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The days seemed to melt into one strange conglomeration to Arcana since having her foals. Things were tense between her and Taraxippus since they had both come home with baskets. Not that they hadn't been tense in the past - but this only catalyzed things, putting them in almost direct competition for Anju's approval. Tara had always had it, and Arcana couldn't understand why he had to still be so snarky. He accused Grimoire of assaulting his basket - the idea was preposterous - and sometimes she felt like she just couldn't get through to Diogenes. She had wanted so badly for the foals to be a magical fix to all of her problems. Even though the salvation had come in the form of the massive kalona, everything had seemed to make sense.

But... Lycaenidae was quiet, seeming to almost be in her own world, Diogenes had never been exactly 'loving' - and she saw more of his father in him than she cared to admit. He was snappy, especially as he got older - even to his own mother. And Grimoire was generally so sweet, but without any kind of announcement, she would often go off for a spell, and not speak of it. They had all gotten so big, now too - full adults in their own right. And none of them seemed to need her any more. Which just left Arcana feeling empty. Was she a failure as a mother? Had in choosing their father based on the expectations of her own father been a bad idea?

Arcana realized she needed to clear her head. She felt so lonely even when surrounded by her family. They barely talked to her - and Anju seemed to care more about her foals than her. She felt that Taraxippus and Megaera hated her...

These feelings had been building and compounding in her for so long. Finally... as Taraxippus returned from a hunt with his little Seance and shot her a triumphant, mocking glare... it was too much. Arcana got to her hooves, and without a word, without letting Taraxippus gloat or letting herself watch her reactions, she spread her butterfly wings and leapt into the skies.

She went up this time - not in the direction that she had run into him - no.. she went up the mountain where the air got clear and thin. Maybe this time she could find something to help the world make more sense that woudln't wind up hurting her more in the end..



Kamiki and her son, Spellbound grazed lazily on the side of the mountain. The heat was uncomfortable for Kamiki who was born high in the mountains, but Spellbound seemed to revel in it. The heat warmed his wings and gave him the kind of energy Kamiki hadn't had since she was a young foal herself. She could tell Spellbound was getting antsy as she chewed slowly on the summer greens. She gave him an approving nod and the fluttercorn took to the air, flying in long, graceful loops around the field.


The flight was a catharsis of a sort just by itself. Pumping her little wings, zipping through the air in the warm early summer skies... it helped. It was a release of sorts - it cleared her mind and let her focus on the movement instead of her problems.

Then, in the skies ahead, she saw another dark form with a flash of purple.

She slowed, wary at first. There was no telling the attitude of this other soquili. And her interactions with others outside her family group was always a scary thing for her - she had been taught since a foal that she should keep a brave, intimidating front...

Arcana took a deep breath, and flew forward. To turn away would be to show weakness - Anju had drilled that into her.


Spellbound was always happy to meet new Soquili. He looked down at his mother and smiled before zipping over to the newcomer. "Allo there!" he called, circling above her. He dropped down to her height to get a better look.


Arcana's ears shot back instinctively at the sudden arrival of the newcomer. It was hard to puff up and look scary mid-flight, though. And as soon as she got a full look at the stallion, the breath caught in her chest and she nearly lost her air. She'd never seen another soquili quite so like her before. He was dark furred, but beyond that he had the spirial unicorn horn and the butterfly wings.

"Hello..." Arcana replied nervously as she looked him over.


Spellbound fluttered around her, also instantly intrigued by the other fluttercorn. There was something... about her that made him stop. "Hello," he replied. "Haven't seen you around here before?"


Arcana shook her head slowly. "No... I've never flown this way before." She responded softly, brows furrowed as she watched him. But he did look so strangely familiar. "Is... is this you herd grounds? I... I am not tresspassing, am I?" She knew that Anju could be viciously defensive of their family grounds.

"Oh, well maybe technically..." the stallion laughed, "But you don't look very threatening." He tossed the mane out his eyes to get a better look at her. "Are you sure... we've never met?"

"Spellbound?" Kamiki came up behind the two of them, a shocked expression on her features as she looked at the pair. The other mare... she couldn't...? How did she smell so much like Spellbound...

Arcana shook her head, feeling nervous. She really wasn't sure how to act around friendly soquili. She felt bad about being boisterous and aggressive like she had been taught. But then... Anju wasn't looking over her shoulder... "I'm pretty certain not. I... would have remembered meeting someone like you. You... you have a horn, and bug-wings like me!" There was a ghost of a smile.

