ARD
The rains came, and with them, the familiar chilled kiss of winter.
He and Erd were another year older. Three. They had survived another year, escaped Vreis’ cruelty, and they still had each other. Another year, another victory.
Unlike their previous birthdays in passing, however, Ard had received his first birthday gift. From Erd. A bundle of black and charcoal cloth, stitched together with a deep green thread. Unfolding it revealed something that set the younger twin’s anxieties at ease; a black and charcoal cloak with a wide hood and a cowl. A few belts and pouches to keep his sticks of charcoal and sketch papers. The fabric was thick and warm, and when he tried it on, it fit perfectly.
Of course it did. Erd had commissioned it. His brother had picked up an identical one of his own, and Ard couldn’t have loved Erd more. When worn, it was impossible to tell them apart. It was considerate, wonderful, and perfect. Tears of happiness, followed quietly by a hushed whisper of, ’I love you, you idiot.’ Erd had smiled, brilliant and beautiful.
Ard felt safe beneath the warm black fabric, grateful for the way that the hood and the charcoal cowl covered nearly all of his features, hiding him away from the world. It was so easy to let himself hide behind the protection, and his heart had surged with fond affection at his twin’s consideration. It was so much easier to move about Terrastella in hiding, to know that he could simply flip up his hood and situate his cowl if he felt threatened in any way. Erd was, quite honestly, a blessing.
His said twin was slightly ahead of them as they paced through the quiet streets of the Court, their pace brisk, hoods up and cowls in place, revealing only the sharp turquoise of their eyes. The rain had yet to let up and tensions were high. Between the flash floods, the landslides, and the stormy weather, members of their home had gone missing. Ard had stuck close to his brother’s side, never letting Erd out of his sight. The last thing he wanted was for his twin to get a headstrong idea like charging out amidst the storm…
Cowardly? Maybe. At the moment, though, Ard didn’t care. Erd was everything to him.
Just as they went to round a corner and duck into some form of shelter, another equine slipped around to face them. Ard halted in his steps, hooves sliding against cobblestone, and nearly ran into Erd. The warlock’s turquoise eyes lifted, finding the familiar features of Marisol. There was something off about her, though. Her expression was still stern, her eyes that same color of crisp ice, face fierce and lips downcast in a frown, but it was all so very… Different. Defeated. Tired.
“… Commander?” The scratchy sound of his own voice surprised him, yet Ard offered the Halcyon Commander a cautious look over. Was she hurt? Drenched in rain and clearly exhausted, Marisol radiated that commanding energy, yet it seemed… Drained. When was the last time that she had rested? Despite his best efforts, despite knowing it might be a mistake, Ard felt concern bloom in his chest.
