The other mare seemed to calm even further in Adelheid’s presence. It surprised her. Most had regarded her fearfully, challenged her, or mocked her or scolded her for….existing. She watched the other grow more and more relaxed as she grew more and more alert. The ability to embrace the role that had always come naturally to her was refreshing. It gave her a sense of purpose. For the first time she could remember, she felt as though she had been given a reason for existing.
A dark ear twitched to her companion. Fun could be had alone? Adelheid looked at her as if she had spoken a different language. Fun is a lie we tell young foals to keep them out of our tails. she muttered venomously. Even her foot stamped again with her conviction and her ears stopped their constant roving to flatten again for a second before resuming their vigilance.
Adelheid let out a breath as their topic returned to something she could actually discuss. Her head tilted in curiosity at the other mare. An odd look of satisfaction smirked across her face. So this other mare was new? This also brought a glimmer of hope and comfort to the dark mare. Whereas Adelheid had been raised on these islands and once knew them better than her own hooves, this mare did not know anything about this land she had found herself on. Pale lips fell then. She realised she had been absent from the islands for so long that they were new to her, too. The land itself had changed its shape. Trees that had once been saplings now stood tall, trees in their true nature. Seasons and years had changed the landscape, just as they had changed Adelheid herself. She was not the filly she had been when she left. Now, she had the chance to change again. Build herself anew. Her heart cringed.
She did not think she had the strength to hope.
It is a series of islands. Adelheid explained absently. This was the smallest of details about the islands. There was so much more to them that was fascinating and more important. I was born here, but have been away so long I guess I could be considered new. I don’t even know if my family is still here… Adelheid was growing increasingly more annoyed by the cringes of fear and concern in her muscles. She could not place the feelings she had toward her uncertainty. For a second, the sight of a falling body crashing down on her covered her eyes while the last words she spoke to her mother screamed in her ears.
Adelheid shook off the memories and exhaled them with a heavy breath. Most of my life was spent in The Peak. Can you tell me about your home? I have traveled a lot. But, like the islands here, everywhere is so different.
Adelheid
It’s Your Illusion - A Fatal Contradiction |