» In the End

R I X E N "I don’t? Then try not to laugh too hard." Shouting above the music with a lopsided half-grin, I moved beside Kiada, who seemed to be dancing rather fluidly compared to myself. Like she was transformed by the music, flowing in graceful patterns, body in constant motion, painting a picture to pair with the sound. My emerald gaze scanned the glitter-decorated mare with a certain subtlety, trying to watch her movements so that I could attempt to copy them. As time passed, it no longer mattered how silly I might've looked. Never had I imagined that dance could be so exhilarating, but as upon moving rhythmically to the music, it turned out that I was enjoying myself, and having Kiada beside me made the party all the better. At a certain point, we were so close together that our pelts brushed gently together, causing a tingling electric current to course through the skin beneath.  Then something strange happened. A large figure appeared at the entrance of the Pinnacle’s mouth, illuminated by the stream of bluish light. The crowd fell silent in a mixture of shock and awe, all eyes turning in the direction of the unexpected guest. When she had stepped into the clearing, I could make out a deerlike creature who was looking out upon all of us with a wide smile. Orbs of hope, similar to the one Otem gave me, danced around her head in a glowing halo. The music continued on as the strange creature came to a halt behind the Matron, greeting her with a dip of her antlered head. The Matron seemed to know who she was, almost like she’d been expecting her. Unlike the many other Riftian creatures who were more menacing in appearance, she looked friendly, even pleased, and she introduced herself as “Hope.” Was Hope some sort of god too? Glancing at Kisamoa, who was also here, I noted that Hope couldn’t possibly be any more different.  Overcome with an immediate sense of respect for the stranger, I dipped my own vine-covered antlers in greeting. Ears pricked forward, I listened with great interest as she spoke of her deep slumber, and of how she planned to help us heal the Rift together. When she suggested a meeting in Halyven, the same place we’d already decided to congregate every moon or so, I perked up. It had been a while since I’d visited the place, and I was eager to visit it again. Perhaps, if the wait was too long, I’d have to go there before the meeting with Hope. Briefly, I contemplated asking about rebuilding the ruins, but decided against it. If the opportunity presented itself, I’d ask later, when everyone had gone back to their merrymaking. Before I could think about Halyven further, my attention was drawn back to Hope at her mention of new things we might want to explore. That could only mean one thing - new lands. Maybe Otem and I were onto something when we’d theorized that the orbs had something to do with breaking down the barrier just north of here. I’d just have to wait and see. Not for long, though, if it could be helped.  After Hope indicated that she was done addressing us, Kiada turned to me again. "I guess this is what spreading the hope has done,” she observed with a happy smile, and I nodded in agreement. "I’m glad that the Rift is beginning to show signs of healing. If we continue to work together, in time I’m sure we will accomplish much more." I spoke with a contented sigh. "This is the happiest I have seen the Rift, and the horses in it. That in itself also makes me happy. Like everything was worth it."   "Talk." they heard me singing and they told me to stop quit these pretentious things and just punch the clock

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@Kiada