Ever the guardian, she watched as he rose from his position, almost moving to position herself beneath his great bulk in order to prevent his collapsing back down to the earth below when he swayed. But he regained his steady footing, and Mirage too recovered what composure had slipped as worry peeked through her otherwise cool mask. It was impossible for her, she concluded, to ever hide completely from him, and though that same thought had resounded within her cranium numerous times now, she finally seemed to digest it, accept it. And was surprised when she found herself comfortable with that fact.

It was curious to observe the way the roles switched so easy, as the friends provided comfort and wisdom to one another with a natural cadence. First, the mare tended to the stallion’s wellbeing, and now the stallion lends the strength of his words to her. As his rich tones speak, ideas and images suddenly come to life in the mare, but they are a jumble, a confused mass of wants, and faces, and hope. They rush through her mind so swiftly that the maiden fears she would not retain them all – until he touches her. A touch so soothing, and calming, and comforting, that everything falls into place in a sudden onslaught of realisation.

“The Qian.” Immediately she knows the name to give it, this dream of hers. Unwittingly her eyes had shut, as she had focussed upon the internal churnings of thoughts and emotions; similar to when she was discussing something deeply with Akaith. But the golden queen was relatively silent for now, though aware of what her bonded was going through, she was busy gathering game. Aureate eyes then peeked out from their inky folds, a smile openly curving her lips now, making the lines of her visage softer, friendlier, and far more beautiful than the steely façade of indifference she usually wore.

“Would you ever call me your WeyrLeader, Vikram?” It was a curious query to pose, but the mare longed to hear his reply, longed to know if he would understand the implication of her question. He had said we, and she knew, at least she hoped she knew, that he truly did mean together - there were few others she could ever hope to build her dreams with. The namesake of her title was draconic, as was most things with this shadowy mare, and she hoped he knew enough of dragon lore to recognise the rank. That he might accept her in it would realise but one of her dreams.


[Technically the quest started before the whole drought, even before Mirage helped the Tuuli invade - I got the idea to make them have this conversation and thus, the Qian are born..
But lemme know if you want it to go another way xD]