Mirage
March 19th, 2012 at 11:49pm

Within the glacier a black mare stood. It was late afternoon, only a
few more minutes would see the Sun laid to rest, and in his wake, the
Moon would rise. The mare looked out over the ocean, the breeze
mingling the salty sea air with the silken threads of her mane and
tail. Just outside the icy cavern, a golden dragon lazed upon this
same breeze. They had lit a fire within the arched cave already, in
preparation for the chilly night that was about to befall them. But
while the afternoon Sun warmed them, they allowed the fire to crackle
away on its own. Akaith had stock-piled some wood nearby, to keep the
warm fire blazing. Not that it mattered if it went out, her own fire
was inexhaustible. The mare was grateful to her bonded for thinking of
such things, for the golden one never felt the cold upon her own
scaled skin.

Mirage didn’t yet know what had befallen Torasin, her friend, but she
would go searching for him later, she had decided. Breathing in the
salty air, she wondered whether she would ever settle upon one realm
to call her home. It was a question that gnawed at her constantly, she
did not know whether she was capable of joining a herd, of actively
listening and obeying another who claimed leadership over her.
Certainly it was something serious to consider. For so long she and
Akaith had wandered, in fact, she had lost count of the years that had
passed between this realm and the last. She didn’t even have a clue as
to her own age. She could have grown ancient for all the years that
may have passed, she could still be a foal for all she knew.

Definitely no foal. Akaith murmured in response to her thoughts. A
small smile happened across Mirage’s velvet lips. No, definitely not a
foal. She sighed, for the thoughts of foals made her miss the company
of her siblings, and of herd life, where she would be able to mingle
with others and enjoy the company of everyone around her, old and
young alike. For the second time in as many weeks, she pondered upon
her mother’s occupation. Before she rose to leader of her herd, she
had been Wise One, often advising the youth of the herd on her ways of
wisdom. But this little mare held a small insecurity in her abilities,
though she knew what she was capable of, she had not practised such
things very often.

As her thoughts travelled through her tiara, the Sun slowly crept
towards the horizon. Though they were at the northern reaches of
Helovia, her gaze peered to the west, watching as the great fiery orb
went to bed. Not long after that, the stars shone their magnificent
celestial light, and the cavern was lit an eerie blue, as opposed to
the brilliant crimson hues of the Sun. While her fire still crackled
within, it was deep inside the cave, and the brilliance of the night
could still be seen in full, and appreciated. Mirage relaxed,
releasing a tension she did not know had built up. Always at night
time was she more comfortable, at home. Akaith trilled happily, and
Mirage allowed her own melodic song to be sung from the depths of her
chest. It echoed along the glacier, and it almost sounded like the
archway was singing in return.

[ Open for any and all please <3 ]

---

Smoke the Wild Rose
March 20th, 2012 at at 12:05am

Silence hung, deep and promising, beneath the silver glow of the moon
and above the silver gleam of the ice, a partner to the deep cold that
clung to these northern reaches. And then... there was song. Ears
tilted and head turned from the southern path her hooves were
following to listen and appreciate before a trilling call rang out
above her dark form from the winged shape of a nearly equally dark
dragon. His ears had caught more than just the song she heard, and she
sensed his rising excitement and yearning. Her own curiousity rose in
turn, and she turned aside to follow his fleet shape through the
moonlit landscape.

Soon though the silver and black was broken by a spot of blue
reflecting off the ice, steady but fluctuating with a rhythm that
suggested the presence of fire... somewhat unexpected but not feared
by one who shared every day with a creature that carried fire within
it. Steps quickened with a sure destination in sight, but a degree of
caution was retained for tricky ice that lay all about. Another trill
vibrated into the air from the blue, this one questioning and hopeful
as they approached the cave's entrance.

---

Mirage
March 28th, 2012 at 4:53am

A hue of the ocean rolled through the mare’s head. Quizzically she
probed her dragon’s own cranium, finding the source of the emitted
colour to be in identifying a new companion; that is, a blue dragon.
He was younger than her – which wasn’t unusual, Akaith was an ancient
of her own race even among the old wild dragons. The gold immediately
trilled back to the blue, her slim, lean figure darting towards him.
Bending her flight about his own, she observed the dragon in the dark,
her eyes adjusting to the Moon’s light, and very little escaped her.
Almost immediately she could tell that he was a bonded dragon, and she
told Mirage so. The mare nodded at the knowledge, thanking her
beautiful companion.

