The spark of amusement that lit up Kiada's face as Otem mentioned the Metus and his hope-snack, filled the autumn coloured girl with what felt like a rush of warm water, beginning in her belly and filling her up entirely. Since entering into the Rift and having her life turned upside down, she'd forgotten that it was okay to be happy and to laugh She couldn't remember the last time she'd actually laughed like this.
"No, no-I think it makes sense!" Otem immediately interjected, wanting both to sooth away any part of Kiada's anxiety that she could, but also because it did genuinely make sense. Why else would the Matron have sent them to specific areas of the Rift, if not to 'ignite' and spread the light that could push the shadows away? "Like starting a fire-" Otem mumbled, her eyes fixated upon the dancing flames that laced the unicorn's back. "A lot of smaller flames, that can spread into something much larger."
If that was the plan all along, why hadn't Kisamoa just said so?
Whatever relationship Otem thought she had with Kisamoa, it was clearly nothing like Kiada. Otem wouldn't dare think it was her place to yell at him - and that completely ignored the fact that she wouldn't even know where to begin looking for him. Whatever had happened below the surface of the Scint river had clearly brought the god and mare closer together. Otem felt that if anything, she was just a sort of more respected devotee. Kiada almost seemed to be on par with the god.
"I'll leave the yelling to you." Otem hedged, but a smile had formed once again on her lips. Despite the uncertainty of whether or not Kisamoa ultimately had a plan and whether or not the Helovians (and the others) would be able to carry it out, Otem felt comfortable around Kiada. Although Otem had felt intimidated and almost threatened by her earlier, now she just felt the weight of their shared history, settling around them like a blanket.
otem
I'm a cold day in august, I'm a stream too shallow.
I'm a heart-shaped box with no letter inside.