"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 twins were off exploring the island, perhaps without there father even being aware. They were around six months of age and were raging to explore and meet others. The twins both had fire breathing powers and Drax used it much more often while Dario kept it reserved.
They were off playing in the the middle of the kingdom, surrounded by trees and the parrots were chirping as if they were watching over them. The two colts playfully fought, striking at one another, chasing each other and pulling at each others manes. Every now and then a fire flame would escape Draxs maw, spiraling at Dario who was observant and quick to avoid. The two were caught up in there own play to notice anyone else should they approach.
Ischia had proven itself to be a wonderful home. It was the first home the filly had known in a long time. Although she had enjoyed her travels with Durotan, it had quickly grown tiresome to be on the move. She could appreciate her Papa’s sacrificing in planting his roots so deep within a kingdom. However, in many ways, she missed the days when it had just been them. Lately, it’d grown difficult to etch out one on one time with her adoptive father. He was kept busy on his mission to cement himself in his new role.
As promised, there had been a few other foals close to her own age. She’d been too shy to properly introduce herself, however. Most days she contented herself by walking the length of the island, discovering new places and coves throughout. One day, she’d even discovered a waterfall!
She was on the path back to that secluded place when the sound of two younglings at play caught her ear. Peering around the bend she was greeted by the sight of a winged green pointed stallion. For a moment, she mistook him for the prince Kromium, but then she remembered that the colt did not carry wings upon his back.
As the oddly colored colt darted around, another foal bounded after him, this one completely green. The two were almost certainly brothers. Discouraged from introducing herself, she prepared to turn and leave, perhaps she could visit the waterfall another day. Hoping to escape notice, she prayed that her lightly colored pelt wouldn’t catch their eye.
Dario was fast and clever, he was used to Draxs tricks, he was quick to avoid the fireballs that spiraled towards him. He spit out his own fireball and bursted forward, he gained speed and was a few strides infront of his brother Drax. His brother always wondered how he was so fast, little did anyone know Dario was able to adjust the weight of his bones, he could make them heavier, or paper thin.
Drax was not fond of losing, in fact the colt grew furious with Dario, he untucked his wings and gently flapped them. He lifted off the ground and glided in the air, landing infront of the colt, he slid either Dario stopped or they would collide.
The bay colt grew annoyed with the same antics Drax pulled, always using his wings to gain ground on him. His brother landed in front of him, he tried to stop but it was too late. The colts collided, tangled up they quickly untangled from each other and stood up, shaking the dirt off themselves.
Watch were you are going! Drax snorted, reaching out to nip his brother who was looking away. The bay twin released an angered whinny, when he felt his brothers teeth. He turned and spit a fireball at his hooves, a warning he was done. Dario knew better than to take his eyes off his brother, it was his own fault. But he spotted another, she was older than the twins but she was hard to miss. The silver dapple filly looked like she was trying to slip away, he had to be quick so she would not slip away.
Hey! the bay colt yelled, he reached out and bit his brother, a smirk on his face as he bolted of towards the filly. Hey! Drax yelled in rage at the burn on his shoulder from his brother. As he saw his brother run off he spotted the silver spotted filly, This outta be fun a smirk of his own grew on his maw. He galloped behind his own brother catching up, both of them came to a halt a few paces from the filly. Hey! We were starting to think we were the only foals on the island! Dario said with a smile on his face Whats a lady like you doing all on your lonesome? Drax pushed his brother to the side as he steps closer to her.
@[Maiven] So I hope this was easy to follow who is talking, also side note Dario is bay as a colt, and greys/greens? as he gets older.
Months of travel had taken its toll on the silver dappled filly. Abandonment and solitude had transformed her away from the once carefree child she’d been. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d played as the two colts she’d stumbled upon were. As she retreated, the sound of their game remained within the pits of her ears. Their lighthearted banter reminded her of a life she’d almost nearly forgotten. Back when she walked beside her mother, there had been other foals and, gangly as she was at that time, nothing brought her more joy than the games they’d play.
