When there's madness, when there's poison in your head
When the sadness leaves you broken in your bed

He was old enough now to both understand the sound that signaled a herd meeting, and to take upon himself the duty of attending. There wasn't much foals could do for a herd besides grow and come to learn its values, and even with that Iskra had a rather lackadaisical approach, much more involved with his own games and routines of play. Still, Iskra paused in his current adventure (chasing a horny toad across the rocks), half grown tail wiggling at his rump with curiosity as an ear flicked at the call.

"Weeeelp, there's another one," the colt complain-sighed to Squishy, the dutiful golem bumbling along at his side. "C'mon, we don't wanna be late!" With that Iskra kicked up his heels and took off, tearing across the desert landscape - the golem trudged on at normal pace.

As he approached, some had already gathered, and Iskra threw a greeting to the foals he knew. "Hi Saoirse!", yet he's looking for the illuminating halo of Matheo, or the unmistakable laughter of his older brother. His mother catches his eye, but he doesn't want to endure any lectures today, so he keeps the crowd between them. Instead Iskra sidles up besides Melita, nudging her in a friendly gesture. "Hiya Mel, how goes it?" He always enjoyed being around she or her sister, they had a pleasant aroma, and personalities to match.

As the rest of the herd amassed they quieted down for the announcements. Iskra schooled himself into the best posture and appearance of attentiveness he could manage, though truthfully his mind was wandering, frolicking among his imagination and desires, non of which included this. He was happy to talk with his friends of course, and mingle with his family, but this was dull. One word however caught his attention, his mother's name. His head snapped around, teal gaze skirting the gathering as he watched the blue mare move forward to stand beside the Sultan, freshly crowned. His mouth gaped slightly, where it continued to hang as she nonchalantly addressed the herd. After all, Iskra had never know Ampere before everything went to hell. All he knew was she could barely manage herself, much less a herd, and while she had been improving recently, he couldn't shake those early memories of loneliness and loss. He didn't hold it against her, exactly- he knew she needed help, something he tried his best to offer, but was she really... a Sultana? It felt like just last season he was standing shoulder to shoulder with Matheo as his mom, Aithniel, rose up.

Life was weird.

Iskra

I will hold you in the depths of your despair
And it's all in the name of love