"But the dream, the echo, slips from him as quickly as he had found it and as consciousness comes to him (a slap and not the gentle waves of oceanic tides), it dissolves entirely. His muscles relax as the cold claims him again, as the numbness sets in, and when his grey eyes open, there’s nothing but the faint after burn of a dream often trod and never remembered." --Brigade, written by Laura
07-13-2015, 06:53 PM (This post was last modified: 07-15-2015, 10:10 AM by Elysteria.)
love is a temporary madness...
She is not easily bored, especially by intelligent conversation. She enjoys little quite so much as she enjoys speaking with a friend (and she would not hesitate to call Weir friend. She would like to say that their acquaintance had gone beyond simple kingdom-mates). And when the conversation is as interesting and varied as theirs has been to this point, it is even better. So when he acquiesces to teaching her, followed by the glib comment, Elysteria cannot help the laugh that escapes her lips.
“Excellent! In that case, my ears are at your disposal.”
Her russet eyes sparkle merrily as they find his, a grin resting easily on her muzzle. He continues the conversation, hesitating only for a moment, looking for eavesdroppers. Her bright gaze shows her curiosity clearly, ears tipped forward in interest. He describes his gift in detail, and Elysteria finds herself intrigued. She had never before heard of a horse that could manipulate the outcome of other’s magic. Having been on the receiving end of magic before, she could well understand the usefulness of the talent. It is a bitter reminder though. A deal made with a magician and an unfulfilled favor. She could not yet say, however, whether the deal had been worth it. Her payment had yet to come due.
“That sounds incredibly useful. Not all of the magicians here are precisely scrupulous with their magic. Unfortunately, my father is among the worst.”
The words cause a frown as her gaze becomes distant for a brief moment. She is not sure that she could forgive him the way her daughter had returned from him. She is not sure she wishes to.
Drawing herself from her reverie, she turns her bright, russet eyes to the river they had finally reached.
“But enough of gloomy things. If we were to follow this river, we would soon reach the heart of the Dale. If you’d like, we can head that direction. And on our way, you could begin my lessons.”
The last is accompanied by a bright smile and hopeful gleam in her eye.
Her laughter is pleasant, tinkling in his eardrums in good nature. The notes fit the Dale like they are made for it, tilting on the breeze like birdsong. He was glad he had decided to come after all, to follow the bay to her sprawling homeland. She offers her ears, taking an interest in learning, he admires that.
As he shares news of his trait, she receives it in stride. Which is all very well to him. His brow furrows a bit when she mentions how the magicians of the area throw their power about. He did not particularly enjoy the company of that sort of equine, the disregard hinting at deeper character issues. He tried his best to get along with all in truth, but sometimes conflicting personalities or values just couldn't mesh.
Weir learns that his new friends father was also a magician, and not a good one at that. What luck was it that he did not find Elysteria to have a dark nature, she presented herself as rather the opposite of that. A warm and welcoming disposition, a true kindness. Darkness crosses her facade, if briefly, the thoughts behind it unknown to him. Just as soon, she mentions the heart of the Dale,eager to begin lessons.
Weir nods before speaking."Righty oh then! Let us be on our way, ahhhh, oh yes." He trots up to the river bank, amber orbs searching, before he shakes his russet head."Just there, the little brown bird, see his notched bill?" He indicates the wren shaped bird on the opposite side, it's long legs scurrying."Cinclus mexicanus, or Dipper bird. He can swim under water, even walk on the bottom! Can you imagine? Would I could do the same. Why, I think I could catch a turtle, no I am sure of it."