such expensive mistakes

He forgets the plant quickly. His mind moves to other things — the past. Always the past. His heart yearns toward home as a compass needle turns infallibly north. Seiji is silent as he gazes skyward. Silent as the rain tickles the end of his nose. Silent as Kiada moves somewhere beside him. He doesn't want to share his sorrow with her, but he does want to share something about his home. The place which grew him. The place he represents, even here... Slowly, his dark eyes turn and turn toward her. His ears prick. "You're not from here, are you?" A moment — two heart beats — before he shakes his head. No, I'm not. And he never wanted to come. If anyone had asked him years ago, at the beginning of his ascent (the beginning, perhaps, of his destruction) he would have laughed that gentle, airy laugh of his. Why would I want to go there? He was ever content to dance on solid ground. To taunt. Looking back, he sees how arrogant he was and yet cannot condemn his younger self. His younger self was happy. Was beautiful. He doesn't know how to answer the next question. One of his ears tilts back. Alone, he thinks. And the answer, instant: yes gods yes one thousand time yes but it isn't really true, is it? He carries them in his heart, those fading images, those imperfectly preserved voices. They are with him; they love him. And he loves them. Something wistful crosses his face, then something wry. He can't articulate the truth with his new, limited vocabulary. So he smiles at her — just smiles. Apologetic. And turns away. His hooves ring on the stone. There is one more question. One more, which is reasonable enough. Seiji lets it sink in for a moment, though. Something — maybe something sharp enters his expression. It might be ..... but they could be innocent, too. He glances at Kiada, at the great bird on her back, and he remembers the noise of so many wings. His eyes narrow slightly. It could be innocent.... Slowly, Seiji nods, but he's watching her. Watching and wondering if she knows something. If she maybe knows more than he suspected. He should not — he shouldn't trust  any of them. They are not his people. They are not like him. But it's hard.

img by Tildae @ flickr

@Kiada
ooc // finally! I hope I gave you enough to go one, here D: I know it isn't much.