Her name, in his voice, is enough. He speaks more to others, but his smile is broadest for her, and it breaks upon her like a ray of light escaping the clouds on a chill autumn day. Gold-slashed face glows in reply, black eyes growing bright and lips curving into a shy, grateful smile, as a flush rides up her narrow cheeks. She does not look away, nor bow; does not hang her head in deference, for to withdraw her attention would be to disregard, and she wants nothing more but to give respect, reverence, love. Beneath the escaping curls of silver-gold hair, the delicate child of fire and shadow feels a shiver run down her spine, and wonders what it means.

But his attention does not remain on her for long- how could it? She is but one in a sea of stars, a world demanding his light and his vengeance. He drifts to another, then the last, ("Lost," the girl hears another say softly, and turns in surprise, the word resounding deeply in her chest), until finally they have all come, the satellites of the Sun, come to receive his blessing and face his task. The voice of the God sends echoes through her ears, burns her eyes, promises her something marvelous- mixed with the strength of his magic, the blindingly white flavor and feel and glow of it, it is enough to make the girl giddy with happiness and awe. She feels him cast the mirages even as they appear, tastes the strength of his splendor: "Oh," she whispers, glancing from the whispers of water to the flowers at his feet, beautiful and fiery and flawless and real. She thinks of the purple flower which rests behind her ear, and for a moment a fierce desire washes over her, and she wishes, more than anything, for a wreath of the sun's blooms to be woven through her hair.

She does not seek the mirage, for she knows she shall not find it. Her aunt taught her about mirages, the mysteries she was named for- You cannot catch a mirage, the black mare would laugh, Just as you cannot catch me! She would run then, and they would pursue, two dragonets and a filly of fire, chasing a flicker through the misty woods. At last they would capture Mirage, of course, and burst into laughter, and it was on one of these occasions that Tandavi realized she, too, could be a mirage; and she would disappear, laughing, crying that You can't catch me!

She thinks of her family, and her heart shudders with need. She must not cry. They would want her to be strong, she knows. They would want her to be brave. She has been alone for too long. She will not cry.

Instead, she focuses on the Sun God's magic, and blinks.

The mirage is weak, shuddering, but growing strong. Firechild feels the weight of the Sun coursing through her veins, and it is powerful, glorious, but almost too much. Magic a mortal should not have; her brother presses against her, clawing at a golden hock, cautioning her to Be careful, to Keep control. Around her rain begins to fall, but she ignores it; others act, build, speak, but she does not hear them. She pours her heart into the illusion, and slowly a stream begins to weave, making its path in the field of gold, incorporeal, untouchable, mirage.

Blinking, panting, she looks to the Sun. She can feel the magic in her, as well as a new one, water, brought on by the sky-colored mare, intoxicating and invigorating. She feels pride at what she has done, for she has done, she thinks, her best: taken the gifts he gave her, and used them in his name. She wonders if it will be enough.

"Have I done well?"

[ Summary: Tandavi absorbed the Sun God's magic, and used it to make her own mirage of a stream flowing through the field of flowers. She also really wants one >.>]