L e e k a

It was quiet in the Worlds Edge, but you wouldn't know it walking near the cliffs and listening to the primordial song of the sea, which was precisely was Leeka was here. The silence was unnerving after having so many leave to inhabit the Hidden Falls since the success of the invasion. It made the forests seem barren and hollow, which served as a sort of sirens call to the cache of unwelcomed memories of before she had found Helovia, of all the lonely traveling she had done when she was forced from Eoroleen. It didn't help either that she couldn't escape the restless and uneasy feeling of knowing that the Moon Goddess made this realm her haunting grounds too. Unbidden, a shiver ran its course over her body, as if trying to shake off the encompassing feeling but to no avail. The potential presence of the rouge luminary lingered in the air as potent as the chill of Orangemoon – an ironic twist considering that so long as the Goddess had been banished there had been no moon to speak of to go along with the season.

At that thought Leeka managed a brief snort, reveling in her little quip. As things stood now she had little fondness for the Moon – in fact, the mare’s dislike for the God bordered on hatred after what she's done – and refused to forsake the Edge because of her.

She would not leave her home again. A sentiment she didn't expect anyone else to adhere to. It was her choice to stay in this haunted realm, in part because she couldn't bear otherwise. Still, it seemed it wasn't to remain so empty after all. Word had reached the mare of a tournament being hosted to decide the new leaders of the Edge; meaning that the herd still existed in essence, something that amazed Leeka yet took with a grain of salt. Knowing what dwelled within these borders, who would want to stay here? To lead it? Where others so unafraid?

You stayed, didn't you? came an idle thought. But this tournament could also attract zealots of the Lady Moon. Who knows who will answer the call...

That is what worried Leeka when she had heard the lingering echoes of a possible debate in the air. The preliminaries for this 'tournament' must be underway somewhere along the borders of the herdland, which was where Leeka was headed to find. However, as she walked along the cliffs and a plume of cloud passed over the mare caught sight of a familiar face. The appaloosa may not have be close to anyone but she had a good memory and hardly forgot anyone she'd met, however brief. She'd first met Jahzera when Kahlua had first lead her in to the Worlds Edge where she had welcomed her alongside Fiore. Leeka remembered her as a dreamy girl who behaved so much younger then she was and insisted on the presence of her imaginary friends. She had caught glimpses of the palomino appaloosa mare before the days of the invasion and recalled how glum she had seemed. She actually had meant to talk to the mare after seeing her like that but couldn't recall what had distracted her at the time. Since then Leeka hadn't seen any trace of Jahzera till now and had assumed she, like the others, had gone to the Hidden Falls.

In an instant Leeka's pale green eyes light up with joy when she recognized the other mare and launched herself into a canter to close the distance between them. " Jahzera!" she called, unable to contain herself as she neared and stopped with a fair distance between them. It was a certain kind of happiness to know that she wasn't the only one who stayed behind, that a part of her family remained. Even if it was someone she barely knew,the smile on her face was genuine and unashamed. " I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who stayed behind."" she said. " Even...even after all that happened lately...I couldn't go to the Hidden Falls even if I wanted too."

Leeka paused, fighting back some of the hurt at what the Edge had done. She didn't want to know what it felt like to conquer or to see the faces of the defeated members of the Hidden Falls. She tried to think of how'd she feel if the same happened in Eoroleen but couldn't comprehend it. Home was a concept sacred to Leeka. To violate it like they have...the thoughts were bitter indeed, yet she was wholly conflicted considering the gravity of the entire situation. Kahlua must be a wreak over this, no doubt. "We are the few remaining, but I think more are to come– eventually. The new leaders for the Edge have yet to be decided, but that decision will come soon enough, I bet."

______________
"Speaking"
Thoughts
@[Jahzera]