[private] it's wild like the river, warm like the sun

[lilliana]

- it's in the eyes, i can tell you will always be danger -
we had it tonight, why do we always seek absolution?

LILLIANA

Of course, she’s terrified for him.

It happens to her each time that Nashua leaves for the Isle or one of his many adventures. It happens for every patrol Yanhua makes of the Taiga. It happens for each glance she manages to steal of Aela, a girl who is far more impish and wisp-like than either of her older brothers, that makes her wonder if this will be the last one.

And it’s hard to deny Yanhua anything, especially when he looks like that. Something in Lilliana tells her that despite her maternal apprehension, this will be an adventure for her star-marked son. It will give him the chance to learn and grow and what more could she want for her children? If Yanhua is going to come of age, what better time than during the Alliance? What better thing for a young horse than to experience it for themselves?

Of course, she’ll worry for him. But giving her blessing for this is as easy as breathing and when his bearded chin grazes along her cheek for a kiss, she laughs gently. "Just… be careful, alright?” She asks of him, still laughing despite the concern that lingers behind her blue eyes. "No overly gallant displays of bravado, please.”

The sound of young Clarie’s laughter distracts her and Lilliana turns her head, smiling again when she spies Lethy and her buckskin daughter. When the striped yearling approached her, Lilliana lowered her head in greeting to the filly. "Hello, Clarie.” She said with a smile and then turned her attention on the Matriach of Taiga. "Not at all.”

She watches Yanhua as she lifts her head and smiles again. His enthusiasm was almost as illuminating as the torch-like glow that came from his mane and tail. Lilliana side-glanced to Lethy for a moment, waiting to see if Yan’s excitement would catch her as well.

You are so like your grandfather, she thinks to herself as Yanhua shares his doubts to the both of them (and Clarie). He could have assumed the title of Champion without any doubts; he could have felt entitled to it. Instead, her son asks if he is ready for that level of responsibility. Looking to @[Izora Lethia] briefly, she wondered what the Matriarch made of Yanhua’s questions.

For Lilliana, it made her think that Taiga could have no better Champion.

image credit to rigardatta