"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
The night was a tranquil and soothing one for Crucis. The stars shimmered elegantly above her, while the moon cast its radiant glow. A sense of calm enveloped her, reminiscent of the days spent with her mother beneath the Sacred Willow Tree, their sanctuary in their homeland. Her thoughts often drift to her mother, wondering about her whereabouts and if she ever thinks of her. On nights like this, she feels a profound connection to her mother.
As the first light of dawn creeps over the horizon, the twinkling stars fade away, giving way to the morning sky. Crucis remains still by the lake, reflecting on the long night she endured after her arduous journey to The Dale. Despite the weariness, she managed to find some rest, though her heart yearns for her homeland where she was passed up for the Celestial Crown. Her heart is a blazing inferno of anger, fierce and unrelenting, just like the fiery stars that burn bright in the vast expanse of the night sky.
In the distance, she notices the flickering flames of a familiar sight. With a soft sigh, she realizes that the day ahead will be challenging, a responsibility she never anticipated. Yet, if she aspires to be a future Queen, she must be willing to engage with her people and earn their loyalty. These young subjects are the foundation for her reign, a necessary step towards her royal ambitions.
They had returned to their little abode within the kingdom. Finding my mother and Jack already whisked away into the dream world, I settle for curling up with my twin brother and drifting off as well. There would be time in the morning to tell her of their encounter with the celestial mare.
---
My dreams tonight are of the night sky. Their sparkling lights, the bluish black behind them and the sliver crescent of the moon hanging high above the world. But I am not a passive observer this time. Tonight I am soaring amongst the celestial bodies. The flames of my body extending to create the swirling vortex of fire at my sides. Their heat alone causing me to rise high above the Dale's landscape.
The orange glow of my form in the sky is undeniably misplaced. Unlike Crucis, the mare we had met that evening, I do not blend into the skyscape. It is rather fitting, I think, as I have never blended anywhere before in my life.
Eventually dawn approaches and I find myself blinking my eyes awake, staring out into a blanket of fresh white powder covering the land. My red eyes widen in surprise, after all it is my first winter. A huge smile tugs at my lips as I rise from the cavern floor excitedly. Even Vic is still sleeping, which is odd. "Vic! Get up! Look!" I say before including my mother in my call, "Mother, is that... snow?" I ask before I decide to venture into it.
My first step presses my hoof into the light snow cover, the flames sizzling as the frozen flakes melt away. With face lowered I watch as tiny droplets of liquid replace the white frost. My brows furrow in slight disappointment, taking another step to have the new phenomena give way to my flames.
I snort, the rush of warm air sending snowflakes air bound before they evaporated.
My head rises sharply as I see a dark figure that resembled the mare from the night before. Suddenly my strife over the snow is gone and I am prancing further into the open. I stop abruptly, only long enough to turn and shout to my family, "Come on you lazy bums! You have to meet Crucis!"
There isn't much stillness in my pause as I prance in place before my legs are moving me forward again. My flame laced face looks to the mare with a loud whinny, as if I needed to catch her attention. "Crucis! Over here!" I yell, the distance between us coming to a close in no time.
I had not noticed the bare trail of moist earth left in my wake until I turn around to face where my family was slowly making their way out of their nightly shelter.
Now within speaking distance I excitedly greet her, "Good morning! I can't believe you are still here! Oooo today is going to be so much FUN!" My excitement is uncontainable as my legs jig about, shifting my fiery form this way and that. The flames to wax and wane with each movement, tiny orbs of flame escape and do their own dance separate from my body.
Each spot my hooves land the winter covering dissolved, leaving dark spots all over the area. I laugh as I leap forwards and head back towards my family, "Come on! Come meet my family!"
I escort the ethereal mare towards them. The look on Vic's face is one of curiosity, mixed with uncertainty. I couldn't tell if it was because of the snow or the fact Crucis was still here.
