Kind. No one would have ever used that word to describe her in the past. Well, maybe one, but she had disappeared long ago along with whatever love she had held for the hawk mare. Not that it would have mattered much to Sera - the love would not have been reciprocated. But to be loved, perhaps it would have changed her.
There’s no way of telling now, only moving forward.
And that she does, following her green companion into the heart of Beqanna. She passes so many familiar places on their journey… so many memories. She wonders if it is like this for him as well. Do places, smells, sounds, faces… do they cause pain for everyone like they do for her? It seems that he has a past as well, something painful that consumes him, but what was it?
There was time to ponder such things as they walked, but she was sure to put on a reassuring smile each time he looked back to check on her. She was glad that he did not insist on conversing the entire way there as she was lost in her own thoughts. What was she doing? She could almost hear her old self mocking her now. A herd mare? She had been a proud Amazonian warrior… and now this?
She shakes her feathered head at this. She was doing nothing that she didn’t want to do. Where else would she go anyway? The jungle was sure to reject her and the only other home she had known was the gates but that had been so, so long ago. And there were things that had happened there that she never have happened - going there would only rip open well healed scars.
Before she has a chance to finish her thoughts he has stopped and is speaking. She snaps out of her funk to listen, ears pushed forward to catch his words. She looks around, for the first time really noticing where her feet and the stallion had led her. It was nice, definitely had everything they could need. But it wasn’t a jungle, and so she knows it will never truly feel like home to her. She does not say this, though. She puts it from her mind and simply enjoys the scenery for what it is. She looks at her friend, who is obviously pleased, and smiles. It was nice to see him genuinely happy.
“It’s nice. You picked a good place. I’ve always been most comfortable around trees.” She adds the last part as more of a side note to herself. You would think with wings you would want a wide open place, but no, she would take the shelter of trees any day.
He continues his speech about belonging and not belonging. He has big plans, and she feels somewhat upset with herself for not expecting that of him. Actually, she isn’t sure what she expected of him. But she sees the kindness in his eyes and she appreciates that about him. She hopes he will stay that - keep that genuine smile on his split lips forever.
There was nothing that she would fight for right now, maybe her own life; but she thinks that maybe this, this man and his simple dream… well maybe they are worth protecting too. She becomes serious now, smile fading. Her eyes find his. “I promise you that I will protect this place and whoever you may find to inhabit it.” She had broken vows in the past, but this was different. For the first time in her long life, she was doing something simply because she wanted to.
Seraphina