03-31-2017, 08:48 PM
A warm feeling entered Nitika's heart as the mare witnessed a rabbit and some of her young ones bounding among the meadow grass, probably out looking for some food since they now had more mouths to feed. Nitika couldn't help but feel slightly envious of the dam rabbit and the family. It seemed so easy for them, remaining with each other for a long time after their young ones were born. Compared to horses, of which the stallions only seemed interested in moving on to the next pretty mare.
Nitika couldn't fault Nymphetamine for moving on after their daughter turned a year old. He'd been generous enough to stick around that long, to help provide Siba with protection until she could properly defend herself despite her one blind eye and small size as a yearling. But still, that didn't mean Nitika wasn't allowed to feel the ache. She respected Nymphetamine a great deal, and though they hadn't spent much time together due to their separate homes and their tasks as members, she'd grown to care for him a great deal. Dare she say it, she might've even thought of having him as a life partner.
However, once Kimber had reentered the scene, Nitika knew it was not meant to be. Hiding the jealousy she felt against the blue roan, Nitika had busied herself with work in the Falls, along with raising her daughter and training her to fight and defend their home. Siba had taken to learning those important tasks right away, which had pleased the warrior mare. Raxa had also taken a liking to Siba's drive, often complimenting the filly on her desire to learn. And getting a compliment out of that mare was an achievement in itself.
To this day though, Nitika still missed the blood-bay stallion. She figured nothing would ever come out of their friendship more than what it was, but she still cared for him. She often still wondered how he was doing too, if he was living well in the Tephra. Nitika remembered the brief time that she and Siba had spent there while the medicine hat mare recovered from her injuries during Beqanna's change. Upon seeing how depressed Nitika was becoming when she thought of how Nymphetamine still loved Kimber, Siba had encouraged her to leave. Nitika had been too much of a shell to argue at that point, but now that she'd had time away and was taking care of herself, she one day wanted to go see her friend, check in on how he was doing.
Siba herself didn't express much interest in seeing her sire, for she blamed him as the source of her dam's depression. Nitika often told her how it wasn't Nymphetamine's fault, but the younger mare seemed deadset. She probably had an idea about how her parents were supposed to be together; something similar to what Archam and Anahi had, even if the stallion also had other mares in his herd.
Nitika did regret that Siba couldn't see her parents like that, but things just hadn't worked out. Perhaps one day, they might grow closer as friends again, and have a healthier relationship for Siba's sake, but now, it didn't seem like that was the case.
The mare's ears turned upon hearing another enter the meadow. Lifting her head, the mare whickered upon seeing her daughter, safely back from a trip to the Field. She cringed as she remembered the last time they'd been there together, and had insisted on going this time too. However, Siba said she could move quicker on her own, and quieter, due to the darker spots on her coat. The white was still as easily spotted as Nitika's, but Siba had an advantage of coat color there.
Nitika's blue eyes scanned Siba's form, marveling at how her daughter at grown. The once wobbly-legged and playful filly had turned into a responsible, respectful, grown mare, fully capable of taking care of herself and others in turn. She would no doubt make a kingdom proud one day when she decided to join, whether it was the one where Nitika hoped to find residence, or she was charmed by a stallion or mare into accepting residence at another.
Stepping forward, Nitika nuzzled her daughter when she got close enough. She nibbled on the edge of the forelock where it met her ears, chuckling as Siba only shook her head in response.
Then, something she never would've expected happened. As soon as Nitika and Siba put their heads down to graze, a voice cut through the silence surrounding the meadow.
"If I didn't know better, I would say someone picked us up and took us back to 3 years ago."
Nitika could barely restrain her gasp as she looked behind Siba's flank, seeing the same blood-bay stallion she'd been thinking about earlier heading right for them. She was unable to smile, for she was speechless. Even her mind had difficulty processing what was happening.
He was actually here... he was okay... healthy... alive...
After he'd closed the distance between himself and the two mares, Nitika finally allowed herself to smile. Though, it was more of a respectful smile, rather than a happy one, for the ache in her heart had come forward once again. He was here to check on Siba, nothing more. Make sure his foal was in good health.
"Hello Nymphetamine," Nitika stated, dipping her head politely at the stallion. She expected her daughter to say hello as well, but when the younger mare hesitated, Nitika nudged her daughter with her shoulder, "Say hello to your father," she whispered.
Siba discreetly rolled her eyes before saying, "Hi dad."
