Israfel
Slowly did the denizens of Terrastella return home.
Israfel welcomed them all home, bedraggled and exhausted as she was, an equally dulled Solaris resting upon her chosen-child’s back. They were tired, but they were not the only ones, and so with squared shoulders the Warden shook off her fatigue and went about her promised duties. One by one the Sun Daughter greeted familiar and not-so-familiar faces, for she had not left with the others. She had remained behind, stubbornly, foolishly, not keen on leaving behind the home she had come to know and love.
It would not be robbed away from her, not this one. If Terrastella fell, Israfel would fall with it.
That had been her vow. It was her vow, to Rannveig, to Florentine, to Asterion. To Vespera, to her godly father.
Not again.
Vermilion eyes slowly slid open, her eyelids heavy where they had fallen while watching the odd procession enter their home. Piercing eyes focused on Theodosia, recognizing the remarkable Halcyon member immediately in all her pallid splendor. Her reputation proceeded her. The other individual, however, was a stranger, but Israfel still offered her a cursory look. Dull grey hair, a plain grey coat, gentle brown eyes. She seemed ordinary, but Israfel had lived in Terrastella, in Novus, long enough now to know that even the most ordinary of individuals could truly be the most extraordinary.
There was a gopher upon a pallid back, but within the wake of the two women was an amalgamation of soft, fuzzy brown bodies. It was definitely a sight to behold. A plethora of gophers had followed their downed family, and a pale ear tipped forward in concern.
Gilded hooves drew the Warden closer into the clearing, vermilion eyes flickering in concern as she approached Theodosia as the Halcyon member drifted forward and past Asterion’s bay body. A knowing glance was sent in the Sovereigns way, as well as a respectful nod, but her worry was focused on the task at hand.
“What else do you need, Shield-Sister?” Israfel asked simply, not bothering to beat around the bush. Upon her back, perched between the Sun Daughter’s wings, Solaris’ piercing violet eyes stared at the small brown body of the gopher. Already the phoenix was pondering what could be done to assist such a small, frail life.
’It needs healing. A medic, perhaps?’ Yes. A medic. Gods knew that Israfel herself knew next to nothing about medical assistance or anything of the like. She was far better at inflicting wounds than healing them. Yet in the wake of destruction and the beginning stages of the rebuilding efforts, she wondered how easily it would be to find a healer and drag them from whatever work they might be tending to.
Once more Israfel’s eyes drifted, waiting for Theodosia’s answer. Her gaze rested upon the dull-grey mare, and an ear tipped curiously in her direction. “… And who is your friend?”
Israfel welcomed them all home, bedraggled and exhausted as she was, an equally dulled Solaris resting upon her chosen-child’s back. They were tired, but they were not the only ones, and so with squared shoulders the Warden shook off her fatigue and went about her promised duties. One by one the Sun Daughter greeted familiar and not-so-familiar faces, for she had not left with the others. She had remained behind, stubbornly, foolishly, not keen on leaving behind the home she had come to know and love.
It would not be robbed away from her, not this one. If Terrastella fell, Israfel would fall with it.
That had been her vow. It was her vow, to Rannveig, to Florentine, to Asterion. To Vespera, to her godly father.
Not again.
Vermilion eyes slowly slid open, her eyelids heavy where they had fallen while watching the odd procession enter their home. Piercing eyes focused on Theodosia, recognizing the remarkable Halcyon member immediately in all her pallid splendor. Her reputation proceeded her. The other individual, however, was a stranger, but Israfel still offered her a cursory look. Dull grey hair, a plain grey coat, gentle brown eyes. She seemed ordinary, but Israfel had lived in Terrastella, in Novus, long enough now to know that even the most ordinary of individuals could truly be the most extraordinary.
There was a gopher upon a pallid back, but within the wake of the two women was an amalgamation of soft, fuzzy brown bodies. It was definitely a sight to behold. A plethora of gophers had followed their downed family, and a pale ear tipped forward in concern.
Gilded hooves drew the Warden closer into the clearing, vermilion eyes flickering in concern as she approached Theodosia as the Halcyon member drifted forward and past Asterion’s bay body. A knowing glance was sent in the Sovereigns way, as well as a respectful nod, but her worry was focused on the task at hand.
“What else do you need, Shield-Sister?” Israfel asked simply, not bothering to beat around the bush. Upon her back, perched between the Sun Daughter’s wings, Solaris’ piercing violet eyes stared at the small brown body of the gopher. Already the phoenix was pondering what could be done to assist such a small, frail life.
’It needs healing. A medic, perhaps?’ Yes. A medic. Gods knew that Israfel herself knew next to nothing about medical assistance or anything of the like. She was far better at inflicting wounds than healing them. Yet in the wake of destruction and the beginning stages of the rebuilding efforts, she wondered how easily it would be to find a healer and drag them from whatever work they might be tending to.
Once more Israfel’s eyes drifted, waiting for Theodosia’s answer. Her gaze rested upon the dull-grey mare, and an ear tipped curiously in her direction. “… And who is your friend?”
