A rather small, seal brown stallion yawns and attempts to shake the morning dew from his thick, flaxen mane. Of course, the water clung to him. It always did. Especially now, considering that his winter coat is growing in. He gazes up at the glowing orange sky. It was early morning. He’d awoken just in time to watch the sunrise. A sight he always loved. The array of colors. What they meant. How they got there. If they meant anything at all. If everyone saw it the same way he does. 

He watched the sun climb higher and higher; until it was simply too bright to keep staring at. At this point, he rises to his hooves. The chilly morning breeze nipping at his legs that were nestled underneath him only a moment beforehand. The stallion shivers just the slightest before bowing down to stretch out his front legs. Next, he brought himself back to squared stance and leant forward to stretch out his back legs. Finally satisfied, he made his way over to the river he’d slept several feet away from.

The water moved quickly, but even it was just a touch sluggish. Winter was hot on the heels of fall; slowing the river. Eventually, it’d go from racing with the winds to sliding like foals on wet grass. Chunks of ice and slush would invade the waters and skitter by at a pace a notch or two faster than that of a mosey. Icarus stands at the bank; careful to stay in the grassy edges and not the muddy ones. The mud would likely be slippery and weak. He isn’t exactly interested in taking a swim right now. Preferably, he’d never have to swim in the river. He knew his short limbs would betray him in the speeding currents.

He dips his head, grimacing as the incredibly cold water touches his lips. The stallion takes a few, brisk sips. At least that’s one plus side to the water’s movement; it takes a lot less effort to get a drink from it. It does most of the work for you. You just have to catch it and swallow it. Even though it’s temperature is verging on icy, it is greatly refreshing. He sighs softly as he brings his head back up. With his thirst quenched, he back steps from the bank a couple of feet.

Icarus gazes outwards, taking in the sights and smells. The sounds of the freshwater rushing about just in front of him. The crickets have gone to bed; but the birds have just awoken. He smiles at their songs. Each so different from the next. Yet, they all fit together in harmony. Nature is amazing and mysterious that way. The sun’s rays dance and glitter on top of the ever moving waters. Stories swirl within his mind. Tales of heroes leaping across the river; taking a risky shortcut to save the day. Fables of outcasts and nomads sharing their knowledge and helping others. So many stories could be told just based on the river itself. He watches it go past him; getting lost in the tales that paint the world surrounding him. 


"Speaking."

A crow is seen taking up a perch from the corner of Icarus’ eye. None of the other birds in the area have come so close. So, he turns his head to get a clear look at it. The sight before him about knocks him over. A gray mare has landed- yes, landed! not too far from him. She has wings?? The short stallion looks at her with awe and boundless, childlike curiosity. Whoa. She’s dipped her head to take a drink from the river; just as he’d done. This winged mare has a long cloak, it mostly hangs to a single side and it is touching the ground. 

As soon as she picks her head back up, she seems to notice him. “Hi there! Are you from around here?” she spoke as she made her way over and stood next to him. Icarus turns to face her and manages a dumbstruck smile. Say something, stupid! The dapple gray mare’s cloak begins to move around just a bit- as if she were pulling it so it wouldn’t be dragging in the dirt. Only problem with that is … she’s not touching it! How in the …? No way! There’s no way. She possesses magic? Awesome! The stallion continues to smile, being far too lost in his thoughts to speak to her just yet.

“Corrdelia Maude," she introduces herself, offering a quick bow. Corrdelia, that’s a pretty name. "Fortune teller and crow witch of Terrastella. And you are?" Corrdelia asks him. Fortune teller?? Crow witch?? She certainly takes the hay for the most interesting horse he’s come across since arriving at Delumine. Wait … Did she say Terrastella? The seal brown stallion shakes himself. Icarus offers a bow of his own, his far slower than hers due his joints protesting otherwise. When he rises back up, he takes a breath. You can do this. Just say, hello.

“Icarus Delphine,” he tells her softly; he dips his head once more for good measure. “I’ve recently moved here, to Delumine. My mother lives in Terrastella. If it weren’t for Delumine’s forest and library, I’d likely have called it my home as well. But, there’s something about this place,” he trails off, gazing upwards at the sky as if that in it of itself were a gesture. 

"It feels like home. Though, of course, I plan to visit my mother from time to time.” Icarus brings his head back down to look at Corrdelia once more. Even though that still requires him to look up. She’s a good bit taller than he is. "There are a great many places I missed out on when I traveled with my mother as a foal. I hope to see it all,” the small stallion smiles once more. In the safety of his mind, he’s cheering that he hasn’t made an utter fool of himself. Yet. He’s so curious! He looks at her with nothing short of pure wonder.

"You’ll have to tell me if I’m being rude, but wow! You’ve got wings! And you moved your cloak with magic!?” Icarus speaks quickly, his voice a touch louder and an octave or two higher in pitch. He looks over her wings again, wondering if he could ever count all of the feathers. If she had tried to count them. 

"I’ve never encountered a horse with wings. I heard stories, of course. But, I always just thought they were just foal fables. You know?” His words are strung together in an excited haste. He seems to notice that he’s rambling and stops himself. The stallion smiles like a giddy dork; and his ears pin back bashfully. He can’t keep eye contact and looks down; pawing a stone beside his hoof. Icarus is grateful for that little rock being here to distract him from his own stupidity.


"Speaking." 
"Corrdelia's Dialogue." 
Icarus' Thoughts.