| “Come out, come out, wherever you are!” Quilyan’s voice rings through the woods, and your ears prick. “Quilly!” you call, crashing through the underbrush. Ignoring the brambles, you move swiftly in his general direction, searching for the fastest way to reach your brother. “Quilly, I’m over here—where are you?” You stumble out of a grove of pines, and he comes into view. With a delighted squeal, you rush at him in a flurry of white and copper feathers. For you, finding him will never get old; every reunion brings fresh joy and renewed hope to your heart.
Clumsy greeting concluded, you back a step and face him, nibbling playfully at his withers. A memory comes rushing back: you are young, and you are laughing, giggling as you try to groom Quil with your stubby foal neck stretched awkwardly high. Back then, your muzzle barely brushed his shoulder. Today, you are nearly eye to eye with your brother. How much things have changed since then. Your grey eyes cloud with sadness, but it is only for a moment—something new has caught your attention.
A tiny creature perches high on your brother’s neck, dexterous hands grasping his poll for balance. Glittering eyes look down on you, and you get the feeling that should it speak, you’re in for a scolding chatter. “Who’s this, Quilly?” you ask curiously, surveying the animal. You can’t quite decide what it is. You have seen exotic pets before in the courts of Th’orqui, but never any like this. The creature is small, smaller than a hoof, and furry too. A supple tail curls loosely into a question mark below Quil’s ear, resting lightly on his mane. Your nostrils flare slightly as you take in its scent, trying to place it. However, this is nothing you’ve ever smelled before. Maybe it’s some sort of Helovian squirrel? What a strange new place this is.
Your gaze flits to your brother. Speaking of strange, something about him seems different to you, and it’s not just the fancy squirrel. You can’t quite put your hoof on it, but it’s there. Maybe it’s the new pet, but maybe…your mind wanders, recalling the way he held himself at the herd meeting. You’d never seen him so proud, so serious. And the mare…you frown slightly, pushing her from your mind. You may have been young back in Th’orqui, but it was no secret that Quilly had had his fair share of conquests, that much Amaya had let slip. And you could see why they loved him—how couldn’t they? He was charming, protective, and could make anyone feel like they were the only one in the world who mattered. But for all that, these mares never lasted long. Quil was always running off with a different young lady of the court, that you remember. This one would be no different. But still…a prick of jealousy stabs at your heart when you replay how your brother’s eyes left yours to meet hers and the way she nestled under his wing. And though she is not here, you instinctively move closer. “Quilly?” you say in a small voice, suddenly needing his affection more than anything. “I missed you.”
@[Quilyan]
OOC: Sorry that this took forever, but I'm finally off absent!
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