Treading along quietly after his loving mate he couldn't help but still feel torn over his decision. Things were not exactly black and white but he had chosen his blood family in the hopes of being there for his mate and his son. Growing up was hard enough there didn't need to be reasons in there making it only worse for the poor lad. His own childhood had taken a toll on his life but not in the way he wished it had. His memories had been falsely implanted to cover up the horrors of what actually lay within. Their discovery had nearly driven him to the breaking point all those months ago but thanks to the beautiful pegasus before him he had managed to get through it. Ghosts would always haunt him but at least he could pull out alright in the end to see what truly mattered in life.

Warm laughter drew his attention to the skies above where Parelia flaunted herself about happily. This was the right decision for him to make as it clearly made her happiest he thought silently with a smile. I wonder what Ilios will think? With everything not exactly being planned he had been unable to let his son know of his intentions to come join their herd. Would it make him happy as well? "He be happy." Kiara stated simply wanting to reassure her bonded and make his worries go away. She walked a couple feet behind the small group trying to stick to the grass to be out of sight. Kiara had been here once before but she was still wary of new lands and new people until she was able to figure out what they were all about.

Drawing to a stop near the border's edge he raised his head to gaze around. This place was much different than the falls but hopefully he would grow to love this place just as much. "No eating anything until we look around. We don't need to scare someone half to death on our first day here." He joked playfully casting a glance over to where Kiara had settled by his hind foot. With that he chose to ignore the likely smart comment she would come back with and turn his attention back to Parelia. Reaching his muzzle out he gently rested it against her neck as they waited for someone to answer the calls.

Ciceron talks
Ciceron thinks
Kiara speaks

A familiar whinny distracted the Sunshower from her meanderings. She was pacing back and forth along the wall, trying her best to convince herself to go to the island in the sky. There was a feeling in her bones that she needed to be there, but she really didn’t want to go back. Travelling across the land just to go do business… Well, she really just wanted to have some fun. Well, that, and something else… There was this crazy inkling in the back of her mind that if she went up to the island she was going to find Aurelia and that was a demon that she just wasn’t ready to face yet. Another day, perhaps. But not this one.

Thankfully, Parelia’s call was a distraction and she didn’t need to worry about whether she should go to the Island or not. Though she did not spend nearly as much time with her glazier as she would like, she really did enjoy the company of the pale pegasus. The woman had given her advice when she had needed it, not judged her when she had been at her worst, and had helped the herd many times over with her generous crafting. Admittedly, Kahlua was a little jealous that she was not glazier again, but she had been selected for this arduous task of leading and she would not fail the Moon Goddess if it could be managed.

Trotting to the border, the Sunshower thought all the way of what she would ask Parelia to make her. She needed a container. Something small that could hold water, but it had to have a lid that fit snugly. It was a simple request, and Kahlua didn’t really need it to be fancy… she hoped the glazier would help her. However, the thoughts of the item were wiped from her mind when she found a few face at the border (and a face touching Parelia’s neck, nonetheless). “Welcome! Come in, come in!” she urged the stallion, her smile broad and her eyes bright with excitement. Could this really be?

Parelia had told her that she had dreamed of her family unit being united… was today the day? “I’m Kahlua, queen,” she said to Ciceron, dipping her head to him in fond greeting. “Welcome to the Edge!” Looking expectantly to Parelia, the painted woman let the two before her lead the conversation. If there was exciting news, they surely would share.

@[Parelia]

.KAHLUA

The warmth of Parelia's skin beneath his muzzle was comforting to the stallion when much of his life was being uprooted yet again. The first time had been tough for him as a youngster setting out on his own for the first time but this time felt nearly the same. Times had changed leaving him a few years older now but there was still his lingering apprehension and fear that he would not be accepted by others. It had been a sheer miracle that Parelia had accepted him for who he was and all his flaws that went along with it. Could others accept him as well when he didn't really trust himself completely? With everything that he had learned about his father and the true nature of his sire was it possible to be better than that? Sighing softly he knew there would never be an answer that would satisfy his questions.

