Firefly Whispers (The Croatoan and Euthyphro)

[Jynk]

 

[Jynk]

Tsh tsh tsh. The Croatoan decided he liked the sound his hooves made over the damp leaves and moss of his waterlogged glade. It had been long since anyone aside from his mate had been seen around the glade and The Croatoan had began to wonder if anyone existed outside of the small domain he watched over for his Father. Could the Croatoan's Father be so powerful as to stave off destruction in His glade? Or could it just be that no one had ventured to this part of the swamp in a long time?

Tsh tsh tsh.

Probably the latter, the Croatoan decided. The fireflies would have told him of the world's end had it happened. He turned glowing golden eyes to the west and tilted his head, listening to the voices of the fireflies only he could hear. Perhaps, they whispered. Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps a visitor would come. Some lost spirit to be shown the way or a lost pilgrim come to hear the Word.

Tsh tsh tsh.

Yes, the Word. One day The Croatoan sought to leave the glade of his Father to go forth and spread his Word. Not today, though. Not today. Today there would be a visitor. So, the fireflies whispered.  

[one over three]

Euthyphro had gone out flying that afternoon with the intent to find and visit his mother. At some point, he'd lost track of that, instead choosing to glide about boosted by pockets of warm air. He let go, allowing the currents to take him where they would as his mind wandered. He payed no thought to direction or speed until he felt the air chill beneath his wings.

He flapped, turning his head to look down. Some trees, a few puddles, nothing terribly interesting. Perhaps it would be best to head home? He'd just started his turn when a flash caught the corner of his eye. Staring down again he caught sight of a mass of light drifting amongst the trees. Just what was it? He let his altitude drop. Busy keeping an eye on the ball he neglected to look for a dry place to land.

Squelch.

He grumbled as his hooves sank into the mud, "Oh, wonderful..."

 

[Jynk]

The sound of the other landing in the soft marsh had no gone unnoticed. The glow the other had seen drew closer as The Croatoan approached. He stood, watching the other for a moment before coming closer still.

A lost spirit of the wind, perhaps? He had met a few before, but never one with four wings had come to the glade of his Father. Tilting his head in thought and disturbing a small cloud of fireflies that had been resting on his antlers, he mused over this one silently before finally speaking.

"You are welcome to the glade of The Croatoan. He was expecting you," the mutant cerynei called softly.  

[one over three]

The force of the landing had caused his feet to sink into the mud. His vision was directed downward as he tried to dislodge himself. Despite all his efforts it seemed that every time he managed to get one foot out the others would force themselves in ever deeper. Thus, the Croatoan's approach went unnoticed right up until the moment he spoke.

"You are welcome to the glade of The Croatoan. He was expecting you."

Euthyphro felt a chill run down his spine as he lifted his head to look at the stranger, "Expecting me?" Oh for the love of the sweet world he hoped that was a good thing. He tugged at his feet, heart pounding as he tried to free himself and gain at least a little control. "Ah, did you see me approach? I hope I'm not intruding here."
 

[Jynk]

The Croatoan shook his head a little at the questions. He glanced down at the stallion's hooves seemingly stuck in the mire. "If you struggle less, you will free yourself easier. There is dry ground before you to use as leverage." He walked around to stand before the other, showing him where to put his hooves.

Peering at the other again, The Croatoan noticed the glowing stars about his mane and tail. "Ah, no wonder the fireflies like you, star spirit. They mistook you as their own. Even so, you are still welcome to The Croatoan's glade." He leaned forward, glowing eyes and face-splitting grin coming very close to Euthyphro's face. "Did you want help to escape the mire?"  

[one over three]

He noticed as the Croatoan walked around him that his cloven hooves didn't sink into the mud. Perhaps it was just chance, but more likely, it seemed, the other male simply knew where to step from long practice. He pulled a front foot out of the mud and placed it where the Croatoan had gestured. The feeling of solid earth beneath his hoof was a relief, he breathed deep then leaned forward as he pulled on the next hoof.

As he pulled his last foot free of the mud he looked up at the cereni, "Thank you. I don't remember having been stuck that bad since I was a colt." He looked over the other, calmly for the first time since he'd landed. Never before had he met anyone who had such strong bioluminescence. Perhaps he was the ball of light that had lured him down to begin with? It was a somewhat mundane answer to his question.

"Did you say your name was Croatoan?"
 

[Jynk]

The cerynei nodded his head, leaving twin streaks of glowing light rapidly disappearing into the dark. "It is The Croatoan that stands before you. This is his Glade. He watches over it for his Father." He gestured to the marshy wooded area around them then turned his eyes back to the strange Star Spirit. "And who are you to come visit The Croatoan? A lost Star that has fallen?"

He didn't wait for an answer before moving toward the trees. "Come, lost Star, The Croatoan's home is this way and he is most hospitable to visitors. He shall see your belly full and thirst slaked before you are to fly back to the sky." He glanced back over his shoulder. "All he asks is that you keep him company and tell him some stories of your travels."  

[one over three]

"A star?" he glanced up at the sky. It was the third time the cerynei had called him such yet his charms emitted a rather low light when compared to the Croatoan. Why call him a star?

As the Croatoan turned to leave Euthyphro turned to follow, watching the patterns left behind by the other's horns.

"That's, very kind of you, thanks, but what makes you think stars need to eat?"