"But the dream, the echo, slips from him as quickly as he had found it and as consciousness comes to him (a slap and not the gentle waves of oceanic tides), it dissolves entirely. His muscles relax as the cold claims him again, as the numbness sets in, and when his grey eyes open, there’s nothing but the faint after burn of a dream often trod and never remembered." --Brigade, written by Laura
She had left Byrne, temporary, under the care of another. Her mind had stubbornly told her that there was only one caretaker needed to watch over the playing foals, and that she would have to learn how to spend time away from her son’s side too. He needed to learn that too. But it had simply been too soon.
Amorette had felt uneasy all the time she’d been away from Tephra, upset with herself for making this decision. Why couldn’t she have taken him along on her trip to the field? They could’ve just take an easy pace, no need to rush, and he could’ve explored outside Tephra. But no, Amore had to be so stupid to listen to her own insecurities and let them rule her.
But it hadn’t only brought bad things.
Her trip to the field had been futile, but something within her had brought her to the Den. Perhaps it were her raging mother hormones, and the lack of her son at her side. Perhaps she had just felt that she was meant to go there. The result was the bay with pink roaning filly at her side.
It is not possible for Amorette to turn her back on anyone in need, let alone a homeless, motherless baby girl that deserves a loving home. The ebony woman pauses, in favour of bending her neck and leaning in to brush her muzzle across the filly’s crest. ”We’re almost there, Arden. You’re doing amazing,” she mumbles encouraging to the young girl. Amore understood that the hike could be tiring, and thus she did not hurry her, even though her heart longs to tuck Byrne at her side, just as Arden was now.
Arden just wanted to nurse and be close to her mother, but her mother had other plans. The roan mare birthed Arden, glanced at her, and left her. She was terrified and alone in the forest for no more than two days. It was terribly long days, she did not think she would make it through the night, and she was terribly hungry by the time Amorette stumbled upon her. The ebony mare was gentle, and she allowed Arden to nurse and to cuddle in close to her. She was everything she wanted her own mother to be.
Luckily for Arden Amorette decided to take her in, she took her from the Forest and brought her to her own home, the home she calls Tephra. She did not know much, all she knew was that she already loved her. She trusted and listened to everything the ebony mare told her. It seemed like that had traveled forever, and Arden was exhausted but she refused to let this Momma go. She makes sure that her pelt is always touching Amorette in some way, there was no such thing as being too close.
A smile tugged at her lips as Amorette gave encouraging words to not give up, and continue on there trek. Yes Momma She said with a small giggle. She leaped forward with a burst of energy excited to see where it was they were going. Are we almost there? she asks losing the desire to keep moving. She just wanted to rest.
How could she even have considered to ignore the girl? No, that had never been an option for the ebony mare to consider. The girl needs someone and Amorette was more than happy to step up and provide it. Yes, she had Byrne too, and Kryptic, but she has enough love to share. And thus had the bay and pink girl joined the family.
Hearing Arden address her as ‘momma’ makes Amore’s heart flutter. A miracle. Something so simple sparks a whole lot of warmth and love. She cannot help it but not turn back to press her lips against Adren’s poll once the girl slows down tiredly. ”Almost” she promises, a soft smile upon her lips as she gently nudges the filly’s shoulders. ”Just a little further.”
She could already see the looming volcano, her beacon home. Never did Amorette have to wonder in which direction to go, Tephra’s volcano was there always go guide the way. The ebony woman makes sure to keep her pace slow, so that Arden can keep up. No need to tire the girl beyond what she is capable of, though they do have to go home. Not only because they are safer within Tephra’s borders, but also because Amore longs to see her son.
And it is only when she settles her eyes upon his buckskin and flaming frame from afar that she relaxes completely. They are near one of Tephra’s many streams. Not that Arden needs it, Amore could nurse her just fine, but she herself could use some refreshment. ”We’re home now, little Arden.” With a smile she tears her gaze from the horizon, where Byrne is being watched by another – trusted – watchful eye, in favour of focussing her attention on Arden.
Her gentle touch sends tingles down her back, she could feel the love emitting from her new mother. The fear she once felt was now gone, she had no more worries as she just knew Amorette was going to protect her. She did not care that the pink speckled filly was not hers by blood, she loved her just as much. almost she promises Arden, she sighs out of boredom from this trip as well as being tired. She notices that her pace slowed a bit, but Arden could not complain, it was easier to keep up with.
A large mountain like land piece was in view, she had never seen something like it. woah! she says with curiosity and excitement. Her adrenaline kicks in and she prances passed Amorette excited to see this home she can call hers. They stop at a stream when Amorette says they are home. She scans the horizon and smiles, there was so much to explore! Out of the corner of her eye she catches a buckskin foal who appears to be around the same age. Momma, whos that? She asks moving a few steps closer to the strange foal.
Her first thought had been that the girl must have gotten lost. No mother would willingly and purposely abandon her child. At least, that wasn’t something Amorette would ever think of. Not only does she feel responsible, her heart also already aches when only thinking of losing her son. No, sons. Because she thought of Kryptic as a son too. And now her boys would have as sister to look after and watch over as she grew.
