A quick, sunny nap was interrupted by the whinny from the border – not too far from the shelter of the tree that Alysanne had chosen for the moment. She had been up most of the night, fretting over the situations she was finding herself in, and was catching up in the moments she could find. Hemlock was snoozing away the day, nestled in the feathers of her folded wings, and barely woke up when she realized who the call had been from and immediately set off towards the broken shards of the glass wall.

“Kahlua!” She called out merrily to the familiar black and white mare, wasting no time at all in closing the gap between them. It had been too long, but then – it was always too long between their visits. Business and politics were priorities, taking away from time that would have been better spent lying in a field of fresh spring flowers and laughing. Well, if not better spent than it certainly would have been a fair alternative!

She bounced forward eagerly to bump her muzzle gently against that of her friend’s, eyes bright as she took in the pair. “So good to see you again my dear. I hope you’ve been well? And Khan too, you’re growing into a fine dragon aren’t you?” Anyone would be hard pressed to remove the smile from her expression in this present mood, that was certain. Green eyes did not miss the small form nearby, however – that of a butterfly-winged filly frolicking in the Birdsong sun. Well, if that wasn’t a sight for sore-eyes she didn’t know what was. “And who’s this?!” To say that Alysanne had a soft spot for foals was a gross understatement, her bright smile softening immediately at the sight. And who's heart wouldn't just melt at such a scene? She did not truly want to interrupt the child’s game, however – such fun she seemed to be having! – so she looked to Kahlua for a response.


[Aly's ears were burning so obviously she had to come say hi <33]

She could feel it, feel her worries fade far away just being in the presence of Kahlua. Alysanne wished that they could find more time for each other – perhaps with more council from her friend she would find herself in fewer sticky situations.

But Kahlua’s call did not only reach her ears but that of a familiar colt as well. The growing (when did he get that tall!) son of Parelia joined them and she watched with well-mannered amusement as he used a trick with his wings to greet them. “Hello Ilios! So good to see you again.” Such a well-behaved colt! Parelia had done a wonderful job with raising him, to be sure. And he wasn’t the only well-spoken foal around here, it would seem. As his attention turned to the filly, her own was focused back on her dear friend. She could hardly believe it as Kahlua explained the situation where she had met the young filly.

“Fate sent her here?” Alysanne repeated the words with a wild grin, shaking her head in disbelief. “She’s barely two seasons old and she speaks as though she were twelve years!” Emerald eyes could not stay away from the young foals for long – and that smile would not fade from her expression. “Something tells me she’ll fit just right in. I would be delighted to help her learn how to fly! Our wings may be different but it should be about the same principals. Maybe I’ll have an assistant to help me in the lessons as well.” The pegasus chuckled warmly as she looked at the foals. The two seemed to be rather taken with each other right off of the start – a handsome pair, she couldn’t blame either of them!

“I am! It’s so nice to meet you Myrrine, you have the most beautiful wings.” She managed to get at least that out before the girl was distracted by a bird and Aly watched with nothing short of delight as Myrrine took off with a spurt of bright laughter and energy. Oh it was so good to hear the laughter of foals! It made Alysanne’s heart soar just like that little bird. So easy to imagine the world as a perfect, wonderful place when in the company of babes. She itched to join in their game but, at least for this round, she felt as though it would be a good idea to let those that were young play.


@[Ilios]

“Oh now I wouldn’t say that.” She countered Kahlua’s thought with a warm smile. She did not think it true that the filly was braver than her friend, though there was certainly a great deal of courage in the young one. Alysanne thought a great deal of the mare that stood beside her now and would not hear anything of the negative sort. Especially not while she was in bright of a mood, rejuvinated by the young ones they watched over. “If only I could let you borrow my wings for a day my dear! It is a treat, though I much prefer keeping my hooves on the ground whenever I can.” It was spoken softly, for the ears of her friend and not for the foals (a disinterest in flying hardly suited the idea of a teacher).

The young filly returned to them in time, leaving the game at least temporarily to react to the compliment that had been paid. “It’ll come in time, you must build up your strength! You’re still young and so are your wings.” Alysanne watched with a warm, patient smile as the little filly focused so desperately on making those wings move. And for all her concentration she was indeed rewarded with a slow, even movement. They would have to flutter a great deal faster in order to achieved altitude but it was certainly an achievement. “Oh good job, dear!” Alysanne’s face lit up at the little accomplishment, praising it as though Myrrine had flown a mile! The little victories counted so much. “I’ll tell you what, you’ve had a big day already today but starting tomorrow morning we can practice flying together - my wings could use a good stretch.” She confided with a wink. Flying had never been Alysanne’s area of expertise, she had forsaken the lessons with her mother and sister in favour of learning about plants on the ground. Even now she was a little shaky in flight and even shakier on the landings. “Maybe young Ilios would care to join us as well?” She questioned the colt with a smile. It would be good for someone close to Myrrine’s age to join them in the lessons and perhaps give Ilios a chance to practice as well. “And soon enough you’ll be able to fly clear over the tops of these trees!”

She remembered well the feeling of joy that came with teaching little Arty to fly, the delight in a child’s eyes when they completed that first flawless trip! If she could help Myrrine with that, to be sure Alysanne would do everything that she could.


@[Ilios] (eep sorry for the double tag!)