Movement from within the trees drew his attention elsewhere as he watched a painted mare come forth to greet them. Pricking his ears forward he lifted his head slightly as she introduced herself as the queen of this land, or Kahlua for formality. Before he got a chance to respond the two mares were shuffling forward away from the border leaving him standing there feeling totally clueless as to what was happening. Turning his head to the side he cast Kiara a confused look before trying his best to recover and still seem like he was following. Bowing his head in response and in greeting he finally spoke. " It is nice to meet you miss Kahlua."

Parelia had already introduced him leaving him one less thing to worry about but now what was he supposed to do follow them? Strangers who showed up at the border back at the Falls had to literally go through an interrogation before being allowed to set a foot over the imaginary line. Aurelia showing up unannounced had made for quite the show that one time leaving him with second degree burns over his chest and neck. The scars were likely still there from that inferno but with everything going on around that time he likely deserved it. Another unexpected arrival caused these thoughts to vanish instantaneously. "Ilios." He murmured softly feeling his heart ache in longing for his family.

Kiara not being one for intimate mushy moments took this as her cue to move forward only to hesitate at the border unsure if it was alright to cross. Snapping back to remembering what he had come here for he cleared his throat and took a step forward to join his companion. " We are here in the hopes that you might accept us into your home. The Falls has been our home until I was able to come to the decision that my family needed me to be there for them." With everything being said now all he could do was hope that they were not turned away. Would his son still want him in his life after everything that had happened? He had been a terrible father but wanted nothing more than to make up for his mistakes by choosing family over everything else. Would it be too late?


Ciceron talks
Ciceron thinks
Kiara speaks

The Sunshower did not hesitate to return Parelia’s welcome, extending her muzzle to return the touch, blowing a warm stream of air from her nostrils. Affection and closeness were the energy that she survived on, the life in her blood that kept her going from day to day. When all of the pressures of leading the Edge weighed heavy on her, she only need to find a friend to feel better. As for Khan, it seemed he must have found a friend too. His happy caw broke through the trees, though his cerulean feathers were not visible, as he caught site of Penna. He would always regard the falcon, whom had brought him his first meal, fondly.

Going through the normal greetings, bobbing her head to Ciceron jovially as he was introduced and as he greeted her kindly, the queen offered a kind and soft whicker in return. While she might have offered more, she was momentarily distracted by a thump on the ground behind her. Stiffening slightly in surprise, Kahlua swung her head around only to find another familiar face behind her. She had not spoken with Ilios often, but as a member of the Edge, she had seen his face many times. For a moment her smile faltered- almost a reflex at the sight of a child- but there was too much joy in this area for her to really be upset, and so she simply bobbed her head in return to him, welcoming him as a fourth in their gathering of three.

Turning her gaze back to Ciceron, Ilios’ words confirmed that the gray stud was Parelia’s lover. Now, to confirm that he was coming here to stay, to make Parelia’s heart whole instead of halved. She did not have to wait long. Of course, he did not have to wait long for a reply. “Welcome home,” she said almost as soon as he had finished speaking, tossing her head and encouraging him in. She would not have him stranded at the borders acting fearful. This was the Edge- the peaceful herd that invited strangers across their borders to rest and recover, to warm their souls and feed their bellies. If she turned away Parelia’s lover, then she was no leader of the Edge at all.

“We hope you’ll be happy here.” Turning her head back to Parelia, the Sunshower let her blue eye meet the glazier’s. “I’m so happy for you.” Humming softly for a moment, her mind whirling with too many thoughts now, the queen tried to sort out where to start. An item from Parelia would have to come a moment later. First, she needed to help Ciceron assimilate into life in the Edge. “I’m sure Parelia has told you all about the Edge. I hope peace isn’t too boring a goal.” Laughing softly, she settled, happily oblivious to the fact that Ilios had no idea that his father had been planning on living here.

