[JUNI!]

isle of verilias

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this thread serves as a place to explore the past life of adora.  

[JUNI!]

one year old

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as new as she still was to the world, those around her wished to rip away her youth. adora was all too aware that her life was not her own, and yet she remained there, foolishly hoping that the tides would change. maybe, just maybe, the gods would be forgiving if she turned away when she came of age ... the likelihood of that was slim, sure, but couldn't a girl hope? from the window of the castle, the filly leaned into it's tresses to watch the courtyard; colts sparred, laughed and frolicked; how could she not envy them? from below, she could see her friends watching her mournfully. it had been a week since her father had caught her rough housing with ao'ki and forced her to her chambers. it felt like a cruel joke hulled up there, muscles aching from the lack of activity. she could be training. 

still, adora didn't want to continue moping like she had been. already due for a tongue lashing thanks to missing the weeks worth of studies, she could at least make an appearance to make the court happy, right? 

it begged the question to her, though, as to why her happiness didn't matter. why she had to be cast out like a feral child for wanting to be like the others, have the same liberties. why did it matter how well she bowed her head, or how cleanly her mane was? a sigh escaped the filly as she slipped herself into the corridor, cerulean eyes taking careful note of who might be around. as expected, ludovico was stationed at the end of the hall, his gaze falling on her with a silly half smile. adora always felt at peace with him around, even if was her father's will keeping him close. if anything, it was his loyalty to her mother keeping him there at all. could she blame him? her mother was a breath of first spring, making sure the soldier's and guards were as well taken care of as they were. "going somewhere, princess?" the stallion said, causing her to stop in her tracks.

"i figured my presence might be appreciated in the council room, don't you think?" adora retorted, looking back toward him with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. he laughed with a shake of his head, a sigh following. "don't go finding too much trouble," he called after her. as she left, her giggle could be heard all the way to the main doors, turning many ears in her direction with curious intent.

as she stepped into the great hall, eyes turned to her with much more ferocity than she'd expected. prying, careful glances from their peripherals as the filly moved along through the meandering council members. adora's parents were resting at the head of the room, and the smile that came to her mother's face brought warmth to the filly's soul. her father, on the other hand, also looked on with measured composure, wreaking of skepticism. gods, she wanted to retreat back to her room, but by the time the thought crossed her mind she was already standing before them. gold sonars rested against her cranium as she dipped her head in greeting, avoiding her dads gaze to look straight unto her mother. "i hear there is to be a party?" adora asked, relaxing her shoulders as she settled into line with amalthea. her dam reached out and left butterfly kisses along her cheek, nodding as she pulled away. "the prince's betrothed makes her journey to verilias. within a fortnight, she will be home. there is much to celebrate, sweetling."

instinctively, adora looked at august. her sire's browline was creased, and she could tell he was functioning through bated breaths. "that is wonderful news, mother. i am excited to meet her." with another dip of her head, the filly retracted from her parents some, turning toward the rest of the room. it had quieted enough that she'd noticed, anger flashing in her chest. "she is not of our kind, my love," he said to his wife, ears pinned to his skull, tone low. "it will not last." 

for a moment, the pale golden filly wondered if that was a threat, or a promise. a sense of unease hit the room, mother and daughter meeting each other's gaze in forlorn. "we will see, father," adora said after a short pause. "i do not think the council agrees with the things you speak." the tension turned almost instantly. august whipped his full attention to his daughter, lips pulled to expose his teeth for a mere second. "if it is an argument to be had, rest assured my girl, it will be had." this affirmed to her that he was planning something. if she could, she would've thrown up. amalthea stepped in between the two, sharp eyes catching her husbands as she herded her daughter the opposite direction, tail flickering up into his face as they passed. back across the council members, and into the hall, mother and daughter moved with matched grace and solemn faces.

A z z y & illɘgal for mentions of ludovico & harlan !