Amaris thought herself ready to face the land she once called home. She thought her defences were strong, her will to support her cousin was tough, her desire to help her new home stronger still. She thought it would be easy, to slip into the role of advocate for another herd, to be happy and pleasant and comfortable around those who she left behind.

But she was wrong.

It was so, so much harder than her defences were ready for.

Just the sight of Kaj, the stoic, unflappable stallion who would never leave his home, who would forever stay and guard the borders, protect those whom had entered his heart, defend their rights and comfort them when they were weak. The pale girl's knees almost buckled as his form became apparent amongst the constant presence of fog and mist, because all she wished to do was find comfort in the embrace of his generous wingspan, to press her golden form amidst his feathered appendages and feel the comfort of the Edge enwrap her in its misty caress once more.

But she did not, could not, would not.

Their eyes lock, as the girls hear the news of her sister's presence amongst the misty trees, golden pools clinging onto the impossible abyss of her cousin's stare. Their expression is mimicked, the sheer disbelief of it cascading across the silver dragon that marks her face, a constant reminder of the existence of her sister of blood and heritage. As Tandavi gathers herself, so too does the guard return to the dragon-girl's façade, her scaled features taking on that hardened edge as she accepted and digested the news of her sister's return.

Amaris knew Semira had travelled, just as she herself had, but then why hadn't she seen her? Surely the silver dragon-girl would have thought to explore and discover, to find the members of her family. She came to the Edge, Amaris thought guiltily, maybe because she didn't think she would ever have to look elsewhere.. But still, that hadn't stopped the golden one from finding her crimson and gold-splashed cousin, from joining the herd she now led, from doing whatever she could to support her beloved cousin in this life. Amaris was hurt by her sister's actions, or inactions, hurt but also plagued with the guilt of knowing she herself hadn't returned to the Edge for fear of rejection - even though now, all they were met with was welcome.

"Thank you, Kaj." Her warm, honeyed tones mirrored her own mother's, as she regained enough composure to soften the sharp edges of her façade and offer a smile. "I'm sure she'll have heard my call already," dragons knew how to recognise each other, and the unique call of Amaris was shared only by her sister and father. The thought that truly terrified her was that, upon hearing her call, would Semira ignore it?

The arrival of another added strength to the girl's resolve, as she subtly leaned closer to her FireDancer cousin, shoulders barely touching, but brushing all the same. Tandavi speaks, and Amaris nods to support her words, picking up where her cousin fell silent to add with smooth ease, "we are happy to fulfil any reasonable payment you would have of us." The thought of offering payment was met with some trepidation, though the dragon-girl hid it well; her mind was too preoccupied to spend too much time worrying what the Edge might ask of them in return, or worse still, whether they might refuse entirely.

No, Amaris' mind could not shake the image of her sister, leaving them to stand alone (but together), as she joined a new family, a new family who also happened to be their old family.

Amaris didn't know who to hate more at that moment.

Daniel Schiersner @ flickr & larfsalot @ deviantart