Since the moment she’d been found by Durotan, she’d found herself longing to return to that place. It’d taken them too long to settle down, though it was hard to stay mad at her papa. He only ever wanted what was best for her and it wasn’t her fault that she remained too shy to properly introduce herself to potential friends.
Each night, as he found her, and they settled in to sleep, he would ask her if she made any friends that day. It’d quickly become a habit of hers to lie to him with false assurances. The truth would only cause him pain and she’d never wish that upon him.
She halted a moment, suddenly inspired. It would bring her so much joy to be able to tell him the truth, that yes, she had met and made friends with the other foals on the island. Turning around slightly she reconsidered her retreat, her nerves trembling within her. It only took seconds for her newly formed resolve to shatter and dissolve completely.
One more lie wouldn’t hurt him… Tomorrow, she promised herself and him.
Just as her hind foot lowered to the ground, however, a stray voice called out to her. She froze, a grimace upon her face.
She’d been spotted.
Glancing over her shoulder she watched as the bay colt cam bounding towards her, excitement marked across his features. The green pointed colt paused a moment, an odd smile climbing on top of his already oddly marked face. She found herself blushing at the force of their attention and taking a half-step backwards.
Both of their greetings were as varied as the color of their coats and Maiven thoughts tumbled around inside of her head.
“I – I’ve only just moved here,” she explained to the plain bay. Then she turned towards the winged fellow. “I always come this way,” her voice had grown more confident. “I visit the lagoon every day to check and see if the water is warm enough to swim in yet.”
They both gazed at her, Dario was friendly and Drax with evil intentions. Dario would switch his gaze every few moments to Drax, he knew exactly what his brother was thinking. He was a twisted soul, surely he would want to play a 'game' with her, maybe even aim fire at her.
She appeared nervous at first, and notes she had just moved to Ischia. It made sense that they have never seen her. Her gaze turns to Drax and she tells them that she comes this way every day No! Dario thought to himself. She just told Drax valuable information! Should he want to harass or harm he, she just made it that much easier.
The lagoon you say? Drax cocks his eye and grins at her Dario was quick to kick his hind leg out at Drax, hoping to his move was as hidden as possible from the filly. The bay colt pushes Drax to the side and tries to get in front of his brother So whats your name? I am Dario he smiles at her gently.
Drax stretched his wings and flapped them, smacking his brother with one. He pushes him out of the way and I'm Drax He smiles nearing her again You really should not be traveling alone, let us escort you to the lagoon. He had seen bachelors talk to mares, he did not know what flirting meant, nor did he know what it was to have feelings for another. Drax was just ready to cause havoc, it would be easier if his brother Dario was not always around to keep him from fulfilling his pyro desires.
Their eyes hardly left her as she spoke. Her cheeks reddened with the force of their attention and she took an uncertain step away from them. They were strangers, after all, and she wasn't sure she liked the way the bay kept staring at his brother. There was something odd within the winged colts eyes and a tingle set off down her spine. Tempted to turn on her heels and run, she stops as the green and brown colt's question reaches her cream colored ears. Her tongue felt like cotton within her mouth. Had he not gone to visit the lagoon yet? It was just beyond the next line of trees.
For a moment she was half tempted to offer to take them there, but her insecurity kept her silence heavily between the them. The other, less scary looking colt, stepped forward, preventing her view of the other. His question was easier to answer and she smiled timidly at his kind voice.
"I'm Maiven," she surrendered. Her words were hardly out of her mouth before a pair of brown wings launched the one named Drax towards them. His words were nearly lost in the action but Maiven nodded politely at both of them. "It's wonderful to finally meet others close to my age."
Drax smiled, his interest clearly piqued at her mention of the lagoon. Excitement shot through her and she stepped forward past them towards the line of tropical trees. Playfully, she trotted and cocked her head in their direction. "I can show you," she offered. "It's through here."
She didn't wait for their confirmation before she continued forward, breaking through the thick foliage and onto the moistened path that would carry them to the waterfall. Trotting, the sound of her large hooves against the hard packed mud was hard to miss. She knew the way well and her steps were confident. A short distance away from the falls she paused and turned back towards her companions.
"Are you ready?" she asked them, her eyes sparkling with the delight of the moment.
