You are not alone
I've been here the whole time singing you a song
I will carry you, I will carry you
I've been here the whole time singing you a song
I will carry you, I will carry you
In the wake of disaster Runaveig had always believed that to persevere was the only answer. The world was an uncertain place, even more so now than ever before. With this stagnant battle against Raum, the fires that had spoiled their reserves and rations, and the general unrest that seemed to swallow all of Novus within it’s terrible, gaping maw, the young gypsy did the only thing she could think of to prove to the world that she was not broken; dance.
Like water she moved, twisting, turning, letting her actions speak for her with an unnatural fluidity. The world would not break her spirit. Determination burned like fire in her blood, the elegance of each step, each sashay and sway of her hips an interpretive display of defiance against the very world that seemed like such a trepid, awful place.
It wasn’t.
No. The world was beautiful, and Runa loved it. She loved its light, its beauty, its innocence. She loved the moon and its matronly splendor, then sun and its burning might, the insects, the birds, the trees, the animals. In the depths of the oceans to the height of the heavens, there was not a single place that Runaveig did not love, for they were all of this world. And so she danced.
Sweat ran in rivulets down her brow, staining the pale of her face with moisture. Tossing her head back, the floral mantle and crystal veil hanging about her face sparkled in the firelight. Golden eyes glittered in the faint light that the circle provided as music thrummed through the air like a viable heartbeat, the strands of her mane framing around her cherubic face and shoulders. Her gaze scanned the crowd that had gathered, flashing everyone a white-toothed smile and a burst of radiant laughter left her lips, the stomping of her hooves and theirs in time with the music only fueling on her dance into an arcing, racing crescendo. Above, Umbra swirled about in lazy circles, diving occasionally to add to the atmosphere and beauty of the dance.
She twirled; once, twice, three times, radiant and wonderful and a paragon of love, of devotion, of goodness, the transparent shawl hanging around her slender shoulders fanning out behind her. The rhinestones sewn into the silk seemed to glimmer and glisten in the firelight, but eventually the music slowed, the light dimmed, and the performance came to an end as she lowered her front to the ground in a bow, one leg folded and the other splayed forward as she pressed the tip of her opaline horn to the earth beneath their hooves.
Cheers erupted and a few tips were tossed her way, but Runaveig smiled bashfully as she straightened and immediately nudged the offered signos towards a few foals who had watched her performance. They took them with gleeful joy in their eyes before scampering off, and turning back around the dawn-and-dusk skinned woman spotted someone she had overlooked during the heart of her performance, which was surprising given how very close they were now standing. A woman cloaked in gold and ivory, her dark points charming and blue eyes so striking and vivid that they nearly took her breath away.
More than her breath was already lost, of course. Her supple chest heaving to catch her breath, Runaveig heard the woman speak, the softness of her inquiry coated with awe and wonder. There was a flutter within the gypsy’s chest, a sense of humbleness at this earthly woman’s astonishment.
’Why have I never seen you before?’
Runaveig flushed. Umbra arced through the air and glided down to land upon his chosen daughter’s back, tucking his wings close as he settled upon her spine. The dragon watched the newcomer with blue-green eyes that shone bright in the evening light but did not comment or make a sound of opposition.
A little breathlessly, the entertainer cleared her throat to answer. “I’m not sure. I tend to spend most of my time here in the markets. Perhaps that’s why?” With a radiant smile, Runa went on. “I’m Runaveig, and this is my very best friend, Umbra. Did, um. I hope that you enjoyed the performance?”
@Noctiilucent
