Sohalia

the Transcended

Truth be told, the Transcended was a bit nervous to stray from the Dragon's Throat. She had weathered some time there by now, and had given birth to her final child (though she didn't know yet that Vinati would be her last); and though things seemed to be going well, and she didn't seem to be in danger of disappearing again, she worried all the same. It had happened too many times before. She would leave the safety of home and not return for seasons on end, alienating her mate, her children, and her herd (memories of Megaera's less-than-friendly welcome pushed rudely into her thoughts). It had happened before, but she would rather die than allow it to happen again.

No, she was more deeply rooted than ever in the Dragon's Throat, and she was not about to go anywhere. At least, not permanently. Not even for more than a day. For one, she had Vinati to feed and care for; for another, she simply had no desire to be away for that long. Each day that Gaucho did to see her among his herd was a day that doubt would grow in his heart. When things were going so well, she was loathe to allow him any chance for insecurity.

Still, Aleta was alone with Kaj in the Hidden Falls, and the Transcended was growing more and more guilty that she had all but disappeared from the girl's life. It was a challenge, to live a lie; she knew that Gaucho had sired other foals, but he did not know that she had borne a daughter to any other than him. Well, he knew about Note, but somehow that wasn't the same. The mare thought it possible that he would view Kaj's paternity as a betrayal. Particularly when the steed had offered Gaucho's former mate shelter without even bothering to send word.

But Aleta - oh, what to do about the little lighting girl?

And so the Transcended made for the border of the Throat and began a trip to the Falls. She took flight amongst the dunes some way from the oasis, soaring easily over the short expanse of sea that separated their herdland from the rest of Helovia. It was not until she saw the Heart Caves yawning beneath her that she thought it might be time for a rest (she had, after all, given birth fairly recently).

Astraeus remained airborne as his bonded touched down gracefully near the opening to the underground caverns. Wanting nothing more than to stretch his wings, the zephyr had welcomed the idea of a trip across the land. Sohalia, on the other hand, was suddenly questioning her plan. If she was tired already, how was she to make it all the way to the Falls and back before she was missed?

A quiet voice caught the mare's attention, and she found herself soon approaching a black-and-white painted pegasus. The stranger seemed distressed, a small owl perched before her with a somewhat quizzical expression. Sohalia hesitated, not wishing to intrude; but then her curiosity got the better of her, and she finished her approach. "Excuse me, but - are you alright?"

"Talking."
-Astraeus.-