Well, the young boy wanted adventure and he
got it.
His digging proved fruitless, the Frostfall chill having hardened the soil of the Flats substantially, even if there wasn't any snow. His small stature likely played a role as well, something he'd out grown in due time, but for now he was only in his second season and remained nothing but long, thin legs and downy fluff; a promise of greatness yet to be kept.
The approach of someone else distracted him from his thirst and his digging, Pausing with one hoof still raised above the ground, Iskra's head turned over his shoulder, ears flicking at the sound of her approach. For a second Iskra felt a thrill of fear seize him, abruptly conscious of how vulnerable and
alone he was out here, with nowhere to run. Yet as the girl neared, Iskra realized it was just that, a girl. Putting his foot down and straightening up, subconsciously ruffling his feathers and puffing out his chest to look
impressive, he greeted her with a lopsided grin.
"Hi! I'm Iskra!"
She was older than him, but many seasons awaited her too, and this put him at ease. His gaze held hers warmly, always happy to meet new friends, though he noticed the darkening of her hide and the breathy way she spoke. What was she running from, he wondered absently, or perhaps running to something- but then surely she wouldn't have time to stop and chat? Or was she
training, a warrior-to-be maybe? That was certainly less interesting than the
fire on her back however, the shifting shapes and designs pulling Iskra's attention almost hypnotically.
His thoughts were dispersed as her companion descended though. Iskra's head lifted and leaned back somewhat at the near approach of the vulture. He was familiar enough with them in the Throat, but they were generally to be avoided, their hungry eyes sometimes lingering too long on fresh foals. Iskra's gaze was inevitably drawn to the strong talons and the curved beak the carnivorous bird bore; something he had a healthy respect for.
"W-what?" he asked, suddenly aware she'd asked him a question while he'd been inspecting the way the talons gripped the hard dirt-
strong. Iskra shook his head, black mohawk flopping back and forth, while sparks of both fire and electric origin shivered off his wings, popping and fizzling harmlessly towards the dirt where they winked out of existence.
"Uh no, I've never seen anyone like you!" he exclaimed as he re-settled himself, his gaze drifting past her eyes and lingering in quiet awe at the flames racing across her. His grin returned as a half-smile, full of apology that he didn't have a better answer.
"Do you have a twin too? I have twin sisters," he asked and clarified, though didn't wait for a response as he was itching to ask about much more interesting things.
"Hey doesn't that fire hurt?? Or does it burn others, or what does it do? And who is that, you've already got a companion!?" His words were tripping over his tongue, and bashfully he quieted, aware of his eager babble. Still, his eyes shone brightly, expectant.
A new voice joined them however, and as an ear flicked back to catch it, Iskra's head turned, one eye watching the blue mare and her
whale appear. Her friendly greeting and familiarity with the filly allowed Iskra's calm to maintain uninterrupted, worries of rogue bandits or colt-eating-monsters petering away as good company joined him, even if they were both strangers. The new horse was a grown mare, and he lifted his head to look at her, thinking she was rather pretty. He grinned at her, his bottlebrush tail flicking casually against his rump.
"Hi!" he returned in greeting as she turned her attention upon him. As she introduced herself he was leaning in to look past her and eye her interesting companion, but her question had him snap back into attention.
"Oh um, yea," he nodded to accentuate his response, gulping afterwards, his throat dry, though he'd forgotten with all the excitement. As she offered to help he tilted his head quizzically, watching with a confused sort of anticipation. She
was stronger, maybe she could break through the ground?
Instead his mouth popped open in amazement as she
grabbed water from the ground, the salt spilling free as dry as the wind while the water floated right in front of him. At her insistence his stare flicked from the magic to her then back. As enthralled as he was, he was still cautious, all too aware of how strange drinks could affect you- he'd seen his mom after she drank from cactus after all. Still, adults were trustworthy, and he was thirsty, so Iskra leaned forward and... well he wasn't sure how to drink floating water so he kind of opened his mouth and tried to
bite it, his tongue doing something amid it all too. About half of it got on his lips, but he was able to drink the refreshing water and slurped it down loudly.
"Ah!" he exclaimed, his throat relieved.
"Thanks miss Tiamat!" he exclaimed, his voice high with enthusiasm.
"I'm Iskra, by the way," he greeted, then ducked and broke out into raucous giggles as the whale's exhale sprayed against him.
"Hey!" he laughed, then shook himself off.
"Is that your companion?" he asked of Tiamat, gaze beholding the creature with admiration.
"Isn't it a whale, how is it flying?" He'd seen some off the coast of his home, but though they jumped out of the sea sometimes, they never
flew.
"Wow, today is so cool!" He should go out without mom more often!
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