"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
Kwartz had left with them, that final look of betrayal he'd given her was salt on an already stinging wound. Modicum had wasted no time in his minions, once she relinquished her throne. It sank in quickly. She was the sole reason evil had a hoofhold in Beqanna once again.
She did not feel safe. She did not feel secure. Kwartz would be safe, she could at least ensure that. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes as she watched her beautiful, precious son walk away. Breathes came faster and thinner until the glimmering woman felt light headed and dizzy. She had to go, she had to get away, she had to...to...to...?!
Running, she was running. She could barely feel her feet, her face, gods knew she wished she couldn't feel her heart. She had failed, in every sense of the word. Failed her kingdom, failed her son, failed herself. What did she have left? Trees flew by as she covered ground, gold shifting to shades of green. Her wings hung by her sides, feathers snagging on brush as she went. Pain was real. It was something she could control. The trail of blue and pink feathers were proof she existed. Right now, that proof was needed.
She couldn't run anymore. Literally, she was on the ground, staring at the sky through lattice branches. Bloody knees were evidence of where she had fallen. She had fallen? She must have, she was on the ground. Water moved nearby, loud and insistent. She was thirsty... how long had she been lying her? Was it worth it the effort to stand? "What have I done...?" The whisper edged out, almost without breath.
The sun moved across the sky as she lay there, counting off the seconds of her life as it went. Voices of her past leaked through the stupor her brain shrouded her in. Her mother, telling her repeatedly that she deserved better, to not settle for anything less. Her first love, Arik, reminding her that she was stronger than she looked. That she was worth love, real love. Kwartz, who adored her unconditionally, even when she didn't deserve it...
How, she didn't know, but she made it to the river's edge. Drank enough to sustain life. She had to make a choice. Arik was waiting for her on the other side of the veil. He would welcome her, if she chose to meet him. Her mother's teachings broke through, however, chiding her against the mistakes of the past. She had strength to her. It was the core of her being. Survival and success, and the determination that underscored the basis of her existence. She could recover. She had to. The river carried things away. Perhaps it would carry the past.
04-15-2018, 05:25 AM (This post was last modified: 04-16-2018, 11:49 AM by Ilma.)
The white woman had an almost-black shadow behind her; they'd been flying for a bit which had brought them to the northern territory of Hyaline; then Ilma had decided Tähti should know how the lands nearby smelled and what they looked like, and the girl had always been one for an adventure. So it came that the white mare and the black filly, both winged and apart from the colour difference very similar-looking, were walking along the river's shore.
Ilma was mostly occupied with what Tähti found interesting and what not. She'd race around her mother and would make zigzagging motions to investigate a flower here or a berry-bush there, or perhaps the frog that just jumped away. The feathered mother smiled a bit, but called her back every now and then to explain what to eat and what not; that they were walking to the north-east following the river, and if she would continue, she would end up in a dark forest that was not meant for any filly such as she just yet. But she promised that there would be a day. And perhaps if she wanted, they would visit Nerine soon, if Solace gave permission.
It was no surprise then, that it was the girl who caught the new scent first. "Momma! Someone's here!" Indeed, Ilma also scented the air, motioning her firstborn towards her side. "Now, be kind then, but cautious. We don't want to be rude, but we must be aware that some others may be." she explained.
Following the river once more, they reached the place where an opalescent mare was staring at the water. Ilma nickered softly; Tähti already approached. "Good afternoon ma'am!" she said, forgotten just what her mother had told her. The latter sighed, drawing nearer. "If you'd please excuse us. It's her first time outside the territory." she offered, glancing at the black-clad girl.
Any fool knows men and women think differently at times, but the biggest difference is this: men forget, but never forgive; women forgive, but never forget.
04-15-2018, 08:42 PM (This post was last modified: 04-15-2018, 08:42 PM by Klaudius.)
His searching brings him farther from the isles coast. His hopes in finding Kylin and escorting her to Tephra was fading. So his attention turns to his ex-lover. They had much to discuss involving the children and their shaky relationship. Nothing was easy and it seemed as of late things just got more complicated.
The flight to the main lands was short from Ischia shores and as he soars above the tree tops, tracing the river below with his shadow, an opal like shimmer catches his eye. Immediately he is confused. So as his head tilts to view(who he believes to be Sabra), his body follows. Leaning slightly to the left, he spreads his vast wingspan to hover just above her figure. Questions fill his mind on why she was here and not in Sylva…
Quickly he plummets to the earth and lands within the waters of the river. He has been submerged in these murky depths before, and though he does not like the dampness on his skin, he finds this the most suitable landing place.
