Like a flower waiting to bloom.
The heaviness of the sand kept her from dashing forward, made her remember to keep herself collected, or at least attempt to. Just as long as she was in their eyesight. They didn’t need to know how much stress their arrival put on her.

Once she’s out of sight, safely back into the jungle, she bolts. Slim legs carry her over the trails she knows so well, into the safety she only knows. Or, only she and Kharon. It used to be their secret place, their pond, but with him gone, it would be her place now. She could hide there and wait for everything to settle. If Father or Ea would only show up..

It’s only as she’s half way to the pond that she realises that it would be too easy for her to be followed. She hadn’t snuck away, they had all seen her leave and in which direction too. Even those who weren’t known with the island would be able to track her fear laces scent. So Kylin changes direction.

Tears are clouding her gaze, but she doesn’t shed them. Instead she dives. The pond is the largest on the island, one of the few sweet water sources, and big enough to swim in. The water and her connection to it is all she had, and though it cannot wash away her sorrow, it comforts her. Sadly enough she cannot hold her breath like Ivar, meaning she has to go up to the surface again.

Her purple and white head surfaces, and Kylin draws in a deep breath. Home. She is home. And she wouldn’t let anyone take her home from her. It wouldn’t matter with how many they came, none of them knew Ischia as well as she did. Plus, the new Keeper had said they needed her. While floating in the water – her moving fins keeping her at the surface – she could only hope that Circinae hadn’t changed her mind.

Like a flower waiting to bloom.
First she had mostly just been confused. Confused that there were strangers gathering at the beach, confused by what they told her and even more confused by their intentions. Kylin had been and still was upset too. Why would someone come and take her home away, invade what had been a good life until now? And last there had been fear. Fear of what they might do, with Ischia, but also to her. Would they laugh at her, made fun of her, or use her for their own good? Would she be made to leave?

She’d fled from the meeting to get away from those thoughts and worries, but the longer Kylin is alone, the wilder her thoughts spin. Of course they wouldn’t want her here. She was only trouble to them and on top of that, the lavender and white girl didn’t think of herself as anything special. She was just Kylin. Even the water couldn’t sooth her.

But perhaps the forest green and blue mare could. Kylin doesn’t notice Circinae’s presence until the older mare calls out to her, asking her to not flee. It had been on her mind, to dive and swim away as far and fast as she could, but she’s not like Ivar. Kylin still needs to breath air in order to survive. Her hazel eyes are on the green mare as she reveals more of herself, cautious and nervous. Tears are still shimmering in her eyes.

”It has no name.. It simply is the largest pond..” she eventually answers. She stays silent after that, well, until she’s standing on top of the pond. This way it was easier to talk to the other mare, without having to swim to the shore. Water rolls down her soaked coat, dripping onto the water’s surface, as she pulls her fins against her side again (holding them like one would fold a pair of wings against one’s side). ”W-why did you.. come?”

To send her away?

Like a flower waiting to bloom.
Drip, drop.
Drip, drop.

The water continues to roll down her body, dripping in the water in its own mysterious and unknown rhythm. A quick shake and a downpour of more droplets later she finds herself meeting the gaze of the green mare. Circinae looked like she belonged in Ischia. As green as the jungle and dark blue like the deepest part of the sea.

And neither Father or Queen Ea were here. That realisation has Kylin glancing away, watching the water in front of her hooves. She knows she should be strong and stand on land, to meet Ischia’s Keeper properly, but she cannot get herself to move off the water. When Circinae speaks she glances up, but does not yet fully meet the mare’s gaze. That’s quickly solved once an explanation is asked of her in return.

More words follow and Kylin listens silently. Her attention is mostly focussed on the Keeper, but every so often her ears flick around, listening to the sounds of Ischia’s jungle. She can hear the parrots in the distance, the only other life on Ischia other than equine. As she listens to Circinae all she can do is watch the other mare.

And once Circinae is done, she stays silent for a short while. So much had been said, and even more to process. ”Ischia is a great family home..” she eventually offers with a small smile. It was the truth. Kylin herself had been born in Ischia, and lived happily with her family until they had disappeared one by one. Yet she doesn’t know how her own appearance had been that surprising. ”You thought nobody was left here anymore?” she silently asks. Apparently whole Beqanna knew what had happened. They all knew how everyone – almost everyone – had abandoned her. How could she have not known herself?

It was not Circinae, nor the Keeper’s arrival, that made her feel unwanted. The forest green mare had done nothing to make her feel like that. However, her arrival had caused a change Kylin had not been ready for. Still isn’t ready for, but it is not like she can pretend it did not happen. Like she had done when she had smelled Kali or other girls’ scents laced with Kharon’s.

”Ischia is my home.. It always has been..” she offers softly in return, glancing around as she relaxes a little. Realisation that she didn’t had to leave washed over her. Yes she had a place to go, but that wouldn’t make it any easier to get tossed out of your home. ”You said you wanted my help.. How?” Because there simply isn’t anything of value Kylin that has to offer.

Like a flower waiting to bloom.
It’s not this particular pond that is her special place, but it is definitely one of those she favours. Here Ivar had taught her how to swim and as a foal she had spent hours playing on top of the water with Kharon. Her favorite is a smaller one. It’s shallow, at the deepest part it would only reach to half way up her flank, at one side it had an overhanging rock with water falling down from it. It had been their – her and Kharon’s – secret place, now it was her secret placer. Her special place. And Kylin wanted to keep it like that.

It was why she had chosen to go to this pond, aware that the strangers on the beach might follow her. Her guess had been right, but Circinae’s intentions had only been good. And Kylin couldn’t refuse the mare finding a home to raise her family. After all, her own parents had done the very same thing.

And this it comes as a surprise that Circinae tells her she doesn’t plan on staying long. As a frown appears between her eyes she tilts her slightly dished head. For a moment she studies the older mare, but in the end, there is only one things she can say. ”Why?” she asks softly. When the keeper continues it only confuses Kylin more. How could Kylin know what happens after Circinae leaves?

Circinae didn’t need her, but according to her, Ischia did. The words confuse her even more, but before she can formulate a reply, or a question, Circinae the mare is no longer standing there. Instead she finds herself facing a wolf. Her initial response to that is to back away, stumble across the water’s surface until there’s more distance between them. But the wolf doesn’t come at her, and instead leaps away.

Kylin can only stare at the place where the wolf had disappeared into Ischia’s jungle. It’s not the shift or the confession that stays on her mind. All he can think about are Circinae’s last words. ”Ischia needs you.”

But how?