06-01-2021, 01:50 PM
stifled the choice and the air in my lungs;
better not to breathe than to breathe a lie
With a slight tug near the back of his eyes, Gale pulls the two pale mares into focus. Tiercel’s muscles tighten in response to the sensation, and his heart begins to speed up to match his anxiety. The rhythm of his glowing increases in time with his pulse, the light tracing the route of his blood vessels. He hopes this new pattern of his heart will seem to be a reaction to seeing the image of Islas, and not a traumatic response to the way Gale infiltrates his mind.
Tiercel focuses his energy on Islas, on her endless dark eyes, on the familiar curves of her face. He draws his strength from her, using the soft glow to fight away the memories that threaten to consume him. Blood and bone flash behind his eyes for a few moments, and Tiercel blinks hard to force the images away. When Islas disappears, the dun turns his gaze toward Gale’s mare.
She’s pretty, he notices, and there are many features that make her seem like a worthy companion for his brother. She looks like a warrior, with twisting horns and bright orange eyes that seem to look deep into his soul. Tiercel wonders if the image of Mazikeen can see why he purposely avoids the blood-red sunrise. He can’t deny his brother’s joy, even among Tiercel’s trauma, and he sends a dose of happiness toward Gale.
“That’s great, Gale. She must be able to beat your ass,” he says jokingly, moving his gaze from the strong-looking mare to his equally strong brother. While Tiercel and Islas don’t physically compete against each other, his wife is not the fighting type, and her body is not built for physical dominance. Yet the dun assumes that Gale must mock-fight with his companion if she’s that muscular. “You’ll fit right in with the mountains.”
Tiercel focuses his energy on Islas, on her endless dark eyes, on the familiar curves of her face. He draws his strength from her, using the soft glow to fight away the memories that threaten to consume him. Blood and bone flash behind his eyes for a few moments, and Tiercel blinks hard to force the images away. When Islas disappears, the dun turns his gaze toward Gale’s mare.
She’s pretty, he notices, and there are many features that make her seem like a worthy companion for his brother. She looks like a warrior, with twisting horns and bright orange eyes that seem to look deep into his soul. Tiercel wonders if the image of Mazikeen can see why he purposely avoids the blood-red sunrise. He can’t deny his brother’s joy, even among Tiercel’s trauma, and he sends a dose of happiness toward Gale.
“That’s great, Gale. She must be able to beat your ass,” he says jokingly, moving his gaze from the strong-looking mare to his equally strong brother. While Tiercel and Islas don’t physically compete against each other, his wife is not the fighting type, and her body is not built for physical dominance. Yet the dun assumes that Gale must mock-fight with his companion if she’s that muscular. “You’ll fit right in with the mountains.”
tiercel.
@[Gale]