[PRP] Under the Night Sky (Echo's Song and Dradneos) [FIN]

[tefla]

The mare sighed restlessly. Echo's Song glanced around before allowing her white mane to obscure her vision of the land around her. Her ears pricked forward as a tri-colored hummingbird flitted nearby. It was only Alpha, her little companion that she had found after meeting Dradneos. The hummingbird had been a welcome addition to her life. However now her companion settled down as evening approached.

Shivering softly though at the thought of the stallion Echo pawed at the earth. It was only a moment before another thought hit her. Even though she was getting older she still acted like a young filly that was afraid of the dark around Drad. There was no logical reason to do so anymore. He hadn't left her and she had given him a family ... what was there to be afraid of?

A whisper of wind lifted her mane from her eyes as the mare took in the night sky as it darkened fully. The sky was cold but clear and the stars shone brightly. A streak of colored light danced among the open sky and Echo watched in awe as the auroras came to life.
 

[tefla]

Echo leaned into Drad's nuzzle before returning her gaze to the sky above. She'd been thinking about trying again since her children were grown and some of them had even started their own families. Lowering her gaze from the sky Echo turned around before facing Drad. In some ways nothing had changed since the night that he'd first found her. He still seemed harsh around the edges and menacing at the same time.

Fighting down the impulse to run Echo merely returned Drad's nuzzle. The mare was silent for a moment as she contemplated his statement. Her courage faltered before she murmured softly. "I know that is what you want. However desiring foals and having them magically appear just doesn't seem to work. It defies logic." As an afterthought she added softly. "I'm not sure if I am ready."

At those words she took steps that put a little distance between Dradneos and herself. She returned her gaze to the sky above her before letting her ears catch the sound of footsteps. She knew he would follow.  

[tefla]

Echo visibly reacted to Dradneos's demanding words. Her nostrils flared with anger before she attempted to rationalize the situation. Being angry with each other wouldn't help the situation. This was almost a different side to the stallion that Echo had never seen before. Oh there had been tiny glimpses before especially when they had first met ... but never had she seen him this angry or determined.

Nerves getting the better of her senses Echo wondered if putting more distance between them would be better or worse. "Dradneos. Stop. Think about this. Do you think that your solution is the only way?"

With that question out of the way Echo pranced nervously. She would bolt if she had too. It might only anger Dradneos. But if she waited for him to answer ... the chance might be lost. She was quick footed though - it might be enough.

Decision made the mare turned sharply on her feet before taking off. The wind that was buffeted her form was not much of a hindrance and she ran erratically. The auroras that had captivated her earlier still flickered across the sky ... but now it was as if she were a part of them. Her mane and tail streamed behind her as she dodged debris that littered the ground. He couldn't catch her ... at least this is what Echo hoped.  

[tefla]

For a while it was only thoughts such as 'run faster' and 'weave around this tree' ... but soon Echo merely ran for the sake of it. It had been probably a long time in the making but deep down the terror she felt around Drad had never gone away. His possessive nature, attitude and general demeanor had kept her by his side for a while - but were there any good qualities left after that?

Pausing at a broad river Echo gave into her demands and drank quickly. The cold water numbing her throat on it's journey down. Glancing over her shoulder as quickly as she could Echo glanced at the water. If it was half as cold as it felt then she wouldn't want to swim across the expanse. But where else could she run? Trotting along the riverbank the mare stared out into the distance before gently stepping into the freezing waters. She wouldn't attempt to swim ... merely walk in the shallows.

Using the coldness of the water to keep her mind alert Echo tried to recall anything that was good about the stallion that was probably in pursuit. At first nothing came to mind ... was it seemingly an illusion then - Dradneos's love for her?  

[tefla]

He was watching her again. It seemed like an extra sense that Echo had developed over the time spent with Dradneos. The constant watching that he did had given her an ability that she couldn't quite explain. However she just knew at the back of her mind when he was nearby. Like now. She waded out of the river and scanned the treeline nearby. He'd be there. Methodically the mare made her way slowly towards the trees before stopping.

Moonlight filtered through the bare branches to the ground and just - yes - there he was. Echo lowered her gaze from the trees before sighing softly. She couldn't fool herself. She could never out run Dradneos. Did she even really want to? Had this been a test on her part to see if he'd really follow?

Without a word she lay down at the edge of the treeline before speaking softly. "I am too tired to play games. I know what you want. The truth is ... I want that too. It would be nice to raise another set of children ... but Drad ... why the rush?"  

[tefla]

At least now Drad seemed to be thinking a little more clearly. Echo remained still as Dradneos neared her and lay down next to her. She gave a soft smile as she felt his comforting weight against her shoulder. The mention of her children had her thinking about them and she had a brief moment to think about them.

"Our children are still quite young though Dradneos. And I know for a fact that our daughter seems to have found someone to spend time with. As for our sons ... I haven't heard from them in a while. I do hope that they are alright."

She returned the nuzzle as gently as she could. "As for us - your method is a little too strong. But it is possible to work around that little issue," she gave him a smirk before laughing. Her gaze traveled over his form before she leaned forward and nipped playfully at his mane. Getting to all fours she flicked her tail out. "Catch me if you can?"

With that Echo darted into the trees. This time the running away wasn't in fear ... it was in play. It'd be darker and harder to see but in the end ... it was the thrill of the game.  

[tefla]

And the chase was on again. Echo darted smoothly between the trees of the forest as she ran. From something that had been so serious earlier she had turned the night into something fun again. Spotting a thicket just ahead Echo turned and darted into the enclosure. Retreating until she reached the very back the mare glanced to the entrance before settling down again.

There was no doubt that Dradneos would find her here - how long it took would be another matter. Gently she rubbed her head against her outstretched right foreleg before casting a look around her. The thicket had the look of being used by others but from the lack of lingering scents ... it had been abandoned a while ago. The game of chase had tired Echo and she sunk into a light slumber as she awaited Drad's arrival.  

[tefla]

A few hours must've passed before Echo stirred lightly. Feeling the warmth of the body beside her Echo gave a rueful smile before letting Dradneos know that she was awake. Gently she maneuvered her body so that she could raise her head. She reached over and gave a gentle tug to Drad's locks of tangled hair before sighing softly. Sleep and time had allowed Echo to relax and think about the situation.

She had told the truth earlier to Dradneos that she hadn't been ready for foals. The truth was that she was a little scared about what would happen after the children came and went. There was always the chance that Dradneos would leave her afterwards. Sighing softly ... Echo once again tugged at the stallion's mane before nickering softly. Her musings were done in silence and now while she still had the nerve - maybe it was time to confess her fears to the stallion next to her.

"Drad. Wake up."