baby, this is what you came for

[Bijoux]

Bijoux

The time had come for her to leave the nest. She had lived contentedly with her family for four years now, but she felt stifled by the sameness of every day. She was from a small herd which consisted of herself, her mother, her father and her siblings. At one point there had been other mares with their foals as well, but time had changed their little band into what can only be described as a nuclear family. It had been calm and pleasant, but she longed for more. She needed adventure. She wanted her heart to race.
And so one night she silently bids them adieu and flees. She does not want to see the look of loss on their faces that would surely come upon learning of her disappearance. She had been the apple of her father’s eye, but ultimately that had been the problem. Stallions had come for her several times but none of them were “good enough” for his precious daughter. One by one he drove them all away until they just stopped trying altogether. She couldn’t live her life alone, she needed to find someone who made her heart flutter. And she knew that leaving home was the only way to find that someone. 
And so it is that she finds herself in this foreign field, tired and a bit disheveled from her long journey. She makes her way to one of the streams that criss-crosses the land and dips her grey head tentatively to drink. A wave of uncertainty washes over her as she lifts her head to look around. Her family was no longer there beside her to ensure her safety. Her eyes and ears swivel about in different directions, following even the slightest sounds with caution. Had she bitten off more than she could chew?

baby, this is what you came for

[Tiphon]

BUT HOW COULD YOU KNOW THE SWEETEST SUFFERING
OF MOVING ON

The trips to the field are infrequent now. There are many that are scrambling for a team, a family, and the number of stragglers is quickly diminishing. Additionally, there is a long flight from the island to here and Tiphon still cannot help to mistrust his fairy-granted wings. They are small in comparison to what he had been born with. During these winter months they have proven more useful for huddling warmth rather than flight. Refusing to complain aloud Tiphon mumbles to himself with his eyes dulled by the uncertainty this After has wrought on them. No magic, nothing. His body – his soul – feels as barren and naked as the trees to the left of him as they groan with another breeze.

Despite everything, however, Tiphon realizes and understands how crucial it is to continue living and to survive. Although his strength has been sapped from his body he is still here in hopes of bringing new life to Ischia and to save the stragglers from their forsaken solitude. He has never cared for the winter and so he is eager to extend offers to escape it.

”Hello,” his voice is husky as he approaches the young girl, drawn by how confused and curious she is. There is no family surrounding her, but their scents still clutch onto her skin. She is alone he affirms with a careful sweep of their surroundings before searching her eyes. ”My name is Tiphon,” another frigid gust sinks its claws into him and he shudders. A white plume coils from his nostrils as he exhales. ”I’m not one for winter. Are you?” To soothe his mind he reflects on the sandy shores of home and the gently swaying palm trees that provide shade when the sun is beating on their backs. It’s a paradise there and so much more alluring with freezing temperatures and snow embracing the mainland.

TIPHON

STARLACE AND INFECTION

[Bijoux]

Bijoux

Once you let the doubt take hold, it has a tendency to tightly coil itself around the heart and mind like a constrictor. Doubt does not want to let go or give any space to breathe. She felt as if she were suddenly being crushed by it, unable to breathe properly. Her eyes are wide with fear and her breath comes in short bursts from her nostrils, sending what looked like smoke signals into the air. It is then that she sees him and for a moment her fears wash away as wonder takes hold. She has never seen anyone like him before. 
She remembers herself and her situation and the doubt is back with a vengeance. It did not like being forgotten, even for a minute. This was what she had wanted, right; a stallion to approach her? But this was all to quick, too sudden. And he was… he wasn’t a normal stallion like her many suitors. He had wings and he was a brilliant white. She suddenly feels so very plain and small. Were all the horses here like this?
But his words are friendly and soft, so she allows herself to feel just a little bit of easiness. She hopes desperately that she will be safe, and that it won’t have all been in vain. She nods her delicate head slightly in response to his greeting, unable to form audible words yet (that doubt had such a grip on her). He offers his name and mentions the weather. She finds the entire situation to be curious; he is so unique but he speaks of nothing more than the temperature. After a moment of preparing herself, she manages to squeak out “I’m Bijoux. I don’t mind it so much…” Unlike him, her grey pelt had become thick in preparation, and she was accustomed to winters in her family’s land. “Although it isn’t quite so easy when you’re alone.” She adds sheepishly. She had always had a brother or sister to help warm even the coldest winter days. Loneliness begins o creep in to keep doubt company.

baby, this is what you came for