As my mother is distracted with my brother and Jack I make my escape. The flames licking at my skin dance vigorously as I gallop at full speed.  A devious snicker flutters from my chest, my eyes focused on the path in front of me.

The grass plains stretched for miles, allowing me the freedom I so craved.  My stride lengthened as my head lowered, a determined look upon my face.  I could get my fill of adventure before my mother found me that I was sure.

As I reach the western edge the river blocks me from going further.  I bend my body slightly so I can curl upward and follow the riverbank.  It is then I catch a whiff of a familiar scent.  Smoke.  The smell causes me to slow and investigate.  I flare my nostrils, drawing in the burnt odor.  With a small snort I prance towards the river's edge.

There is a large dark figure lingering at the shallows.  I duck momentarily, assessing the situation.  My red eyes peer over the brush I find myself behind, my flames flickering do little to hide me. I watch as the stranger stretches his wings and makes funny faces at the waters.  My nose wrinkles in confusion.  He seemed harmless and curiosity was getting the better of me.

"Whatchya doin?" I question the large stallion as I give up my position behind the brush.

I am a curious thing, unlike the rest of my family here in the Meadow.  Caution does not call for me as I approach the wing stranger.  There is an inquisitive expression on my flame licked face as I look up at him with wondering eyes.  Even as he spits and sputters flames and smoke, I do not shy away.  Fire was all that I knew in life, and it hardly frightened me.

I watch him pace a bit more.  Grass turns to cinder all around him, them.  When he asks of my mother my eyes roll.  "Oh... Uh, we are playing hide and seek," the fib flows from my lips much easier than it should.  Perhaps there was more of my father in me than anyone cared to recognize, yet.

"My name is Escence.  What is yours?" I ask politely.  My blood red eyes gaze longingly at the stallion's wings, "I wish I could fly!"  My words are genuine and dipped in excitement.  I begin to prance about, speeding to a gallop in spurts, making circles and pretending to spread my non-existent wings before leaping into the air with a laugh...

With another loop made within the summer grasses around the winged stranger, I come to a sudden sliding stop.  The flames that trail behind me whisk higher into the air as they condense together quickly at my hind end.  I spin around to face the stallion as he asks if I dream of flying.  My eyes widen as I look at his feathered wings unfurled.  "Oh yes!"  I say with an excited nod before adding, "One day when I'm bigger I'll be able to soar the skies!"  The fact that I don't have wings doesn't register with me.

Inquisitively I watch the stallion try to contain something within him.  With a tilt of my head, I wonder why he looks to be struggling.  "Are you ok?"  I had seen him spitting up flames, but the thought of fire hurting wasn't something I knew.  My flames have never harmed me.  But maybe fire inside you did things...

At his affirmation of being ok I smile happily before continuing to buck and prance around.  Whipping my head side to side with a half rear, I whinny loudly.  The flames along my neck and mane flicker and spark.

Then the scaled stranger is crouching down and offering me a ride.  My expression is ecstatic as I hop about joyfully, "Oooo, yes, yes yes!"

He lowers himself to the ground and I rush over to his side.  My forelimbs curl under me, leaning on the dark man, as my hindlimbs push off from the ground.  I slip and slide, falling off a time or two, "You're. really. slippery."  I say in a perplexed but determined voice as I try again.  I do not notice the last spot I had fallen the dry summer grasses begin to sizzle and smoke...

Once more I press myself against him and push off the ground with all my might.  This time my forelimbs slide up and catch the bridge of his wings.  I pull the remainder of myself upright before wailing out, "Whoohooo!  Made it!"  It is only then do I catch the growing flames that are beginning to eclose them.  My fiery eyes widen, "Uh oh..."  An awkward smile forms on my lips as I look down at the winged man from the middle of his back.