everything we are, it just went away
with a slide of the tongue and a sour taste

Time for a break.

A break from the monotony and stress of the Cove, though she loves it so. She longs for a wide, open space, to stretch her legs and not worry if her daughters can keep up. She gives them vague instructions before she sets out – bother Clayton, or Ilma, or one of the other residents of the Cove. Just don’t leave the kingdom or go down to the beach unsupervised. Mommy needs some me time, she thinks as she sets off from her sunny kingdom, her hooves carrying her swiftly in the direction of the common lands.

She knows she should head to the field and see if there are any in search of a new home, but her legs turn towards the meadow instead. She races along the border of the meadow, a golden blur to any who look upon her, giggling with pure joy as she stretches herself to her limits. It’s been too long since she has let herself loose, and it feels so much better than she remembers it feeling. Her body has been slow to recover from her agonizing labor, but stretching her muscles helps her remember who she is. A young woman. A polar bear. A flash of gold as she runs herself completely out of stamina and breath.

Her golden coat is stained bronze with sweat when she finally slides to a halt, her heavy hooves tearing up grass and dirt as her large body slows. She laughs again as she trips over her own hooves, stumbling forward a few steps before finally halting. She feels almost giddy from her run, even though her sides are heaving and sweat is dripping into her eyes. She flings her head back and forth a few times, clearing her vision and waiting for her breathing to slow.

She knows she shouldn’t be away from her girls for long, but she feels no desire to return to the Cove yet. There, she has responsibilities and relationships to build while here... she is just Dawn. And for a while, she wants to be Just Dawn.

Dawn

oh, it's gonna be a long night