"This is my mom," I motion towards the caramel mare with a long gown of iridescent feathers. "And Jack," I look to the tall dark bay stallion who has been a part of their family since my birth. My gaze casts up, looking to the usual places Amenadiel perched in the nights. Spotting the winged stallion suddenly I shout, "Amen! Come meet Crucis," I call out before adding, "That is Amenadiel. I flew on his back once!"
I smile and look to the mare, "And of course you met Vic last night." My mothers face tilts just the slightest, having heard of the encounter for the first time. "Everyone this is Crucis! Vic and I met her last night down by the lake. She is new here!" I exclaim as I look back to them.
My mother smiles kindly before welcoming the newcomer. Vic's expression is still uncertain but as the adults begin to interact with the mare his demeanor changes. A kind smile graces his handsome face.
//Fire Mimicry-Summer Appearance-Fire Breathing-Water Immunity\\
Fire Mimicry- Foxfire, Phoenix-Type Immortality, Fire Wings
The mare woke up to the tranquil sound of snowflakes falling silently from the sky, coating the ground with a layer of pristine white. She felt a sense of nostalgia rush over her, reminding her of the days when she was just a young filly. The gentle crunching sound of the snow under her hooves was music to her ears, leaving a perfect imprint behind with each step she took.
As she raised her head up to the cloudy sky, her ears perked up, and she felt the flakes dance and twinkle around her, landing on her mane and wings. She unfurled her large wings, and the snow blended seamlessly with the stars hidden beneath the feathers. With a deep sigh, she closed her eyes, savoring the moment of pure bliss.
Suddenly, she heard a familiar voice, the same one she heard the night before. She let out a soft sigh, realizing that the silence of the morning was about to be shattered by the fiery filly who had a tendency to melt everything in her wake.
Shaking her body and wings, she allowed the cool blanket of snow to fall to the ground before walking towards the excited filly, who was bouncing and bounding everywhere she went, her flames trailing behind. The mare couldn't help but smile as she greeted the foals.
Before she could utter a word, the filly introduced her to her family. There was another mare who looked nothing like her, except for the vibrant gown of feathers she wore. There was also a bay stallion and another winged stallion. The mare's head tilted slightly as the filly mentioned that she had flown on his back before.
Chuckling softly, the mare was pleased to see the filly so excited to have a newcomer."It’s a pleasure to meet you all.What a lovely family you have,Escence," she says, bowing her head respectfully.
The winters hold on the Dale was just beginning. Soon the lake would crust over with a sheet of ice and snow would blanket the ground, she was sure of it. Though to what degree they would have to find out with time.
She had been having the most peaceful of dreams, when suddenly there was shuffling of hooves on stone and a distant familiar voice calling to her. Shaking the sleep fog from her mind, a morning yawn creeping forward, just before she steps forward. Vic had just risen as well and her thoughts go to how strange it was that Escence was the first of them up.
Her body presses along Jack with a gentle good morning before she is standing just outside the cave entrance with Vic at her side.
Escence in her usual way, prances forward and is accompanied by a stranger. Her caramel and milk face tilts towards Vic and it doesn't take much before they get the story.
With ears flicked forward in attention, she listens to Essence's introductions before a smile breaks across her features. It is kind, though a slight unease pulsates through her muscles. They had yet to meet any one and she hoped to make a good impression on anyone they should come across.
"Hello Crucis, it is nice to meet you," She speaks in soft tones with a kind dip to her dished face. The winter breeze ruffles her feathered gown as she continues, "my name is Aurora," she adds with a chuckle, as calling her mother would not be appropriate for everyone she muses in thought.
Her golden flecked eyes cast around the area, freshly covered in a thin veil of snow. The virgin beauty of it tainted by the many holes melted across it.
Looking back to the speckled mare, having waited for anyone else to introduce themselves, "we are happy to meet new friendly faces. So far it has just been us here." Her eyes look to Escence briefly before looking back to Crucis, "clearly you have made someone's year with being here," she laughs.
