There where times when Talien wondered if she was even a daughter of Paraiso. So many times as a foal she remembered standing upon that high ledge that looked over the valley and dreamed of the lands beyond. Unlike her mother and siblings, her heart had yearned for the wilds beyond the protective borders of Ichiro. There was a freedom in traveling the Mist Meadows, roaming in and between the lands with no care or concern that soothed the longing in her soul. Despite the undying love she had for her parents, she could not help but to stare upon them with envied grief when she surveyed them standing together. Even without speaking the love that shown between the midnight queen and the champagne king was as clear as the soft rays of moonlight that reflected upon the world beneath it. She had thought that Triplestrike was to be her soulmate, the one that would soothe her spirit and bring to her that same contentment that enveloped Carwen and Ichiro. But that had not been. He had left as soon as her womb began to swell with the child within. Left her without word... left without an explanation.

Though she did not at all resemble the copper stallion, even now Talien could see his eyes shining behind those earthen tones of Chiyoko. All the emotions, all the pain, the hurt, the sorrow and guilt... it all shown mirrored in the eyes of her daughter as she questioned the mare of brandished gold. Though she was in the prime of her life, Talien felt age and the weight of the world weigh upon her as she reluctantly closed the distance between she and the beautiful black mare. A timid smile ghosts momentarily across her, tugging the corners of her lips upward as she admires the strength and resilience in the young girl. No doubt she was here despite the warnings of these lands from Ichiro and Carwen. She knew her parents well enough to know that under no circumstance would the guardians have allowed one of their own into Rhaego's lands. Especially not escorted by Ichiro himself.

Chiyoko speaks, her timid words drawing Talien's mind back from her thoughts. "Mother". It was a single word of a title that she did not deserve... not for Chiyoko. Guilt pricked at her soul now as she brings her gaze to meet the searching eyes of the young girl. She is at a loss for words, unable to bring the words to her lips or even capture the understanding of what she wanted to say. There were a million things she wished to make Chiyoko understand. Her sorrow... her guilt... she had always hoped to make the child understand that she had left her with Ichiro and Carwen to provide her with a safe and secure home... she had thought that leaving was best and yet, seeing the girl now, she knows that perhaps she had been wrong.

She asks the question that even Talien could not explain. Her words veiling the turmoil of emotions that danced through her eyes. "I... I..." she begins, trying to discern the words that coursed through her mind. Something that explained her disappearance and presence in the lands of the very stallion that her father hated more than any other.

She blinks slowly, a heavy sigh rattling her very essence. "It is good to see you safe..." she murmurs, bringing her silver blue eyes back up to meet the searching eyes of the obsidian fae. No emotions dance across her face now as she fights against her very heart to remain emotionless as possible. It was better for Chiyoko to remain far from here... to remain in Paraiso beneath the loving eyes and protective embrace of the great champagne king. "I did not believe Paraiso survived the disaster." She finished, flicking her long dark tail anxiously against her hocks. Mentally she prepared herself for Chiyoko's reply, prepared herself for the accusing eyes and insulting words. As painful as it was, she hardened her heart to the sight of her daughter and instead told herself that this was better than anything she could ever hope to offer the girl...