Don't kiss me if you're afraid of thunder | Laia! Any!

[Nashua]

NASHUA

Popinjay likes to take him higher - she indulges him when the winged yearling laughs for every upward thrust of her wings. Nash whoops and grins, thrilled with the idea of the sky opening up for him. (He loves Taiga - he does but how can any pegasi love the ground when they were destined for the skies?)

When the yearling manages it, when he slips through the notice of his Aunt Brazen or Elaina (never Yanhua - never on purpose with his brother), the little bay mare finds him and delights him by transforming into something far more electrifying and slightly terrifying. They make an unlikely pair in the Taigan forest but a pair they’ve become over the last few weeks as Nash has learned to spread his growing wings and try his hoof at tackling ever higher heights.

His plan is to aim for the Isle; he wants to see the burns and scorched ruin for himself (and the dragon stallion, Leilan). Poppy, as usual, seemed to have other ideas.

They don’t get far into the volcanic kingdom - though Tephra’s icon sits like a jewel in a crown in the background - when the mare cackles and dives and grins when she thrusts him into an upcurrent he hadn’t been prepared for. Nash doesn’t completely spiral to the ground but his ability to fly is still limited to only short spurts and he lacks the grace of a practiced flyer - his movements are too choppy.

It's a moment of pride, though, that he lands somewhat steadily (and on all four hooves - wouldn’t Celina be proud!) on the border of Tephra and Taiga, her proud Redwoods guarding all their secrets behind him. The copper yearling settles his wings and takes in the new sights around him - admiring the birdsong, the unfamiliar scents and.. voices? The boy follows the sound to a pair of fillies - twins? - and tilts his head as he emerges from behind a rather large fern.

He’s about to tease them about strangers. Nash has never met one in his short life. Every horse he comes across is a new adventure. Instead he says, "you could say hello,” with a rather cheeky grin.

and for every king that died
they would crown another

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@[Locheed] @[Laia]