It was not long before the echoes of hoof steps resounded through the
cave, indicating that someone was walked along the outside, very
nearby. Standing not far from the entrance, the black mare flicked an
ear towards the approaching creature. Borrowing Akaith’s sights, she
was able to identify that the creature was indeed a mare, no doubt the
bonded equine to the blue. Mirage wuffled a small utterance, a simple,
not unkindly, acknowledgement of her presence. She bent her tiara to
the other, a curious silent enquiry sent to the strangely hued mare.
The flame that flickered within the cave reflected a golden hue from
Mirage’s own gaze as she looked over the mare, though she glanced up
to the darkened skies to spy the dancing forms of the dragons more
than once.

“Hello,” her voice was melodic, host to a soft emotion, a peaceful
emotion. Where she was usually indifferent to the company of others,
even she would admit to being a softer being when surrounded by more
than her own dragon. Somehow the rising of the Moon this evening,
combined with the company of her dragon and the arrival or yet another
dragon, had enabled her to lower her shield a bit. “Might I ask whose
handsome blue is entertaining my dear Akaith this evening?”

[Sorry for the wait dear! Replies will be quicker now. And others are
still welcome to join in ]

---

Smoke the Wild Rose
March 31st, 2012 at 8:05pm

It was with utter joy that Zaffre flew to meet the gold who rose to
meet him, chirruping a happy greeting. The little blue was absolutely
dwarfed by the queen, being barely larger than a black and almost
appearing as one as well. But he was not and she knew it, and he
couldn't be happier in her presence.

A low chuckle rose in the grulla's throat at the overflow of vibrantly
happy emotion that trickled back along their bond to her, head lifting
to watch with dark eyes the two dragons flying together, so different
and yet not. But a low wuffle drew her back toward the fire and the
one who stood so near it within the icy cave. She offered a soft
whicker in return, dipping her head slightly in respectful
acknowledgement.

"Hello." Smoke spoke in turn, voice quiet and yet rougher in tones
than the black mare that watched her. Normally she wouldn't have
noticed, but tonight she twitched an ear at the silent observation.
"Zaffre is mine." It was a simple answer, giving two tidbits of
information in return for the one that had been offered before. But
she couldn't stop the small smile from surfacing, and the sharing of
another. "Though he seems to sometimes think he is just as much my
daughter's, but perhaps it is because she has more time to play than I
have these days."

((No worries on the wait. I had to rummage up muse myself, and was
waiting to see if anyone else would post.))

---

Mirage
April 4th, 2012 at 11:49pm

Though Zaffre’s size was smaller than that of a blue, he was still
able to be recognised. Dragon’s had countless other telepathic
abilities then those they shared with their bonded – they communicated
in ways deeper than mere equines could comprehend. Akaith saw the blue
for what he was, and though he was not a metallic, he was built for
agility and speed. In a flock of dragons even his contribution would
be important – he would make a good sentry, one who could alert the
others of danger, and lead the young to safety. Though she didn’t
often associate very much with those not of metallic hues, she was in
a playful mood and happily stretched her wings with the sapphire
lizard.

“It warms my heart to hear of such things.” Mirage remarked on the
mare’s comment of her dragon playing with her daughter. She suspected
Akaith would react similar, should Mirage ever pass her genes onto
another. Who knew if she even could? The black mare was a rare breed,
one who thus far had not allowed a stallion so close to her heart as
to enable him to procreate with her. Her beloved gold had indeed
clutched many nests of eggs before and performed the ritual mating
dance of her kind, and while Mirage was affected by those strong
surges of emotions, she still had not occasioned herself in that
situation with a male.

“Mirage is my name. Akaith and I have been together for a lifetime.”
Musical tones softly hummed, her accent evident as she spoke the
words. A smile touched her lips as she recalled that fateful day of
Impression, and how her life had never been the same since. Akaith,
flying by them briefly, trilled happily as she shared the memory.
“Your scent speaks of the Foothills madam, how do they fare?” It was
asked kindly, curiously, gently. It was Mirage’s habit to want to
learn as much as she could about, well, anything that happened to peak
her interest at the time. Perhaps she could gain a friend here today –
but then, it was just as likely that she would think this meeting
irrelevant after its passing. Only time would tell.

