[open] keep a little fire burning; june babies!

[Smoak]

Keep a little fire burning;
however small, however hidden.

Dad has promised to bring Smoak to the playground for today, with the assertion that he will be protected by the Fairy. The journey from Tephra isn't a long one, but the young colt's limbs are fatigued before they are even halfway there, though he has no desire to tell Dahmer that. It's his first trek away from their tropical, volcanic oasis and while the gangly newborn feels unfamiliar butterflies in his stomach, the bone-armored Smoak finds that his excitement overpowers any uncertainties about the day's events.

He trots happily beside his winged Dad, nimble legs occasionally kicking out behind him when he finds that his excitement is too much. An amused look plays on Dahmer's face but it's lost on Smoak as they move into the Playground and the wonder of the place (is it really just for kids, dad?) draws him in. The winged thoroughbred says goodbye to his son, nudging him gently at his flank before turning away and heading for the Meadow, intending to return in a few hours for the young boy.

Uncertain in his newfound freedom, the silver champagne colt maintains his trot until he nears the center of the playground, between the widely spaced trees, and then suddenly lets loose -- his hind legs are thrown skyward, head curled to his chest and he whinnies loud, calling for anyone else who has been dropped off for adventures in the playground.

"Come out, come out!" his small voice screams, bone-armored frame spinning in circles so that his tail fans out behind him.

Smoak

lineart colored by sanaa