you can run but you can't hide
breath on your skin, I've arrived
It had taken her quite a long time to realize why she had always come to the ocean when she wished to focus. When she wished to be left to herself. There is comfort in the wild, fearsome crash of the waves. An ancient familiarity that settled her deep in her core. She hadn’t truly recognized it until she had felt Aela’s wildly divergent emotions towards the ocean. Hadn’t realized that it had become such a deeply entrenched part of herself.
It reflects the deeply turbulent emotions she had always veiled so carefully. Where Aela feels calm and deliberate, Heartfire had always been filled with a furious intent. It is only hard-won discipline and experience that had drawn the impenetrable and icy facade over herself. By now Aela knew what the world saw was not the truth of her grandmother. But it is also clear she had understood how incredibly useful such careful deliberation is.
Heartfire cannot help the pride she feels in her.
Aela had made herself comfortable in Pangea. Though Heartfire would never feel affiliation for the kingdom, she is delighted by how easily and quickly the young mare had settled with the citizens. Of course, Aela could not be unaware of Heartfire’s own motives - of the way she kept such careful watch over Straia - but she must also know that, at this particular moment, Heartfire has no interest in interfering. No, her interest was purely one of observance. Heartfire may not be powerful enough to pose any true threat to Straia, but she suspects the entity had forgotten how powerful knowledge itself could be.
She doubts Aela believes her when the certainty that the Pangean leader is toying with powers far beyond her ability to handle arises, but then, that had always been the folly of youth. Of course, only time would tell. Either way, Aela would be prepared, even if only because Heartfire is.
The flaxen youth’s pointed thoughts draw Heartfire back from her musings, bringing a smile to her lips along with them. The first question is only answered with a flash of images - Nerine’s healing landscape. She knows Aela asks more from duty than true concern for the land, but it is heartwarming to know it is for her sake she asks. The second comment brings amusement. “He would not dare,” she replies with faint humor.
Of course, he would have to know of her existence first, but that’s neither here nor there. One day perhaps, but for now he would likely be better off without knowing her.
“You have gained a great deal of trust.” It is a statement rather than a question. One replete with approval. Of course, with Heartfire, there is always a but. “Be careful you don’t wrap too much of yourself into it, lest you become unable to extricate yourself.” It is a warning. One fueled by worry that Aela has begun to grow complacent. Trust has never been an easy thing to the blue mare, and even here in the North, where she has made her home for decades, she rarely trusts. But Pangea had always been a viper’s nest.
If anyone is suited to such an environment, it is Aela. Heartfire has never deceived herself as the true nature of her descendent. But even a viper could fall victim if she did not protect herself well enough.
heartfire
@[Aela]