Post by + ebonite + on May 14, 2018 20:56:41 GMT -7
LATERALUSpixel by rlpshank at deviantart
This was not a revelation he thought he would ever have again. After Andromeda's death, he'd considered himself done, fulfilled. He had loved Andromeda deeply and though he had mourned her for a long time, after he'd died and been reborn in the Afterlife, he found himself recovered from her death. It had taken time and he hadn't even realized it at first, but eventually he had gotten over her. After that, he did not think he would ever love again. And he had accepted that. He had been fine with that. Hell, he'd had four ex-mates now - he was over the limit. Andromed had been the last and that had been fine with him. Instead, he'd taken to fathering children with his friends, enjoying the easy-going nature of their friendship and raising their children together. Now, he was met with the realization that he had fallen in love yet again.
Perhaps it was to be expected considering how long they had known each other. Rasa was his dearest friend and he had supported her from the start. He still remembered the first day he'd properly laid eyes on her - when she'd taken the throne when Andromeda had disappeared. There was a certain irony in that now, he thought with a chuckle. He was walking the mortal plane now, taking a stroll in the Free lands with his young son, Alveus. The boy was only a few weeks old, but his mother, Rowana, had vanished. The mare had not been happy with Lateralus when she told him she was pregnant. Now, she and Alveus' twin sister were gone. Lat could not find them no matter where he looked. They were beyond the boundaries of Wild Equines. He didn't know what had happened - whether she had decided to abandon Alveus or if something more dire had come up, but either way, Alveus was now on his own. The colt trotted by his side now, looking somber. He stared straight ahead, putting one foot in front of the other. Lat didn't know exactly what had happened and he hadn't pressed his son on the issue yet. He would talk when he was ready. Right now, Lat just wanted to spend some time with him and show him that he wasn't alone. He lived in Dark Woods, which was full of his family. He didn't know or understand it now, but he would. In time.
They were going through the Crystal Pools Free land right now. It was beautiful - the light reflecting in the water. Lat hoped that Alveus' young mind would enjoy it, even if he was simply staring straight ahead right now. Lat wanted him to have good memories. He might not be able to be here as much as he wanted to be, but he was going to try. Hopefully Skye and Zela would look after him well. He would be in the company of his siblings, at least. The grullo stallion let out a sigh, his wings fluttering gently by his sides as they walked. It was quiet here in the morning. Lat walked past each pool slowly, gazing on his reflection in the water. He had been rather angry as of late. The progression of the war with the Neutral Kingdom and the Helkaer had not gone well and Utopia was in disarray because of it. Rasa had been absent during so much of the war and Spike had only prevented one land from collapse. Lat wanted to do more, but he could not fight fire. He just wished Rasa would have confided in him. She didn't trust men with good reason, but couldn't she try? Couldn't she trust him? He felt so frustrated at her. He'd noticed his feelings for months now, but now they were coming to fruition. He was in love with her. He was in love with Rasa. And he didn't know if she felt the same way - it seemed that she had, but she was so distant, so mistrusting. He wanted to be understanding of her past, but he also just wanted her to trust him. He would never do anything to hurt her. Their child was going to be born soon. Would she even let him see it? He sighed again. He didn't know whether to feel selfish or self-righteous.
He continued along with Alveus, watching the boy closely. He could only hope that he could give his son the support that he needed. Being in the Afterlife made it so difficult. It was almost amusing to him that he had more children than he ever had before and he was dead. A smile appeared on his maw and he halted in front of one of the pools. He stared at his reflection. He looked as he had in his prime. His coat was glossy, his body well-muscled and fit. He carried a few of his aged scars with him - reminders of his past. His muzzle was not flecked with gray as it had been in life. He had not been dealt a particularly good hand as far as bodies went. His had given out so early. His grullo wings looked magnificent, even folded by his sides. He had never really seen what he looked like, like this. He felt a nudge and turned to see his son looking up at him, wondering why he'd stopped. Lat nipped affectionately at his forelock and turned back to look at the water. He took a deep breath. Whatever was coming next, he would deal with it. He had to.
notes Scenario 3: It's too Cliche
- Papa Bear
- Deep Thought
count 925
timeline before Rasa is stolen by Artemisia
"Speech"
