[open] don't get cut on my edges

[Amet]

don't get cut on my edges ─
I'm the king of everything and oh my tongue is a weapon

"Spring in Hyaline is unparalleled," he tells her simply, with unfettered excitement for the turn of the season. The wisteria's sweeping boughs would soon blossom with blue-violet flowers and the crisp winter air would be pregnant with their perfume. He nearly prances in place as they reach the lakeside. He takes his familiar place beneath the now-bare branches of his favorite tree and sighs all of the stress and exhaustion from his past few years straight out of his lithe dragonhide body as his bright amber eyes turn back to Solace. A gentle chuckle falls from his lips at her casual warning, but he nods her on ─ he needs to know everything.

The akhal-teke listens with unfaltering attention to Solace's story ─ how badly he wishes to have been here in Hyaline to experience all that had happened, but how happy he is that the daughter of Tangerine and Warrick had been the one to man the helm.

Familiar and unfamiliar names alike, a plethora of memories tug at his nostalgia. Svedka's unbridled youthfulness, Warrick's steadfast dedication, Tangerine and her brilliant smile... even Castile and the friendship Amet had felt for the dragon-shifter long ago. Gone are the remnants of any grudges. Gone are bruised egos. Simply, and above all else, the dragonhide stallion is happy to be home.

He grins as she mentions children but doesn't interrupt, instead continuing to listen with fluttering ears and attentive eyes. Word of the plague that had spread by Carnage's hand pinches his expression and pushes a frown over his soft mouth, but to say he is surprised would be a lie. When Solace draws her story to a close and her ruffled feathers brush against her shoulder, he allows silence to fall between them for a few moments as he processes everything she has told him.

"I'm sorry to hear of Warrick's sickness," he says finally, "how is he doing now?" His eyes search hers, another question playing at the tip of his tongue tentatively until finally he nearly blurts it ─ "And... Tangerine? How is she?" His heart aches with the absence of his old friend, and for now, only the excitement of returning to Hyaline is masking his pain.

Amet has many more questions for the cerulean-winged mare but is uncertain which to ask her first. "Is Svedka still here? Where is Castile now? Will I get to meet Kagerus and your children?" he asks in quick succession before another bout of laughter falls from his lips, "I'm sorry. I don't know where to start."

- Amet -

[@[Solace]! ♥]

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