Falls

She had fallen asleep pressed against Iris’ warm body, her sweet scent brushing over her senses with every breath. As much as she wished she could have said more after a simple yes to Iris’ request, the Vulcan could not bring herself to find more words than what had been spoken. For too long, her speech had been rough and icy with any who had approached her. So few had been able to thaw her soul to touch the beating ember of her heart. Even they would never have known the impact they had on her being. Now, with her neck draped across Iris’ shoulders, she could not articulate what she wished and knew no matter what she said, it was not what Iris wanted. What she wanted, was to see the stone walls open the gates and let her walk in to see what they protected. As the night fell and the sun slowly started to lighten the sky Adelheid’s breathing started to deepen as she stirred awake. Gently, she pressed her lips against Iris’ cheek. Follow me. she whispered low, her voice struggling not to quiver.

With her ears flicking with uncertainty, the dark mare took the first steps down the familiar trail. The way out of their alcove was one taken daily, but as she traversed the worn dirt paths, she slowly started to recall how rarely she had taken these once memorized adventures. For a time, she lost herself in the memories of her childhood. Before her, she could almost see the back of her long lost friend, and the dreamy face of her sister. A rare smile tugged at the warrior’s lips and something more stirred in her chest. She heard the laughter of her childhood, the joy of her best friend’s voice, and saw the chocolate brown face grinning in her memory, beckoning her further, encouraging her to trust her steps now, as she had in years long past.

Chewing on her tongue, Adelheid did not speak much as she led the way to the falls. She did not doubt her companion knew the way to the favored spot on the island; still she started to take turns down less traveled paths, her steps starting to quiet in grass instead of dirt. Soon, they came to a small clearing of a modest cascade. Compared to the mighty falls that captured the hearts of the island’s inhabitants, this one seems almost disappointing. At least until one took the time to notice how the dew and the droplets coupled with the morning’s vibrance created dancing glitter in the air around them.

Closing her eyes, Adelheid stepped forward to stand beside the glistening rocks. When her dark blue gaze opened again, she focused back on Iris and willed herself to take another chance to trust someone. As a filly, my friend and I would come here all the time and get lost in the cascades. Our mothers knew where we were, obviously, but… my friend would tell stories of fairies and magical creatures. She would claim they lived in the creaveses here, and they tended the moss and the trees, and that was why this place was always so bright. Her small grin returned. With each heartbeat, her coat began to collect the droplets, the touches of the fairies Taika had used to say. She looked back at the small waterfall, suddenly feeling foolish at wanting to show Iris this place so dear to her. Once more, she could hear Taika’s laughing voice, teasing her and tugging at her heart. This time, when she turned around she expected to still see the ghost of her friend. Instead, in both her mind and before her, she saw Iris’ face, wet with the magic of the falls around them instead of the tears and sorrows that had filled the first seasons of their time together. Now, as Adelheid was not desperately trying to reach out for her childhood long past, instead she stepped forward to brush against her here and now, and the soft skin of Iris.