Since her first venture away from the tender side of her twin, Hotaru had tasted the spice of independence and become nearly immediately addicted to its enticing promises. Every step that went undetected as she snuck away from her home, her sister, had given her a rush that made her feel naughty and alive. So she had left the Foothills, borders that did not quite yet smell of home with their changing newness. Instead, the forests of the wild had craned towards her, welcoming her like a well-known and well-loved friend. They knew her secrets, her pains. Every old oak and withered willow embraced her tiny frame, keeping her safe from prying eyes and shielding her from the heat of the sun overhead. Living in shadows most of her young life, heat was still something that made the dual-eyed beauty uncomfortable. Even so, Hotaru was dying to know about the ocean she'd heard about, and though she had no idea where she was going, pale itty-bitty hooves picked their way carefully through the undergrowth that was equal in her small height. The foliage caressed her frail shoulders and hips, dropping loving farewells of bright emerald parcels in her silvery locks. Hotaru did nothing to shake free the leaves that jumbled in her hair, thankfully not tying it up in knots that were awfully common for her Arabian breed. She would never disturb such pretty reminders, after all. Briefly she entertained the thought of the forest really living, breathing, recognizing her presence. Did it love her, as she loved it?

How long she had been walking, she didn't know. She'd started out in the dead of the night, and already the sun was beating down overhead. Shade kept her relatively cool, though the sunlight played tricks with the smooth strawberry of her wind-kissed skin. Eventually, even she could not deny the realization that the trees were thinning, and the sunlight grew harder to evade and ignore. Pushing on regardless, she stared in wonder at the strange ground beneath her hooves. It was...pale. Why was the dirt pale? And why was it all...grainy? Oh Gods! Was this the edge of the world?! Hotaru had heard of something called that, the World's Edge? If she stepped too far out, would she die?! Dual painted eyes widened, and she risked a few more tentative steps forward. So focused was she on not being sucked away into nothingness, which she was fairly certain was the huge mass of blue that stood proudly before her, Ru didn't realize there were others along the beach. What had drawn her eye was the floating speck of umber against the sapphire backdrop of sky, a flying reptile she knew quite well because of Ophelia. Gaping, she watched the dragon twirl and land softly upon the waist of a golden stallion that stood in the horrible nothingness. Squeaking softly in terror- not for herself but for the other fellow- she decided that if he was all the way out there the funny ground surely wasn't dangerous. Stepping out, she staggered on thin legs at the weird consistency of the earth...stuff beneath her. Wobbling, she finally gained her pace and went awkwardly running towards the aureate crafted man. Soft sounds of warning issued from her tiny, white-blotched maw, eyes big and scared as she ran to the edge of the water and stumbled on legs she still hadn't gotten used to. Whinnying softly, insistently, she pawed anxiously at the funny earth. "Mister! Mister! What are you doing?" she cried, eyes starting to tear up with worry and fear for him. "What is this? Is it hurting you?" It looked almost like a big lake, but the salty smell made her ears flicker back uncertainly, dancing backwards to avoid the incoming waves that lapped, to her, in a dangerous manner around her hooves. There was no end in sight, and it made the young girl want to dart out and push the unknown stallion back to safety, soft visage crumpled with so many emotions.

::ooc- oh gosh, that was terrible::

Peacefully he stands there, a glowing canvas of honey and cream that seems to melt beautifully into a single color beneath the sun. Though her fear of the giant watery beast keeps her from thinking much, she finds awe somewhere deeper inside for how calm he is to stand within its depths. Somehow her words, cracked and worried as they are, reach his ears. Though it seems the umber dragon recognizes her presence first, intelligent gaze finding her own. Crown turned towards her and gentle expression is the first sight she has of the stallion's face. It calms her racing heart the slightest, though her nervous dancing from the shallow waves that reach for her does not end. Soft green irises remind her of the gentle summer leaves that crown the Foothills, and they are kinder than any she has seen before. It is almost saddening, though she is not mature enough to know so. Yet fear doesn't enter his gaze even when she cries out to him tremulously, and instead a smile warms his already luminescent features. Bubbling laughter, silver-lined and carefree, echoes from his maw to her ears, and again she quiets further. Something about him is soothing in a way that is unfamiliar to her, and nervous pacing slows. He is like a gentle caress of warm sunshine, and Ru wonders how he can be so brilliant in an environment she deems dangerous and deadly.

