How is such a smile able to exist only on the planes of Velkan’s dark face?
As Lilliana glances back at him from where she stands, there is no containing his joy and she is glad for it. His happiness pierces through the Taigan fog and Lilliana finds herself mirroring it as she smiles back at him. (It can’t be restrained and it isn’t - if he looks close enough, he might see the faint glow coming from the front ankle and her hind socks.)
A smile like that is worth everything for the pure and innocent joy it holds. Lilliana is standing in this misty forest thinking again that the Mountain isn’t the only holder of powerful magic in Beqanna. She believes, fervently, that there is magic in this too. Untapable, pure magic that makes the Mountain a mere candle to what she believes, that the happiness in this moment, is the full flame.
”I haven’t met a more thoughtful mare than Aquaria,” Lilliana answers. It’s been some time since she has last seen the Ischian but the Diplomat thinks that much hasn’t changed that aspect of the Nereid mare. ”It’s been a while since I’ve last seen her.. But if she has children of her own perhaps they might be playmates of your Donny and Millie.” She has only been to Ischia once and her knowledge of its layout is limited. But maybe, she thinks, there is a chance that the island children romp and play in the surf together. It certainly paints a lovely picture in her mind.
And then she laughs before gladly adding, "But yes. She is absolutely someone you should meet.”
Lilliana pricks her ears forward again and listens as Velkan tells her of his foals. Both children have inherited his proud antlers and her blue eyes glance upward at them for a moment to admire them, imagining the twins he has proudly bestowed them on. One child is Nereid while the other is not and then he discloses their mother, Eva. Recognition lights up her face and she listens as the black stallion speaks of the Ischian Dame. They aren’t together in the traditional sense that families are but they come together to raise their children. They are friends and Velkan has a home.
She is glad for him. Intensely glad for this happiness he has found and the family he has created. He speaks of thinking that between the two of them, he thinks they are raising their children well. Lilliana smiles softly and thinks that there are no more fortunate foals than they with Velkan and Eva as parents.
"Two,” she murmurs. "I can hardly imagine what it must be like with one. But twins..”
It’s not something she can imagine at all.
"Would you like a tour?” she finally asks with a smile, feeling as if she has detained him long enough with all her questions. Family, she thinks and warmly looking at Velkan, there is no amount of gratitude she could say to convey her happiness at belonging to his.
LILLIANA
light me up, i will blaze
like a soul you have saved
@[Velkan] he is the best brother<3