i dream in phosphorescence Posted on March 9, 2024 at 02:22:33 PM by Helios
𖤓
The russett stallion flew along the tall ridges of dunes that were his home’s namesake, his hooves a blur as they propelled him over the sand. Hot blood pumped vigorously through his veins as Helios raced along. He had needed the exertion, the thrill of the run. Perhaps giving his body a singular purpose would allow his mind the space to mull over recent events.
Athe the turn of summer to fall, against all odds, Starlight and their child – a filly called Solaire, he now knew – had returned home unchaperoned. The painted mare hadn’t much able to elaborate much on how it happened, but, for now, it mattered little. They were home. Surely there would be consequences for Starlight’s escape at some point. The Arabian imagined Raegar wasn’t a fan of things happening outside of his knowledge or control. They would likely pay for it somehow. Even with that looming threat in his mind, Helios was overjoyed to have them home.
Nearly a week later, a stallion called Romaro had come asking for temporary shelter for himself and what remained of his herd – this being his mare Daffodil and their young son Calyx – which he had agreed to. Part of him wondered and worried how this would turn out. The stallion had mentioned Nahawi, a red stallion Helios had already met that summer. The things Romaro said troubled the Arabian, but perhaps time and reflection would help the other male find a solution. Helios could give him the space to do so, but the chestnut planned on dismissing the trio should anything untoward come to his land and herd as a result of the altercation.
Now, two weeks out from Starlight’s return and the first month of fall nearly done, he had settled into a regular groove. Helios patrolled often these days, but once he was not. He was enjoying himself. He’d headed in the direction of the beach, but he hadn’t arrived yet when movement a distance away fluttered at his periphery. Sand flew from his hooves as the stallion came to a stop. He breathed hard from the run, the lining of his nostrils flaring red with the effort. Yet the stallion stood as motionless as he could, blending into the scenery if one merely glanced over the land, eager to see where the movement had come from. A blip of both dark and white appeared from beyond a dune. Then he was off.
Curiosity rushed through him when, upon coming closer to the figure, he scented they were female. Another mare coming and wandering into his lands? Hedera and Saucer had come to the Dunes by way of the ocean. The difference here was that they had come seeking a home. This lady had not, or at least she had not called for him to meet with her. He wasn’t far off when a call of greeting shot from his lips. Whether she wanted to be seen or not, he had seen and he had come. His dark eyes roved over her mottled body appreciatively as he approached, dipping his head to her when reaching speaking distance. His tones were confident, curious, and friendly.
”I wasn’t expecting to find a strange beauty wandering alone in my lands.”