i used to rule the world

seas would rise when i gave the word

For all the age-old Dark Hunter's often disagreeable and sometimes stoic demeanor, he was hardly above those displays of warm-hearted affection. Although those words of appreciation rarely left his lips, Alexander still cared for his steed. He still made every effort to come through on those promises, to alleviate that very past that so troubled him and prompted such recklessness from him. Despite those comparisons he was so oft prone to make, and despite that very difference in hue, Frost reminded him in demeanor alone of his beloved stallion. That fear within Bucephalus had caused him to act out and, in turn, for others to deem him unrideable. Though he suspected Frost would hardly admit to any such thing, he could see how the same angst of those past traumas has affected the man. He was hardly oblivious to the fashion that very glimpse of affection so seemed to shatter those icicle walls he had been confronted with, followed by, some level of...discomfort, perhaps, at those emotions he had quite purposefully beset the dominant stallion with. In a way, he was hardly surprised when Frost finally agreed to, once again, joining the ranks of the very army he despised, prompting a ghost of a simper to the elder fellow's features as he leaned comfortably against the railing of the veranda. Fear never worked well with horses. It was always love that provided him with that loyalty he sought from them. Always.

He hardly saw a reason to force Frost to linger with the awkwardness of those sentimental feelings, instead, the Dark Hunter fully allowed that conversation to return to business in the manner it so often did. Those inquiries of his newfound role in the Hunter's Council were wholly expected, even if Alexander was almost sheepish to admit those idle threats he had been forced to make to seal the deal. Truly, it was selfish to murder every single commander they appointed that was not himself and yet considering the era in which he was born, it was often how things went. Assassinations had not been uncommon. Even his own father had fallen prey to one. He knew well that his appointment to that role of Commander would likely create ripples within that Mounted Cavalry, particularly against the younger members. Those old enough to remember those periods of time in which the King involved himself within the Council would certainly be far more inclined to serve beneath him, of that he was certain. When he devoted himself to fulfilling that task his species was made for, he had a tendency to do so with such striking efficiency that it left a lasting mark.

The very mention of those three local members, however, seemed to prompt a reaction within the were-stallion. He hardly anticipated that story and yet, he could scarcely deny that he was amused by it all the same. It was very much like Azrael to simply refuse to get back on a horse that had knocked him off. While persistence was not the Hunter's strong suit, anger and stubbornness certainly were. "Alekai is....certainly short on patience." He admitted with a soft chuckle, the corner of his lips twitched upwards at the mere thought of the Hunter being tossed like so many others had. Though he hardly disliked the man, they certainly weren't friends by any means, leaving the Macedonian Hunter almost....smug at the sheer imagery of Alekai being tossed into the snow like a rag doll. Those thoughts of Azrael, however, hardly lingered long before the discussions turned towards those roles that would now require filling. Alexander would need to fill those officer positions, if he decided to replace those whom Xerxes had appointed. The very suggestion that Alexander had already chosen his new Lieutenant seemed to capture Frost's attention. He knew well his choice in Matteo would create those ripples of disdain amongst his new troops and yet, so too would his very own appointment of Commander. He needed someone he could trust and, at the very least, the Oracle had never once let him down.

His blue-green eyes settled upon the man beside him, simply waiting as Frost's fingers tapped upon the railing, clearly considering the very effects that choice would cause. His gaze met the intense stare of his companion's and yet, Alexander hardly balked at the assurances of what would come from such a decision. "Yes, the sooner they learn that I do not run a democracy, the better." Those claims of favoritism hardly perturbed the King. After all, the Monarchy was above such clamor for 'fairness', was it not? "They may attempt to judge him all they choose. They will not find fault with him." At the very least, Matteo's foresight and charisma quite near guaranteed that any attempts made would surely fall flat and if not, Alexander had an idea to silence those complaints once and for all. For now, it was that final inquiry of Matteo's ability to ride that prompted a soft chuckle upon his lips, his head bobbed quite firmly. "He could probably stay on even you." Alexander retorted with a slight glimpse of amusement. His faith within Matteo's abilities was quite plain at that moment, even if the elder Hunter rarely every voiced such belief in the man within his presence, at least, not anymore. He had grown far more egotistical with age and required far less of that gentle, reassuring guidance.

