what if this storm ends?

The gilded mare had remained in the cave, tending to little Safiri the best she could with what she had. She was far too exhausted, growing skinnier than usual – almost in a similar fashion as when she first arrived in Helovia. Except this time her chains had been returned to her, and gifts bestowed as well from her time in this new land. And yet, despite all that, there was still a hollowness in her chest. She hadn’t slept well since the argument with Tembovu, and part of her regretted the things she said, but she couldn’t admit to them. Rexanna was stubborn, and had far too much pride for something like that.

“Mom?” The voice cut through the silence that had bubbled around her gilded frame. Her heart began to beat, hearing the similarities in the voice to Rein. But he wasn’t here – he hadn’t followed her home even though he said he would – and the feeling cut deep within her at the memory. But she couldn’t dwell on that, because the voice she did hear was Kianzo’s. His beautiful voice that she felt like she hadn’t heard in eons. She definitely wasn’t there to experience the changes in his voice from his childhood – the light brilliant sound now changed for a deeper, rich one. And oh, how she wished she had gone and looked for him more than stay here on the off chance that he’d return. Despite finding the perfect location for a home, she was tired of staring at the walls. She felt like a caged bird, trapped within the mouth of the cave.

But when Kianzo called her, she emerged. Her form small, although it wasn’t frail, it was just skinnier from not having eaten enough. Yet, she still followed the voice where she thought she had heard it, hoofstep after hoofstep until she spotted her beautiful golden son among the alcove of the cliffs. She tried to place a smile on her face, but it ended with tired corners, as the creases around her icy eyes darkened in worry. Was he alright?

She moved closer to him, reaching her muzzle out to greet him on his spotted golden shoulders – the marking a combination of her own and his father’s stripes. “Zo.” She cooed to him, aiming to bury her exotic striped face into his dual toned mane. “What is it, my dear?” She questioned quietly to him, pulling back with worry glinting in her eyes.

"Talk."

and I don’t see you—

as you are now, ever again?

Rexanna