xiah
Okay, maybe she does need to work on her self-control; with every little hop she gives, the looks she get become dirtier. Xiah makes a note-to-self: no hopping on the way home. Or zooming or hovering or flouncing. Her lower lip gets sucked between her teeth at the thought. It wracks her nerves, supressing the gifts she’s been blessed with; yet her sense of responsibility as a sister trumps her pride, and with a great effort, she releases her lower lip.
They stand for some time on the borders, surrounded by sound: in the Tundra, Xiah only ever remembers the sound of her breathing or the clip of her hooves against the ice. Here, the birds sing, water runs, and the wind rustles rather than howls. Leaning towards Kida, Xiah brushes their shoulders together, mouthing the word ‘wow’ without taking her eyes off the scenery. I can see why mother loved it here.
He begins appearing at the worst moment: mouth hanging half-open, eyes bulging out of her head, Xiah could not have possibly made a worse impression. And to make it all worse, she doesn’t even notice the gradually appearing ghost until Kida screams.
Wishing she had someone’s rump to jump and hide behind, Xiah pins her ears and points her spiralled horn towards the materializing stallion. Inside, her heart beats frantically, and her tongue feels like it could fall out of her mouth she’s so stunned.
When his face finally appears with a grin laced along it, Xiah blinks and slowly raises her weapon. When he speaks, she fumbles to gain the use of her tongue. Just as she thinks that they’re doomed to stand on the borders like two figures who locked eyes with Medusa, her baby sister speaks up.
Well, that’s embarrassing.
Laughing and breathing simultaneously, Xiah retreats a step before finally finding her voice.
“Lea, Queen Lea. It was a long time ago, I hope you don’t mind.” Her silver eyes glitter with excitement and uncertainty; she inhales shakily, and exhales firmly, solidifying her calmness. “I am Xiah, and this is my sister Kida. We’re King Errant’s daughters…” She swallows at the enunciation of both her parents’ names, a sort of coolness washing over her to hide the rise of emotions. “It’s nice to meet you, Ramiel. That’s a neat trick you did.”
You won't have any friends, and I'll live in a room
With flowers on the walls, and golden doorknobs