She turns to Vic, pressing her nose to his neck, "Jack and I will be going to look at the area to the west. Can you please keep an eye on your sister today?" An agreeing nod follows from the masked yearling before she returns her attention to Crucis and Escence, "Perhaps Amen would be willing to help show you around? If you'd like Crucis." She looks to where Amen has joined them with a questioning brow, "Unless you have other engagements? I'm sure the twins could handle the basics if so."
Her body shifts, looking to the group gathered. She smiles proudly at their little family unit.
As Jack slowly wakes up, he groans softly, feeling a slight chill running through his body. He notices that he still doesn't have the layer of protective fur that he used to have, and as he opens his dark brown eyes, he sees flurries flying around, indicating that winter has finally arrived after teasing for a few weeks. Despite the cold, Jack smiles softly as Aurora nudges him, and he yawns and stretches out, feeling like an old man, no longer the young colt he once was.
Suddenly, Escence prances in, bounding with energy, which is unusual for her to be up before her brother. Jack looks at her, and she nudges him softly before running circles around him. Eviction, who was trailing next to Aurora, also greets Jack, and they all exchange pleasantries.
Jack chuckles softly and looks towards the newcomer. "Good Morning. It's nice to meet you," he says respectfully, lowering his head. "So you've met Escence and Eviction," he continues, chuckling as Escence trots in circles in excitement to not be the only family in the Dale.
Finally, Jack turns to Amenadiel and asks him to keep an eye on Escence and Eviction while he and Aurora head out west. With that, they all say their goodbyes, and Jack and Aurora embark on their journey.
Amenadiel perches atop the rocky pyres, his heart racing with anticipation as he feels the first stirrings of his draconic transformation. His thin paper wings are wrapped tightly around him, trying to contain the energy coursing through his body. As the morning air cools around him, he shivers and pulls his wings even tighter. In the dim light, he notices a thin layer of snow covering his wings, delicate and intricate crystals that glisten in the sunlight. He paws at the rocky surface beneath him, revealing the dirt beneath, and takes in the breathtaking view of the snow-covered landscape around him. Everything around the Dale is blanketed in a pristine layer of snow, and the sight of the snowflakes dancing and swirling around him fills him with wonder.
As he looks down, he spots Escence bounding around, her flames melting any remaining snow. Her brother soon follows, along with their mother and Jack. Escence looks up at him, and he realizes that he can't hide his presence from them. He stretches his wings out and flaps them, hoping to defrost them. The sensation is invigorating, and he revels in the feeling of freedom and power that comes from his dragon form.
After warming up a bit, he lifts himself off the peak and into the skies, soaring through the air with effortless grace. He flies around for a while, taking in the stunning vista of the snow-covered mountains and valleys below, before landing next to the family. Escence runs bounding into him, and he chuckles, introducing the new equine. “My name is Amenadiel. You can call me Amen,” he says, admiring the new mare's beautiful coat and wings. She is the prettiest mare he has ever seen, with a mane that glows like fire and a coat that shimmers like snow.
He turns to Jack and Aurora and nods, accepting their request to keep an eye on the twins. As he watches them play and laugh in the snow, he feels a sense of contentment settling over him. This is where he belongs, among the creatures of the Dale, free to be himself and to explore the wonders of the world around him.
There is an expression on my face as bright as the burning sun when Crucis compliments my family. And it wasn't every day I could introduce them to someone new, so it was a proud moment for me.
My fiery face nods as mother and Jack part ways, reaching my nose to touch hers before they turn and leave.
It is Amen now that catches my attention as there was a change in his appearance since the last time I have seen him, "Nice wings Amenadiel! When did you ditch the feathers?" I say with a smirk before turning my attention back to the mare.