The girl’s sight is met with a soft chuckle, and an amused shake of the head. Little Arden would prove herself to be had full in the near future, of that Amore is almost sure. ”Not so mopey, sweet girl, hang on a little longer.”
Only a child could go from exhausted to energetic and vice-versa. Arden had done so twice already, apparently feeling a rush of energy from coming home. Amorette can only imagine. Many new sounds and smells, let alone the magnificent view of Tephra. A deep breath and the ebony woman knows she is home, the faint smell of fire and ashes.
The rushing water calls her attention. Her head dips towards the surface, gladly taking the refreshment it offers. Though she can see Arden out of the corner of her eye, Amore makes sure to twist an ear in the filly’s direction too, the other moving around alert. ”Hm?” she hums softly, lifting her head from the little stream in favour of looking in the direction Arden is. That what, no who, she sees makes her smile. ”That, my little Arden, is Byrne. Your brother.” Perhaps not by blood, but not only blood made a family.
Amorette nickers softly, her dark eyes focussed on Byrne’s buckskin and flaming form. He’s just like his father. Good thing fire didn’t scare her. ”Byrne” she calls him, moving forward and away from the stream in favour of picking up her son. Time for introductions.
Walking had come easily enough. Running had been even easier, though he was still rather quick to tire. He had also found his voice and used it often, probably to the annoyance to the adults that surrounded him. His curiosity was insatiable. He had yet to venture from Tephra's shores, but his home was becoming more and more familiar with his adventures. He was sure to never stray too far from watchful eyes, but every day that caution became less and less strong within him. He had lots of opportunities to explore, as it turned out. His mother had lots of business that took her from home and with her gone, the first real hurdle to exploration was removed. When Amorette was with him, he wanted nothing more than to stay by her side, so with her leaving it made it much easier for him to find his courage.
The pale colt doesn't know where his mother goes off to (it doesn't usually occur to him to ask), but she often comes back very excited to be reunited, and that makes him happy. But today is different. He catches her smell on the wind that is always blowing inland from the shore, but it doesn't immediately break his attention to the little tidal pool he had just discovered with all manner of creatures living within it. She would come gather him up soon enough, and then he could show her his discovery. But she doesn't come, and soon he hears her softly calling his name. With confusion, he looks up to see her standing some distance away. "Mom! Look what..." he begins to call out but his voice trails off as he spots another foal by her side. The filly isn't familiar to him, and he's confused by where her mother could be. Maybe Amore was watching her while her mom was away, like she had others watch him.
Slowly he closes the gap between them and greets his mother with a gentle nudge. He looks around at the girl shyly, staying close to Amore. His dark eyes move from one to the other, unsure of what to say or even ask, but his uncertainty was apparent.
Her legs were still wobbly, being so new to earth although after the trip to Tephra she has gotten pretty coordinated. She plays about the small stream splashing in and out laughing as she entertains herself. She keeps her eyes on the buckskin foal but her gaze flicks to Amorette as she answers her question. She introduces the foal as Byrne, and notes that it is her brother. Her voice was soft and humble as she spoke his name, she smiles as she could tell the love she had for him. But she had similar love for Arden, quick to take her into her own care, even though she was not hers by blood.
Her eyes grow wider Brother? She splashes in the stream one last time and jumps back onto the lip and locks onto the spotted colt as Amorette calls for him. He was quick to come to his mothers voice, and Arden tucks in close to Amorettes leg. She was nervous to meet him for the first time; as he grows she notices his mane is flaming and it was mesmerizing to look at. He talks to his mother overjoyed to see her again but was caught off guard by Arden.
He nudges his mother and sticks close to her as well, Arden stands on the opposite side. Having a friend to play with would be perfect, but she was still nervous to meet him. What if he did not accept her? What if he did not want to share his mother and Amorette abandons her as well. h....hi she mutters softly as she remains against Amorettes leg. M...My name is Arden. she says with a smile that she forces upon her maw, leaving the sister part out.
Amorette does not wait for Arden to follow her, she knows that the girl will come lang. She simply is unable to ignore the pull her firstborn child has on her. She wants him, and needs him, at her side. Right now.
They meet half way and instantly Amorette drops her head to nuzzle the golden boy, avoiding the flames that lick his crest. She is not scared of them – on contrary, she is secretly thrilled that he inherited this part of Levi – but she knowns first hand that they can hurt. ”Hey sweetheart” she mumbles softly, lovingly kissing his cheek next. ”What did you find today?” Amore knows her son, and thus she knows that there is something he must want to share with her.
Her gaze follows Byrne’s after their greeting, smiling at the bay and pink Arden tucked safely against her other side. Bending her neck Amorette gently bumps the filly’s rump to encourage her. It seems enough encouragement for Arden to gather enough courage to speak up, shyly greeting the equally as shy Byrne. The ebony mare has to stop herself from chuckling, instead forcing herself to watch the two children interact.
”Say hi to your sister, Byrne.” That is all she says. Oh, she wants to say so much more. She wants them to get along – though she is not oblivious to the sibling quarrels that will follow – but she knows to not push them. They had to like one another on their own accord, and not because she tells them to. And she hopes, with whole her heart, that they are aware that she has plenty of love to give, enough for both of them.
