07-21-2020, 08:30 PM
(This post was last modified: 07-21-2020, 08:31 PM by Neverwhere.)
Beryl leans close to @[lilliana] in that shadow realm, although the red mare seems not to notice her, lost somewhere in her own thoughts. Perhaps that's better, nobody knows better than Beryl what can happen when you leave your path too soon, although the thought reawakens the concern for the filly swallowed by shadow and gone... Gods, she hopes gone to Nerine.
Have faith, she reminds herself with a fierceness fueled by guilt. Have faith that the shadows took the girl to safety, no matter where that may be.
And then light pours over them, cool sea air rushing into her lungs like clear water on a parched throat. After Pangea, after the humidity of the forest, the closeness and stillness broken only by the cries of the confrontation they have left, it is a relief to be home. The shadows recede, except one that winds itself into her mane like a fond snake seeking warmth, and blinks its three yellow eyes in a particularly un-snake-like manner. She cannot see it but feels the cool air of its darkness crawl against her skin and flicks an ear back as though listening to words no-one else can hear. Brown eyes blink against the bright light, and as they clear the rocks separate themselves from a stony-faced mare, dark and dappled, pale blue eyes in a white face like the fog that often hides the sun.
Neverwhere.
Beryl draws herself up defensively under that gaze, turns when Lilliana asks her if she knows where her daughter is, and then crumples, shoulders drooping and her proud head falling.
safe
"....No." The word falls from her lips like a stone. The three-eyed shadow hisses in her ear.
friends
There are limits to the knowledge she can glean from them, and she doesn't know if that is her limitation, or theirs, but the shadows hold their secrets.
"I..." What is she going to do, apologize? For losing a child? Her heart cracks. "I'm so sorry. I don't know where she is. They say she's somewhere safe but they won't - or can't - tell me where. It's their nature to hide things." Her head turns away as Neverwhere comes nearer, unwilling to see the expression on either mare's face.
It only takes a moment for Neverwhere to forget her distaste for magic when the sudden swirl of shadows lightens and in the center is Lilliana. Her eyes fall briefly on the young palomino that accompanies her, that returns her stare with fading defiance and then turns away, speaking softly. This must be Eurwen's sister, though there is nothing in their shape to advertise it. She spares little time to wonder, already turning back to Lilliana with a scowl that hides her concern.
"Lilli. You look like shit."
Her words are a disapproving growl quickly belied by the way she presses into her friend, lets her chin rest briefly across the other's back. It has been a long year.
"It's Brennen," now her voice turns uneasy. Necessity does not breed love for the magic net constricting Nerine, "he's been keeping Wolfbane out of Nerine." For as long as he can. Her scarred skin twitches. It's not a perfect plan, but it gives them time. To heal, to regroup, to protect their family and friends, "But he's vulnerable, I think, so we won't be able to do this forever. Something more needs to happen, I just don't know what, and I'm quite sure Lepis will have no interest in discussing that with either of us."
She snorts a rough laugh and pulls away from Lilli, casting a glowering eye on the faint glimmer above them. She is not very interested in having that discussion with Lepis, either. The bald-faced mare has no qualms at all with letting others take the lead and take the risks of that venture, but she knows that not every Nerinian feels quite the same on that count. No... Not every Nerinian. She wonders what they will call the kingdom's people with its seat growing hoarfrost on the Isle. Islanders will certainly not give the right idea of who they are or where the majority live. Lilliana had been wrong to think queendom had suited Neverwhere, but she had certainly been true to herself to hope. For her part, Neverwhere had always known it would come to nothing and there is a relief to be freed of their expectations. Their disappointments she does not care to bother with.
Have faith, she reminds herself with a fierceness fueled by guilt. Have faith that the shadows took the girl to safety, no matter where that may be.
And then light pours over them, cool sea air rushing into her lungs like clear water on a parched throat. After Pangea, after the humidity of the forest, the closeness and stillness broken only by the cries of the confrontation they have left, it is a relief to be home. The shadows recede, except one that winds itself into her mane like a fond snake seeking warmth, and blinks its three yellow eyes in a particularly un-snake-like manner. She cannot see it but feels the cool air of its darkness crawl against her skin and flicks an ear back as though listening to words no-one else can hear. Brown eyes blink against the bright light, and as they clear the rocks separate themselves from a stony-faced mare, dark and dappled, pale blue eyes in a white face like the fog that often hides the sun.
Neverwhere.
Beryl draws herself up defensively under that gaze, turns when Lilliana asks her if she knows where her daughter is, and then crumples, shoulders drooping and her proud head falling.
safe
"....No." The word falls from her lips like a stone. The three-eyed shadow hisses in her ear.
friends
There are limits to the knowledge she can glean from them, and she doesn't know if that is her limitation, or theirs, but the shadows hold their secrets.
"I..." What is she going to do, apologize? For losing a child? Her heart cracks. "I'm so sorry. I don't know where she is. They say she's somewhere safe but they won't - or can't - tell me where. It's their nature to hide things." Her head turns away as Neverwhere comes nearer, unwilling to see the expression on either mare's face.
It only takes a moment for Neverwhere to forget her distaste for magic when the sudden swirl of shadows lightens and in the center is Lilliana. Her eyes fall briefly on the young palomino that accompanies her, that returns her stare with fading defiance and then turns away, speaking softly. This must be Eurwen's sister, though there is nothing in their shape to advertise it. She spares little time to wonder, already turning back to Lilliana with a scowl that hides her concern.
"Lilli. You look like shit."
Her words are a disapproving growl quickly belied by the way she presses into her friend, lets her chin rest briefly across the other's back. It has been a long year.
"It's Brennen," now her voice turns uneasy. Necessity does not breed love for the magic net constricting Nerine, "he's been keeping Wolfbane out of Nerine." For as long as he can. Her scarred skin twitches. It's not a perfect plan, but it gives them time. To heal, to regroup, to protect their family and friends, "But he's vulnerable, I think, so we won't be able to do this forever. Something more needs to happen, I just don't know what, and I'm quite sure Lepis will have no interest in discussing that with either of us."
She snorts a rough laugh and pulls away from Lilli, casting a glowering eye on the faint glimmer above them. She is not very interested in having that discussion with Lepis, either. The bald-faced mare has no qualms at all with letting others take the lead and take the risks of that venture, but she knows that not every Nerinian feels quite the same on that count. No... Not every Nerinian. She wonders what they will call the kingdom's people with its seat growing hoarfrost on the Isle. Islanders will certainly not give the right idea of who they are or where the majority live. Lilliana had been wrong to think queendom had suited Neverwhere, but she had certainly been true to herself to hope. For her part, Neverwhere had always known it would come to nothing and there is a relief to be freed of their expectations. Their disappointments she does not care to bother with.
