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Her intentions, the journey she had meant to embark on even before that first glimpse of dawn, seemed only like a distant memory; an ambition lost beneath tangles of thoughts, hopes and the emotion binding them. All of a sudden the weight of her responsibility had been lessened, alleviated even, and she felt as though her hooves had been freed from their cruel shackles; that the swollen brackish air was lifting her at last from the grip of the earth, from suffering. Africa closed her eyes briefly, turning her softly grey face towards the seeping sunlight and sucked a breath far into the depths of her lungs. The taste was a fond one, sour, familiar, home; and her loosened lips rattled with the slow exhale. She felt like a giddy girl again, reckless and without care for the troubles shadowing her. It had been so long since that peace had untied her mind, and a quietly stupid smile had engaged her maw to curl.

Silk leaned in close, his nose caressing her, assuring her. The Starry-Eyed both understood and respected his decision to return to the Hidden Falls though; to return to the Gallant and explain his departure. Guilt flickered through the pale glimmer in her eyes. She’d not wished to poach bodies this way, not meant to take those dear to her friend, her brother’s heart at all. But there was no denying the need she had to be with Silk, nor his determination to return to her. Africa smiled in return and nodded, keen all the more to find her way home and soon enough also, this red-marked stallion with the strange leather wings. "Bye." Her wing rustled restlessly against her heaving barrel as he turned north, back towards the world he’d been galloping from barely an hour before.

She remained patiently in place as he took off with the wind gathered beneath, around; lifting and welcoming, pondering what effect this might have on her life, if it was a phase, a crush, her wild desire unleashed and at liberty; or if, when the rawness of the emotion she felt wore off, this would remain true and strong. Regardless, happiness flooded her body, and she turned at last towards the south where the bridge would guide her away from the mainland again and deliver her into the safety of her home- to wait, and wonder.

Africa