the dead are gone, and the living are hungry; rucker

[Lexa]

the dead are gone, and the living are hungry.

The trip from the Playground to what she assumes is Rucker’s home is a short one, and in no time at all they are standing at the border of what is obviously a kingdom.

Despite still feeling rather awkward towards the plucky little colt (he is a bit of an oddball, really), she can’t help but pause at the sight. She’s never visited one of the other kingdoms before and at first glance, this unknown kingdom is very different from the Jungle.

Everything is, well, green. Of course, everything in the Jungle is green too, but not this kind of green.

Fields upon fields of lush green grass lie before them, dotted with trees and covered with wild flowers of every colour. So very different from home, but pretty in its own way. By a quick process of elimination (no snow, no waterfall, no dales or valleys, no sand, no ominous vibes) she realizes it must be the Gates. From what she’s a heard, it’s a quiet, peaceful kingdom. Safe enough to try visiting.

She turns to look at Rucker, smiling slightly. “Is this the Gates? It’s very pretty.” She takes a few steps towards the border, then stops, still looking at Rucker. In one of her more motherly moments, Lyris had told her about some of the different kingdom etiquettes. She shouldn’t cross the border unless invited. Granted, they probably wouldn’t give her a hard time if she didn’t wait, considering she’s still a child, but she might as well practice good habits now.

lexa

Ugh what is this post?

[Rucker]

He feels at a loss on the short walk to his home, frustration warring with his general good nature. There had to be a way to get her to understand. To be understood by those he met. At his heart, Rucker is a social creature. He has grown up in a family filled with chattering and laughter and constant movement. And though he hears none of it, it has always been easy to recognize the warmth and love in his mother's face and in those of his siblings. The black colt had taken for granted that the world would always know him.

A sigh escapes his lips, but it is quickly chased away as the meadows of the Gates appear. Eager, Rucker jumps forward, tumbling through the wildflowers so that he is sprawled on his side. His sides shake with laughter and he grins teasingly at the girl, Lexa. He wonders if they could be friends, if anyone will think a deaf colt is worth their time.

He catches the movement of her lips and his features instantly go still, eyes concentrating. A relieved smile crosses his lips and he nods sharply. “Gates! Is pitty home.”

He notices her hesitance at the border and is confused. Wichita may have schooled him on ettiquette, but only half of what she said made it through. It wasn't that he didn't understand, it was that he was too busy watching the clouds pass or chasing birds and wishing he could fly like that golden stallion he'd seen around. With a ungainly leap he scrambles to his feet and circles behind Lexa to gently nudge her over the border. With a mischievous grin, he then launches towards her side, intending to entice the girl to play.

“Lexa!” He shouts gleefully, laughter on his lips.