09-25-2019, 10:39 PM
Wind roared in his ears as he flew, tugging at his hair and brushing along his skin. He was neither warm, nor cool as he soared over different landscapes and territories, high above everyone below. The red-gold and violet stallion often preferred it up here, in a place where he could clear his mind and drown out thoughts. He could just be. Badden toyed with the way his broad, strong wings carry him. The way he could just slightly lean and change course, and how adjusting his angles could allow him to rise or descend. He reveled in his ability to fly ever since he'd really gotten the hang of it, especially with his brother's help. Well, adopted brother.
He'd known he was loved. Through most of his life, he'd never been alone. And yet, oddly, he'd found peace in solitude more often than not. Since he'd lost his mother and sister, which felt so long ago now, he'd had trouble truly feeling as though he'd belonged with his "new" family. Of course, he loved and appreciated them. But it was difficult to explain in words the loneliness that accompanied being surrounded by those who shared blood together, but not his. Especially when he knew it was his fault. Reilly and Lacey, even Kirby, had tried to tell him otherwise, but deep down he couldn't believe them.
So he flies; to forget, to drown it out. The beat of his heart, the flap of his wings, the serenity of the winds as he merges with them. Before he knew it, he'd passed over all the main herdlands and into the common lands from Ischia. He felt like he never tired, but also that he should return to land at some point. Perhaps meet someone new. With one last pulse of his wings, he angled them closer to his body and gloried in the way his heart and stomach leap as he dove several kilometers until he could make out the layout of trees and pathways better. He then circled a moment, spreading red-gold and violet appendages to slow him some as he looked for a place to land. Badden was tempted to hit the ground running, and determined the meadow wasn't too busy to do so at present. A smile touched his lips as he gracefully landed, transferring weight from his wings to his legs once more. His hooves beat to a different drum as he loped across the main grazing area and toward the trees, wings set close and still raised to feel the windflow. The sun warmed him and accompanied the sweet, slow burn of his muscled body from the exertion.
When he finally slows, his neck arches and tail lifts, chin tucked with the slightest smile still in place. And it is then that he sees her. Pure white and flawless, her icy gaze illuminated by the sunlight she bathes in as their eyes meet. His heart rate is already increased quite a bit, but at rest he's sure she could have been the reason for its quickened state. His feathers ruffle of their own accord before settling comfortably at his sides. He has no idea what to say to her, but finds himself drawn to her anyway. Almost subconsciously, his violet hooves bring him in her direction. As he nears, his gaze never leave hers, studying their crystalline hue and wide, round shape. Reilly taught him that the eyes are the windows to the soul, though not always simple to read. It becomes more curiosity that draws him, rather than her undeniable beauty. By the time he stops at a respectful distance to her, his breathing is almost back to normal again. "Hello.. I'm Badden. Are.. you all right?" His voice is deeper at the moment from lack of use and probably a sign his throat is pretty dry from the flight, but that is hardly what he focuses on as he tosses his head to shift his forelock out of his vision to view her better. The sun gleams along the length of his horn and his eyes never leave hers, not missing what he perceives as worry in them. He cocks a rear leg, one ear pricked toward her and the other out to the side, hoping it's not his presence that would cause such a thing.
He'd known he was loved. Through most of his life, he'd never been alone. And yet, oddly, he'd found peace in solitude more often than not. Since he'd lost his mother and sister, which felt so long ago now, he'd had trouble truly feeling as though he'd belonged with his "new" family. Of course, he loved and appreciated them. But it was difficult to explain in words the loneliness that accompanied being surrounded by those who shared blood together, but not his. Especially when he knew it was his fault. Reilly and Lacey, even Kirby, had tried to tell him otherwise, but deep down he couldn't believe them.
So he flies; to forget, to drown it out. The beat of his heart, the flap of his wings, the serenity of the winds as he merges with them. Before he knew it, he'd passed over all the main herdlands and into the common lands from Ischia. He felt like he never tired, but also that he should return to land at some point. Perhaps meet someone new. With one last pulse of his wings, he angled them closer to his body and gloried in the way his heart and stomach leap as he dove several kilometers until he could make out the layout of trees and pathways better. He then circled a moment, spreading red-gold and violet appendages to slow him some as he looked for a place to land. Badden was tempted to hit the ground running, and determined the meadow wasn't too busy to do so at present. A smile touched his lips as he gracefully landed, transferring weight from his wings to his legs once more. His hooves beat to a different drum as he loped across the main grazing area and toward the trees, wings set close and still raised to feel the windflow. The sun warmed him and accompanied the sweet, slow burn of his muscled body from the exertion.
When he finally slows, his neck arches and tail lifts, chin tucked with the slightest smile still in place. And it is then that he sees her. Pure white and flawless, her icy gaze illuminated by the sunlight she bathes in as their eyes meet. His heart rate is already increased quite a bit, but at rest he's sure she could have been the reason for its quickened state. His feathers ruffle of their own accord before settling comfortably at his sides. He has no idea what to say to her, but finds himself drawn to her anyway. Almost subconsciously, his violet hooves bring him in her direction. As he nears, his gaze never leave hers, studying their crystalline hue and wide, round shape. Reilly taught him that the eyes are the windows to the soul, though not always simple to read. It becomes more curiosity that draws him, rather than her undeniable beauty. By the time he stops at a respectful distance to her, his breathing is almost back to normal again. "Hello.. I'm Badden. Are.. you all right?" His voice is deeper at the moment from lack of use and probably a sign his throat is pretty dry from the flight, but that is hardly what he focuses on as he tosses his head to shift his forelock out of his vision to view her better. The sun gleams along the length of his horn and his eyes never leave hers, not missing what he perceives as worry in them. He cocks a rear leg, one ear pricked toward her and the other out to the side, hoping it's not his presence that would cause such a thing.
BADDEN