@[Parelia]

.KAHLUA

The anticipation was eating away at him from the inside out just as his fear of unacceptance was. Both in combination was horrible but it was something that was unavoidable. He did not fear the queen not accepting him he was terrified that his son would not accept him after all he had done. If this happened he had no idea what he would do it was just not something he could worry about for he could not move forward in life. He loved his family with all his heart it would be devastating to lose them as they were his life.

Deciding to leave the Falls after all this time had been tough but he did not regret doing it. The only regret was not doing it sooner in spite of his promotion that Midas had bestowed upon him. Being Praetor had meant a lot to him but his family meant more. It was not fair to continue leading the role onwards when his heart was not into it but rather pining for his lost family. His goal in life had been to be better than his father and build a family he loved and cherished. Staying in the Falls would not have accomplished any of that so it was time to let go of the things holding him back and take the leap.

A smile broke across his face as Kahlua chose to welcome them into their new home instead of turning them away. It was weird to be accepted for once but it felt incredible. "Thank you! If you ever need anything of me please don't hesitate to ask." Gratefully he bowed his head to her as he stepped confidently over the imaginary border line to make his way over to his family. Offering his nose to Parelia before he turns to face his son. "Ilios can you ever forgive me for being away for far too long? I'm home now and will never leave either of you ever again. He asked lowering his head shamefully for his actions. Kiara watched carefully for a moment before trotting over to sit herself beside Parelia trying to rub her cheek against her leg. Maybe the painted lady wasn't so bad afterall.



Ciceron talks
Kiara speaks

As there gathering grew, it was easy to see that Ciceron’s family was happy to have him. In some ways, the Sunshower felt that she was intruding on this family gathering, a job that Parelia certainly could have done on her own. Perhaps, though, Parelia didn’t feel like she needed help as much as she needed support. Kahlua could not understand the depth of the emotions, of course, but she did know some of the history between the pair, at least what Parelia had shared with her; and, even though foals stressed the painted woman to no end, she could appreciate the amount of love that father clearly had for his son.

Stepping back to allow the two some peace to make up for lost time on their own, Kahlua turned her attentions back to Parelia. Now that business was over, she had… well, more business to attend to. “Parelia, I’ve been meaning to ask you,” she began, gentle blue eyes twinkling in delight as her mind began to imagine the possibilities. “Father Earth sent me on a quest, so that I can make my magic more powerful and help the herd. But first, I need some help from you, if you’re willing.” With a hopeful smile, and never one to beat too far around the bush, she explained. “Would you be able to make me a small jar with a tight fitting lid?”

Tandavi had been so helpful in explaining how to get the job done, now she only needed the help of good friends to put the plan into action.

@[Parelia]

.KAHLUA

“Oh!” the queen started with a short little smile, laughing at herself for her own foolishness. “I’m so sorry- you agreed to be glazier and then I never even taught you how! I’m so sorry!” Shaking her head, she offered a sheepish grin to Parelia, hoping the pretty woman would forgive her the transgression. Of course, there was much to learn about crafting, and Kahlua had learned too much through trial and error. Nevertheless, she could try to impart some of the little wisdom she had gained.

“I always imagined what I wanted in my head first- every little detail, every turn and edge, every rise and fall of the glass…” Her voice took on airy quality as she talked about it. Though she was queen now, Kahlua’s one true love was crafting and she hoped and prayed for the day when she would be able to do so again. Perhaps someday, the gods would be kind enough to grant her such a magic. They had always been kind to her before.

“And once I had it pictured, and I could rotate it and turn it in my mind, I just imagined it being formed. The mists always started to consolidate- the Lady Moon must know when she is being called upon.” Smiling broadly, she added with a laugh, “This will be good to practice on, since it doesn’t have to be perfect. But I know you’ll do great!” Shifting her body, she waited eagerly for the mare to begin, for she was certain that Parelia would more than succeed at the task. This would be one step closer to completing what Father Earth had asked her to do.

@[Parelia]

.KAHLUA