Droplets of crystalline aqua trickle down his figure as he moves towards her. He hears her whisper soft words and it pulls at his heartstring(yes he has those). Seeing her in such a state was devastating. He nears her slowly, taking note of others doing the same. His eyes shift to the mare and foal that begin speaking softly to her. Lavender ears rest along his poll in grievance. Lowering his muzzle to hover just above the rippling waters surface, he speaks to her, “My dear Sabra girl, what has happened to you? Why are you not in Sylva?” He inquires as he does not know what evil has befallen their lands. That their world as they know it, is forever changed...
Klaudius
I was lightning, before the thunder
@[Sabra] feel free to do as you wish and @[Ilma] not ignoring you I promise
04-16-2018, 11:33 AM (This post was last modified: 04-16-2018, 11:37 AM by Sabra.)
She couldn't seem to stop shivering. Feathers puffed and skin burning, fever warped the world around her into something strange. Fireflies came out, glowing blue and green and red. The pale mare watched them dreamily for a while, giggling as the little bugs touched her pelt. A pale ghost and it's shadow came into view, and the flashing lights danced a ballet around them. Her wings itched terribly all of the sudden, making her bite at them. Feathers spun to earth as she tore them out, trying to make the itching stop. It felt like hundreds of starving ants were burrowing through the quills. The sensation faded as quickly as it came, and she turned to the questioning spirit with a scrap of down sticking to her cheek.
"Ohh, not at all my phantom lady. Plenty of river for all... say, this is an odd time for fireflies, isn't it?" Her words were muddled as they fell from her dry mouth. It felt lined with cotton and dust. There was water nearby, wasn't there? Yes, right in front of her... She giggled randomly. Water was funny. Waaahhterrr. The shadow and the ghost were joined by a third, larger figure. A ghost... was she dead? Was the ghost an angel? Fever-glossed eyes tried to focus on the approaching horse. My dear Sabra girl... "Ari...?" There was only one man she could think of coming for her in the Afterlife.
Shaky steps brought her closer to the shining stallion until her face was pressed into his shoulder. Her throat hurt something awful as she tried to speak around the tears gathering there. Who knew it hurt this much to be dead? "Sylva has fallen, and I with it. I tried. I guess it's just as well I'm dead, I can stay here with you now. I've missed you so much Ari, have you missed me? We never have to be apart again, my love." She ramblingly promised, knees shaking. Ah, by she needed a drink. The ex queen lurched back towards the water, stumbling into it as her hooves caught on a patch of mud. Water flowed over and around her. It waa cold, so cold. Why was she so cold?
04-16-2018, 12:07 PM (This post was last modified: 04-16-2018, 12:12 PM by Ilma.)
As soon as the white mare and black foal approach, and Tähti stopped distracting them, the mother knows something's off. As the wrongness strikes her, she is not unkind to the shiny lady in the water. "Ah, but twilight is the time for fireflies, remember?" she answers softly. However, the way the woman seems to itch badly, and is shaky, and does not truly recognize the horses gathering around her for what they are. At least, she rambles, and that is not a good sign.
A lavender stallion lands in the water, asking the woman - Sabra - why she is not in Sylva. Ilma acts quickly, turning to her daughter. "I have one very important task for you. I need you to fly back and find Solace and tell her that Sabra, from Sylva, is here and needs a familiar face. Can you do that?" she asks. The black girl swells (of course) with pride at such an important undertaking and nods, and swiftly is on her way. Ilma watches her go just as a splashing sound announces more movement; Sabra then, calls the lavender man Ari, finds comfort with him, and rambles on about how Sylva has fallen.
With Lamb entering Hyaline as a refuge only a day before, Ilma understands what's been going on, although she's not sure the male does. She steps close to the two once again, but Sabra is already entering the stream. She's with the other mare for support as soon as she stumbles, unaware if the male would be doing the same on the other side of the opalescent female. "Let me help you with that, Sabra." She calls her by her name; names sometimes work magic, especially to those who are sick.
To be honest she really hopes @[Solace] understands the message enough to send @[Lavendel] their way.
@[Klaudius] no time for introductions and sorry to get a bunch of people involved but that's the only thing she can think of xD
Any fool knows men and women think differently at times, but the biggest difference is this: men forget, but never forgive; women forgive, but never forget.
Silver-hazel eyes are softened to the opal colored mare. The once ambitious Queen lay broken before him and it pulls him closer. Close enough, that when her ramblings subside, she falls into him. His wings embrace her as he speaks gently, "Sabra, who did this to you? Was it Morty? It's Klaudius not Ari..." If the answer was a nod of her crown, he would feel immediate regret for having left her there that day. He had kept their son safe but Kwartz needed her too. "There, there Sabra," he whispers softly, "Kwartz needs you to get better."
