consume me; heartfire/any

[Oona]

Oona

In the field, the two toned mare had extended an invitation to Oona. It had been offered with a clear eye and curious smile. Oona was cautious but Heartfire had sparked a small glimmer of interest in the rose dappled mare. Oona had waited for a few weeks before deciding to take the woman up on her offer.

Spring had turned to a hazy summer. It made the air thick with humidity and clung to the coats of the panting residents. Oona would have been miserable but the thinness of her skin had kept her comfortable and the insects did not bother her. Days passed and autumn rushes in with the explosion of reds and yellows, brown leaves falling to lay amongst the others to decay into a sweet scent of wetness.

It was a warm autumn evening, her shadow stretched far as the sun was round and glowing against a watercolor sky. Oona has beckoned a small cluster of waking fire flies to style the length of her long mane and tail into various braid, her mane drawn into a bun along her neck. The glowing insects settle amongst the hair, sitting happily within to illuminate and decorate Oona's hair. She wanted to look nice upon her first entry into Nerine.

One long leg draws after the other as the sound of the ocean guides her. A rhythmic purr, sea spittle flung upon rocks, it was all so savage and alluring. "Hello?" Her voice carries easily over the sea grass and sand. The rose mare looks between jagged boulders and sleepy dunes for a sign of any other equine...whether the pretty face of Heartfire or any other to guide her.

There was a star riding through clouds one night, & I said to the star, 'Consume me'

[Heartfire]

She's got the devil's eyes

There is a particular loveliness in the stark wildness of Nerine. A brand of simple beauty that suits the blue and white mare quite well. While her heart had never claimed a land as strongly as so many others seemed to, she has to admit to having allowed the seaside kingdom to grow on her. Certainly it has been far more a home than anywhere else ever has before, and she is glad to call it hers.

It’s been quiet lately, but that does not bother her terribly much. She knows there are many that could be beckoned at its call, but she has no need to make it appear terrible or fearsome. The strength of this kingdom is a quiet one. Undeniable. And anyone foolish enough to believe a lack of noise a sign of weakness would quite quickly discover the error of their ways.

Still, a new face is a welcome sight, and when she sees the dappled woman enter the kingdom, she recognizes the woman to whom she had extended an invitation some weeks ago. Truthfully she is heartened to see she is not a mare to make decisions hastily. Heartfire has no desire to attract a wealth of fairweather bodies into her home. No, she is far more interested in those who might bring something of value to the kingdom. Quality over quantity, as one might say. And frankly, she has no patience for anyone who might only waste space.

Picking her way along a rocky path, she ascends the cliff face as she moves to meet Oona. She had been lingering among the shallow caves along the sea’s edge below, but the arrival of the rose-gray woman had drawn her away. Her greeting carries easily over the windswept grasses, though Heartfire does not reply until she draws near enough to speak comfortably.

“Oona,” she greets easily, blue eyes settling on her companion as she draws alongside her. “Welcome to Nerine.” She considers her briefly before adding, “Am I to assume you have come to a decision?”

and they'll cut you like a weapon

Heartfire