Jetta NOTES: Jetta & Blossom looking to join the Laipawa herd WC 304

A seabird’s cackling cry announced the arrival of two new horses on Laipawa. Water poured off the mares’ bodies as they emerged unscathed but exhausted from their journey. The waves kissed them a gentle goodbye, fading back into the endless blue expanse once more. Jetta stood on the shore of the island and breathed a sigh of relief. Whatever the future may hold, nothing could take her daughter from her now.
She turned to look at Blossom. The bay mare was facing away from her, back at the ocean.
“We swam that far?” The awe in her voice made Jetta snort with laughter. She pressed her nose to Blossom’s neck.
“Yes, flower. You did incredible.” Jetta spent the better part of their swim behind her, pushing her onwards when she faltered. Though waves had battered them from all sides, Blossom proved to be a strong swimmer. It had taken its toll on both of them now. Jetta’s belly twisted with hunger as she looked past the beach.
“Let us go inland. There is a herd here who may teach us their ways. Stay close to me though; these wild horses can be territorial,” she instructed. Blossom nodded and shook more saltwater from her body. Her fur was drying in curly waves along her back, and Jetta knew she must look similar. She felt the salt starting to gather on her mane as the sun warmed her back. “We’ll find some water, too.”
“Yeah,” Blossom croaked, sticking her tongue out. “I need a drink real bad.”
Jetta smiled as she looked forward into the trees.
Up the sandy slope, they passed tough beach-grass and small, creeping bushes. Nibbling on them just led to a sandy, dry mouth, which made both mares’ thirst worse. They continued onward, following the faint but steady scent of other horses.

OWL

cepheus

the skies are too clear, life's so easy today

---

Tiny hints of life had indeed begun to return to Laipawa.

The newly crowned King seemed to have brought positive impact to the major island; ever since he had come home, the birds seemed to chirp louder, the sun shone brighter, and it seemed the true lifeblood of the land was beginning to flow once again. He certainly didn't lay claim to such changes, hell, he hardly seemed to notice them himself. Cepheus wasn't particularly honed in with the unseen aspects of Laipawa; unlike his Oracle mother, he didn't quite posess a natural vision for such things. He had asked her, once, when she began to see the things she did, and she would always tell him, "Once I opened my eyes." Which, to a year-old crowned King, it still didn't really make much sense. But he never questioned her ability, and trusted her guidance and advice above all else. (In truth, the mare Nokomis did not begin to see until after her second birthday.) She would advise he be welcoming to strangers, and newcomers - they would become the foundation of the island's revival.

He could smell them from a distance, and Cepheus engaged himself on a chase. The colt followed the scent, mostly unaware of the fact that he had begun moving quicker and quicker as he got closer. He dodged through trees and bushes, almost appearing to move through them in the way he maneuvered himself, and would quickly find the pair as he began to approach the beaches of Aolani Cay. Of course, he thought to himself. These must be travelers.

Eventually he would spot them; two mares, unfamiliar to him, visibly exhausted in the way their hooves dragged through Laipawa's sand. Tipped him off right away, as it was obvious they had never set hoof on the island before. Cepheus stepped forward, to take it upon himself to welcome them.

"You look as though you have come a long way - however, I must ask your names before I allow you to go further."

---

spring, year 3 - #255 - moonwings

Jetta NOTES: WC 249 birdorcages

Jetta raised her head in surprise as a young stallion approached them. She stopped and put herself between the man and her daughter. Her instincts warned her to be wary of him. He smelled wild, like the sea and wind. The herd had found them first, it seemed. She narrowed her eyes but bowed her head in respect. It would not do to insult the horses she sought refuge with, even if this one was a mere child.

Blossom’s eyes widened and she tossed her thick black forelock out of her face. She stared over her mother’s back at the buckskin horse with sudden interest. He looked no older than her. Are all wild horses so small? She tilted her head. He was much lighter than her, lean muscles and sharp angles compared to her stocky body. She had lost much of her baby fat on the journey, but still she stood broader than him.

“I am Jetta, and this is my daughter, Blossom. We were told to come here by a mare on the mainland, she told us we could find others here.”

“Asami was her name,” Blossom piped up behind her. Her exhaustion disappeared as excitement washed over her. She pranced around her mother’s back and revealed herself to the stallion. “It’s nice to meet you! Are you one of those wild horses we’re here to see?”

Jetta turned to nip at her daughter, a warning to curb her enthusiasm, but it did little to calm her.

OWL

cepheus

the skies are too clear, life's so easy today

---

The name immediately put his concern aside - Asami. One of few remaining relatives to him, but more importantly the liason for Laipawa; her influence, it seemed, managed to survive alongside the few equines who still remained from some unfortunate rapture.

Their remaining numbers needed, well, numbers, so Cepheus was glad to have come across them, easily eager now to give welcome.

As they spoke, he found himself giving the pair a closer look. They were certainly a bit larger than he (frankly, he had yet to build on his own muscles, and had not quite shot up to his full height yet), but clearly they had been strong enough to make the impressive swim from the main land. He admired Blossom's forwardness, perhaps only because he was very much the same way. Cepheus remained still; he could tell they were wary of him, and understandably so. They were in a strange, new land, only having another's word to go off of. Leadership, it seemed, ran in his blood. He would give them patience.

He cleared his throat before he spoke, an attempt to muffle his own excitement. It was the first time he found himself in a position to actually act like a King. "Ah, yes! You are in the right place, if you wish to make a home on Laipawa." Now more than ever, he knew how the island longed to be a home for new blood. "I am Cepheus. But most here know me as King. It is good to meet you two."

---

spring, year 3 - #337 - moonwings

Jetta NOTES: WC 219 birdorcages

"Awesome! We've come really far just to get here, and I don't think we could swim back across the ocean again," Blossom said, wagging her tail.

"Yes we are here to join you, if you'll have us," Jetta added. She eyed Cepheus with some uncertainty still, but her posture relaxed a bit. She knew she would have to put aside her mistrust to live with these horses. Still, her eyes trained on him and watched his every move. Any move toward her daughter would spring the trap of her tense body.

"It is good to meet you as well... King Cepheus." She tested the phrase on her tongue It was foreign to her and rolled oddly in her mouth. Jetta reminded herself that they were in a land of kings now. The pasture's pecking order had been chaotic and constantly shuffling, but here she had one horse to listen to, if he was worth listening to at all. She could make that change.

"You're a king? But you're like my age! Oh wait, are we supposed to bow?" Regardless of the answer, Blossom stretched one leg forward and bowed her head.

"Forgive my daughter. She is excitable," Jetta apologized, stepping up alongside Blossom again. "We have come a long way, and we have not had any fresh water since this morning. Might you lead us to some?"

OWL