Soon enough he is speaking and she learns that perhaps, maybe it is not. Comparing it to the wilds she so loves, Hotaru gazed upon it with the seafoam blue eye that remained unhidden. Again her gaze flickers to him, uncertainty in it. Pacing has given way to stillness at last, and trust is slowly budding on her face. Long leg flashes out, pushing through the water with ease and putting on a show of rainbow and diamond droplets. Entranced she managed a few tentative steps forward, eyes turning to the little dragon that trilled at her so prettily. Though her eyes don't move, she hears Torasin announce his name and his companion's, Kiba. Softly she repeated it, rolling it on her tongue, "Kiba..." They are both so welcoming, and with a little swallow she steps forward into the next oncoming inch of water. It is cold and she gives a little gasp, retreating a bit. Pausing she watched it again, head lowering to look at it. It smells of salt, and when she tentatively sips it she recoils, ears flattening and face wrinkling up at the taste. Looking back up at the pair, she decides there isn't much more she can do than simply try it. Once more she started forward, braced this time for the cold that came. When she is standing in it, unharmed, she blinks big eyes at the stallion and a bright smile finally flourished on her visage. Immediately she does as he had, copying those older than her to learn. One palomino pillar flashed out, creating a small splash that caught the light the same way his had. Giggling to herself, she did it again before catching herself and retreating back into the submissive behavior she knew so well. Smile softened but could not be removed, and she moved to reach her muzzle as high as possible towards Kiba, entranced by his kind eyes. There was no way she could reach him, so small in her own stature when compared to the tall one of the golden stallion. Torasin, she reminded herself, and realized she hadn't said her own name. "I-I'm Hotaru," chirruping softly in reply. Realizing he may be like Raeden, and not want her so close to him, she moved back with an apologetic expression. Dichromatic eyes dropped back down to the water, wanting to revel in his warmth but fearing that the annoyance Raeden always told her she was would drive him away. "She's very cold," she mused suddenly, believing the sea to be female with how Torasin spoke of her. Nose wrinkled once more. "And...she doesn't taste very good...but I like her." Hesitant confession slipped free, smile returning like a tiny blooming daisy.

Afraid to come too close, her eyes- though only one could be seen with how determined she was to hide the other- danced from Torasin's kind face, to Kiba's, to the symbol on his side, and back. He was unique too, just like herself and Tingal. Shyly she dropped her head, eyeing the white mark. "I-It's very pretty..." leg moving to and fro in the water, enjoying the sensation of the cool liquid moving around her. Smiling she wondered if Kiba could understand words like Tinek did, though Hotaru was rather fearful of Ophelia and her all-knowing gaze. "Hi Kiba, you're very handsome," hesitant giggle followed her compliment, used to giving them freely especially around her twin. Raeden flourished beneath praise, after all. Moonlight painted locks glowed silver beneath the bright sun, golden strands of sunlight revealed where she had so desperately tried to hide them. The sea kept her from feeling too hot, though sunlight still bothered her slightly after being born and raised in shadows. Still she remained, still and complacent beside Torasin, eyes constantly moving.

Melodic sound escaped the scaled child perched upon Torasin's body, clearly in response to her own words. Soft giggle escaped her in return, and she nickered at him in return, eyes playful. He entranced her so, this creature, and she found her heart instantaneously adoring him. It was clear in the gentle look on her face, the awed and happy sparkle in her iris. Kiba and Torasin had effectively been folded into the crevices of her heart, and would remain there forever. Though a sheepish look passed over her features when her own reaction to the foul, bitter liquid aroused another bright laugh from the depths of the golden stallion's chest. He was kind and patient, something she treasured in those she befriended. In having been brought about in a home that she passed through as a ghost, Hotaru had been smiled upon by Mistress Fate for her misfortune. For her sufferings, she had been granted beautiful friends of loyal heart and commendable nature. With these encouraging souls by her side, the restraints pressing down upon her wild heart were beginning to snap and strain. Slowly, she was starting to realize that Raeden was not better than her simply because beauty had been laced into her physical vessel. Hotaru had something more valuable. Honesty, brilliance, loyalty. In time she would realize that Raeden's facade was not something to be envious of, but something to be frowned upon.

