More tasks, more running around. The whole thing was becoming a giant competition on who could endure the longest, and Shadow feared she would be coming up short of... well, everything, rather soon. As she scaled the last stretch of the steep mountain slope ahead of Bolverik she saw black spots dance before her eyes, so big and black and alluring that she feared she wouldn't be able to keep herself conscious. Once plump and muscular sides were heaving from the strain, a once velveteen coat damp and lathery with sweat. The shimmering wings hung limp and listless from her back, feathers dragging through the lush greens they were supposed to collect.

"Are the waters really going to reach all the way up here though?" she panted sceptically, throwing a glance over the shoulder at her partner as she heaved herself over the edge to the vast, flowering meadow. "I'm starting to think Earth is overdoing it a bit..."

Lavender eyes moved forward to gaze across the field, only to make it apparent that they weren't the only ones who had thought of the lush plateau with its multitude of plants. Surely few of those plats could survive a flood, spared as they ought to be from that particular natural catastrophe. Already a big black equine foal was directing its dragon on where to dig, watched from a distance by a mare and foal that made the ratty pegasus' expression brighten in recognition.

"Ampere! Long time no see, friend!" Forgetting that she was exhausted and that she ought to pay more attention to her partner, Shadow trotted over with ears pricked and nostrils flaring excitedly, the wings lifting halfway to hook with the lightning birds in greeting - if the other recognized the mare she had once saved from a humiliating captivity. "You look well... who is this little fighter?" Bright eyes peered curiously down at the foal, eagerly tracing his stout frame before lingering thoughtfully at the spot where a wing clearly ought to have grown. At least her Kari had been whole and healthy...

"We are sure being kept busy... perhaps when all of this is over we might be able to catch up? I want to know everything that's happened since.... since the plague..." Her voice failed then, the smile vanishing as the chiseled head dropped slightly. A heavy forelock, sun-bleached and tousled fell across the eyes as memories weighed it down, and until they parted Shadow returned to the quiet, surly mare she usually was.

Still troubled by her own thoughts she began to half-heartedly collect plants, absent-mindedly chewing down this and that without even realizing what she was doing. Tucking the plants beneath a wing to carry them, she discovered a tall, pale tree standing in glorious solitude amidst the grasses. Shadow couldn't remember having seen it before, but something about it drew her in, pulled her closer; it would be a shame to let such a grand creation drown, now wouldn't it?

"Bolverik, help me reach one of those branches?" the mare inquired, looking around to see where the stallion was. "I want to save this tree... isn't it amazing?"


@[Bolverik]