All things are possible: Scorch

[Shahrizai]

All things are possible, even the worst of things.

In many ways, it had been too long and not long enough since he had last traipsed through the jungle. This place holds many fond memories for him. It had been his home for quite some time. He had taken his first steps amongst the low slung branches and gnarled roots. He had struggled through the deep snows and bitter cold when an unfathomable winter had set upon the place. He had watched in fascination as the land had sprung back to wild life after the snows had finally melted. He had come and gone from these woods in regular fashion as Librette had tempted him to join the Valley. Upon her death, he had realized the only lure the Valley had held for him had been the drab chestnut mare. He had visited less and less frequently in that time, haunting the meadow more often than not. Until Val had been born. She had followed him here, had been immediately drawn to the maze like tangle of vegetation. And he had lingered here with her, grieved with her, until he had realized just what he was supposed to do with his life.

He is back here again because of Scorch. Not because she had requested his presence, but because he wished to see his mother. It had been a long time since they had had a chance to truly talk. Many things had happened since then. He had seen her in passing of course, but that was nowhere near the same. So he enters the depths of jungle, traversing its obstacles as easily as he ever had.

She is not as easy to find as once she had been. The jungle, just like every land in Beqanna, had been remade. The tattoos, so representative, so integral to the women of the Amazon, had been wiped away. Though they appear to slowly be returning, his mother is not immediately visible by the once telltale flames covering her flesh. Instead, he has to hunt for her. Which, unfortunately, takes more time than he had bargained for. Fortunately, he has grown to be a patient man.

When finally he comes upon her, he barely resists sighing in relief. His chocolate brown eyes settle upon hers as a slight grin touches his lips.

Geez, ma. You’re harder to find these days than an eel in a desert.

shahrizai

hestoni x scorch

@[Scorch]

[Scorch]

WATCH THE FLAMES CLIMB HIGH INTO THE NIGHT

Her tattoos are, unsurprisingly, a sore point in any thought or conversation she has. The spirit, while elusive, has yet to return them in full; curiously, however, Scorch woke up one morning with faintly flaming cornet bands, and what looked like the distorted beginning of a vine on her right pastern. When first she noticed, Scorch nearly jumped for joy – well, she did prance on spot for a hot sec, but she checked to make sure no one was around first.

Today, nigh on a week later, the tattoos have stretched perhaps a half inch higher. The agonizingly slow progress causes her jaw to ache from constant clenching, but even these little improvements bring joy to her heart. Not that she has one.

She’s grazing when he stumbles upon her, a sigh ready upon his dark lips. Raising her sturdily boned head, the baroque perks her ears and whickers softly for her son. Mimicking his calm grin, Scorch positions herself comfortably across from him. This boy has been perhaps the most vigilant of her children, and unlike the beginning of their last encounter, Scorch encourages his faithfulness with immediate joy. Or at least with the most joy-like expression she can muster.

“Well, eels don’t generally occupy deserts, genius.” A hoarse chuckle rumbles from her wide, powerful chest. “What is a young, strapping lad like you doing here, scavenging for his eel of a mother?”

Scorch

Khaleesi of the Amazon Jungle

[Shahrizai]

All things are possible, even the worst of things.

He didn’t even have to ask to know that the loss of her tattoos had affected her. He knows her far better than most (being her son and all), and far better than she would likely prefer. And though she would be loath to admit it (would probably die first, actually), he suspects that she had often viewed those tattoos as a shield as much as they were a statement, just as she had her once predatory teeth and hooves. He doesn’t doubt that the fiery woman feels somewhat bereft without those iconic pieces of herself. But none of this would ever pass his lips. He isn’t stupid, after all.

She is as matter of fact and reticent as ever, greeting him with a restraint he had long since come to expect. She had never been overly affectionate with any of her children, though he had never once doubted her love for him. After all, she had always had a terrible time holding any sort of grudge against him. He liked to think it was his charming personality.

She is clearly happy to see him, though she is not overt in her reaction. He responds immediately, a wide, infectious grin stretching his lips as he presses his dark muzzle briefly against her shoulder in an affectionate gesture. He laughs in response to her quip, dark eyes twinkling merrily as they find hers once again.

I’ll have to remember that. For future reference and all. And can’t a guy just want to say hi to his mother?

He pauses then, his bright smile fading slightly as he considers her. It’s true he had sought her out primarily to see how she had been faring. Granted, he does have secondary reasons for being here. But he would get there soon enough.

So how’ve you been? Anymore siblings I should know about?

His lips quirk then as the grin returns, a hint of teasing in his tone.

shahrizai

hestoni x scorch