She turned quickly when she heard another voice, tensing subtly. Was this some sort of trap? But then no, a soft, velvety looking winged unicorn approached, looking... more curious than anything else. "H... Hello..?" Her ears flicked back and she looked between the mare and stallion.

"Bug wings?" Spellbound chuckled, "It's called a fluttercorn..." his voice trailed off as he saw the expression on Kamiki's face. "Mom?"


"What's your name?" Kamiki pleaded. "Who are you parents, little one?"

"Fluttercorn.." She repeated with a smile. "Yes... I do like that better."

She cocked her head with a furrow of her brow. There was a note of desperation in the mare's voice. And there was something about her. Something that settled her, helped her relax and lower that guard.

"My name is Arcana..." She spoke. "And my parents? Well... I.. never really knew my mother. But my father is Anju." She spoke carefully, confused.

"Anju?" Kamiki shook her mane, "I have heard Tisiphone and Ahawi speak of this Anju..." She looked back over the mare. "You do not look like spawn of such a creature as he? Did he tell about your mother? How old are you my dear?"

"Mom," Spellbound prodded. "What's going on?" She was acting surely peculiar.

"Yes, I live with Alecto and Megaera, Tisiphone's sisters..." She nodded, her silvery mane shining in the light at her movements. "And... well... no, I suppose not. He... always was so disappointed in my lack of family resemblance." She didn't know why she was being so frank with the mare, but speaking to her just seemed to come so naturally.

"My brother looks much more like him. Shadowy. He said our mother was a white unicorn. But... I'm not sure where my wings came from. I was born a few seasons ago... it was fall, I believe." She paused, looking over her face. "...Why?"

"A white mare?" Kamiki's eyes narrowed. "Does your Anju have four eyes?"

Spellbound just shook his mane. "Like Sumi-e?" He shifted uncomfortably. "What are you implying, Mom?"

"Four eyes? Oh no! He has six!" Arcana said with wide eyes. "I've never seen another quite like him. Not even our family."

She looked between the two of them again. It was like they knew something that she didn't. "What... what are you two talking about?" she asked with a nervous laugh.

"My brother, Sumi-e, " Spellbound said, "He's white, has four glowing red eyes. I never knew where they came from. You and Dad never would say anything. You both have wings and he didn't..."

Kamki nodded. "We never... we never knew what happened. At first we thought it was just a cruel birth... but now I wonder..." she looked back to Arcana, her wings, her hair. "I think something happened... "

Arcana's mouth opened and closed. They couldn't be implying... but Anju... And Taraxippus... she never fit in. All this time of trying to fit in... Dyson and her foals.... She took a quivering breath.

"You.... can't be saying.." She looked at Spellbound. "Your son... his brother was white with four eyes..." It... it just seemed to make sense. "Who... what is your mate like..?" She could barely speak above a whisper.

"Azure..." Kamiki breathed out, "You're almost a spitting image. He's got a black coat, hair and mane the color of sapphires, and wings... brilliant blue framed in black..."

Spelbound's jaw was slack. "She's shaped just like you, mom," he finally said. "Her jawline, her frame..."

Arcana's eyes widened progressively as she described Azure. "It.. it couldn't be..." She whispered. And then, her adopted sister Megaera... Psyche. "Oh my.. Oh... Oh My!" She shook her head.

"Megaera... she described a stallion just like that. He and she... well... she had foals, one of them stayed with us - Psyche. Anju... father said... she was like.. an 'improved' version of me." Her eyes were moist now and there was an obvious stammer in her voice. But if what this mare was saying was true, Psyche was her sister.... and this mare... her... "mother..?" Her voice cracked as emotion overwhelmed her. All this time... all this time...

"Magaera?" Kamiki exclaimed. "Yes, Azure has fathered foals with a mare with that name."

Spellbound pawed at the ground. "So there...was a mix up when we were baskets? Sumi-e stayed with us... and Anju took this Arcana?"

"It must be.." Kamiki looked back to Arcana. "It all...it makes sense. You're... you must be my daughter..."

For several moments, Arcana was silent. It was too much to take in. Horrible. Wonderful. Anju was so distant, so disappointed always. Taraxippus hated her, looked down on her. She never liked hunting, scaring other soquili. She wasn't like them after all - it wasn't some defect... she was just ... raised by the wrong family. "You're my mother...?" She echoed finally, looking back up at the dark mare. "And you... You are my real brother?" Not some mean, spiteful, manipulative thing like Tara.

