The Academy: The world will never, ever be the same.

Formaldehyde held a steady strength here; no matter the woes and troubles of his past and present, and Delilah could see this radiating like gleaming sunlight through his lovely eyes. She marvelled at the transformation and was all at once glad that she had come this far, at least to see the stallion that he could not be at home. Neither did she find reason to ridicule his fresh-faced manner and revelled in such brightness of heart. He peeled away the walls of her mind once more as though it were a mere orange, born to be penetrated and she stiffened a little- for it was not a phenomenon she had come to be used to. Perhaps she thought, but did not speak because she had seen characters within the Krieg that shed naught but pure antagonism. This place of nature and thought, could no more house those damned souls, than hell could angels. Delilah smiled, for she had found her belonging.

The atmosphere was darkening progressively despite the relief of soaking winter rain that descended from it. Delilah had noticed, and her skin crawled with anticipation; for where beauty such as this lily, was to be influenced and aided by Formaldehyde, the threat of this ferocious thunderstorm stirred the same tender adoration in Delilah. Now the streaks and forks of savage electricity came to light the grim sky, and dazzle all who were below to see. “Come.” She whispered quickly, feeding from the energy which danced through the thrumming air and rain around them The young mare lead away with well practiced precision (she had not come away from her life as a warrior clueless, and without unique skill), for she had learned to dance and pivot across the slipperiest of surfaces.

They followed a path that Delilah did not know, but it held its incline, and that was what drew her on. There were no trees with broad sheltering branches and canopies to offer their sodden, cold coats respite, but Delilah could think for now only of the brimming excitement that would be her exclusive gift to her friend. Only when they found themselves at the crest did she slow their brisk pace, and by the time they were standing curiously at the exposed summit of the hillock Delilah was revelling beneath the thunderous fury of the storm. Lightning broke defiantly around them and she beckoned it closer; she loved it. She could not mind due forget the vulnerability of her friend in such a situation and should any forks bear down to greet her presence, Delilah would greedily absorb its power herself.

Now she turned to Formaldehyde, gazing between his tenderly patient eyes. It would be the first time for them both to see such spectacle- even though she had held such ability for many months now. She stilled, arching her neck forward, as though to manage all her concentration into the space before them. Seconds passed, and then minutes; and Delilah’s skin began to tingle and spark fiercely. Finally, she threw her head into the air, and her glowing face was bathed in a myriad of shifting colours. Before them, shimmering in the falling rain was a great wall of colours so intense and beautiful that many other eyes were drawn also, for none could resist. It was Aurora Australis (the southern lights), and this was what she had been blessed with by the Elementals. Delilah was thrilled beyond belief with her gift, and she stared wonderingly and she could not draw her gaze away- much like all who would witness its soothing quality.

It lasted only five minutes or so and when it released its captive audience, Delilah slumped around to see the expression wrapping Formaldehyde’s features.

Delilah
unranked | lightning III + aurora australis | andarin