I flick my ears back as I hear small hoof steps. Turning my head slowly, I narrow my eyes, trying to make out the shady figure. I flick my ears forward as I realize this is a foal approaching me. I stand by the last flickering flames, silent for a few moments. I see the lips of the foal move, and the words strike me like a kick to the gut.

"Dad."

The light of the flame reaches the small figure as the child makes it's way towards me. I gasp, a little surprised. "Destry! Where's your mother?" I realize this is something I shouldn't have said. In a moments notice red sparks jump from her dark body, illuminating the area before the red sparks strike the earth. I watch a small flame spark up before the flames die away because of the frigid air.

I step back, a little surprised. The flames had been only a foot or two from my hooves. Snorting, I narrow my fiery gaze. "That is no way to treat your father. I don't care what Mauja or your mother or anyone else says! I've never loved anyone but you and your mother." I shake my creamy mane, thinking I handled the situation quite well. Although I had gone a bit off topic on the last sentences.

Sort of.

With a more softened expression I speak again, giving a more teasing tone to my words. "Besides, you don't want to burn the only horse who can teach you to fly and use your magic, now do you?" I glance at the embers, a single leaf at the very end of a branch. Clearly this leaf had been safe from the tongue of the flames, but not anymore. Gazing at the flames with my fiery orbs, I burn the leaf. In the blink of an eye the whole branch is engulfed in flames once again. I show Destry my right wing, letting the light stream over the burned and scarred flesh. A little piece of my heart was being sewn back together. I had missed my daughter.

I had missed her so much.

"Blah blah blah."

ooc: <3

word count: 357

Destry takes quite a while to speak, and only a few words come from her lips. "B-Basin. Hoorns." Flicking my ears back, I dislike the way the Basin sounds in my daughter's mouth. With a slightly stern gaze, I focus on my daughter's red eyes. "The Basin?..." I swear under my breath, trying to keep Destry from hearing. That would be a big mistake, especially if she repeated those words near her mother. Lowering my head, I stare at Destry with my fiery eyes, my muzzle brushing against hers.

I withdraw my head, and with my next words, I can see Destry is excited. She squeals, flapping her wings."Fly?" I smile, nodding my head. She looks at me, grinning. "Yes, fly. And I can teach you." Spreading out my wings, I show how large they are compared to hers. Her wings were still small, but they would be able to hold her up. "Before you start flying, you must strengthen your wings." I pull my wings up, so that the very tips shoot out towards the sky before bringing them back down. I repeat the process, but constantly changing the angle of my wings. "Now do the same." I toss my head, smiling towards Destry as I wait for her to try it. I fold and flex my wings several times, flicking my wing tips up towards the sky. While I'm flexing my wings, I feel the sudden cold creep across my skin. I shiver slightly, stepping closer to Destry and watching her wings.

I was so proud of my lovely daughter.

But, what would her mother think? At the thought of Delinne I shiver, holding back the tears. I wouldn't cry, especially not in front of my daughter. That would be shameful, especially for me. Shaking my mane, I glance at the last glowing embers of the fire. But, unlike the embers, I will never leave my family. No matter what.

"Blah blah blah."

ooc: Kind of ran out of steam too... lol

word count: 333

Destry watched with intent eyes, watching me flex my wings. I could feel pain course through my right wing, wincing once or twice. I could see the ruby-like colors upon the outside of Destry's wings dance in the light as the unfolds them. Smiling, I watch her closely as she begins to trot in place. Pride filled my heart, and I knew Destry was excited to fly. When she heard be talk about strengthening she tilts her head and squeals. A sad look washes over her face, and I laugh. "Don't worry. Without strong wings, you wouldn't be able to fly. You'd flop around like an awkward goose." I smile, nodding my head as if agreeing with myself.

I laugh silently as I watch Destry try to mimic my movements. Her wings flail about, as though being thrown about by violent winds. Smiling, I watch her dark lips move slowly, forming the word, "hard." Nodding, I knew how she felt. I was very young when my father taught me how to fly. It had been very difficult, but I had been able to catch on pretty quickly. Pulling myself back into the moment, I see Destry's wings catch air. She flaps her wings, the excited expression back on her face. She begins mimicking my movements, although her wings slap the ground a few times.

"Good job! You're getting better." I reach out to brush my muzzle against Destry's forehead, below the small, sharp lump that was to be her horn. I step back, noticing the violent dance-like movement she started with her feet. Sighing, I look at her, smiling. Such a comical little filly she was. My cream tail slaps my pale fold hocks, brushing the ground as I stare at Destry's wings. I watch her wing movements, making sure she did it all correctly. I nod in acceptance, smiling. But she would have to wait to fly. She needed strong wings for that.

"Blah blah blah."

ooc: <3 Destry is so cuteeeeeee 8D

word count: 326