What could have happened? It... it didn't really matter. What was done was done. She just wished that she had found this out sooner. They seemed so...nice.

Arcana rushed to Kamiki's side, pressing her face into her neck. "I... Wish ... I wish I had known!" She sobbed.

The moment Arcana buried her face into her neck any and all doubts dashed away. It felt too right... the way she looked, smelled, moved... it all was there. She knew in her heart this was her daughter, and she nuzzled back. A mystery had been solved, and a tear slipped down Kamiki's face as she mourned the time she hadn't been able to spend with her daughter.

Spellbound gave his own whinny, and handsome but dopey grin on his face and he nuzzled his way into the group hug, running his nose over Arcana's shoulder.

Name of Soquili and Link to Image: Balrog
Balrog's Cert

Link to Teepee:
Sabin's Teepee

Balrog & Stormwild's Herd Thread

Links to RP(s) that show the Soquili has met both the first and second examples of 'what makes an Elder':
Balrog's life has been focused on proving his strength and mettle, not just of himself but of his herd. He started out as a brash, secretly insecure young stallion fleeing from a decimated herd of primarily ground soquili - one being his own mother. He had been seen as a protector of that herd, being the only gifted with wings from a father that had not stayed. In order to cope with his failure, Balrog adopted a scathing opinion of the weakness of ground soquili who could not protect themselves from predators. He set out, seeking other soquili like him - to be surrounded by such strength.
Over time, Balrog joined with Stormwild, a beautiful wind mare who he saw worthy of his affections, after taking it upon himself to point out the error of her ways in mating with a ground soquili.
His herd thread, of which Balrog is the protector, is Here and not only logs most of the RPs of the herd, but also has all of its members and the herd philosophy. He very much considers himself a leader of the herd, and has been instrumental in shaping the ideals of the herd (which were his own) - focusing on the strength of the blood, the power of those soquili blessed with the ability of flight. But over the years, his pride and (some would probably say bigotism) in favor of his own wings has evolved into a pride in his family lines and herd group.

What follows are a selection of RPs that highlight Balrog's story: his development over time and some of the main conflicts and life-shaping incidents:

• Balrog meets Stormwild - The Brash, argumentative young stallion Balrog meets his future mate, Stormwild, and is quite vocal about his ideals.
  
• The Formation of the Herd
  
• A Proposal - In his own headstrong way, Balrog offers to be Stormwild's mate.
  
• Balrog's First Children - Balrog begins to mature with the arrival of children.
  
• The Herd Grows - Balrog is a very important decision-maker in the herd, making sure that new members understand the philosophy and are willing to follow it.
  
• They All Will Pay - Balrog is fed up with ground soquili in his herd and his feeling of being out of control, and his affair with what he perceives is a more like-minded soquili, Anemone.
  
• Stormy Skies - In which there is a fissure in the herd, and Balrog's grand ideal is finally realized. His herd becomes only comprised of winged soquili, the other 'lesser' members of the herd leave.
  
• Aftermath - in which Balrog's future children with Anemone is discussed with Stormwild and decisions are made. Balrog realizes that his herd is most important, and with Stormwild, makes the decision to focus on the future of their herd and the strength of its members.
  
• Welcome Little Prince - Balrog's son, Firestorm, is born and welcomed into the herd by him and Stormwild.
  
• O Restless Warrior - Solo RP with Balrog reflecting on his life and his herd.
  
• Rebellious - A strong son is sometimes more a headache than a boon. Firestorm takes a great deal after Balrog, and not as mindful as Balrog would like. A hint at things to come in the future!
  

Why would your Soquili (IC) choose the Elder path?
Balrog sees himself as more than a role model for his herd, but as a driving force shaping their beliefs. He is a teacher to the foals, instructing them in the ways of the herd, but more than just the power of those with wings, but also valuable life skills. He teachers the young colts how to defend their territory and fledgling foals against cougars and other predators. He teaches the foals how to fly, and how to embrace the winds and exalt in the miracle of flight. He has embraced the teachings of his and the herds' totem, Thunderbird, and seeks to model himself and his herd after his ideals of strength and power.

He sees new life in the herd as the ultimate success. He values the herd and its overall strength above anything else. And he sees himself as an authority in the herd, a source of knowledge and enforcer of the rules. He does not balk at confrontation if he sees it necessary, frequently patrolling the border of the herdlands to ensure its safety.


