She was told from the beginning wherever she arrived, there would be hundreds of horses awaiting her arrival. That she would be sung of to the masses. That she would be hailed for her heroics, her beauty, and her grace.
None of it was true.
No, as her hooves dug into the dirt below her, she realized it was all a lie. Stories told to the young Princess to make her believe that her future was worthwhile. That she was meant to be something. But she wasn't, was she? She was simply a pawn in their game, meant to be nothing more than a statue.
She lowered her black head to sniff at the grass below. It smelled sweet, fresh, and inviting. Her brown eyes flicked and her head lifted from the grass, eyes scanning the horizon. Her ears listened to the sounds around her, birds, creatures, stirred. Her breathing was coming rapidly, and the girl feared. She feared what this could all mean. If this place was her home to be. Somewhere safe, away from the lands she once knew. She feared that there might be horses following her. She feared that she might not be safe. That her parents' words of death upon her would chase her to wherever she was now. Her eyes sparkled with worry as she continued to walk forward.
She sung to herself, a quiet little tune, one that only she would know.
"Death at your door, pain at your heels..." Her voice sang out. "Test your limits, test your fate, feel the way the blood flows through the veins. Are you fearful? Are you afraid? Are you living or are you dead?"
And as she continued her rapid advancement, she headed to the North. Deeper into the fields. Her long, flowing tail swung behind her as hope filled her mind. She hoped for her own future, for the first time in many months. It had been nearly a year since she fled from her home, and she had been travelling for so long. She was ready, so ready, to finally find a place to call home.
The area smelled heavily of other horses, and she was hopeful that there might be a place for her. Her brown eyes continued to scan the horizon as she searched for the familiar form of another horse. She wasn't expecting the masses promised by her parents, but she definitely expected to meet someone, anyone.
It's getting late to give you up
I took a sip from my devil's cup
Slowly, it's taking over me
Summer was upon them. It was her favorite season, and little would keep the Sun Daughter homebound even during the most unforgiving heat that the seasons had to offer. With a body that perpetually burned hot like the fires she could control, Israfel found the intense rays of the sun invigorating. The burn upon her nimble spine, across every supple muscle and ounce of flesh, upon every gilded feather, the intense warmth would always be welcome…
And what better way to spend her summer than roaming the lands she helped to keep safe? The lands she had grown to love and cherish in her years after rebirth?
A trip to Solterra, to feel the worst of it, a rogue thought supplied, and a sardonic grin pulled at the Regent’s rose-kissed lips and her eyes glittered mischievously in the sunlight, Maybe a brothel, if Novus had one…A trip to the east might be worth it. Surely there was some sort of ‘place of ill repute’ in Denocte, right?
She wouldn’t put it past them.
Solaris soared overhead, the large ivory Phoenix gliding lazily along the rather stagnant breeze. It offered little relief from the warmth that had already grasped the land despite how early it was in the day as Novus quickly drowned in sweat, the water levels dropping and grasses growing yellow and brittle as the world slowly shriveled. Israfel knew she would need to take great care where and when she used her magic, lest they have more wildfires on their hands this year.
A faintly sung song on the breeze caught one pale ear and Israfel paused mid-step, keen eyes of burning vermilion scanning the landscape of her Kingdom. She frowned, brows furrowing, spotting on the horizon a black stain. The Sun Daughter sniffed hard, scenting the air, but the breeze carried the other direction and gave no indication who the individual might be.
Israfel paused, mulling it over. Come to think of it the number of solid-black creatures in Novus were slim and far between, and most of them were of the, in her opinion, wretched Night Court. So who could this be? A lost wanderer? A new face? Or neither, a soul delivering nothing but trouble?
Pressing on, the Regent stalked towards the black shape that ambled on the horizon, her steps a casual sashay as nimble, graceful legs pulled her along with confident, cocksure strides. The song ended, and the stranger remained too far for her to hear the lyrics as the words died in the breeze, carried off to be heard only by the spirits that lingered here. A pity. Whoever this individual was, they could sing a beautiful tune. Their voice was surely nothing like the dulcet baritone that Israfel’s own was.
“Lost?” She drawled out at last once she was close enough, knowing that the stranger had surely heard her approach. Shoulders rolling back, chest raising, head cocked to the side with a brow raised, Israfel watched the dark-colored stranger from a few paces back, standing tall and proud amidst a flammable field. Solaris continued to linger above them, circling now, a vulture of mirrored ivory and gold to her chosen child’s own.
A slow, lazy smile pulled at the Regent's rose-kissed lips as insects began to buzz around them, drawn by sweat and heat. "Haven't seen you around before."
The lands were, to say the least, beautiful. With the dense grass that never seemed to end, it was almost as if Arizona was in heaven. Her version of heaven, at least. A paradise, a place to belong. Perhaps even a home to belong to.
Somewhere where she wouldn't be killed for a simple song, dance, or play. Where she could spread her hypothetical wings and fly. Yes, this place gave her hope. Something she had lacked for the last year, for quite some time indeed.
The wind blew across her black pelt, blowing her long flowing black mane along with it. She might look like a creature from a story herself, black as the night but here she was in the day time a creature of purity. Just lost, longing, and missing her brother.
And as her thoughts went to her brother, Dallas, she wanted to sing again. She opened her lips to begin a new song when the sound of someone approaching interrupted her. Careful not to startle anyone, she turned her head slowly to look around. And what magnificence filled her vision but that of a beautiful white and golden form.
Her mouth fell open as she stared, unblinking, at the form that moved toward her. Yes, she was definitely in heaven she decided. At some time she had died and flown right up! No wonder a beautiful creature such as this existed. Not even Arizona's own beauty would stand against this creature, who was fast approaching her.
Self conscious feelings rushed over the maiden as she realized her plain looks compared to the beauty of Israfel. The words spoken to her were a rush through her ears, and she blinked a few times to ensure she didn't miss them. Was she lost? Well, she was. But she hoped she was found. And then the next words, and Arizona's heart was pounding in her chest.
"Lost, yes. I just arrived here..." She began to explain. "I am seeking somewhere to call home. My name is Arizona, may I... may I ask yours?"
She was a bit of a nervous mess as she stuttered over her own words. Her anxiety was kicking up, as she realized just how long she had stared for.
Brown eyes drifting away from the truly enchanting one, she looked back along the luscious green grasses as she awaited an answer for where she might be. Hopefully, somewhere to call home. Hopefully, somewhere she would belong.
