Iskra

Let it go, just let it be, you be you, and I'll be me

The moment he heard about it he began the siege upon his mother. He hoisted his catapults with "please" and lowered his blades with guilty eyes and quivering lips. He was ruthless in his assault upon her stony walls, and she was not just an unarmed castle to be overwhelmed; she was equipped with her own defenses, many of which cut into him. He faltered sometimes, but he hunkered down and persevered, adamant, until finally her first wall crumbled, and then the rest.

Together they set off to the Meadows where half of Helovia was gathering in cheer. His excitement couldn't be contained, and so as he walked he popped up like a kernal of popcorn pop-pop-popping multiple times. His body wiggled with energy, head and heels all rolling out in different directions while his downy covered wings fluttered faintly at his sides. If he didn't know better he'd have sworn he saw a smile on his mother's lips, even heard a faint laugh or two. This encouraged him, and Iskra carried on his silly antics excessively, even belting out a shrill whinny that barely squeaked past his nose once or twice.

When they neared, Iskra glanced at Ampere before bounding on ahead, gasping in awe at all the horses gathered and the gorgeous decorations they had brought. Getting mom to agree had taken too much time, so Iskra missed the decorating part, but he proudly carried a yellow flower he'd dug up - preserved in the warmth of the Throat - and trotted over to the tree to donate it. He stepped back, grinning at the turtle, whom he thanked, before turning back into the crowd.

Happily he spied the glowing of his friend Theo, but before he could make his way over to his sandy brother, he caught sight of his actual sister and the down mood she seemed to be in. He didn't know her well. She always had her twin, and she was an age just enough ahead of him that they never played. She always seemed to have it more together than mom though, so he'd always assumed she was okay, but it didn't look that way today. Without even thinking he sidled over to her, bumping her leg affectionately with his nose, his warm breath exhaling steadily as he offered comfort just by being there. He didn't know what was wrong, but sometimes you didn't need to fix that part, you just needed to be there.

"Hi sister. I'm glad you're here." He smiled up at her, then leaned against her.

Holding onto something we don't need
All this delusion in our heads
Is gonna bring us to our knees