Since being named the godmother to the child resting still unborn in her heart-sister's belly, Rowan had devoted all her time to the little fae. At first she had been secretly fearful that her strange ways with emotions would keep her from being the godmother she desperately wanted to be, but when she had first set eyes on Skysong's frail newborn form, her heart had pulsed and for the first time in years, Rowan had felt emotion well inside her chest. Sohalia and Skysong were the only two within her heart who held her love, and she had never felt closer to any other beings. Skysong was growing ever larger and more independent with every day, and Rowan knew with a quiet understanding of which she spoke to no other that the babe was growing tired of Sohalia and Note's overbearing protectiveness. Rowan had developed a protectiveness of her as well, but she knew better than to stifle her. As a filly, she had been a reckless, hot-headed devil that was always wandering off. It had taught her many things. What would happen if Skysong did not get out, see the world? Would she rebel even more than a normal child? So Rowan had allowed the sweet cherub free reign whenever Sohalia left her in the care of the brilliant woman.

Here she came, bounding across the sand with long limbs that would make her an elegant mare when she blossomed into adulthood. Bright dual painted eyes found her own calm dark oceanic gaze, and a warm loving smile curved her chocolate lips. Skysong had brightened her world like sunshine, and Rowan would kill anyone who would dare to try and blot out her little ray of cuteness. Beauty had kissed her, and Rowan adored her more than anything else in the world. So when the sweet doll came to her side as she often did on mornings such as these, Rowan turned her head and bent her neck down to brush her dark muzzle lovingly over Skysong's forelock. Brushing the touch down the bridge of her face to her muzzle, Rowan laughed softly at her question. The happy go lucky fae still could not quite pronounce her r's, but Rowan was not looking forward to the day when she would be called by her name and not the loving title of Auntie. "No, my child. It slowly ends, and turns into forests of green, rolling hills with dotted flowers of every color imaginable. There are oceans and rivers, swamps and snowy lands. The desert is a mighty thing, but even it cannot go on forever."

The patient lass weaved her words in a way that would hopefully sound enticing, wishing to paint the images in her mind simply through the syllables. Humming softly to herself, she began walking, knowing the curious little girl would follow her. Curled blonde mane curved attractively over her shoulder as she tilted her crown to keep her eyes on Skysong, visage soft and loving. Parental, almost. "If you would like, I can take you to the border today and show you the meadows and rivers I speak of? Would you like that, little one?" Had Sohalia taken Skysong out of the borders yet? Rowan didn't intend to take her out of sight of the patrols, just enough to show her the edges of Thistle Meadow and the Heart. Skysong would be safe at her side, and Rowan was a stubborn soul that would not let Sohalia keep Skysong from growing and exploring. She loved her sister dearly, and knew the pain of losing her other child drove her to keep Skysong under lock and key. But Rowan would fight her every step of the way, because she loved Sky and she loved Soh too. If her sister could not see that Sky was starting to grow unhappy, Rowan would sneak her darling goddaughter away as often as possible in order to take the blame for her adventuring.

Rowan had never loved someone else as much as she loved her goddaughter.

::ooc- amg Rayo you have just given me her muse back, I love you.

Though she had not come from her loins, and it was possibly wrong to think of her in such a way, Skysong was as beloved as if she had been Rowan's own child. Often she called her 'my child' and 'my darling', because Rowan had never been so devoted to someone so precious before. The youth was like a sponge, soaking up information and dying for more. Rowan always ceded, and likely always would. After all, she was still a Scholar at heart, and to her knowledge was one of the most important things to a person. Who was she to deny her? So Skysong often was allowed to pester and question her Auntie to her hearts delight without a single complaint. More often than not, it was Row who went to go find her goddaughter for a day of play and patient teachings. And why should she feel strange for that? Rowan enjoyed her company as much as she hoped Skysong enjoyed hers.

Maternal touch quieted her hyper niece, and Rowan smiled indulgently down at her. Her excitement and youthful nature was infectious, and Rowan still felt that tell-tale warmth in her heart when the hyper doll paid rapt attention to her words. Of course, the little one had to declare that she had already seen the ocean, and Rowan merely laughed along with her pushy tone. It bothered her not at all, and she tugged gently upon her niece's growing mane lovingly. "Oh dear, I must have missed this discovery! My little Sky is growing up so fast," she sighed dramatically, a glint of teasing in her eyes as she spoke. Though she was already fearing the day the sweet lass would become a mature woman, and only hoped she could prepare her as much as possible in that time. Sometimes she selfishly wished she had been Skysong's mother, but Sohalia was her sister in all but blood, and she would never do that to the mare who had been broken in many ways by the death of Skysong's twin. Said angel was grinning, and the light in her eyes was evident after Rowan's eloquent explanations, showing that the doll would bring up no objection to traveling with her before she even spoke.

Once it sank in, the pretty half-face of a babe began to squeal with delight and race about with energy Rowan envied despite her own young age. Laughing and smiling at the display, she waited until her niece had come to a stop before she spoke once more. The pleading, big dichromatic eyes only helped to cement her decision that had come long before. Laughing she leaned closer and lipped at one of her ears playfully. "Of course, my little Sky. Come along, we have a bit of walking to do before we reach the borders. That is where the desert ends, and where our herdland ends as well. When you pass them, you are no longer part of the safety of the Sun God and our warriors. Do not be discouraged, should you ever want to explore, all you must do is ask me understand?" A promise was woven into her deep sapphire eyes, a silent vow to Skysong that should she ask to adventure, Rowan would be there to protect and guide her.

Walking briskly across familiar crimson sand, she beckoned Skysong with a flick of her tail and an encouraging smile over her shoulder. With the excitement Sky had displayed, Rowan didn't doubt she would come bounding to her side immediately. With her own short, small frame, Rowan would likely have a similar stride to Skysong's. Oh, how terrible it would be if her pretty little Sky ended up taller than her! Rowan would lament her smallness forever should her adorable niece sprout up above her reach. As they walked, Rowan decided she could explain a little more. It seemed she always had questions, and yet Rowan always gave her information she did not know without her asking. "The land of Helovia is vast, and beautiful. Where I intend to take you is known as one of the most beautiful places in Helovia, and the most peaceful. There will be colors you've never seen, and it won't be nearly as hot as the Throat. In the Frostbreath Steppe, there is a substance that crushes easily underfoot and yet is colder than even the ocean. The substance is made of tiny flakes, and yet it is a powerful element known as snow and ice." Perhaps she blathered a bit sometimes, but until Rowan could show Skysong these things herself, she would keep her entertained during their journey with tales of places Rowan would take her. They weren't far from the borders, and already she could see the misshapen beginnings of the wall Kri had ordered to be built. Quickly the chocolate maiden swept her gaze over it, checking for Sohalia and sighing internally with relief when she was found to be absent. Already the air was slowly turning cooler, the sand hardening underhoof. Smiling sideways at Skysong, Rowan couldn't help but be just as excited, if only to see how Skysong would react to these new discoveries.