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She smiled to herself as she made her way up the beach, slowly plodding along through the sand to the gentle hum of a wordless tune. Water still dripped from her belly and weighed down the milky white curls with salt and brine, so thickly indeed that the silky strands gave off a crisp, crunching sound whenever she turned her head. The wings too were coated with the stuff, but it had yet to even begin bothering her. The experience beneath the waves was still fresh in her mind, the sights and realizations so fresh that all she could manage when thinking back on the adventure was a silly, sheepishly excited grin. The stalk of seaweed that had allowed her to breathe under water still tangled in her mane; she hadn't decided what to do with it yet, wasn't entirely convinced it wouldn't disappear eventually too, like all the other ones had. Throwing it away until she knew for certain was however unthinkable. It was no glowing orb of power, but to the girl it was far more valuable than any gift of magic she could think of, because it would allow her to return down into the deep darkness and behold once more the wonders that dwell beneath the surface. The very thought made her giddy with excitement, and it was with a very bright mindset she slowly made her way along the beach.

Believing Kis to be gone into the sea again, it surprised her to see the peculiar creature stand on the beach not far away, turned towards the sea. Only, he was not alone. Erthë's heart made a somersault as she recognized the exquisite being that stood beside him, Her features as always so beautifully perfect that the filly wanted to laugh and weep at the same time. The contented smile on her lips spread into a wide, delighted grin, and without hesitating Erthë altered her course, drawn to the presence of the Goddess as a moth to flame.

"Lady!" she said, bright and happy, eager to reach her most beloved god's side. Maybe she would be acknowledged today, like so many times before. If she was lucky, if the Lady wasn't too busy, perhaps she could earn a glance, a smile, a flick of the tail in recognition of her presence. Maybe she would even be able to exchange words with the Moon; it would be a treat far beyond anything Kisamoa could ever provide.

But Erthë wasn't alone in noticing the odd combo, and the space around the Lady was soon filled with milling people that filled the air with greetings and introductions, offering names and displaying relations that made the swan-winged lass do double takes as she sought out their faces. The light in her eyes dimmed as she considered two young colts, one somewhat familiar in appearance while the other was unknown to her. Nephews, they called themselves, and the implications wasn't lost on her. Relatives, sons of a mare called Aithniel... Sons of a demi-god. Not to mention there were a few of those around as well. Isopia, the Earth's stoic daughter, and... ugh. Mesec.

Something within her guts writhed and brought her to a standstill, slimy green tentacles of milling awe and jealousy twisting on and off as she watched the scene from a distance. They were handsome, both the colts and the god-children. Hardly a surprise there; they carried the blood of gods, their heritage divine in everything but name, of course they would be beautiful. Strong too, no doubt, blessed with all sorts of skills - she could not even begin to guess at the kind of magic that must surely simmer in their blood, or what heights they might reach as they grew into adulthood.

Who was she compared to them? For all that she was blessed with crown and drape like them, she possessed no strength to speak of, had no profound talent to pride herself in or heritage to brag about. Her father was a nobody, her mother a vagrant, her rank and reputation unremarkable. Hardly worthy of the Lady's grace, quite sure she shouldn't be allowed to even look upon Her face. Had it been a dream, that enchanted moment in the Veins where lavender wings had draped across her back in an embrace? Had she imagined gleaming eyes fixing upon her and her alone, for a few blissful moments one balmy summer night?

It certainly felt distant and far fetched now, in the light of day with horses milling about this way and that. Erthë had scarcely ever felt so small and insignificant as she did now, rumple-haired and reeking of salt and sea, damp and dank and disheveled - twice as dingy looking for the flawlessness of the Goddess. Maybe it would be better to stay in the backdrop, to listen and be quiet and not disturb the nightly queen in her business... whatever it was. The words she imparted upon Kisamoa were obscure, the sentiment behind the seemingly friendly remarks unclear. The young Philosopher twitched in surprise as a graceful hoof made forceful contact with the ground, the effortless change of sand into glass unexpected - what was going on? Was something amiss?