I scream beneath the water
and make no noise
He took almost the longest way home - save from going in the opposite direction, he showed her crooks, turns, nighttime and daytime hideouts. He told her about Hyaline, that it was a sanctuary, or used to be; about the lake and the overhanging tree, about Solace and Kagerus - though only the basic info. She wanted to know, and at the same time it felt like he was telling a story about someone else, and when that feeling became apparent to him, it frequently made him change the subject.
Slowly, she was beginning to realize that she might never know. Not truly. She could hear about things she’d apparently done, lived through, friends she made, lovers she might or might not have had (she wasn’t sure) - but she found that she had to make new memories, and re-make those friends, in order to truly feel connected to them. It felt alien to pretend a friendship that wasn’t truly there, simply because she didn’t share the nostalgia of certain memories of the other - that’s something she could never do.
The man before her seemed to understand; in his own playful way, he seemed to even enjoy their time together, getting to know each other once again (at least, she had been given every reason to think he was of her past and that they were at the very least friendly towards one another). She fancied his easy-going nature, and the sparkle that naturally adorned his already-bright eyes so frequently. He’s made of sun and cloud and sky, she thinks - it was only a shame he didn’t sport any wings.
But then, perhaps if he did, he’d constantly flutter left to right and miss out on a whole lot of things on the ground, she mused one night. She’d been watching him trot back and forth to show her some things that day, his endless enthusiasm easily comparable to that of a child; and it made her feel like a giddy teenage filly as well, more often than not.
Life was easy this way; not feeling like she needed to do anything, but just enjoy the moment. And, frankly, the sight of him.
It occurred to her as they reached the warm pond, when the waterline hugged and thus accentuated the shape of him briefly when he passed it, that she did like him. She wasn’t quite sure where that left them - he hadn’t mentioned anything about the two of them as being together or anything, so naturally she assumed that this was not the case. She doubted herself too - what she took for suppressed feelings or lost ones, it might as well be a side effect from being totally dependent on his kindness, his guidance, and his stories.
There would be plenty of time to find out later, she figured, and for the moment, it might be best to just let herself be distracted by evey new little thing that came to her.
Ilma lets her gaze fall on the volcano - it was exactly what she remembered it to be. Fire and ash, but distant, more or less presenting a warm welcome than a threat.
And what a welcome she got. Their trek had been long, and they’d made good time today - the sun hung low in the sky, reflecting on the surface and the handsome face that invited her in - as it had done all the time she’d spent with him.
A hesitant hoof breaks surface, and she chuckles, surprised by the warmth surrounding her. The rest of her soon follows, bumping the male’s shoulder playfully as she does. ”And you think bathing now is a good idea? I’ve seen you dirty enough to know better, and I doubt anyone you live with here would be fooled.”
wherever you go… bring me home?
@[Svedka]