My ears pivot back at the rustling, head swinging to get a look at the child who approached. Wings are draped at his sides, hints of curling horns tangled in a mess of black forelock— he reminds me of the Mountain with his dual horns and elegant wings, wielding the potential to be a powerful ally
"You're a son of Volterra." I tell him, stating the
The question slips past my lips easily, haunting my mind as I stare down at the tribrid boy— it's a question I will grow accustomed to asking all the rest of Volterra's children, wondering whether he's attempting to be any better of a father or still lacking (so far, I'm betting on lacking). "Have you met him yet?" It's distant and unwavering, the beginnings of a deeper (sweeter) voice lingering on the bitter syllables as they left my lips. There was nothing behind the words, a casual, easy volume and tone— this was nothing demanding or extreme, a question that will always need to be asked.
I turn back to the caves, looking deep into the swelling darkness that whispers of breathtaking waterfalls and precious secrets, tantalizing treasure tucked away behind years and years of illustrations and glistening gems. If I enter the caves, I may spend too much time getting lost. I will never want to leave behind the familiarity of the caverns, refusing to return to the surface where Mother's fury burns bright and her hooves and teeth seek my flesh. "Perhaps," I say simply. Perhaps I will succumb to the desire of exploration and curiosity, will lose myself in the winding rooms of the underground and forget about all of my problems while I discover new worlds. "Will you accompany me into the underground? And what shall I call you?" I place a single cream hoof at the border, where the dry plain grasses give way to solid, uncut rock— stepping into limbo, where the surface and the underground clash and reality blurs along the edges of my vision (although my vision has always been a little blurry there in the distance). Let him follow me
"Talk."
@Tyrath, permission from zuno to skip zhu as hes in aa rn