They said we'd burn so bright.
We burn this city and go.
Paradiso refused to leave Maziel's side, even in the comfort of being next to his brother and nephew. He was anxious to stand among the hills and the reeds again, and just take in the sights of the terrain's vast landscape. But the young, spotted stallion knew he had to get through some more terse conversations first. Paradiso wasn't naive enough not to notice Jabari's searing stare. Wherever he went, he could feel his nephew's glare upon him like a hawk. Part of him laughed this off -- Jabari was young and lacked tact. But Paradiso was also kind of proud of him -- he was a proving to be a great second-in-command to his father. Jabari's loyalty was clearly unwavering. There was a time in Paradio's life that he was like that too. But that seemed so far away now.
Paradio's nostrils flared as he searched the Prairie air for Bri's scent, upon asking of her whereabouts. He had told Maziel all about her on the swim over. He was eager to see his old friend again. "A sister? Wow." He said as Jabari perked up. "I'd love to meet her." Shamwari filled in the details about a third child, and that Bri and Everglow were away for the foals arrival. "Congratulations, brother. I'm happy for you." Paradiso said with a genuine smile. He then turned to Jabari, who was hot on his heels as they walked through the reeds and the grass. "And you too, bud. So you do want a sister or a brother?" Paradiso could feel Shamwari watching with interest as Paradiso and Jabari interacted. He shot his brother a playful smirk and a flick of his tail, as if letting him know he could handle his temperamental nephew. Even there were still familial issues afoot.
"I don't know. A brother, I guess." Jabari blurted out after some time. He had weighed the question for too long, trying to decipher if it was a trick. Clearly it was not, but the young stallion was so hesitant to open up to his uncle he took everything the spotted stallion said with a grain of salt. Embarrassed by his brash answer, the painted stud dropped his head into the grass and grazed. Shamwari continued to pepper Maziel with questions, and Paradiso's guard slowly came down. He knew one day he and Shamwari were bound to have a serious conversation about what happened to their relationship, about the decisions he made on behalf of the entire family, about Kasabian and what happened to their mother. But the appaloosa stud decided that didn't have to be today. For now, he could just enjoy being with a brother he did in fact love, deep down. And his nephew. And show Maziel around the place where he was born.
Maziel explains that she hadn't seen much of Luthien, and Paradiso raises his head, swallowing the blades of grass in his mouth before speaking. "We were planning on seeing the Forest before we head home." He adds. It should be no secret that Mariael also held an alliance with Persephone. Shamwari merely bobbed his head. "Good, enjoy the trip." When Jabari spoke next, his words jarring and dripping with his immaturity, Paradiso instinctively narrowed his ears into a bed of mane atop his poll, clearly showing his displeasure. But Maziel took it all in stride. Paradiso took a step nearer to her, pressing his nose to her shoulder as she spoke and broke the news. His brilliant blue eyes studied his brother hard now, but Shamwari did not seem too perturbed by this information. "Thank you for coming all this way to alert me. And please thank Mariael for searching for her." Shamwari said calmly. "I actually searched the Inlet too, and found no signs of her. But don't worry Paradiso, you know your sister. Much like your mother, she is a survivor. She'll turn up when she's ready."
Shamwari then eyed Jabari warily, with one ear lobe flicked back against his own poll. "It's so good to see you, Paradiso. I really hope we'll see more of you in the future." The chestnut stallion said. Paradiso was standing so close to Maziel now, he could feel the heat from her body against his own barrel and shoulder. He swallowed hard again and cracked a short smile. "It's good to see you too."
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