OOCI had Tarrow dodge being grabbed, because he would have reacted as she lunged for him out of nervousness. Tarrow felt himself smile involuntarily as she called him a Kelvic. The expression lingered longer than he'd meant it to, and he looked down to conceal what should have been empty pleasure at being identified. It quickly faded however as Edalene spouted about her father. The emotion that overtook her was palpable, and soon he felt it within himself. His smile melted off, and he looked up at her with difficult eyes. How could tell her? It didn't seem his place to involve himself in her affairs. In desperation, she reached out to grab his shirt. The sudden movement stuck a nerve in him, and he quickly dodged backward and evaded her grasp. His eyes widened in what must have been fear as he stared sharply at her in incredulous disbelief - just like he'd been insulted. It quickly faded however, and the shock fell away from his face. He grimaced and looked down again, suddenly apologetic. The mood swings, it seemed, were just as unpredictable in his human form as they were as a horse. "S-sorry," he stammered, grabbing at his shirt and rubbing his chest uneasily. He seemed to breathe quickly, as if a sudden snake had startled him. "It's... it's a horse thing. The sudden movement, it... Never mind. "I... I don't know where your father is." Still uneasy, Tarrow widened the distance between them by taking a few steps to the side. As he turned to face the moon, more of his face was revealed. He did look young, and his eyes were large and deep brown - just as the Firemane's had been. A day-old stippling of dark brown stubble grew on his chin, contrasting to his loose nest of light blond hair. "I found the Cyphrus Striders, chasing after a..." He paused, as if unable to draw the word from his memory. "... a monster. They weren't carrying riders, but I could sense they were both upset and angry. When I saw them, I knew they would catch their deaths if I didn't stop them. I couldn't let that happen to them. I, heh, have a way with horses. Or I used to..." Tarrow looked back at Edalene. "So I intervened. I calmed them, and convinced them not to follow. Valia wanted to return to her master and watch over his body, so I went back with them. I stayed with them. They were grieving, and I couldn't stand to leave them to their pain." Drawing in an uncertain breath, Tarrow grabbed at his shirt where Edalene had nearly snatched it. "The Watch captured me and brought me back against my will. All I could think about was getting away and escaping from them. I felt betrayed by the Striders, who I had just saved from their own demise. They didn't help at all. But... then I saw you. And I saw your pain was the same. Suddenly... I just felt so selfish for only thinking of myself." |