It may seem like I say this a lot, and maybe it is true that I do. But it is still going to take me awhile to get used to the sun. As warm and welcoming as it is, the moon brings a peace that the sun cannot. To me the sun is harsh and unyielding. Though it brings warmth and life it also burns and scorches. I know that the sun is necessary for Earth to continue, but that doesn't mean that it is my favorite. No, I still prefer the moon. But don't tell anyone here in the Throat - I do not want them to think poorly of me.

It is these thoughts that swirl in my mind as my delicate hooves toss sand to the air in my meanderings. Wandering through the desert may sound like a foolish move, but whether the Sun is my friend or not, the Throat is my home and I am peaceful and happy here. The sand is not so hot so as to burn me, but warms the frogs of my feet and over my fetlocks as it lilts through the air and back to the ground. My mane flutters in the slight breeze that comes and goes, keeping the hot air tolerable. It will be worse in Orangemoon, and then we will ALL be wishing for a little less sun. For now, though, the temperature is pleasant. I keep walking, but close my eyes, letting them rest from the glare that beats down. It is nice not having to squint, sometimes.

When I open my eyes again, a figure has appeared in the distance. I can't make out who it is, but I'm in no hurry. It doesn't seem to be moving any faster than I am. I keep my wings folded at my side and continue walking - albeit a little faster - toward the figure. As I get closer, I can make out the form better, the haze of the sun's heat no long obscuring the geometry. Closer still, and I start being able to make out body color, hair color, and begin picking up scents. A young girl, it seems. Her body like the sun, but more red and less yellow. Her mane and tail long and thick, pale. It comes to my attention that she is not alone, and there is a fox that attends to her. When I am close enough, I stop and wait for them to approach me. Once they are nearer, I think that maybe I should speak. But I don't want to speak. The sun takes the motivation right out of me, and I simply wait for her to speak. I don't think I know her, but then, I am so forgetful sometimes.

"Speech"
Tags: @[Tandavi], WC: 460, Other: Oh, good flow!

The silence was bound to be awkward. But as awkward as it was, I didn't feel like breaking it. This is the filly's task. I look pleasantly between her and the kitsune. They seem friendly enough, but neither of us are the talking type. That's okay. I can wait. A breeze picks up, tossing my forelock out of my face and letting wisps of mane and tail float aimlessly in the air. My feathers ruffle slightly, despite being tucked against my sides. The filly blinks at me, her dark eyes unreadable. I blink back, wondering if my dual-colored eyes are unsettling to watch. I shouldn't think so - blue and purple go very nicely together. But then, I'm not staring at myself. A change of perspective might make quite a difference.

After a few more moments, the filly speaks again. "We need to see Ampere or Africa." One lobe swings back as I ponder what she says. Why do we need to see them? Is there something unspoken that I've missed? I lower my head slightly again and snuffle. "Why for?" I gather that she wants to see the leaders of the Throat, but that does not mean I understand the purpose behind it. Perhaps she wants a task to be given, a purpose. She must not realize that Ampere is no longer a reigning queen here, and that for the time being, she has left our midst. "Sohalia has taken Ampere's place." I blink again at the filly, watching her quiet golden form. Though we are both quiet, our appearances seem quite the opposite.

I take a step closer and, though I await a response from Tandavi, I lower my nose to kitsune known as Natraj. An interesting name, for certain. I reach my muzzle out, wondering if he will touch his nose to mine. I have never wanted a companion, always feeling that I am too much of a loner to have one. Maybe... maybe if it was just the right one.... But do I really want to take that risk? Not today. What if I were to bond to the wrong companion? What if our personalities collided? I would not want to cause such grief to myself or the poor creature who has no choice but to be beside me. No, that would just be irresponsible. From what I've seen, there have been many successful bondings between equine and companion - but that doesn't mean that they are all healthy and symbiotic. No, I'm not ready for a commitment like that.

"Speech"
Tags: @[Tandavi], WC: 422, Other: Hope it's okay if I tag you? I didn't think to ask before.

There was a new restlessness driving her limbs forward, moving her heart to wander; the endless search for satisfaction, to quench hunger that even she knew not how to feed. Her conscious longed, but what for? It was frustrating, exhausting, consuming. Tan hooves, so neat and round, slipped and slid down the gentle slope of another rounded dune, swishing to the tune of her panting breath; chopping to the beat of the pulse which thundered through heavy, sloppy ears. Isn’t it obvious? Fleetingly, eyes wandered upwards to study absently the circling silhouette of the bird as he trailed her aimless, boundless journey. No... Everything she could have needed had come to light already- more than she deserved, far in excess of what she’d truly wanted.

Home?
Midas had taken her from the wilds and set her comfortably here, where Dragon’s breath hard scorched the land, and blood had stained it, long, long ago.

