Blurred images flash through your head like old film reels projected against a tattered sheet, each more fuzzy than the next as you sift through the most recent of your memories. The most prominent is a yelling Aurelia, her glossed eyes glaring at you as you try to push the blame on her; but really, who would lose their child - no, children - and have no idea where they could be? Your chest tightens at the idea of ever losing something so precious, and we cannot help but unbury an old photo of dear Mother and push it into your foggy heap of thoughts. Her soft doe eyes glint as she smiles at you, encouraging you to adventure away from her side, promising that everything would be alright.. Aurelia did exactly what your Father did one of us whispers, copying the voice of your dead mother. Anger filters through your brain, causing your teeth to grit and empty eyes to snap open.

Just as you nearly respond, water is being splashed and a gentle voice is calling out to someone other than you. "I bet it will feel good on your hooves." the soothing voice coaxes, your left ear turning to listen before you are able to see either face. "Hello." the mare chirped, likely directed toward you, but unsure and shy, you disregard the greeting. The smell - though covered in the salty spray of ocean air - is familiar, and your brain connects who the stranger is speaking to as soon as you turn to see the pair: Ryuu and a hybrid mare, pressed so close together it pains you to think that he could find comfort in anyone but his mother. Why would he find comfort, no, ANYTHING in that sinister pile of shit!? one of us growls, obviously unimpressed with the thought of Aurelia being a real mother to something so innocent.

"Father," he breathed, the word hanging in the air as if he were unsure if he should continue or not. Glazed eyes find themselves on the small face of your offspring, a smile replacing the depressed line of frustration on your lips. "Ryuu." Your ears swivel forward, a small wave rolling up further than the last had and causing your companion to stir uncomfortably. Her oil drop eyes flick up at you, the pulse of happiness flooding her body and causing more confusion than anything. At this age, she was beginning to understand some words that play through your head the most, and often she can recall things that you remember as well, even if you had not remembered them as vividly, she could try to sort through and help you reimagine the image.

Spotting the colt, she quickly registers the flood of emotions and finds herself excited as well. In her own mind, she sees the colt when you and her had both met him for the first time, his body much smaller and hair much puffier and shorter. Playfully, her tongue slips out between front teeth and she prances along the edge of the moving waters, not daring to pursue into the deep water that Ryuu and his.. mother - you assume - stand in.

While Ouija plays along the shore, making small yapping noises in hopes of being noticed, you move toward the pair, a gentle smile pulling maroon lips up at the corners. While you move through the mobile water, you can see the worry in your son's eyes. The sight makes you stop a few strides away, leaving a comfortable distance between the pair and yourself before you are able to sort a question out of your mind. "What- You're here? How long have you been here?" It hadn't been that long since you had last seen him, had it? You clench your jaws, wanting to clear your throat but for some reason unable to, so instead you swallow hard.

Instinct begs you to reach out and touch your child, to make sure that he is okay and that he is still whole, but the mare who he hides against is enough to keep you from getting too close; who knows what she would do to defend something so small. Lifeless eyes reach up to the stranger, ears still tipped forward. She sounded nice enough we remind you, prodding you to speak up. "I'm Voodoo, who are you?" the question is almost too straight forward and - though not meant to - could sound like a demanding question rather than a curious one to the wrong ears.

Text here "Chat here." Voices here
Tagged: @[Ranjiri] and @[Ryuu]

Table by Frostie