03-10-2021, 12:44 PM
Seeing a horse rise up out of the sea and stumble onto land had been the last thing Ehko expected on her walk, and normally you’d expect a young filly to be wary of the unexpected—yet today, unexpectedly, she wasn’t.
Ehko was just an infant. She hadn’t even grown into her wings, or seen the farthest stretches of her own home island. Most of her time was spent in study or at play with her twin, though she had the freedom to explore. The monsters that came from the sea or unwound themselves from the slimy shadows in the bog were merely a pastime for getting the redblooded urge to kill out of her father dragon’s mind, so most stayed away. And Ehko—little thing that she was—had her own means of simple protection. Where white patterns splashed haphazardly over the tender skin of her throat and mottled the rest of her body there was also the sheen and texture of scales, beastly thick things that interlocked like chainmail over her most vulnerable parts. They glimmered with an opalescent blue sheen whenever light was present.
If another horse truly wanted to kill her they would have to be damn well determined or damn strong, no doubt about it, but as the gentle voice of the seamare washed like warm surf over Ehko’s upturned ears, the small pegasus could hardly believe that that was the intention here. She knew safety and power when she was watched over by such devoted, destructive parents as her own, and her mother’s constant promise that she was always watching herself and her twin Brash pushed any residual hesitance from her mind.
She stepped forward to help the mare, nodding, when the thump, thump, thumping sound of approaching hooves turned her head.
Another stranger appeared, slowly taking shape out of the surrounding darkness. Ehko paused, uncertain if she was interrupting a meeting or reunion, but the newcomer talked and not once did Ehko hear any mention of a name or sense any familiarity between the two elder mares. The only thing they all seemed to share in common was their design; Ehko appraised the way Locheed’s skin seemed shadowy and multilayered with her own scales, liking it. Maybe these strangers could become her friends?
“Don’t be rude!” She whickered to the silver bay, catching onto the suspicion in Locheed’s tone. It was obvious that her sudden appearance and her attitude had upset the horse from the sea, and Ehko didn’t want the traveler to feel unwelcome. Her dam had taught her courtesy and she was sticking to it. “You’re probably just exhausted, right?” She tipped her head toward the other paint, smiling as she closed the gap between them with a few leggy steps. “You must’ve swam the whole way here! In the dark, too! So cool.” Ehko beamed.
Another step and she’d be able to offer her support. Another step and Ehko could touch the seamare, if Waverly wished. There were thoughts of stories to tell Brash later filling her innocent mind as she lifted that fateful leg, too. A feeling of confidence blossomed inside of her, warm and almost taking shape in a way Ehko could picture clearly. Another step, the blink of an eye, and everything could change.
@[Locheed] @[Waverly]
Ehko was just an infant. She hadn’t even grown into her wings, or seen the farthest stretches of her own home island. Most of her time was spent in study or at play with her twin, though she had the freedom to explore. The monsters that came from the sea or unwound themselves from the slimy shadows in the bog were merely a pastime for getting the redblooded urge to kill out of her father dragon’s mind, so most stayed away. And Ehko—little thing that she was—had her own means of simple protection. Where white patterns splashed haphazardly over the tender skin of her throat and mottled the rest of her body there was also the sheen and texture of scales, beastly thick things that interlocked like chainmail over her most vulnerable parts. They glimmered with an opalescent blue sheen whenever light was present.
If another horse truly wanted to kill her they would have to be damn well determined or damn strong, no doubt about it, but as the gentle voice of the seamare washed like warm surf over Ehko’s upturned ears, the small pegasus could hardly believe that that was the intention here. She knew safety and power when she was watched over by such devoted, destructive parents as her own, and her mother’s constant promise that she was always watching herself and her twin Brash pushed any residual hesitance from her mind.
She stepped forward to help the mare, nodding, when the thump, thump, thumping sound of approaching hooves turned her head.
Another stranger appeared, slowly taking shape out of the surrounding darkness. Ehko paused, uncertain if she was interrupting a meeting or reunion, but the newcomer talked and not once did Ehko hear any mention of a name or sense any familiarity between the two elder mares. The only thing they all seemed to share in common was their design; Ehko appraised the way Locheed’s skin seemed shadowy and multilayered with her own scales, liking it. Maybe these strangers could become her friends?
“Don’t be rude!” She whickered to the silver bay, catching onto the suspicion in Locheed’s tone. It was obvious that her sudden appearance and her attitude had upset the horse from the sea, and Ehko didn’t want the traveler to feel unwelcome. Her dam had taught her courtesy and she was sticking to it. “You’re probably just exhausted, right?” She tipped her head toward the other paint, smiling as she closed the gap between them with a few leggy steps. “You must’ve swam the whole way here! In the dark, too! So cool.” Ehko beamed.
Another step and she’d be able to offer her support. Another step and Ehko could touch the seamare, if Waverly wished. There were thoughts of stories to tell Brash later filling her innocent mind as she lifted that fateful leg, too. A feeling of confidence blossomed inside of her, warm and almost taking shape in a way Ehko could picture clearly. Another step, the blink of an eye, and everything could change.
@[Locheed] @[Waverly]
![[Image: cBWs9N.png]](https://img.nickpic.host/cBWs9N.png)