Family?
Midas had made her a part of his, in a sense; she was a Throatling, was surrounded always by the love of those dear and close.

Spirituality?
This land had given her that in turn, the God of the Sun had favoured her twice especially, she was devotedly a follower of Fire and Light.

Direction?
Yes, that too. Through everything else Midas had given to her, Africa had achieved a reason to live, to breathe and to continue. She had the weight of many lives upon her shoulders, to serve, and though it was a great burden to bear, the Starry-Eyed respected it immensely.

So what is it? the young dappled mare pondered bemusedly, casting down her eyes towards the rippling red horizon.

Love? Africa snorted sharply, yes... I have that too. She loved Silk dearly, the thought of him warmed her heart, ignited her soul and she pined for him whenever they were apart. But a lover? She paused suddenly, ears folding backwards quickly into the hedge of dancing flames and tangled, unruly grey mane. For a second she felt an uneasiness flush into her face, burning- but not like the sun whose heat drew beading sweat constantly to wet her coat. She thought of Windwalker, of the commitment he’d demanded so brazenly from one so young, so reckless, so naive... But Silk was different, wasn’t he? She had fallen for him on her own accord. He had never asked anything of her. Disgruntled, confused and touched by unfathomable loneliness, she broke forward into a canter, grinding knees thrashing; waves of sand spilling to either side of her bounding dappled frame.

As clear as day, he told her mind, filling her with still greater uncertainty.

She drove east, but had not long been travelling when three looming figures grew through the fuzz of heat; a dark blur, a smear to break apart red and bright clear blue. For a moment, gaze narrowing, she wondered if it was only an illusion, a trick of this land; but as she continued steadily, the trio began to transform into real bodies. Andromeda was one, yes, her coat easily recognisable, a reflection of the sparkling night sky- like you! ...and a smaller equine with a companion, presumably, in toe. She was golden-red like the sand, like the sun; with flaxen stirred to life by salty hot whispers. Who is she? The dark bird above circled down through the thermals but did not answer.

The Starry-Eyed slowed as she neared them, nostrils fluttering curiously, quiet eyes searching the wingless, smiling- she looked very much to belong. “Hello.” She stopped just short, comfortably, gesturing kindly to the creature also. “We haven’t met. I’m Africa, and my companion is Silas.” Briefly her face lifted, though the shadow as it crossed them again, betrayed his presence above.

For a moment Africa stood dazed, confused, evidence of that unavoidably furrowed into her gentle grey expression. We have? She glanced away, casting bewildered eyes absently towards the horizon ahead (probing the mind of her bonded vainly), embarrassed; and she thought hard about the young burnt-orange face before her, the golden crescent reaching across it, the flaxen braids framing it... Quietly, as Tandavi spoke again to (re-)introduce herself, the one-winged mare let her kind pastel gaze saunter back. She sought the unusual black gaze of the girl and sank quickly, desperately, into their murky depths.

Ambling through the memories of those around her had become quite effortless. Though outwardly she would've appeared still to be standing with the two mares, unchanged, perhaps just appearing to be a little distant, her conscious was strolling again through the corridors of The Sanctuary, quickening, following the path of another. The blue rump looked black in the gloom below the earth, and darker still as they fell upon the doorway to the Glowing Room, light bright enough to be cast down by the sun itself spilling between grim stone walls. Ampere vanished ahead, inside, swallowed by the glow of the God within. She did not follow though, lingering by the way, watching, waiting...

Africa could not taste the warmth of that moment, nor could she feel the thoughts streaming through the mind of the girl, the memory she’d invaded. She was simply a spectator, viewing curiously- remembering, remembering!

There was the sound of hooves clattering behind, and she, Africa scrambled by into the fire-lit cavern- but she paid the girl standing by no heed as she passed, barely a glance, certainly no thought. The memory wavered suddenly disturbed when the voice of the owner interrupted. She watched a little longer though, as the God began to speak finding easily her own recollection of the moments to follow; when she and Ampere would have crowns set across their brows.

The Starry-Eyed gulped hard; pensive gaze falling heavily, guiltily from the young eyes of Tandavi. Motionless frame jolted too as reality settled around her, and she blinked for a second disorientated, but soon was smiling. Andromeda’s words followed quickly, and long charcoal ears swivelled to swallow the information which her hazy mind then digested slowly. Sandy eyes roamed first the face of the older healer, gracious and affectionate, and then they found again the golden girl. “Why, Tandavi that’s easy. You are our sister, our friend. Before she left us so suddenly, Ampere made you our healer as well. You are His Sun Physician.” Fondly she studied the wingless horse, glancing briefly too towards the thrice-tailed Natraj close by. “If you would like to be, of course...”


[I will happily edit out the use of her magic if you do not want it there <3]