AuroraElis

The whirlwind that has become their lives continues on tonight.  Jack, having died, is now standing.  She isn't sure what is the cause, but she assumes it to be the work of the magical shamrock he had eaten earlier that day.  Regardless it is a most welcome miracle!

She bursts into tears of joy as Jack opens his eyes finally.  "No, I'm ok," she laughs through her tears, her nose still pressing into him.  The sky in beginning to streak colors of morning when he finally comes to.  He apologizes as he lifts his head wearily and she can't imagine what for.  Her muzzle breaks contact as she backs up a step, allowing him space to get a foot hold.  The golden flecks in eyes sparkle as she watches him slowly and unsteadily rise.  The twins rush to her side, tendrils of flames licking about behind them.  They watch curiously as the large stallion wobbles just as they had.  Aurora smiles until the demeanor shifts, and Jack is poised like a cobra between them and Zain.  Her feathers move to hold the children near her, but Escence slips from her grasp.  

The curious filly moves towards the stallions as words are exchanged between them.  Nearly there she reaches her nose up to press it against her fathers who greets her, then passes her to nudge her brother that follows in her hoofprints.  A look of confusion comes over her as he continues to walk past them and towards their mother before disappearing.  A small snort rattles from her nose as she then looks to the large bay stallion, wide eyed now realizing his much larger stature.  Confidently she walks up to him, her small flame laced face lowering to the ground to sniff at his hoof.  It looks and smells the same as it had before, the memory surfacing as she again wheels around and darts off bucking.

Aurora walks up to Jack and nudges him again.  "It's ok Jack," she presses the words into his neck.  Eviction begins chasing after his sister, mimicking everything she does.  It isn't long though and he stops, a large gaping yawn parting his jaw.  She whickers to them and begins to walk back towards the tree...

Not all that glitters is gold

AuroraElis

As the undead thing speaks, she knows what he references.  She had made decisions in Jacks absence; promises she intended on honoring.  The hours had blurred together, details becoming fuzzy on what just transpired. She does not realize it was all a slide of hand.  A game they were all a pawn in...

As he vanishes into the shadows for which he came, her mind turns to those that remained.  The sight of Jack standing before her, Escence finding her strength, Eviction trying, brings a smile to her face.  They would be alright as long as they had each other.

Jack engages in a game of carefree frolicking with the twins.  She laughs softly to herself as she grazes upon the green grasses of spring.  Slowly she draws closer to the tree and releases a whicker for the children to follow.  It had been a long two days with little sleep.  Eviction isn't far behind her, as is the norm.  The fiery filly though throws her usual tantrum in the near distance before also heading her mother's call.  They settle, finally.

Jack nibbles at the grasses not far from them.  She knows the questions will come and she readies her answers.  For now though, she simply enjoys the peace and tranquility of the warming spring day.

Not all that glitters is gold

AuroraElis

She remains standing, ready and watchful over her family that drift off into other worlds.  She wonders what the twins would dream of.  They are much too young to know enough of this world to conjure up more than what they have seen.  Surely, they are not haunted by nightmares of traumas endured as she is.  Flames flicker along Escence crest as she watches them twitch in their sleep.  It brings a smile to her face.

Jack has too settled a short distance off after his spurt of energy playing with the twins.  She decides to graze her way closer to him, allowing him to rest.  There is only the sound of soft munching and the birds spring chorus to be heard.  The warm spring breeze ruffles her feathered gown making it shimmer, the golden hues reflecting the suns light softly.  Her thoughts wander to their interaction with Zain.  The repulsive creature had wronged her in so many ways, yet she does not feel hatred towards him.  He had kept his promise to watch over us, however self-serving that may have been, and she had promised he had one chance to be a father to the twins.  She wonders when the stallion would show again and what would transpire.

As she reaches Jacks side she lifts her head.  Her body now parallel to his.  She too begins to drift off, her hunches shift to rest one leg as the other brunts the full weight of her backend.  There is a casual flick of her cream tail as she teeters lightly the edges of sleep.

Not all that glitters is gold

AuroraElis

She had fallen into a deeper sleep than she expected when her navy eyes opened to find Jack was not where he had been before.  Her eyes widen as her delicate face rises; they scan the area looking for his figure.  "Jack?" She questions aloud though he is not there to hear her worried tone.  The gown of feathers at her back shift as she turns around, having found nothing in front of her.  

The twins, still bundled together, remain unmoved and so her view shifts again.  Her ears flicker to every tiny sound, searching for any trace of Jack.  There is then a rambling of sorts, too far off to be discernable.  "Jack?" She questions to herself again.  Ivory legs begin to move forward towards the sound cautiously.  Within a few paces she can clearly make out his body near the creek that ran through the Meadow.  Another few strides and she calls out to him in a concerned tone, "Jack, is everything ok?"  She stops within speaking distance, not wanting to crowd him in case he needed some time alone.  They had all been through so much in the last few days, so she wouldn't blame him if he needed space.

Not all that glitters is gold

AuroraElis

When she asked the question, she knew he wasn't ok.  But she asked it anyhow, allowing him this moment to express what was troubling his mind.  He begins and she listens, taking in each word and noting how his body shifts uneasily.  She does not agree with what he says about himself, but she nods -nevertheless- in understanding that he is troubled by these things.

After he has said all he had to say, a warm expression comes to her delicate face.  "You are not a burden Jack.  You are anything but," her voice is soft and kind.  "You gave up your life for us Jack," she moves to look him in the eye, "Not just anyone would do that."  She reaches her muzzle out to nudge him at his shoulder as he shifts, "Strength comes from within.  As long as you stay true to yourself there is nothing you must fear."  

Her head turns to look to the twins still curled up under the tree, "They look quite alright to me."  Again, she looks to him with kind eyes as he straightens up, "Hey I got an idea.  Why don't you take Eviction to go do something tomorrow.  Just the two of you!  He could use some time away from his sister I think."  Her expression is bright and inviting as she nudges him again.

Not all that glitters is gold