It had been long ago that she had first taken on the role of the fallen angel, had plummeted toward the dunes of the Dragon's Throat, wondered if she would be missed if she simply didn't stop. These days, she could not help but be ashamed of her actions, or inactions, or whatever they were - for life was glorious, beautiful, full. She had blossomed upon taking her role as Sultana, bloomed into a strong, capable mare with no intentions of allowing her herd to fall to ruin. She had been broken, back then - but now she was healed and whole, prepared for the future that she had been longing for, waiting for, wishing for.

She soared through the skies toward Caela Insula, her ivory feathers ruffling gently in the breeze created by her flight. The sun glinted off her pelt, which had long since lost the dusting of sand that she had worn in her days as Forger. She took a great deal more pride in her appearance now, particularly since her lover's return; the thought of him sent a delightful shiver down her spine, sent a wide grin to her face. For the first time, she felt sure of her place in his eyes, confident in the nature of their relationship. A metaphorical weight had been lifted from her shoulders, and she was ready to bask in her overdue bliss.

The Transcended landed with a graceful flare of her wings. Every breath she took brought her the scent of cherry trees and blooming flowers, despite the fact that Orangemoon had begun to destroy the summer greenery below. The island held the air of a perpetual spring, neverending perfection, the epitome of Heaven. Laughter rang in her auds, distant and fleeting, but there nonetheless. She wondered if this kind of peace would be ever-lasting, or if there would come a day when the herds would turn on each other once more.

A day that she would be prepared for, whatever it took.

She noticed, suddenly, that she had landed near a stallion that she had never seen before. He was tall and dark, with scarred shoulders, and she wondered if he had escaped the crowds for a moment alone, if she was intruding, if she should just leave him be... but in the end, she decided to approach, curious and amiable. "Why not join the celebration?" she asked, halting a fair distance from him lest he refuse her company. Her voice was soft and kind, her demeanor well-meaning, for she truly could not understand why anyone would seek solitude on such a gloriously tranquil day, in such a wondrously beautiful place.

"Talk talk talk."

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