Kahlua

After appropriate celebrations with Kaj, Resplendence, Alysanne, Brisa, and anyone else that the girl could find, she was all but worn out. Who knew being queen was so much work. And her job had only just started. But she wasn't the Sunshower for nothing, and though she was exhausted, she still wore a smile. Besides, exhaustion or not, she never had to go back into those terrible caves again. She was free to walk about the world, free to explore without fear of turning into a wraith, free to know the sun's warmth on her back. She was free to escape the oppressive darkness and never go back to that terrible place again.

So the girl did the only thing she knew how to do- she headed home. It was just a trot at first, but eventually the trot gave way to a canter, and all the sudden the girl was running, the air blowing through her mane, the snow dampening the thud of her hooves upon the ground, but she was running nevertheless. She was flying, she was free. It was now a year since she came here, since she found this place. It seemed so much longer.

However, run as she might, fly as she tried, something kept nagging at her mind, poking and prodding, finding the little niches where it could hide and jabbing her even as she tried to be free. It was a promise she had made, a promise she was now in a better position to keep. A promise that she couldn't forget just because she had been blessed by Lady Moon. So the painted girl slowed, her smile turning to a frown, as she wondered how in the world she was ever going to keep this promise. Helovia was wide and with the snow covering the ground... travel could be delayed for quite some time. And surely he had left the caves. After all... even if he didn't mind staying there, surely his bird would want some freedom.

And yet... when she looked around, the land seemed so familiar. It wasn't until a cold wind blew against her that she was really reminded. This was where she had first met him, after all, and he had said he was homeless. Would he come back here? She had to try something. Besides, what's the most harm that could be done? Running around looking like a fool? She did that regularly.

“Mauja,” she called out daintily at first, but then louder. “Mauja, Mauja!” Her voice grew more insistent as her blue eyes searched the land and she trotted about. Damn him and his white coat- it would make him all the more difficult to spot. Spot. Spots. At least she found time to chuckle to herself. Still, she hoped she would find him soon. She just wanted to get home to the Edge, but as queen she had responsibilities.

@[Mauja]