Why have you chosen the Elder path for your Soquili OOC?
Not only is Balrog my first soquili, but he's become over the years kind of the mascot for my soquili herd and interest. I've commissioned artwork of him (by the artist who did the original soquili lines, Leelakin!) , I've grown very attached to him, and have built up multi-leveld plots around him and his herd and family group. He's evolved as a character, and yet still stayed true to his stubborn nature.

Of all my soquili, he really is the only one I see who truly fits the concept of an elder - both in his position in life and his force of personality. Not only that, but for a long time, I have really wanted Balrog specifically to take on the mantle of Elder.

Despite the fact that he's old enough for me to have had his stats go to 100% automatically when stats were done differently when the shop was new, I lacked the foresight of having a teepee in the early days. While I did RP him before I had a teepee quite regularly, I didn't make a teepee until October of 2007. Since then I've RPd him very regularly and have built his stats up to 100% from that point, and have continued playing him (and certainly will continue to do so!) after that ^.^

If any of you would like a tattoo added to your Soquili, please PM your colorist within 24 hours to let them know which tattoo is to be added on to your Elder. If you prefer no tattoo, then please disregard this note.







To the rest who participated, we want to thank you all for applying, and please please do not be discouraged. Many of you are on the right path to having your Soquili meeting the Elder criteria, and a couple of you are extremely close to achieving the status. A few things we noticed that entries lacked were:

- roleplay outside of family. While development is key and a Soquili's family is a wonderful way to achieve that development, an Elder is a role model and leader in the community, not just in the family. Have your Soq get out more and RP with others! Have your Soq give advice, or be put in a situation where they perform a role an Elder would do. Would they give advice, assist a creature in need, take charge in a dire situation?

- develop the role of a leader. Many of the entries did wonderfully in showing the development of the Soquili's character, from the start up until the current point in time. Part of that development, however, to prove worthy of Eldership, needs to show your Soquili as a capable leader figure. This can be developed through further roleplay where your Soquili takes charge, or finds him/herself in situations where a leader is needed.


This is not a competition, so we do not want any of you to walk away feeling as though you've "lost" in this application process, if your Soquili was not approved for Eldership this round. Just as in this opening, we have every intention of keeping the applications from being limited, so that all who are qualified for the honor will receive it, and none will be turned away due to slot limitations. Consider this as an opportunity to have your Soquili progress to the next stage of their life, where they are judged against themselves and not against other contenders. With effort and hard work, most Soquili who possess the desire and ability to be a leader in the community are capable of achieving the status of Elder.

We will open another round for applications in the next few months, and we hope to see you try again in the upcoming opening. <3

Balrog stood at the edge of the bluff that overlooked the alpine valley that served as the common grounds of their herd. The foaling grounds, the wider stretch of land where the most succulent grasses grew. The place that his herd bedded down to rest at night, in clear view of a protector who watched over them.

This was his herd... his family.

This was the same place that Balrog had, many seasons ago, cried a challenge to the spirits to let him prove the mettle of his herd. And it seemed as if some malicious spirit might have heard his challenge. But instead of a test that might prove their mettle, it came in the form of dissent - Firestorm leaving the herd to be with a mare that Stormwild did not approve of. And it came in the form of vicious beasts that had attacked his mate when she was alone and vulnerable... with foals. It was these monsters that had wreaked havoc on his own progeny. Or perhaps it was his own arrogance. Thinking his herd immune from predators... But when he had let his guard down, once again... there was death.

Balrog caught sight of a figure heading towards the herdgrounds and took to wing to meet them. He had been on full alert since he and Stormwild had finally made it back home. He had barely slept, making sure that she was always in his sights. That the remaining basket was kept safe.

She was healing, thank the spirits, and the basket still seemed to miraculously hold life within. He would not let anyone take that from him.

The figure approaching was Cataclysm - who had also left the herd temporarily in a state of unrest. She never went far, or stayed gone for that matter, but she had been lonely and fussy and had taken to exploring beyond the herdlands for weeks at a time. She saw her father approaching and felt a twinge of apprehension and nervousness roll over in her stomach. She splayed her wings in the wind and swooped down to meet him, clearing her throat closing her eyes for a moment to compose herself.

"Father," she acknowledged with a smile.


Balrog sighed with relief as he saw the figure resolve into the familiar form of Cataclysm. She was back, and safe by the looks of it. He nodded a greeting to her and angled his flight downwards to the herdgrounds, down near where Stormwild rested.

