled from each other. That, indeed, was a curse. I could sense that there was more to the story that he did not want to tell, and I did not want to pry into it.

I didn't have to, though, for he asked after why someone as such as myself was out alone in the world. I gave a chuckle, one that matched his, but was not quite as dark or possibly sinister. "I wander the world, in search of something to better myself. I myself am not exactly prized for how I look, in fact, these markings of mine have gotten me into a fair amount of trouble. But I was raised better than that, so I act upon it. The appearance of one does not matter nearly as much as what is in their heart, and that is something that I will proudly stand by until the end of my days." My banner flicked back and forth against my pillars, and I could feel the sting of the needles upon the trees as they fell down around us from the wind. The thunder rolled and lightning crackled about us, and I felt fear seep into me. I did not wish to be caught unaware in such a storm, but I held my ground. There was no need to show my fear to a gentleman that showed non himself. I straightened by posture and tilted my head.

The curiosity got the better of me, and I knew that I had to say something then. My audits twitched, and I waited, listening to the stallion for a moment, to see what he might think about my comments, but not nearly long enough, for the curiosity burned at me and I finally had to ask, my orbs deeply curious as I inquired, "This curse you speak of... This damnable curse that seeks to destroy all that you hold dear, that on earth could it be? And, if I might be so as able to inquire, is it what has caused the marks upon your face? The features that show the world what the Gods have done to you, what the world has inflicted upon your soul. Is that part of your curse?" I tried to sound as humble as possible, not prying. I flicked my ears, blinking slowly, amending, "You do not have to speak of it if you do not wish it, I would understand the silence for such a thing. I would never intend to pry into something that is as personal as such, but you seem like such a good sire, that I felt as if I had to inquire into why you believe the world to have such a cruel twist of fate waiting for you."

And thus I waited, to see if the stallion would welcome my questions, or turn heel and run. Or perhaps worse than that, though I doubted that he would do such a thing to me. As I had pointed out to myself before, if he had any intentions of hurting me, he would have done it long before now. Perhaps, that look in his eyes, the way he spoke with me... Friendship. He was seeking friendship. And I wanted to give it to him. Friendship is what he needed, what he sought, and that was something that I was more than willing to hand over to him. I could tell that perhaps he could sense it in the way that I spoke, the way that I held myself, the way that I looked at him with my orbs, a seeking and pleading sigh to my bodice that made him wonder after my intentions. Hope. My intentions were hope.

And thus I waited.

------
Word Count: 786

[/color][/blockquote]

[violetstar]

Phantom

~He’ll always be there,~

Phantom listened carefully as Horus spoke of how he was treated with cruelty because of his strange markings. At the sound of this Phantom gave a soft and understanding sigh. “Yes, I know how being thought ill of because of strange markings feels.” At this the stallion turns to his right side, showing the vast difference between both sides of his body. Two long white stockings grew up the stallion’s right legs. The wing on his right side had white feathers splattered through the black. One thick twist of mane fell to the right, the pure color of white. Phantom paused a moment and then turned back to face Horus face on. A strange connection to this stallion began to form inside of Phantom. They were the same, in many ways. Both treated cruelly because of the strange markings that marred their coat. Though Horus seemed to deal with this treatment in a better way than Phantom. Horus became a gentleman, treating the other horses who treated him cruelly with kindness, much different from Phantom who just chose to run from the cruelty and distance himself. Maybe, just maybe, Horus could teach Phantom his ways of forgiveness. The stallion desperately needed that, so that the hatred he held in his heart would stop eating him away inside.

As we stood between the trees the wind ripped through the branches and howled through the atmosphere. Rain managed to drizzle through the protection of the trees and sprinkled down upon the two equines. Phantom listened quietly to the music that the wind played to them. Smiling at the wind’s voice, a friend that he knew well, who led him to a possible other friend. Thunder struck behind the two and Phantom watched as a look of fear spread itself across Horus’s face. He understood this, Phantom was built larger that Horus and could easily over take him, but that was not something that the equine would ever do. “Do not fear me. I have seen too much pain in my life to ever inflict it upon another equine.” Phantom nodded his head to emphasize this. “I give you my word.” In Phantom’s world when an equine gave his word it was a deep promise, one that could never be taken back or broken.

Horus then asked what away Phantom knew he would. The stallion asked what his Phantom’s curse was. “Do not worry about offending me; it is a question that I was expecting.” Phantom chuckled slightly. “My strange marking are a part of my curse. I was born into a very high up family, to the King of my land. He tried for so long to keep his lineage pure that when I was born he went wild. He killed my mother right in front of me, blaming my imperfection on her, and believing that I deserved to watch what I caused. My father then kept me held up in a dungeon for a lot of my life. But I decided to challenge him one day when I was younger. He did not play fair though. He let his companion, a wolf, to attack me. Which is where I got my scare. I went blind from that attack, but my father had a healer change that, so that I would be able to see my imperfect form for all of my life. He then banished me away from his land. And so I began to wonder alone. But as I said before I met a mare. We traveled for a few years, and each one I fell even deeper in love with her. But it was not to be.” Phantom sighed, preparing to relive the death of his love. “But then we met Knight’s from my father’s land. They believed that they would receive special treatment for torturing me and so they murdered my love, right before my eyes, and left me there to be alone once more. That is my curse. That horrid history is my curse.” Phantom’s words stop and he waited to hear what Horus would say. It was clear to Phantom what telling Horus his history meant. He wished to befriend the stallion. And Phantom wished that he felt the same. Though he wasn’t sure how to word this wish. And so, he waited.

~Singing songs in my head.~