---

Flicker
April 6th, 2012 at 4:19am

It was rare that I could escape for a night, but chance and luck
seemed to be working in my favor, for once. My Lord Ra had been...
shall we say, stressed, of late, finding new slaves- I mean,
followers, for his insane totalitarian religion and visiting the
Threshold like one possessed. The downside to this, for me at least,
was that when my Lord was stressed, I seemed to make a convenient
target for his surplus anger. Furthermore, as a veritable possession
of Ra, I was used by the stallion to accent his strength and power. He
dragged me around, showing how he could dominate another living thing
as though such actions were admirable, even commendable. Ah well, if
it made him happy, it kept me safe, and for now that was all I could
hope for. Indeed, for the past turn of the moon I had gained only
slight injuries from my Lord's abuse, thank the Lady. I suppose I
ought to hate Ra for his ghastly behavior, but really, I can only pity
the stallion. Something plagues him, torments him. Someday I'll find
out what it is.

On this night, however, I was free. Checking the oases of the Throat,
I had found Ra to be asleep, and, starved for liberation from the
desert, crept out into the depths of Helovia. There was only one place
I could think to visit in my brief time of escape, that being the
frozen arch. I had been here few times before, and only twice at
night, but I could remember its beauty clearly in my mind. Bathed in
the silver moon, the Arch was magnificent to behold, and I longed so
to see it again. Plus, I could use the ice to keep tabs on my Lord,
being careful to return to the Throat before he could realize I had
left in the night. Yes, this would be perfect.

Beneath the rising moon, I was a faintly glowing shadow, nearly
invisible in the darkness but for the frosting of dusty white on my
mane and tail. As I walked further, I could feel the life flowing back
into me. It was odd, how being away from Ra could restore the ache in
my spirit I had come to just accept as natural. My tail rose, a
cheerful banner in the night, and I could feel my strides elongating.
Almost without choosing to, I found myself trotting, then cantering,
then galloping, mane whipping behind me and hooves pounding the earth
in rhythm, one-two-three, one-two-three. My lithe body flew through
the tundra like a bullet, or a caged beast at last unleashed into its
homeland. I ran for what felt like minutes, but must have been longer,
until finally I reached the great glacier and could run no more for
fear of loosing my footing on the ice. Too fast I pulled back my pace,
and staggered, graceless, but I did not fall. Instead I slipped
forward awkwardly, sliding on the ice and frantically attempting to
pull my feet up under me. I had misjudged my own strength and
endurance, however; too much time under my Lord's hooves had made me
weak, and even as I struggled to regain my composure, I could feel my
heart pounding inside my frail chest, and my body shaking with
exhaustion, and cold. Such cold! The sweat I had worked up was
beginning to freeze in the chill night, and as I finally found my
feet, the frigid temperature set in, bringing shivers with it.

I needed to find warmth, but how would I do that here? Desperate, I
looked up at my Lady Moon, letting out a silent prayer. Don't let me
die here. How ironic would it be - my first day away from the Throat
in ages, and I freeze to death. Of course, I was probably being
melodramatic with the whole death thing, but it lent to the drama of
it all. The night, the illicit freedom, the silver light on ice... it
was like something out of a story. And then, a miracle. Almost as
though the moon was directing my eyes, I spotted a glimmer of fire and
two shadows not far from me. Where had they been a minute ago?
Probably in the same place, I just hadn't noticed them. Excited, I
slid forward, picking my way across the ice and towards the cave.

A few strides from the cave, I paused, suddenly wary. What if they
were horses of the Throat, or even worse, the Order? They would report
me to my Lord, I was sure, and I would be sorely beaten for sneaking
out at night. I stared at the ice at my feet, willing my magic to show
me an image of what lie inside the cave, but all I could see were the
shadowy outlines of two dark figures. Fear danced with cold, and cold
with fear of freezing, and all that with exhaustion and adrenalin and
the need to get warm, and I finally resolved to just brave the chance
of my Lord's wrath. Tenderly, cautiously, I stepped into the light
that bounced off the walls of the cavern and outside, illuminated in
the fire's glow, and peered at the strangers. Both appeared to be
equine and, much to my relief, darker colors than any of the Order I
had encountered, save perhaps Alustriel. Emboldened by this, I crept
further into the cave, eyes lowered to show respect but still at a
level to judge the strangers, and if they would be violent. I was
careful to make enough noise to be noticed without speaking - all
things I learned from Ra, all weak and pathetic, but old habits die
hard, and I had learned to treat others with respect. I had heard
words from the black mare - Mirage is my name, and your scent speaks
of the Foothills. The grulla mare, I did not yet know anything of.