"It is good to see you well, Daughter." he responded as he touched down.



"Very well," she said, tossing her braided mane back out of her face as she touched down next to Balrog. "So well, actually," she said in her usual haughty tone, "that you might be surprised." She gave a little snort. "I've been busy, as you may or may not have noticed, I've been out a lot recently. Since I've been abandoned by my sister, I wasn't content to just sit around and be ignored any longer."

She flicked her tail, watching him closely out of the corner of her eye, watching his expression. "I've been meeting new Soquili," she said, "All the wonders of the wind aren't isolated to our one herd."


Balrog's eyes narrowed skeptically. HE had heard similar from one of his offspring just recently. Firestorm and the demon-mare that hye had still yet to see with his own eyes.

"I have noticed, my daughter. And I am well aware that the lands and skies extend beyond our borders. But no land is finer than our home. Remember that this is your home, Cataclysm. And surely, you have not been abandoned by your herd. Maelstrom has merely found a find stallion to share her life with, and brought him into this herd." Balrog was not entirely oblivious of the dynamics of the members of the herd. He remembered how close that his daughters had been for most of their young life. But Maelstrom had been spending a majority of her time with her mate and her own daughters since their arrival. But still, such things did not mean that she no longer loved her sister.



Cata's expression seemed to darken with the mention of Mael and her perfect wonderful stallion. "I'm not leaving," she basically mumbled, snorted again, trying to gain the courage to say what she wanted to...what she needed to. "But I have too have found a stallion," she said with a resolute nod. "A stunning one," much more impressive than Wild Wind, she barely managed to hold back. "One like i've never seen, Father. He's like a ghost..." she swallowed, "Something greater than a mere mortal stallion."


Balrog tilted his head as he listened to Cataclysm, and heard the marvel in her voice. "A ghost, you say?" Had his daughter truly seen a phantasm. He had noted her jealousy. Was her story even real, or had she wished for a suitable mate so badly that she invented one?

"This stallion of yours, he did bear wings, did he not?" Balrog inquired almost predictably.


"Of course he did!" she almost snapped, looking offended. But the question was a fair one... it had, more than once, crossed her mind to bring home a grounded stallion just for the reaction - and therefore, attention - it would bring. "I'll do you two better, Father, he had four - ghostly, translucent, amazing wings, Father... he is terrifying and awe-inspiring at the same time. Trust me, you would like him."


Balrog uttered an undecipherable rumble as he listened to her tale. Four wings? It sounded like a fairy tale his mother had told him once. One that he had since passed off as just rumor.

But if this were the truth..? He let the concept roam about in his head.

"He does indeed sound legendary." Balrog conceded. "It is a pity that he did not come back with you..." He let that hang on the air for a moment, before toning down a bit. "But I shall be eager to see the results of this union." Which was the truth.



"Maybe you can meet him soon," she said, "But he's hard to pin down." She lifted her chin to look at him, still watching his expressions closely. "But you should not have to wait too long to see the results..." she trailed off for a second. "I've come home to prepare for foals."


"Oh really?" Balrog's voice was a mix of surprise and skepticism. Foals so quickly? Then again, Cataclysm had been spending a lot of time away from the herd. Who knew how long she and the mysterious stallion had been seeing each other.

He paused for a moment before tossing his head in a nod. "Then it sounds like my congratulations are due, Daughter. I shall eagerly await seeing your foals." Balrog did hope that they were as grand as she was claiming. He would be interested to see if there was evidence in these foals of the claimed grandeur of the father.



Cata lets out a breath of relief that she didn't even realize she was holding when her father seemed to approve. "You'll be proud of me," she said, almost a question more than a statement. She puffed out her chest and stepped a bit easier, looking around her herd lands and, for the first time in quite a while, was so very happy to be home.





Only days after Cataclysm's return to the herdlands, another figure could be seen in the sky, making its way towards the elusive meadows that the Thunderbird herd called their home.
This time, a fire-eyed alicorn stallion who came in for a heavy landing feet from Stormwild, kicking up no small amount of soil. Shaking himself, Firestorm regarded his stepmother without so much as a formal greeting or introduction, nodded his head with a toss. "I heard word that you had been hurt."


Storm was curled up on a warm patch of grass upon the mountain, her figure and wings hiding the one precious basket from any harm. She looked up with the land, snorting in irritance at the kicked up of dust flying in her direction. She narrowed her eyes at her son, “Yes, looking for you,” she snapped, but her expression softened and she sighed – while she had left looking for him she hadn’t been attacked until she had been grounded by her impending labor. “But I am on the mend, I am glad to see you are doing well.”


