Welcome to Gaia! ::

It felt as though it had taken forever for summer to finally release it's stranglehold and grudgingly fade into fall. The harvests were beginning to come in, and despite the hours that many would spend collecting and storing for the sometimes brutal winter months, Polaris needed to do none of that. Instead, he spent his days agreeing with advisors on who to tell to store what, and where, and when it needed completed. Still, despite the renewed energy from the release of oppressive heat, and the work that clearly was yet to be done, he knew that there was more to consider.

Many of the surrounding areas were starting to organize events. Some as simple as tales around a bonfire, and some as elaborate as all day festivals. Without asking a single advisor for their opinion, he decided it was only right that the palace host it's own festivities, making sure that any attended were well fed, entertained, and had time away from their duties so they could actually enjoy the season. His people made his kingdom, and they deserved to enjoy the fruits of their labor. A festival seemed to be the least he could do in order to thank them.

All of it rather felt like work to him, as he had to convince the advisors to go along with it all, figure out the funding, reassure those overseeing the fields, and ensure that the planned games and feast were all arranged to cater to his people. Polaris had much to be thankful for, but the large event was more of a time of stress and posturing, always the king on the pedestal rather than someone who actually got to partake in the events.

So it only made sense for him to attend a different festival himself, not in his own lands, but just over the border. He would be able to let his hair down and just enjoy what there was to offer, rather than worrying about how crowded the streets were, if there were enough apples to be bobbed for, if those tending to the bonfire were taking short enough shifts that they too were enjoying themselves.

Part of that was not being trailed by guards. He knew they were there for him, but the current batch was particularly stodgy. During the festival they came across as so strict and unforgiving that no one seemed to want to approach him, simply bowing and murmuring meaningless thanks in his direction. A young filly had stumbled into his path, and looked at him with startled surprise, but her face had been filled with joy and she started to blurt out how awesome the festival was, only to have a guard blocking her from view mere seconds later, her elation cut off as the guards hustled to get him to "safety."

So no, today was not a day for guards, it was a day for himself. He'd slipped them before, and he would again. All he reliably needed to do was head out before dawn, and the world was his.

He reached the festival in the mid afternoon. It was smaller than his own he had held, but it was still a boisterous affair. Laughter, whiffs of apple, and music filled the air. He would still stick out, but he had tried to make sure he wasn't glowing, his crown left behind to help him blend in just a bit more. There was ample food for all, and once he had filled he continued on, listening to the local tales for a while before getting antsy.

He then played a game, one that he had watched many before him lose, and surprisingly he won one of the top prizes, passing it along to a youngling that was gazing at him with no little amount of envy.

The sun was setting, so many gathered for the lighting of the bonfire, and now he held back. The stars were beginning to twinkle, and he held no fear of the dark. Perhaps it was time to return to his people, and leave these fine folk to enjoy the rest of their harvest. He turned to leave, taking a turn toward the forest as he left the eyesight of the main festivities, and felt something jar his flank.

He'd been thinking a bit to himself, but he still had no idea how he'd been surrounded so quickly, a stallion on either side of him and a mare just ahead in the middle of his path, sneering at him. "Think you can just waltz in here, eat our harvest and take our goods, and leave without paying your way?"

"I am sorry, I thought all were welcome at the harvest celebrations, we always welcome guests at ours," he answered honestly, realizing belatedly how it may seem to those that had little. He had nothing to give on him, he was trying to downplay his standing, and with a moment of regret he realized he truly had nothing to give towards their celebration. "I currently do not have a way to pay you, but I can repay you after I return home."

Polaris simply didn't see the fourth soquili until he spoke, and he started a bit at the voice, though he was already as on edge as he was likely to get.

He had to admire the newcomer as the words sunk in. Coming to the aid of a complete stranger, putting himself in harms way, even if it was entirely foolish. His body language indicated he'd rather be anywhere else, and when the bracelet hit the ground, Polaris winced. He could tell it was real, and despite never needing to think about costs, he could tell the bracelet had to be worth a fair amount.

"Are you sure?" he blurted out, rather appalled at getting bailed out, and at needing to be bailed out, without the self-preservation needed to not look a gift horse in the mouth.

The stallion that was closest to the bracelet seemed to have other ideas, the sight of easy gold overwriting all other thoughts as he moved toward the jewelry. "That's the sort of respect we look for here," he murmured as he went to pick up the offering, seemingly content.

It was the mare who seemed unconvinced. "I haven't seen you contributing to our festival either," she stated, gazing at the other trinkets adorning the stranger, her greed not abating in the slightest.

"That bracelet is more than worth a small herd visiting," Polaris exclaimed, despite it almost being guaranteed that he had nothing helpful to contribute to this exchange. "He's already being far too generous."

Unfortunately, as a younger son who had become a king, Polaris was used to being around fighting. He wasn't good at it himself, and the whole situation made him feel sick to his stomach, but he knew his job. Pay attention, get out of the way, make himself a smaller target if he couldn't escape.

It was obvious that the new stallion was helping him, and as the situation unfolded, Polaris knew that his best chance at survival was to let his savior get between him and danger. When he was thinking clearly, he would let the guilt eat at him that his very existence seemed to put others in harm's way. For now, the training that was drilled into him had him taking careful steps back, not going into the woods or bolting, who knew if there were more to this group out there, but doing his best to distance himself.

The bloodshed though, that got to him. He was well acquainted with it, his own often let for rituals and ceremonies, but this was something far more real. Flickers of light danced around Polaris as his control slipped, and he felt nothing other than relief as the injured stallion wisely decided to cut his losses, though not before he snatched up the bracelet.as he fled after the other stallion. It was only the mare that was left, and she clearly struggled to rise, a hint of madness in her eyes as she finally stood.

"This isn't over." It wasn't a question, but something she spat at them, conviction ringing in her voice as she began to back up, her leg drawn up awkwardly as she tried to keep the weight off of it.

It wasn't until she was out of sight that Polaris truly felt he could breathe, and the odd flares of light near him settled down. "Thank you," he offered as he took a few steps closer to his rescuer, taking in the sight of him and the worrying amount of blood dripping. Hopefully belonging to the ruffians.

"Are you injured? What you did was quite brave, and I can not repay you at this precise moment, but you must allow me to make this right."