"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
In the far east, dawn rose with ruddy cheeks and crept over the hills, turning what had once been shapeless, black masses into solitary trees and the occasional lone horse. The smell of the gathering grounds was nearly overpowering, even from where Circinae lingered in the treeline, watching the sun slowly creep into the sky. She’d been there (the forest, that is) for nearly a full moon cycle, waiting for … well, even she couldn’t be sure anymore. Not long ago it seemed that she’d had Raeanne and a faint sense of security.
But the wolf dreams had returned, bringing with them an overwhelming memory of the incredible senses she’d once experienced - the smells, the sounds, the tastes. Each was sharper than she had ever remembered it, and in the mornings she would wake with the copper tang of blood in her mouth. It wasn’t long after that Circinae had parted from her beautifully naive companion, and found herself alone again, back to the place she’d thought she’d put behind her.
Waiting would do her no good, she knew that now, and even as she hovered restlessly she could see the trickling of odd horses that appeared from other directions, following the worn paths that signaled they had come from elsewhere. Recruiters. They had a certain expression, a strange confidence about them that was unmistakeable to a native Beqanna dweller. They had what Circinae so clearly lacked - position, purpose … perhaps even family. But still, she waited.
At last, when the pale golden light of the afternoon touched even the dark trunks that surrounded her, Circinae picked up her inky blue hooves and trotted briskly from her dwelling, letting the bright sun wash over her plush, green coat. It was the perfect moment, she thought, for a new beginning, even if that beginning was the start of something terrible.
Circinae
I need the crack of a whip, I need some blood in the cut
Since stumbling upon Beqanna to find her own direction, her own destiny she had met few. The few she had met she had hoped she made a lasting impression. That her name and peaceful nature brought them some comfort. This world being so full of darkness she wished to be their light. If even for a moment. As a star shines the brightest just before it disappears...
She hadn't come to the field today by traditional means. She was not bound to earthly travels of land or wing. A thought and it would be so. So she thought today that the field be her destination. A life touched her goal. So it was wished and so it was...
Steele image miraged into the open lands in midday. The sun warmed the backs of any who called this home, even if temporary. Dark pools scanned the terrain. It was beaming with life. Recruiters picking out new members to call to their homes. Wanderers seeking purpose and possibly a home. Newcomers trying to find their way through the hustle and bustle. So much activity but at least it was peaceful. Tephra was peaceful and she much enjoyed it. As she enjoyed many simple things.
She smiled as she watched the others. Attention suddenly drawn to another passing near. A brightly colored equine of pine and water. Reminding her much of her home. The mare looked to have purpose in her movement so she did not wish to bother her. Perhaps she would wish to stop and convers but if not that was her choosing. A "Good day" escaped her vocals as the other neared...
DANCING NEON
and i felt closer to the stars for having loved you
It was rare that he left the forest, and even stranger still to see him at the field. There were times when he would make the trip, only to scan the faces before turning right back. There wasn't anything in particular he was searching for, or he didn't think there was, but only a select few could pull his shadow from beneath the trees to approach them on behalf of the Taiga and its pack.
Today, though. His nose found her first, a memory tied to a face: Red and black daughters that had played together for a time, a woman of forest green. She drove him from the dark canopies, eager for familiar company and curiosity piqued.
He approached steadily with the natural balance of one accustomed to the unpredictable debris of a forest floor, sparing a curt nod to the silver one. They had already had this conversation once before and he wasn't one to repeat himself. Or say much of anything, at times. She was clearly doing well, and so he didn't ask, and instead set his attention to Circinae.
Circinae, he greeted evenly, her name pulled easily from memory, his heart lighter at seeing her again. She was much the same -graceful, beautiful, with a power that hid in the depths of her eyes-, save for the lack of the red child, but her scent had gone stale and so he wouldn't ask after her. He, on the other hand, was much changed: colder, quieter, scars at his sides where his wings had been, eyes no longer a dull, dark blue but bright with magic.
But there was something different with her, something that set his skin prickling and made him careful not to turn his intense, blue gaze from her. Intuition chilled him, called to him: to the forest. And he spoke without needing to think on it.
Another visit to the Taiga?
Home. Where the Tiger still roamed and wolves hunted. Where he traded hooves for paws and dark fur at night with borrowed magic. Where they were a unit, wild and strong. Natural.
He said nothing more. He didn't have to.
She might have passed the creamy silver by, had the mare not let slip an introduction that was too loud to be forcibly ignored. Even so, Circy was taken off guard for a minute by the abrupt smoothness of the voice, the cadence that wavered somewhere between curiosity and simple politeness. A probe, of sorts; an introduction that felt eerily like a test. “Agreed, very good.” Circinae responded as she eased to a stop, only a slight hitch catching her tongue. A quick assessment of the grullo eased her fears - she seemed harmless enough. Circinae concluded that she’d been too long in the bush, away from civilization. She was growing paranoid.
“Circinae,” She started abruptly, throwing in a quick smile for half-measure, “I’m here for … “ Her words faltered. An old memory came flooding back just then, stopping her mid-sentence. He was coal black, blanketed in white with wings that hovered protectively over a small, dark face that had come to greet her and Raeanne. But the blink of an eye or two and he was not the memory she recalled. Less wings, more of a ’something’ that drew her gaze to his own glowing one, where her words caught in her throat.
“ … Ruan.” She recalled, head lifting while her mouth toyed with a respectfully wild sort of grin. “Ruan. Yes … I think I’ve been too long away.” She murmured, turning back to give an apologetic nod to the other mare. It wasn’t exactly what she’d expected when making her way here, but the green-and-blue girl had never been one to fight fate.
Circinae
I need the crack of a whip, I need some blood in the cut
Warm smiled pulled across her muzzle as the mare halted instead of passing her by. It had been too long since she exchanged pleasantries with another. As she stated her name her voiced trailed off. Deep pools gazed upon her puzzled. Just then a familiar scent was brought forth along with a voice, and a name. He had greeted her once a while ago... Ages it seemed. She nodded slightly to him turning to better her view. They seemed to have memories together and she hoped they were destined to find each other here. Not much happens without reason. Our destiny is but written in the stars. She spoke in her old tongue,
Ruan, 'tis a pleasure to see ye again. Ye look well. She paused and smiled. She was not needed here any longer so she finished, turning to Circy, Take care M'Dear. Ye shall be in good company in Tagia if that's ye's path.
With not more than a respectful dip of her crown her image dissipated. A new destination was thought and so it shall be.
DANCING NEON
and i felt closer to the stars for having loved you