Satisfied with that minimal response, Nitika looked back at the stallion again, "How have you been Nymphetamine? All is well in the Tephra I hope?" Nitika had not been keeping up with the latest kingdom gossip beyond what Siba told her. She didn't even know that Ischia was now under new leadership, though Siba did due to things she'd heard on her trip to the Field. So, in other words, her question about Tephra was completely honest, as she wanted to know how the kingdom was doing.
Nitika couldn't fault Nymphetamine for moving on after their daughter turned a year old. He'd been generous enough to stick around that long, to help provide Siba with protection until she could properly defend herself despite her one blind eye and small size as a yearling. But still, that didn't mean Nitika wasn't allowed to feel the ache. She respected Nymphetamine a great deal, and though they hadn't spent much time together due to their separate homes and their tasks as members, she'd grown to care for him a great deal. Dare she say it, she might've even thought of having him as a life partner.
However, once Kimber had reentered the scene, Nitika knew it was not meant to be. Hiding the jealousy she felt against the blue roan, Nitika had busied herself with work in the Falls, along with raising her daughter and training her to fight and defend their home. Siba had taken to learning those important tasks right away, which had pleased the warrior mare. Raxa had also taken a liking to Siba's drive, often complimenting the filly on her desire to learn. And getting a compliment out of that mare was an achievement in itself.
To this day though, Nitika still missed the blood-bay stallion. She figured nothing would ever come out of their friendship more than what it was, but she still cared for him. She often still wondered how he was doing too, if he was living well in the Tephra. Nitika remembered the brief time that she and Siba had spent there while the medicine hat mare recovered from her injuries during Beqanna's change. Upon seeing how depressed Nitika was becoming when she thought of how Nymphetamine still loved Kimber, Siba had encouraged her to leave. Nitika had been too much of a shell to argue at that point, but now that she'd had time away and was taking care of herself, she one day wanted to go see her friend, check in on how he was doing.
Siba herself didn't express much interest in seeing her sire, for she blamed him as the source of her dam's depression. Nitika often told her how it wasn't Nymphetamine's fault, but the younger mare seemed deadset. She probably had an idea about how her parents were supposed to be together; something similar to what Archam and Anahi had, even if the stallion also had other mares in his herd.
Nitika did regret that Siba couldn't see her parents like that, but things just hadn't worked out. Perhaps one day, they might grow closer as friends again, and have a healthier relationship for Siba's sake, but now, it didn't seem like that was the case.
The mare's ears turned upon hearing another enter the meadow. Lifting her head, the mare whickered upon seeing her daughter, safely back from a trip to the Field. She cringed as she remembered the last time they'd been there together, and had insisted on going this time too. However, Siba said she could move quicker on her own, and quieter, due to the darker spots on her coat. The white was still as easily spotted as Nitika's, but Siba had an advantage of coat color there.
Nitika's blue eyes scanned Siba's form, marveling at how her daughter at grown. The once wobbly-legged and playful filly had turned into a responsible, respectful, grown mare, fully capable of taking care of herself and others in turn. She would no doubt make a kingdom proud one day when she decided to join, whether it was the one where Nitika hoped to find residence, or she was charmed by a stallion or mare into accepting residence at another.
Stepping forward, Nitika nuzzled her daughter when she got close enough. She nibbled on the edge of the forelock where it met her ears, chuckling as Siba only shook her head in response.
Then, something she never would've expected happened. As soon as Nitika and Siba put their heads down to graze, a voice cut through the silence surrounding the meadow.
"If I didn't know better, I would say someone picked us up and took us back to 3 years ago."
Nitika could barely restrain her gasp as she looked behind Siba's flank, seeing the same blood-bay stallion she'd been thinking about earlier heading right for them. She was unable to smile, for she was speechless. Even her mind had difficulty processing what was happening.
He was actually here... he was okay... healthy... alive...
After he'd closed the distance between himself and the two mares, Nitika finally allowed herself to smile. Though, it was more of a respectful smile, rather than a happy one, for the ache in her heart had come forward once again. He was here to check on Siba, nothing more. Make sure his foal was in good health.
"Hello Nymphetamine," Nitika stated, dipping her head politely at the stallion. She expected her daughter to say hello as well, but when the younger mare hesitated, Nitika nudged her daughter with her shoulder, "Say hello to your father," she whispered.
Siba discreetly rolled her eyes before saying, "Hi dad."
Satisfied with that minimal response, Nitika looked back at the stallion again, "How have you been Nymphetamine? All is well in the Tephra I hope?" Nitika had not been keeping up with the latest kingdom gossip beyond what Siba told her. She didn't even know that Ischia was now under new leadership, though Siba did due to things she'd heard on her trip to the Field. So, in other words, her question about Tephra was completely honest, as she wanted to know how the kingdom was doing.