An ear pinned back at the accusational greeting, and he snorted, his expression darkening despite her retraction. Firestorm's temper had been prodded.

"Well I'm fine." He said with a defensive retort. "You needent worry about me and my 'demon-lover,'" He glared. "She hasn't eaten me yet." He tossed his head.



Stormwild gave a heavy sigh. "I'm not particularly worried about you," she said. "They are possessive - and if she has 'chosen' you she will not want to share you - even with your family."

She let a pause hang in the air for a moment.

"And they can snap....at any given moment."

Another pause.

"And I can't help but notice you're not in a rush to show her off."


Firestorm snorted derisively. "She can't tell me what to do." He tossed his mane for emphasis. "I'm with her because I WANT to be with her. And besides, you haven't exactly been all that welcoming. Why would I want to bring her here with all of this bile you've been spewing." He snorted.

"Just wait. Soon, soon we'll have foals of our own." He let that hang in the air with a daring smile. "And they will be STRONG!" Certainly, Shinoma was not actually with foal yet, but they were trying! ANd Firestorm had confidence.



Storm shook her head. "I think you know a part of you is ashamed." She frowned at the mention of foals. "Please be careful, Firestorm. You have a family here... don't bring foals into the world just out of spite. They will need a strong and loving herd to help raise them well."


Firestorm blatantly rolled his eyes at her accustaion. "Anything but. I came here beacuse I heard you had been hurt, but obviously you're not THAT hurt. And Shinoma and I are perfectly strong enough to raise foals! We don't NEED a bunch of lazy, weak old mares to watch over them."

He went to raise his wings when he noticed something tucked under her large wings. His brow furrowed. A basket?
A flash of... something... ran cold then hot in his chest. Had she and Balrog birthed more foals? THIS Firestorm had not heard.

His ears flattened. "You have baskets?" It almost came out as an accusation rather than a question. Were they trying to replace him? Despite having left the herd, in Firestorm's mind, it wouldn't be forever. He was the golden child - the son of Balrog, and Stormwild, even as he had retorted more than once - wasn't his real mother, she was more of his mother than his real dam was. ANd on top of that, since he had been trying, there was a basket, tucked casually under her wing, spiting him, almost as if it were calling him impotent.


"I think once you have foals of your own you'll be singing a different tune. I just hope your children don't ultimately have to suffer for your stubbornness."

At the mention of the basket Storm couldn't help but smile a bit. She lifted her wing to give a better view: the black and orange and purple glowing basket seemed to be almost lit up in the shadow of its mother's body. "Even more a reason we'd like to see you home and with your family," she said, "You're going to be a big brother soon."



Firestorm's face darkened. "We shall see, Stormwild. But if I got my stubbornness from any, it was Balrog." He flicked his tail. "I think I could be a better sire than he!"

Firestorm eyed the single basket nestled by her side. His confidence and irritation brimming, he made no effort to hold back his quip. "What? Just one?" He laughed outright. "Perhaps you and Balrog have grown impotent in your old age."


Stormwild couldn't deny that Firestorm was indeed his father's son. She simply shook her head.

But the comment about her one basket incensed a rage in her that the Elder had not felt in many years. She quickly got to her feet, stepping quickly away from the basket in fear that she might stomp on it her rage. "How dare you," she roared, flaring her wings up in a show of fierce dominance. "You nearly lost your Alpha and mother, and now you dare to insult the memory of deceased siblings." She tried to calm herself - there was no way he could have known. But regardless she felt as if, based on her impotency or her inability to protect them - he was blaming their deaths on her. "You spoiled, heartless, arrogant stallion, it;s about time you actually learned a lesson about that ungrateful tongue of yours." She continued to storm up to him, head high and threatening, quickly entering his personal space.



Firestorm felt as if the words evaporated from his mouth. For once, he was silent. Deceased siblings...? In his ire, Firestorm didn't even consider that possibility. Now, it seemed blatantly obvious. She had been injured...

He found himself backpedaling as Stormwild drew herself to her full height, wings spread and flapping for effect. Suddenly, she had all of the force of presence of the Alpha that she was.

"Storm... I... I didn't know.." He stumbled over the words.

Then, suddenly, a loud CRACK from behind Stormwild interrupted their conversation...


TO BE CONTINUED...