[open] my love was as cruel as the cities i lived in

[Dawn]

DAWN

i once believed love would be burning red, but it’s golden

“Everything?”

The fairy’s words still echo in her mind, even after all of these years. When the entity stripped had stripped her of her magic, Dawn had not realized that her immortality was included in that. For so many years the golden queen had kept the appearance of a much younger mare, unblemished from multiple pregnancies and births, but recently she has begun to feel the weight of age settling upon her shoulders. If she’s honest, she hadn’t even truly known she was immortal until the years had started to trickle by, altering her bit by bit with the changing of the seasons.

She had told herself that she was content without magic; that her life had been very fulfilling; that she had ample time with her children; that she had settled with the love of her life.

She was content.
She was wrong.

All of those things are still true to her; she is content and happy with her family, and she has lived a very accomplished life so far. But as the months flow past her like a rock in a stream, she finds that she’s not so ready to leave it all behind. Though her children are grown and spread to the winds, she still has Sunny, and a million sunrises with him will never be enough.

The only thing she doesn’t miss is her other half - her bear - but not missing him has not made her strong, only wrong.

She knows little of what has transgressed in Beqanna over the years, but she knows that there have been many changes. She is almost tempted to return to Pangea - she had only ruled there for a short time, but it had been home - but finds herself turning instead towards the meadow, the sun warming her back. Her coat shines with good health, though the years have scattered grey hairs around her muzzle and on her flank. With so many things changed, she wonders if the people will still be the same, or if the generations have split them up.

In giving up everything that made her Dawn, she finds that everything has changed. The mature mare is content, happy even, but she finds that she has lost much of her strength. She’s not too sure how to get it back.

[Helion]

It is a sunny day, and that is all Helion needs to put him in a good mood. The storms that disrupted the lands have already faded into the back of his mind - he had no particular affection for any of the kingdoms or whatnot, aside from the one that was the first to sink, so he’s had a good long while to get over it. Dark days and nights are easily forgettable for him, with the way they sit heavily upon his heart and mind. It is a tragedy that the sun has to go down at all - but he supposes it’s only fair for his twin sister to get her chance to shine as well.

There’s very little better than flying on a day like today, the sun warm on his feathers as he glides and twists along.

Head empty, just as he likes it. Few worries plague him for very long but up here, none are capable of even reaching him.

It’s only when he begins to feel what might be loneliness - if he would admit it - and the beginnings of cramps in his wings that he descends. The meadow stretches out below him, inviting him in, and he lands neatly. A somewhat discrete look around tells him no one was close enough to admire such a landing, and he huffs in childish discontent before accepting that he must walk in search of company.

Helion isn’t sure what it is that causes him to approach the palomino mare - perhaps it’s just because she looks like she’s enjoying the day as much as he is. Whatever the reason, he folds his wings neatly and carries his head high with a luminous smile when he stops nearby - “Beautiful day, isn’t it?”

There's little point in asking if she wants company - especially since he knows full well he'll take it personally if her answer is no. So, better to just avoid that question altogether.

HELION

@Dawn