our hearts know deeper seasons than our memories; ALL

[Eva]

your waves are pulling me under
i'm caught in your riptide

She feels a knot tightening in her throat. A rush of anxiety fills her head with thoughts she knows she should not be thinking. Now was not the time she should be considering or even finding a reason to avoid what she was going to be doing today. Her golden gaze drifts to the ocean. Calming waves crash against the shore of the sea. For a moment, Eva considers making a break for the water. Running away from it all and not facing the path she has decided to go down. It sounded all too good, especially right now. A soft call catches her attention. The nereid turns to look towards down the beach from where it comes. In the distance she sees Larke, the kind soul she liked very much on their first meeting. The mare who asked her to co-lead. The same mare she was going to be changing everything she had just recently agreed to. Eva looks back once more to the waves that crash in front of her along the beach. She considers her recent idea again, but her heart pulls her in a different direction this time. There was no going back now. This was her chance to make things right for the Island. She had a responsibility to the residents and her home first. Turning away from the view of the open-wide ocean, Eva makes her way down to where Larke is waiting for everyone to gather. A soft smile curves her lips slightly. She tries to put on a welcoming face as she comes closer to those who are gathering around for the meeting. It was hard for her to contain her emotions. Her eyes give it away easily, her mind is filled with anxious thoughts, but her heart is filled with confidence and assurance as she takes her place next to Larke. She glances to the mare for a moment. The nereid wants to say something to her, but she is lost for words and Larke is already opening the meeting and welcoming all of those that have come. Eva blinks and moves her attention to those that have gathered. She looks across the crowd, considering each and everyone of them. Those that are family, friends, and newcomers calling Ischia their home now. The nereid listens carefully as Larke continues. Her heart drops at the mention of the grey mare naming her co-leader of Ischia. A heavy feeling of guilt fills her, but she knows she cannot change her mind now. Eva will not let herself carry a feeling of regret without doing what her heart says is right to do. It is for the island, she thinks to remind herself of why she is here and doing this. “Welcome family and friends, new and old,” she greets once Larke is done speaking. “I am sure many of you have felt confused. Perhaps even uncertain about the changes that have been made within our home.” She pauses for a moment, feeling her heart beating heavily against her chest. “Perhaps some of you have felt deeper concerns for the changes that have been made by those that do not call Ischia their home. Regardless, it is not for anyone else but those that call the Island their home to make their choice on who leads them.” Eva glances to Larke for a moment with an apologetic smile. She knows this is the first time Larke will be hearing such a thing. Part of her wishes she hadn’t done it like this, but Eva knows it was the right thing to do. It was the Island who should decide who rules them, not the Kingdom who never asked them. Focusing back on those that came to the meeting. “It is your choice to decide the future of your home. Choose someone who will lead Ischia to be fruitful. Choose someone who will protect the interest of Ischia. Choose someone you can trust to look after all of you.” Eva then falls silent. Her gaze glances across the residents of Ischia. Waiting for anyone to speak up and share their thoughts on what she has brought to the table.

Eva

lady of ischia