[private] Not quite goodbye || Hestia & Scorch

[Scorch]

The night air bristled with anticipation, as if the spirit of Nerine knew what was to come. The tension reminded Scorch of a certain other spirit, moulded to the form of a leopard; her lips quirked upwards at the memory of the Jungle's patronus. Though no such figure graced these newer lands, Scorch still believed that they lived and breathed alongside their occupants - watching eagerly as the drama unfolded upon their rolling hills.

The filly's voice found Scorch not far from the beach where she stood, as she had not wanted to be far from her adopted daughter this day. They had spoken at long length about the girl's year in Tephra (about proper manners and etiquette, about how they will see her as an outsider and it will be her job to pull her weight and earn their respect as an ambassador of Nerine, about staying strong and not letting the loneliness get to her too deeply), but a goodbye felt different than training.

A goodbye felt... heart wrenching.

Philomena was her first child this life, and the act of sending her away left Scorch awake at night worrying. She'd done the same many times in the past - sending Ea to the Dale where she eventually ruled, sending Camrynn to the Deserts where she eventually ruled, sending Simeon to the Tundra; she'd done her fair share of sending. And not for the first time, the mare wished that she wouldn't be so damn political with the little bits of her heart that walked on four legs; but she's not surprised. She's been a powerplayer in Beqanna since the day she was born. And it hadn't changed for her second birth either.

She answered the call swiftly, joining her painted daughter along the coast - the place that they'd most frequented as a pair, at first playing and cajolling, then learning and teaching in turn. Philomena stood nearly as tall as she would for the rest of her life, and seeing her stoic gaze across the sea caused pride to fill the empty space that grew inside Scorch's chest. She had raised her well... But more than that. More than that. She had an amazing daughter... And she couldn't love her more if she tried.

"I am so proud of you, Philomena." She reached out, pressing her lips to the girl's neck. The touch was prolonged, for was this not goodbye? But eventually the two parted, and Scorch too turned to watch the ocean. "You will always have a home here, daughter. But fare thee well in Tephra. She'll be lucky to have you."