Then she is falling and he shifts his body to compensate for the fall. Attempting to hold at least her head above water. His eyes shift to the mare as she speaks of getting help, "Yes, please. Go get someone." The mare begins to assist him and he begins to back away. Turning to the white mare he speaks of Kwartz, "Please tell her that Kwartz is safe in Tephra... When she is well enough to make the journey, she is welcome to join us there. Her family, her son needs her... Can you tell her that? Please!" His eyes are pleading. But deep inside an anger boils within him, "Morty will pay for this! I must go."
Klaudius
I was lightning, before the thunder
No prob... K is gonna leave cuz timeline wise it makes sense. He will visit if she doesn't come to Tephra soon. Just to make sure she's ok
Although her words were vague, the urgency in Tahti's voice had told Solace all she needed to know. Sabra, who was known to Solace only by name, was in trouble and she was just outside of Hyaline's borders. "You did well to fly so fast, sweet girl," Solace tells the little pegasus with a glint of pride in her eye. Tahti may be Hyaline's youngest resident, but she had already proven herself on several occasions. But she had one more request to make of her little friend, and her voice grows serious though not unkind. "Find Lavendel, I saw her by the lake this morning, tell her to go to Sabra as quick as she can."
With that she leaves the girl, trusting in her to find Sabra's friend and point her in the right direction. Strange changes were taking place across Beqanna, and Solace did not want to leave Ilma alone with her injured charge any longer than she had to.
Flying low over the canopy, Solace follows the river to the east. In the distance, she sees a purple stallion flying away and her eyes narrow on him as she tries to decide if he has played a roll in today's events... if she should pursue him. But she decides she does not have time to follow him now. On a hunch, she dips to between the trees - to land in the same place he had appeared from.
On her flight over Solace had prepared herself for the worst. Blue light illuminates her topline, her light magic at the ready should she have need of it. But as she spots the two mares in the river the cerulean glow fades. She realizes that if someone has hurt the other queen, they are no longer here.
Slowly and carefully Solace moves to Sabras vacant side, prepared to halt if her actions frighten or surprise the other mare. "Ilam shes shaking," she says in a low voice, calm and soothing. "Let's get her out of the river."
Sabra was the only one she ever had. For so long the woman had been a family to her. Every day for almost two years Lamb found herself seeking out those opal wings when she had a problem or just needed to talk. She had become the queen's advisor and stayed true to her word of never leaving the kingdom's side.
To say the woman thought about her friend often was an understatement.
She is by the lake when the news comes. The small girl is urgent and Lamb is quick to comply with her wishes. Sabra? She had made it out then! Lamb stands stricken on the lakeside for a moment before recognition kicks in.
"Thank you."
She voices, pale eyes finding the pools of Tahti's own warm hues. Silently the woman noted to seek the girl out when they returned.
She stays no longer than that before she is off in a dead run, despite herself Lamb found the want for wings more than ever now. The ache in her screaming lungs thuds against her chest as she gallops. The land flies by in a blur and she was sure she had never run so fast before... Be okay... Be okay... The worst floated through her mind like a river, drowning her in terrible what ifs.
Her queen is not alone when she finally reaches them.
She skids to a stop, ignoring the dirt and river rocks that kick up from beneath her hooves and pelt her hocks angrily. Across the rushing rapids is not only Sabra but Solace. Beside the autumn queen is a man, had she seen him before? He looked familiar.. That didnt matter now. Lamb plunges into the rapids and wades furiously towards them, her lungs dragging in deep gulps of air as she wades. While she would say sorry for it later, she feels no remorse as she shoves past the onlookers to pull the woman into her shaking embrace.
How terrified the two must look.
If it had been anyone else other than Solace and Ilma (plus this strange man) she may have been embarrassed to admit she was crying.
"Oh im so sorry... Im so so sorry."
She is trying to pull them both from the freezing waters but for now she feels like the small child she had been when she first met Sabra. Afraid. Alone.
Lavendel pulls away to look at Sabra and is broken to find the empty look in the woman's once brilliant eyes. Her own pale gaze jets frantically between Solace and Ilma. What happened here?
"We must be strong for each other now, come Sabra it is cold."
She glances briefly at the lavender man, had he done this? She offers a mere huff in his direction before she noses wet matts from the pale woman's poll. With it she pushes her friend towards the river bank.
and @[Ilma] not ignoring you I promise
![[Image: lav_by_heyyou80-dc01t5i.png]](https://orig00.deviantart.net/ef80/f/2018/014/b/f/lav_by_heyyou80-dc01t5i.png)