x everybody's fool

[nuzzer2]

; Jaliya

<sub>Look here she comes now

Bow down and stare in wonder</sub>

Home, a beautiful word, but was there really any way I could call this godforsaken land, home? The Black lake was as abandoned as always, fog had covered the midnight colored pool and if an newcomer didn’t know the lake was there they could easily fall in. In the nearby forest wolves were howling and growling – a clear sound of they were hunting. Normally I wouldn’t give a damn, I mean come on I was a big strong mare – used to fighting, to me they were just insects really. However that had changed this morning, my day had started as usual – waking up, eating, going for a walk, drinking ect. All the normal stuff equines do, but suddenly a sharp pain had run through my entire body – signaling the arrival of my baby.

I had panicked, not just been afraid – I had really panicked, rushing to the safe foaling grounds in full canter I was afraid I had hurt the little one. But no, the birth had been quite easy and fast – and out came a perfect little filly. Bay in color just like her mom – for that I was pleased, I had been planning to never return to Riku, even though it hurt like hell to think about, I mean who would guess it was his foal? Just as that thought had crossed my mind, the little creature had opened her eyes and stared at me with emerald mixed with sapphire eyes – the eyes of Riku.

So here I was, returning to my king – with the little creature walking beside me on long pillars. My hazel orbs sought out hers, already she was showing signs of intelligence – eyes narrowed in concentration as she tried to keep control of the long pillars – I was amazed. She had been quick to rise from the bloody ground and had been walking on record time – that had scared me quite a bit, I still didn’t quite know if the filly was of Riku or Xehanort. But I had to admit the thought of Xehanort being the sire was fading, the tiny filly had done nothing but act like a little angel – never biting too hard when feeding and making sure to stay close at all times.

Tears clouded my vision as I stopped for a moment to rest, my baby girl was perfect – so unlike her deceased half sister, she had four beautiful legs and her breathing was deep and constant, everything I had wished for had come true. Taking a few steps forward I stared down in the black lake, the water was black as tar.

“Stay away from the water dear, it’s not safe”

I turned to meet her eyes, making sure my lyrics were gentle yet commanding – I wasn’t going to lose my little angel. Hazel met sapphire – understanding was clear to read in her young eyes, and again I was amazed, perhaps I should really name her angel. A soft breeze gentle caressed my features before sneaking up my nostrils, and my body stiffened – the smell of pregnant mare was heavy in the air, did Riku – had Riku – I closed my eyes slowly as realization dawned on me.

You know you've got everybody fooled

[azul.]

R I K U

All along, I was searching for, "My Lenore."

I remember the time when I talked to Sora about Kairi-at the time, she was just the new girl. We didn't know who she was, or why she was here, but her father was the... mayor, of a local land. She came to the island, and I remember, down in the cave, we talked about her. From the way that Sora's eyes refrained from meeting my curious ones, I could tell that he liked her. It was obvious. I liked her too, but I had an easier way of hiding it. Those fewyears were great. Even when Selphie, Tidus and Wakka fought me, only to lose, it was so much fun. Now those times were gone.

I still think, that is, I hope, I'm starting to unravel the secret. I'm starting to figure out everything, starting from that fateful day. Oh, how I couldn't wait to tell Kai-Jayila, not Kairi, Jayila. Of course, she probably won't want to talk to me, not now. But, she was having a foal. My foal. Xehanort's foal. A foal. I wasn't sure who's it was. It was all a mistake. Was Kairi a mother now? Where was Sora? Did he have some offspring of his own? The thought burdened me in a way. See, if he had offspring, he would surely be too busy to look for me, as I would be too busy, with two foals on the way, and dealing with an insane heart-researcher who was constantly telling me that I was alone.

Darkened tresses slapped my damp neck. Spring was here. Africa and Jayila would be back with the foals, that is, if Jayila even wanted the foal. I oh-so badly wanted to be delighted as a new father, but if this wasn't a happy beginning, it'd be useless. I hate letting anyone know how I feel... I was- I was an enigma. To the eye and to the heart. That's how it should be known. That's how it should be done. Take everything without letting anyone know you care, otherwise, you'd be known as being weak, and I couldn't afford that. So when I scented Jayila, back in the lake, I struggled to smother the feelings of hope. I acquired a new scent.. Surely, it must be the new foal. I didn't squeal in joy, or gallop off to meet them, but a soft smile flickered on my pale lips, as I pushed off to see the child.

I had to fight off the cold reality, if it was a Xehanort child. If it was, could I muster up enough strength to kill it? If the foal had any trace of Xehanort, it would only carry out Xehanort's plan, bringing him closer to life, where I would have to meet him, whether I wanted to or not. Still, when I heard Jayila speak to the foal, My curious eyes closed, my crown shaking. I felt like no king. What kind of place was this for a child, and a mother who despised every part of me? So scary. When I was close enough, I wanted to say something, anything to let Jayila know that I loved the filly, but... She looked like Kairi. Her eyes, identical to mine, and her light bay coat like Jayila's, she almost portrayed Kairi perfectly. She didn't look like a demon. Slowly, my eyes lifted to meet Jayila's, but I closed my sapphire orbs before I said anything. I had so much to explain to her, so much to tell her, that I was figuring it all out and, and...And nothing. I stared at the filly, and mumbled a sweet, lone lyric, one that came to me from days of sleepless dreams.

"Einjeru. Perfect little angel..."