"Well you have seen the lake... And our little home... And this meadow here between them..." My eyes roll in thought to what else there was to show her, "Hmmm, there is the river..." The thought aloud causes Vic to scowl in protest, "What?!" I contest back, "Where do YOU want to go then?" My eyes rolling in annoyance now before a giggle escapes my maw.
Without a reply Vic looks to Amen for guidance...
//Fire Mimicry-Summer Appearance-Fire Breathing-Water Immunity\\
Fire Mimicry- Foxfire, Phoenix-Type Immortality, Fire Wings
Amenadiel stood tall, his eyes scanning the deserted area. Escence was babbling on about something, and Vic looked at him, hoping he would come up with a plan to escape this awkward situation. With a hint of irritation, Amenadiel agreed to help, and he turned his attention to Crucis.
He gestured towards a meadow, telling the celestial mare that it was the best spot to find delicious grass. Then, he turned to the colt and asked if he had any ideas. Not sure what to do, Amenadiel suggested they go for a walk. He wished he could suggest a flight, but Eviction was the only one without wings.
As he waited for Aurora and Jack to return, he noticed the celestial mare fidgeting, adjusting her wings uncomfortably. Suddenly, an idea popped into his head, and he turned to the mare and twins. "I have a surprise for you both!" he exclaimed. "I can't tell you what it is, but I promise you will love it! And Crucis, you're more than welcome to join us."
The mare's nods, replying, “It would be awesome to explore the kingdom more!" With that, she followed the draconic stallion towards his hidden treasure.
My pondering doesn't last long before Amen announces he has a surprise for us. "Ooooo a SURPRISE! What is it??" I bound about in excitement, sending sparks of embers into the sky.
Vic's interest is plainly expressed on his amsked face when he hears of something Amen has been keeping a secret. He smiles happily before following the group.
I look to Crucis as we begin our journey, "So where are you from exactly?" Noting the similarity the mare shared with the night sky, I slightly wonder if perhaps she is from the galaxies that illuminate the night.
My steps bounce along, the living flames shifting along with my body. I am careful not to get too close to the mare. Setting her feathers on fire would not make a good impression.
Another few paces and I ask the mare another question, "Do you have any children?" My mind thinks to how fun it would be to have others, besides my stick in the mud brother, to play with.
//Fire Mimicry-Summer Appearance-Fire Breathing-Water Immunity\\
Fire Mimicry- Foxfire, Phoenix-Type Immortality, Fire Wings
Amenadiel couldn't help but chuckle softly to himself, knowing how ecstatic Escence will be when she hears about the surprise he has in store for her. One of her embers lands on his left wing, he feels the heat emanating from it, but it isn't enough to cause any burns. He turns to glance at her, sighing softly with a slight chuckle.
"If you follow me and behave," he says, sending her a meaningful look. He knew her mischievous nature all too well.
With that, he leads the way towards his secret destination, carefully navigating around rocks and stones. He has to fold and extend his wings several times to avoid getting impaled by the sharp edges of the rocks. Pebbles tumble behind them with every step they take as they ascend higher and higher into the rocky pyres. As they walk, he hears Escence bombarding Crucis with questions, interrupting herself before she could even answer them.
When they reach the topic of babies, Amenadiel has to cut her off. "Escence... that's enough. That's a little too much," he says, trying to steer the conversation in a different direction.
The starred mare chuckled softly and replied, "It's okay. No, I do not have any children, and I'm not quite sure where I'm from. I just know I'm from far away."
It wasn't long before they arrived at their destination, with the sky darkening around them. What lay in front of them is a faint glow that surrounds an emerald egg nestled safely in its nest. Amenadiel smiles softly, turning around to allow the excited aunt and uncle to be to see.
"Escence, Eviction, you will soon be an aunt and uncle," he said, watching as confusion peaked over their faces.He went on to explain, "My child is in this egg. This is why I haven't been around much,”
As if responding to its father's voice, the egg glows brighter and rattles slightly, as if acknowledging his presence and safety.
Escence
