AHRIMAN

Darkness there, and nothing more

Ahriman loved his mom. She was all the family he had, well blood-related anyhow, and she was young and cheerful. But she worried about him the entire time and it drove the little colt to his small rebellions, like wandering the night without her knowledge. It did not cross his mind that one day, she might not be there to scold him or do anything at all, for he was too young to think on such grave matters. His father he hadn’t spilled many thoughts on, but lately, the mystery that was his sire had started to arise in his consciousness at an increasing rate. He wondered why mother would not talk of him, why she slipped past his questions with a smile and a sad look in her eyes, but it kept him from asking. Might be he would just have to settle for the uncertainty and live with it. Now that he was granted a large extended family in the Qian, he probably wouldn’t miss a father he never knew.

Lobes perked at Mirage’s laughter, and he whinnied excitedly when she nudged his shoulder. He giggled when the dragon slapped Lace on the neck, falling silent when Mirage wrapped her nape around him lovingly. Tiny maw reached out to brush against her shoulder in a friendly gesture, glancing at Lace and hoping the older stallion wouldn’t laugh at him. It was a little embarrassing, like your mom kissing your cheek in front of strangers that you’d like to somewhat impress, but he went along with it. Ahri seemed to completely change his mind as the larger stallion started circling them. He felt a small pang of uncertainty once more, pressing tight against the flank of the shadowed mare next to him, deciding that moms were for rather good use after all.

Fajira came over to him and he felt reassured, rearing up to snap at the dragoness playfully. Lace set off and Ahri flicked his lobes for a second before lunging himself forward into a rambunctious gallop. The length of his legs made it look somewhat hazardous, like they would tangle around themselves at any moment, but he had sufficient practice to make sure he wouldn’t be toppling over. Throwing his hinds up in the air, he bucked impressively, staggering a little to regain his balance, loving the feeling of the chill autumn air through his short mane. He glanced up and saw Fajira, and he smiled and whickered at her, trying to keep up with the silver stallion that was running ahead.

Reaching the other end of the field, the colt gasped for breath, dropping himself in the grass as long as he was, while taking a breather. Raising his head, he peered up at Lace and smiled. “When I grow up, I want to be just as fast as you,” he spoke in his light voice, feeling relieved by the run and not caring to sound the least bit grown-up. Rolling in the grass, he rubbed his back and sighed in pleasure. He wanted the moment to last forever, feeling the sweet exhaustion tingle in his legs, and for a few moments he struggled to keep his eyes open before dozing off into a light, pleasant sleep.

[They can continue adult talk, Ahri is taking a nap <3]