Prompt Entry One

Vibrant locks of heather slid across Skye’s well-defined neck and down his alabaster coated shoulder, he wasn’t a vain stallion, nothing of the sort but of all the hues that made up his Technicolor hide his hair and body were his favourite. “She always used to call me her water lily,” bitterly guffawed the winged beast, his pitch broken and somber despite the laugh that escaped his long snout. Kicking at the ground Skye gave his head a shake as if trying to dislodge the thoughts that were clouding his mind. It had been several turns since the last time he had even thought about the female that made his chest feel less empty. “Maybe it is time to pay her a visit.”

The words tumbled from his quivering lips before he even had a moment to contemplate speaking them. Pride wouldn’t allow it, he knew better than to sink his heart into the mud once again by allowing her back into his life and yet just thinking of her made his breath catch in his throat and the pit of his stomach churn with excitement. Truly it wouldn’t do any harm if he were to be careful? Steel his heart and approach her with a guarded demeanor? Yes, that was exactly what he would do.

Striking his multi-colored hooves into the dirt Skye began his trot at a moderate pace before pushing his feathered appendages open and pumping the limbs with great strength. There was always a rush of excitement and disbelief the moment that the ground lost connect with his sturdy frame, no matter how many times or how ingrained it was into his nature being able to fly was always the most spellbinding experience of his life. Rolling his massive shoulders Skye took a sharp turn towards the heavily wooded area of the continent with a breathy whinny.

Where would she be? It had been so very long since the last time he saw her, what if she wasn’t where he remembered.

Remembered…

Shaking his head the winged unicorn out stretched his left wing and made a lazy circle in the sky, the heavy currents of cool air around his body kept him aloft as wild anxiety raged in his soft green eyes. How could he have forgotten, she was so special to him and he couldn’t remember where she was! Nickering loudly the rainbow painted stallion shook his head more and all but bucked into the wind. This wasn’t fair, this wasn’t right!

Tipping his wings downward Skye plummeted towards the ground in a rapid spiral, he had to think, he had to focus. Connecting with a solid thud the Technicolor stallion all but dropped to his belly the moment he landed. Brushing his snout into the dirt Skye gnashed his teeth together and neighed with irritation. “I know she lives in the forest. I know that for a fact.” Angrily seethed the winged-equine, shutting his heavy hues Skye exhaled through both nostrils making his septum whistle ever so slightly with the action as he focused on trying to recollect what was lost.

“In the forest, so deep that even the heat of summer failed to reach the beautiful emerald leaves. There was a bubbling noise there,” his ear twitched. “a stream. Yes a stream, the water was always so cool and crisp. No, not cool… cold. Like melted snow. Why would that be?” For a long moment Skye scrapped his muzzle against the hardened earth, the dark clumps of soil stained his plush alabaster coat with each passing he made against the ground. “Because it was melted snow, she lived near a mountain!” Skye felt his chest swell with pride, he had remembered something important and if he was lucky he could remember everything then visit his friend.

The colors of sunset blended across the heavens, wisps of pink and amethyst clouds floated sleepily on the horizon welcoming the moon as it began its ascension. The whole day had slipped past him and Skye remained on his stomach lost in blurred reveries, bits of memories mixed and muddled with fantasy played out in his exhausted mind. Tomorrow he would fly over the forests near the mountains, maybe if he was lucky be would remember something else, shutting his spring green hues Skye allowed himself to rest and let sleep claim his fatigued frame.

----


Snorting with distain the heather manned stallion pumped his multicolored wings harder than he thought possible. Skye had covered nearly every patch imaginable that stretched from the mountains to the forest with no results. Fluttering, nearly hovering over a dark canopy Skye tested the thick leafy tops with his fore-hooves before peering down into the gloom dubiously. Could this be the spot? Could she be in there somewhere? Dipping his long, narrow face into the thicket Skye found himself blinking back tears, he didn’t recognize anything and yet---

And yet there was something that--- smelled familiar. Sucking in a deep breath the lily coated equine pushed his way through the treetops until he made contact with the soft forest floor. Sniffing loudly in fervor Skye push forward, his long powerful legs driving him further and further into the obscured woodland. Was she here? Was she? It smelled so familiar, she had to be here!

Rushing as fast as his legs could carry him Skye all but galloped as he followed the scent that guided his actions. Truly the beast was like a creature possessed, dodging through trees and jumping over tangled piles of overgrowth Skye nickered and panted as he drew nearer and nearer to the source of the mesmerizing odor.

Slits of light filtered through the thick foliage from overhead and Skye found himself slowing his rapid movements, this was right. This was where she was at, he was certain of it.

Glistening black beads stared out towards him as he crept closer to the stump that lay in the small clearing of the forest, it was her! It was her! He had finally found her! The look that she gave him made his heart hammer against his chest and made his pulse race, she remembered him; he could tell. Kneeling before her Skye brought his eyes to meet her unwavering gaze. She looked older, worn out and lackluster, her pink fur was several shades lighter and her yellow beak seemed to sag ever so slightly. She was still his little friend, his special lady that never judged him, or thought his colors made him unique, he was her water lily and he would never leave her alone in the dark forest by herself ever again. Bringing his snout down Skye nuzzled against the small duck-like stuffed animal, she smelt damp and faintly of rot, she was so fragile. It hurt, it hurt so badly, because he remembered that she was too delicate to move or play with, he remembered that some of the white fluff that made up her insides had started to spill from a rip just along the underside of her stomach. Whimpering loud Skye drew back just enough to keep his nose pressed against her bill. She was his only friend, he should have remembered. He should have---

Remembered…