[nuzzer2]

; Jaliya

I was still trying to cope with the new information, of course Riku had bred with other mares he had every right in the world to do so – but why did it hurt so bad then? Because I was still hanging on tightly to my plan of one stallion and one mare, but this was tearing me apart, did he do it on purpose? Was it Xehanort? Had he fallen in love with this other mare? So many questions were spinning around in my tired head, and no one was here to answer them yet. I thought of leaving, just turning around and walking out of the terra; it would be so easy, just to run and leave the problems behind, but I found that I couldn’t. I had become too wrapped up in this web of lies, my heart had been captured by the one I could never get – yet I had gotten a little part of him, one that would last and prevail. My orbs returned to the bay filly, she was so beautiful – so innocent and sweet, I would stay for her sake; I had no right to steal her father from her, deny her the right to meet her sire.

The musky scent of stallion invaded my nostrils as an army of ants. My orbs closed for a couple of seconds, before I turned to meet the sapphire eyes of Riku. My heartbeat increased a million times, and dozens of different emotions flashed through my eyes; hurt, sorrow, pain, love, happiness, frustration. What was I supposed to feel now? I still loved him, and I guessed that wouldn’t pass away from day to day. It wasn’t his fault Xehanort took control yet I couldn’t help but blame him for not fighting either, it had all been a misunderstanding – words had been spilled that came out wrong.

“Riku.. “

Did I really need to say more? My tones were raw with emotions; his quiet yet soft tones combined with the beauty of the name hurt me like a stick through my beating heart. He didn’t ask for this, he didn’t ask for a foal – perhaps she was unwanted, and he would send me away; ban me from his realm. I took a few steps forward, making sure to create to stand as a barrier between my precious filly and her sire – I didn’t think he would ever hurt her; especially not considering the beautiful name, but I was too afraid to risk it. The memory of my deceased filly was too fresh, too alive in my mind for me to forget it, and I hoped that Riku would know and understand. I wanted badly to utter that she was his, that there was no trace of the demon Xehanort in her, but the fear of rejection was too high – too scary for me to ignore. Would it be best to just turn around and walk away now? He had seen her, he knew she existed and he could come search us out if he wanted; but somewhere I knew that was just a cowards decision, it would not be a solution.

“.. I’m sorry”

The silence was destroying me, breaking me down from the insides – why wouldn’t he speak? The memory of Xehanort’s blaming tones were still fresh in my memory, the words that I had uttered that Riku had translated into something directed at him.

“No surprise, it’s probably too ugly for the world to see – pathetic creatures have pathetic bodies. You’ll never get near Riku, I’ll make sure of that, monster!”

The words rang clear in my head – along with my tone filled with venom. It had been directed at the wretched creature to Xehanort, yet it had come out as if I was pointing it at Riku. I wanted to reach out and touch his soft muzzle – get somehow closer to him. I had missed him terribly during the long winter months, but had he even noticed I was gone? Every day I had looked for him; hoping that suddenly he would appear – tell me that everything was alright. But nothing was alright was it? I wouldn’t be surprised if he would shun us from his lands, chase us to the borders and maybe even further, making sure we wouldn’t come and destroy his new family. I lowered my tired eyes to the ground, what made me think I was welcome here? A soft sigh left my kissers as the young filly – unaware of what was going on – launched on my teats and began to suckle, she had been observing the stallion with her big intelligent eyes, taking in every feature and saving it for later use, but had quickly gotten bored and decided to get some food. I was still amazed with her intelligence, she didn’t speak much – but when she did it was clever words, she had a charm over her that most didn’t; a true little angel.

“Einjeru”

[azul.]

R I K U

Now I'm sober and, nevermore.

My eyes trailed off of the identical pair of females, off into my own thoughts, which were far away from here. I felt that uncontrolled emotion, was it one of those seven deadly sins? I wasn't entirely sure, but it was almost like grief. I didn't know if this was the right thing to do. Still, I didn't think too hard about it, because I wanted to get a better look at Einjeru. I blinked, and stretched my neck out, my hind legs beginning to push me towards her small, delicate body. Such a small head she had, curved with years of that Arabic tradition. Her eyes, like mine, glittered with a beautiful fire. I wanted to smile, but that feeling that I would be judged made me hold back. Pushing forward again, I wanted to touch her soft nape, her fuzzy tassels, and embrace my daughter.

She blocked me. Jayila blocked me from reaching our daughter. I was immediately hurt. My eyes hardened, and my crown raised, showing the puzzled, upset feeling. I stared at Jayila, barely hearing her apology. I blinked a few times, and released a heavy breath that I'd been holding. I raised my crown again, and looked past Jayila, to Einjeru, my lips tightening, jaw clenched. I noddes shortly, my light eyes closing for a few, long moments. When they opened, I made a swift side step, and manuevered my way around Jayila to reach the filly. She had long since stopped looking at me, and had began drinking. I finally smiled. I strode towards her, the smile remaining on my features, but I let her drink. Slowly, I reached out to touch her hind quarters, breathing in her sweet scent, enjoying the smell of my daughter. It was a way for me to remember. I released my breath, and stretched my long, dappled neck out, licking her soft neck.

Einjeru. She probably didn't know what her name meant, but that would be for another time. I looked back at Jayila, and blinked, and mumbled out a few words. My hard eyes softened, and I stepped towards Jayila. Once close enough, I nuzzled her withers, and re-stated the words I previously said.

"Welcome home."

I shifted my weight, and layed my head over Jayila's, releasing a sigh that shook my body.