let my shadows prove the sunshine
Svedka’s golden ears flick towards the tropical jungle, (one that is bright and vividly green, with flowers blooming lush and unhindered, so unlike the jungle he had just escaped from) the sound of his twin daughter’s laughter and giggles echoing through the sunlit expanse of pristine beach. He wonders idly to himself if their arrival had already been announced to those who lived here but if that wasn’t the case, it certainly would be now. The twins are rambunctious and impulsive, traits he is sure are mostly from him than from the tawny winged shifter beside him. They are, however, mischievous and cunning (and already becoming quick experts in their shifting) which can easily reflect the woman standing next to him.
As the soft blue of his armor fades into his skin, Vastra’s gentle glittering replaces the glow. The stallion smiles and though he may have once attempted to hide it, now grins at her unabashedly as the sparkling takes full effect. She is as nearly as glittering as the clear blue water that shines in the shallows beneath their hooves, silvery fishes caught in the pools darting in between them. She steps away from him and for a moment he only appreciates her, his gentle blue eyes soft with fondness.
“I have,” he replies, and for a moment, he wonders if Aquaria still resides amongst the brightly lit island. It would be a shame if she wasn’t, he thinks, because despite their brief meeting Svedka could already tell that Ischia was truly her home. “Hopefully they’ll let me stay this time.” He’s joking, of course, but the grin seems secretive as if to allude to something more. “You may have to vouch for me, or we might be taking another swim.”
The ocean water falls from her wings in glittering diamonds and he welcomes their cooling splash with laughter. Almost immediately Svedka finds his way to her in a dancing trot, his pale nose wrinkling as if to feign offense. “Nice try,” he boasts, snaking his head out to graze his teeth against her deep golden neck, “but I actually like the water.” His sneer fades quickly as he settles in to assist in preening the many feathers on her wings, attempting to set them back in place if needed - his mother had done the same for his father and even Svedka had witnessed Warden struggling to get the feathers to lay the correct way without some help. The stallion smiles to himself as he works, delighted that even the feathers have a glittering sheen.
“We should be safe here,” he murmurs quietly, knowing that she would be as worried about Gale as Svedka would be. “At least for a while.” He could stomach the nightmares (years underground were nothing compared to them) and he is sure even Vastra could, but his mind drifts to both Ciroc and Sundari, still so young and innocent. Neither of them would let their daughters grow up in a place seeping with darkness. In truth, he didn’t know how far the nightmares could possibly stretch. Their stay in Ischia might not be for long at all.
svedka
@Vastra