As Oswin swam for Atlantis, she swam alone. As she had anticipated, Filumena did not wish to be parted from the Peak and Oswald, ever worried over his sister’s boldness, wanted to stay with her. If Oswin had time alone with him she might’ve guided Oswald aside and reminded him Filumena was not the young filly she once was, but was growing and maturing into a headstrong young mare. She was going to need to learn her hard lessons on her own and he wasn’t always going to be able to help or prevent those things from happening. But as both children stood side by side, Oswin only nodded and accepted their decision.

She had raised Filumena to be a daughter of the Peak; maybe in Oswin’s absence, she and Tyr’s daughter could be the warrior there that Oswin no longer could. Maybe that was only what she told herself to comfort herself on the matter even as she affectionately loved each of her children before parting. In a couple seasons she might draw herself back, cross Oswald’s path and convince him he could live a life for himself, too. That she thought he might find Atlantis fascinating and would love to learn about the island with him.

For now, though, the gold and white mare crashed into the waters and swam for the tropical isle, heart in her throat as she did. Filled both with excited anticipation at joining Tyr in their new venture as well as lingering sorrow at parting with her children, Oswin’s white legs cut through the water and carried her across the channel. It felt good to feel again. She had been numb for so long, a husk of herself, so desperate to feel something she’d even lingered a time or two at the sharp drop-off of the Peak and contemplated falling. The times had been dark, but she firmly believed (and hoped) those might be behind her. That she was finally waking up from the depressive fog her identity crisis had plunged her into.

As she climbed ashore she shook the saltwater from her coat, snorting droplets from her pink nose. The air felt somewhat heavier here, warm, like a tangible thing pressing gently down on her. It was comforting as opposed to sweltering, and she adjusted to it as she trailed slowly up the soft sand beach.

She could smell Tyr, though she could not yet see him, and just his scent alone was a comfort to her. Here, woven among the sweet-smelling jungle flowers and ocean breezes, his masculine cologne seemed perfectly complementary to its surroundings. Oswin drew herself to a halt in the shade of the jungle trees, shaking a few more droplets of saltwater off her body, looking up and down the shoreline and sighing with a strange feeling of content.

This… this felt right.

oswin
this is as brave as I know how to be.
I know it’s gonna hurt you, but please… be a little proud of me.