It was a bulls-eye hit, a slam dunk, right on target. In short, success. Her stealthy efforts were rewarded by the sounds of dismay rising from below, angry bellows and startled stepping about and a general sense of havoc being wreaked. It was glorious and her jubilant laughter continued to ring out across the snow-laden woodland reaches, bouncing between dark green canopies and the distant twinkle of stars as she kept circling above the heads of the strangers.

As far as pranks went it was a rather petty one, harmless and more annoying than amusing, yet still the filly felt satisfaction fill her from within, where she peered down at the earthbound souls under her feet. But the sensation was short lived. Suddenly she was not alone in the sky anymore; a black little something she hadn't registered before was darting up towards her, swift as the shadow of one of her magical arrows and bent on revenge. Erthë beat her wings frantically to gain more height, tail thrashing as if it too could aid the acceleration; she was small and lithe by nature but her wings were designed for endurance rather than speed, and compared to the black she was slow.

The teasing laughter became a startled yelp as fire erupted from below, the heat intense as it singed the silky white hairs on her tail. It didn't hurt, the only thing that burned was hair - but the acrid stench of the burning material made her stomach turn, because it was way too close a call. The dove veered in the air and flapped her wings furiously as she shot upwards into the sky, a reversed comet with smoke trailing behind the smoldering tail. When she got high enough to maneuver properly she dared a glance over her shoulder to see what it was that attacked her, if it was intending to pursue her, if she could even make out anything in the gathering gloom of the evening.

Maybe she would recognize the critter for the dragon it was, maybe not. Perhaps she would be as thrilled at the sight of it as she was annoyed, offended, startled by the aggressive retaliation; regardless, the lasting impression was that of a shadow imp, a creature of coal and hellfire and vengeance that had her skin crawling with reverent awe. A fire to her ice - what a shame that she didn't feel like melting tonight. Perhaps they would get a chance to play again some other time - but then again, perhaps not.

Tucking the graceless mess of singed hair and injured pride close to the rump Erthë banked and started away from the scene of her crimes, a departure slightly too hurried to be graceful. Though her laughter had been cut short, she still felt excitement bubble within, humor at the sudden reversal of situation glittering in pale eyes as she let the dragon chase her away from the victims on the ground.

Erthë

and my knees are shaking - - and my dreams are breaking - - but i know i live today