That topic changed easily enough, the Dark Hunter entirely inclined to clear the air of those very things he foresaw as potential matters his war-horse might take issue with. After all, it was imperative that Frost and himself were on the same page when Alexander finally presented himself to the Cavalry unit. The last thing he wanted was for Calliel's presence to disrupt that fractured relationship he'd only just fixed. As it was, Frost hardly seemed to think highly of his own Vector, at least as far as following in his footsteps was concerned. Where Anastasia had so keenly picked up Hunting despite her limitations, Calliel seemed far more content to battle with words than to be of any true use. Still, after his own experiences with the girl, the King could certainly see why. His blue-green eyes flickered towards the Icelandic fellow at his insistence that Alexander had a way with the equestrian kind. It was a compliment, of course, and yet considering how very long he had spent around them, it too was expected of the King. He offered a small shrug, instead making some effort to reassure the fellow that Calleil would be given every opportunity to leave that unit if she deemed life was a war-horse not her calling. At the very least, he had little intention of binding her to that world in the same fashion Frost had been. That alone, at least, was a point the pair seemed to agree upon, regardless of the clear doubt that existed, perhaps, in both men when it came to their own Vectors.

He hardly had expected that sudden suggestion for a ride, particularly considering the rarity that either partook in such an activity simply for the sake of it. Still, considering his other alternative, Alexander quite eagerly agreed to that suggestion. The sheer thought of the felines that his steed chose to associated caused his expression to darken and yet, he said distinctly little of the man's choice of pack members either. He waited just long enough for the steed to inform his pack of his return before the Dark Hunter led the way to the park and away from the prying eyes of neighbors. At the very least, those overgrown hedges provided some level of privacy. If such was possible. Even so, the Dark Hunter remained nestled against a nearby tree, keeping some form of watch whilst leaving the were-steed to see about that task of disrobing and, in turn, shifting. It hardly took long, however, before the heavy footfalls of the draft stallion drew his gaze away from the park in front of him. It was almost natural, truly, the way in which his hands reached out for the steed, his fingertips all too gingerly caressing the warm skin of Frost's nape.

His head pressed gently against the steed's own in a small gesture of affection. He had a habit, in those gentle moments, of returning to that language of his birth. Those Greek words uttered altogether softly and yet, he hardly needed Frost to understand them, all the same. Matteo was right. It was always the horses that did him in. They had always been a constant force within his life - a source of loyalty and steadiness and dependability he often found lacking within most men. They alone tended to receive the softer side of the King. He was well aware of that soft pressure against his chest and yet, Alexander hardly saw a reason to move in the slightest, that singular thought pressed against his mind. He hadn't quite been certain that Frost might mirror such a sentiment, or at least admit to it and yet, he was glad, truly, that those qualms the steed had held had diminished entirely. Alexander pulled away ever so slightly, just enough to let his lips brush against the equine's forehead. That sudden lifting of the man's leg prompted a soft chuckle from his lips as the horse drew his frame slightly closer. Truly, it was an unanticipated gesture considering the man had once jumped out of his very skin to even wake up in a tent beside the Dark Hunter. His head shook ever so slightly in a good-natured fashion at the memory, only to move out of the horse's embrace and towards his side.

That offered leg was gratefully used as Alexander lifted himself onto the stallions back, that gesture entirely fluid and equally as wordless as the man now beneath him. It was with a slight press of his feet the Alexander encouraged the steed onwards and yet, truly, he held little intention of regulating where the horse went. Not today, not unless necessary. The forest was almost a welcomed sight, the Dark Hunter, after all those years, still found an appreciation in the uncivilized portions of society. They reminded him of his youth, of the vast lands spread out for the taking. How things had changed. That sudden inquiry drew Alexander's thoughts back to the task at hand and yet, that very first question saw his eyebrows furrow slightly. "I haven't decided yet, I have to review their current missions to deem which are worth pursuing in spite of things." After all, though Alexander preferred orderliness and working as a unit, he too was aware of that need to continue some missions beyond just the borders of that supernatural city. That inquiry of those breeding centers, he suspected, were the very source of much of Frost's discontent and, in return, he owned it to the man all the same to visit those very places. His head bobbed ever so slightly. "In time, yes." He might not be able to change things nearly as much as Frost desired and yet, truly no steed deserved to be scarred by their upbringing either. Becoming a hunter's mount should be an honor, something to strive for - not looked on with apprehension and terror. His attention refocused on that final question and slowly, his head shook. "No, they haven't. I was waiting to see if I had a mount to ride or not before I announced my position to them. Perhaps tomorrow." Tomorrow, he would start dismantling and recreating that cavalry. For today, he was content to bask in that final moment of tranquility before the great conqueror once again arose.