I stopped a length from the others and their fire, and now raised my
head to look at them through silver eyes, awaiting some sort of
reaction. I must have looked like quite the waif, sweat frozen in my
black coat, mane and tail disheveled, and still panting from exertion
- a tiny black shadow with pale eyes and smooth horn, wary and clearly
submissive, scarred and burned and curious despite myself.

It was shortly thereafter that I noticed the dragons. But that account
must, for now, wait.

[ ooc || it was so long I'm sorry it was so long Dx ]

---

Smoke the Wild Rose
April 24th, 2012 at 2:13am

"It is a heartwarming thing to watch." Smoke uttered in agreement,
remembering the dance of dual-hued blue and mousey grulla filly across
the tree-dotted and stream laced expanses of the Oasis. Chase and
pounce, hide and seek, simply racing. It summoned older memories, of a
golden coated colt and a painted grulla filly racing each other in a
mist-born field. Bittersweet memories that were quickly but gently
locked away again.

"Smoke is my name. I have only known Zaffre since this last summer."
Which in itself seemed a lifetime, with all that had transpired since.
Love gained and lost, children born and gathered, fights won and lost.
Home lost and refound. "The Foothills prosper. We gather in many new
members, both of Isilme and of Helovia and farther." She would have
spoken more, but a mental image shot across the bond she shared with
the blue that danced aloft beside the gold. It was a brief, clear
glimpse of what, or more properly who, lurked outside. Another dark
coated horse approached the icy cave.

"I believe we have company." She commented, light and amused, as she
turned to look behind her toward the cave's entrance as the black mare
stepped within. A unicorn. "Hello there." White-edged ears were cocked
forward with open interest, wondering who this mare was and what
brough here out into the icy reaches.

---

Mirage
April 24th, 2012 at 9:20pm

The other mare spoke her name, Smoke; somehow Mirage thought it
fitting, her dappled coat resembling the cloudy masses that rise from
flames. Akaith quipped something about potential for magic within, but
the black mare that was her bonded paid little heed to it – Akaith was
busy gallivanting in the twilight with her newfound friend. With
interest the mare listened as the other spoke of herd life, and almost
wistfully Mirage hoped to one day experience the same feelings. Her
parents had led their herd through wars and more, before having to
flee the lands that were her homeland and live as a simple family
band. Why couldn’t Mirage ever see herself doing something similar?
She missed the company of her family, ones who understood her simply
because they shared the blood that ran through her veins. But perhaps
one day, she would find herself amongst a herd of her own; it was not
something she strived to do exactly, but rather something that was a
secret yearning within her slowly growing larger and more obvious.

Thoughts were interrupted as the same instant Zaffre alerted Smoke to
their company, Akaith shot the image of the unicorn entering the cave
to Mirage. The young mare did not seem to be making a threat of
herself, at least in the dragons’ opinions, else Akaith would have
loosed her flame upon the maiden. As it were, the gold one swooped
quite close for general observation, before gaining altitude and
continuing on her frolicking ways. Mirage’s own golden eyes looked
upon the mare, absorbing the dishevelled appearance, the general
submission and yet youthful curiosity. Smoke’s word were spoken not
unkindly, but Mirage was more one for action.

“Stand by the fire before you catch your death.” It was an order, but
one given with softness that suggested the unicorn was welcome here.
The scent of the mare permeating the small cavern, and Mirage picked
up on remnants of the Dragon’s Throat upon her hide. Though at this
stage, she knew nothing of the Throat, besides the fact that it
existed. A gap in her knowledge that she would aim to rectify – one
day, not today. The black mare moved to stand beside the younger one,
to allow her body heat to aid in maintaining the warmth. In the small
cavern, the natural insulation of the icy walls allowed it to keep the
heat of the flame quite well, so Mirage expected that it would not
take long for the unicorn to cease shivering.

“And what brings you to the clutches of the Arch this evening?” She
asked the new mare, gently inquiring, wondering what on earth could
drive one so far away from the safety of their own herd – and towards
a vagabond and a member of another herd at that.