That time was not today, but the patient warmth that seemed to exude from Torasin was enough for bravery to take hold and poke its head up like a curious critter from the depths of her personality. Her own crown followed suit, and a long tail bumped gently against her nose from Kiba's own movement. A startled sound erupted from her nostrils, only to dissolve into golden laughter. Her name enticed another delightful sound from the dragon, and she couldn't help but playfully rear up and hop about in the water, nickering and puffing at him eagerly. She was still young, still desired to play and run, despite the fact she was nearing her first full season. Torasin turning and lowering his face to her made her stop in her play, ears alert and visible eye bright and attentive. Though she smiled shyly, modestly, as he complimented her. However she knew it was rude not to thank him, and so she flickered her audits and smiled happily. What a treat, to have found such a kind pair on such a beautiful day. "Thank you, I think you're very handsome too, Mister Torasin," she chirruped softly, not knowing a wide range of descriptive compliments for the opposite gender. Even so, sincerity glowed in every inch of her facial features, hoping to instill in him the same warmth that had bloomed in her own chest as he had complimented her. Usually all eyes were on Rae when it came to beauty. Before she could stop herself, happy smile faltered and she sighed softly, kicking a leg idly through the waves. "Raeden is prettier though. Rae is my twin," she clarified upon realizing Torasin and Kiba didn't know her sister. Delicate shoulders shrugged and she looked out upon the horizon. "So...it's nice to hear that," and her voice was a downy soft, painfully naked messenger to Torasin of how deeply he had touched her simply by calling her pretty.

Shaking away the sadness visibly, she began to hop from hoof to hoof once more, not as exuberant as her previous play but still clearly delighting in this new wonder of the ocean. Catching the confusion on his face she giggled and reached her muzzle out towards the marking upon his skin. No verbal indication came from her lips, but it was a clear sign that she had been speaking of him. Dancing came to a momentary pause as Kiba danced right back, little paw-like claws pattering upon Torasin's skin as he leapt into the air and began to twirl and glide above her. Delighted, she laughed and joyously kicked her heels, circling around and around with the brown dragon. Forelegs hopping up and spinning about as she played with the adorable creature, smile as bright as the afternoon sun upon her face. Torasin's words slowed her, but her legs danced and her smile never faded, though it turned sheepish once more. "I would like to be his lifelong friend. May I?" Knowing he was merely joking at the end, but her gaze was serious when she asked. Of course, she could not translate what Kiba said on her own, which is why she directed her query to Torasin instead. Watching him walk away curiously, she only realized she should follow when Kiba trilled musically at her. Giggling she moved her nose skyward towards him, smiling. Understanding what he was saying without words, she trotted eagerly after the intriguing stallion.

Pale pink ears flickered wherever his voice came from, her gait nearly dancing in the fashion of her breed as she happily kept herself busy at his side with Kiba. Soft hum vibrated in her throat as she contemplated her response, no hesitancy left in her frame or face as she let the world roll upon her tongue, testing them. "I live in the Foothills, but I don't stay there very much anymore. Nobody really notices if I leave, so I like to come explore and make friends. I don't really have a job there..." voice trailed off and tiny brow creased. Was she ever missed, when she wandered? Did anybody ever see her leaving, and not stop her? Did they wish she would not return? Had it been Raeden, Momma would have scolded her for leaving and dragging Hotaru along with her. And yet, when Ru did it alone, she was never chided. Perhaps she really was a ghost, a phantom limb nobody wanted. "I don't really know what I would want to be. I want to protect others, but I don't want to be evil...I don't want to be a mercenary, I want to have a family to fight for. People who will notice when I leave, miss me when I'm gone..." Wistfully she stared down at her own legs, still happily moving despite the sadness that plagued her thoughts. This sentence would define her life forever, as it would be the path her heart would take as she grew older. A fighter she would become, but not one who wished for blood on every occasion, or fought for money and not a cause. Hotaru simply wanted to be wanted. That was it. Sighing, she let her face brighten and cast away such thoughts. She was in loving company, a kind brute and a playful dragon whom she had quickly come to adore. Hotaru hopped and skipped down the beach, circling Torasin and jumping to bump their shoulders together gently. Briefly as she danced backwards in front of him, both of her eyes were revealed trustingly to him, forelock dancing back away from her gaze with the wind. It was hard to reveal her snowy silver iris, as if she was blind, and in such contrast with the sea green color of the other. It was a rather pretty mix, the silver and green, but the silver was pale and from a distance was easy to mistake. But she trusted Torasin with this, and instead her eyes found Kiba, desiring for either of them to play with her. Make her feel like she belonged for a few moments, even if only for a little while. It would make returning home that much easier, and suddenly a question was on her lips as she slowed her pace as she jogged backwards slightly awkwardly. "Can I come see you in the World's Edge?" Alliances, families, and wars meant nothing to the pale princess with the elegant face. She was but a fresh flower blooming in this world, and Phaedra had never deigned to tell them that they were not exactly friends with every herd. Life was still a simple case of black and white, the grey areas slowly growing with time.