Outsiders

When there's madness, when there's poison in your head When the sadness leaves you broken in your bed A smile, however weak in spirit, found its way to Iskra's lips as his friend roused and clambered back to his feet, a good sign. Iskra's 'brows furrowed in confusion and wonder just like his however as his words spilled out alongside a visible red residue. Maybe he wasn't so hale after all. Before Iskra could even begin to fathom an answer however, Saoirse leapt back as if stung, and the suddenness of it sent a thrill down Iskra that caused him to shy away as well, body tucked and coiled into itself as he jerked sideways and half-reared. "What!?" Iskra blurted out with widened nostrils, eyes darting around for something terrible, like perhaps all those lurking eyes finally doing more than watching. Iskra been aware of his newfound stench, but he didn't yet realize his previously harmless sparks weren't so docile. Before either boy could further figure out what the Rift had done to them however, a nearly hysterical mare bore down upon them. That she knew Saoirse by name put Iskra at ease, but that Saoirse seemed less than receptive kept him on edge. Alert, Iskra stood rigid, awkwardly lingering behind the family reunion, his head high and damp feathers faintly lifted with the energy of the moment. An angry filly pokes her head around next, and while Iskra prepared to flash her one of his winning smiles in warm welcome, her tongue lashed out furiously instead and cut it off his facade. "What!" Iskra repeated in protest, as though this filly had called him the worst name imaginable. Bully!? "I am not!" Iskra complained childishly in return, gaze narrowing at her. "She was already crying," he poorly attempted to explain, likely to little avail. He glanced over at Soairse for back up, but the colt seemed to be arguing with the mare. Before Iskra could continue Astarot walked up, greeting him, which Iskra returned with a distracted nod. He was truly grateful to see another familiar face, especially Astraot's, having known him to be a powerful healer in their herd and a savior during his time of need, but right now Iskra's head was a little full of everything happening. That's why he eagerly trotted after Saoirse as the boy stalked off, though Iskra threw a worried glance over his shoulder. "Hey," he said lowly to Saoirse, but if he was whispering it wasn't all that quiet. "Who were they? Was she your mom?" The mare's words had suggested such, but Soirse's reaction told a different tale - especially because Iskra remembered the frightened child on the desert sands telling the sultans his mother was lost and they needed to find her. It left a confused weight in Iskra's gut, because if that was Saoirse's mom, then why did he react that way? Iskra and his mom didn't always see eye to eye, but what he wouldn't give to see her right now. Iskra I will hold you in the depths of your despair And it's all in the name of love

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