Bright-eyed sunflower girl; (open) Posted on August 27, 2020 at 03:18:49 PM by Ayiana
A blast of hot air burst past her quivering nostrils as Ayiana released a heavy sigh and let her dark amber gaze trail over the scene that lay before her. The world as she knew it was at peace. For as long as she can remember, the Prairie herd was a place of tranquility and bliss. All around her, the knee deep grasses of winter’s yellow bent beneath the soft dusting of snow that marked the last of winter’s grasp. Small cupped ears perk beneath the thick mantle of cream colored tresses that frame the delicate dished curve of her face. All around her, the herd gathered in loose groups, grazing content in the silence of early morning.
Dark eyes fall upon the pale white figure of mother, grazing in companionable ease alongside Darshan. For the most part Ayiana found herself to her own devises as of late. Cassiah and Castiel were growing but even still the yearling twins found new ways daily to get into trouble or cause some sort of mischief. Ayiana herself, try as she might, could only manage their rambunctiousness for only a short time. She gave Larka credit for being able to find creative ways to keep them occupied. Glancing now, she could not help but smile as Cassiah frolicked through the ice tipped oat grasses, sending a spray of crystal in her wake. At least they were not worrying the others. The thought brought a deep furrow to her brow. Though he was far from dying, the ever watchful Ayiana did not miss the freckling of white that dusted his red muzzle, or the slowness with which he rose in the early morning light. Young as she was, fear gripped her at the idea of losing him. However, it was not just Shamwari that she worried for. She did not miss the age that showed in the lines of her mother’s face or the far off distant look that Sanibel seemed to get. With each passing day, she began to blossom into a beautiful prairie rose while the others began to show subtle signs of wilt. It worried her.
Once more a soft sigh blast past her nostrils and Ayiana gives her proud head a shake. She needed to get away, if only for a time. The borders of the prairie, as wide and open as they were, seemed to be closing down around her.
She takes to the surf without a backward glance, afraid that if she stops to search the eyes of those she adored, she might lose the resolve that had eaten away at her heart. It is the first time she has left the protected borders of Luthien. The first time that she had dared to test her ability to swim beyond the rolling surf or shallow river that marked the border of the prairie and the forest. As invigorating as it was, it was also somewhat terrifying. The feeling of the ocean’s cold waters around her drove the air from her lungs. Each powerful stride after another was enough only to propel her a short distance compared to the swiftness of her hooves on hard ground. It was not the chill of the ocean waters in winter that had her body shivering as slowly she dragged her shaking legs from the surf, but exhaustion. No wonder mother never left the Prairie.
Frozen droplets cling to her creamy white mane as dark eyes blink against the sting of salt water that blurred her vision. Paper-thin nostrils flare as she takes in her first deep breath of the main island that only hours ago she had viewed as a distant green rise above the ocean. The scents that overwhelmed her nostrils now were a mixture of familiar grasses and unfamiliar horses. The excitement was intoxicating, giving renewed energy to her weary legs. Sleek tawny neck arches, her small muzzle tucking neatly against her breast as lithe limbs prance through the loose sandy dunes and onto firmer soils. Pale ears tilt forward and back, as the sound of unfamiliar horses assault her senses. Here and there, she catches glimpses of them, loosely gathered in small groups, no doubt for warmth. Like the Prairie itself, the blue gray skies above dusted the exposes grasses and creatures alike with a light layer of white. Small delicate flakes of snow collected loosely in her pale white mane, giving her an almost ethereal look. All around here the world was bright with the promise of new adventures, she merely needed to reach out and grasp it for herself.