[D] r e a m s [O] f [I] n n o c e n c e

[echoeddreams]

[E] c h o e d [D] r e a m s

A small arabian like fae raised her legs up. When her daggers hit the ground she flicked her ears forward and then to the side. She stood still, her faintly dappled coat gleaming in the light, her deep, black-looking orbs looking st the area around her. The light, springy grass had dew droops on it. Echoed Dreams walked over to a shaded tree, her head high. She stopped when covered. Her coat blended her in to he shadow.


All Alone Again[/u] The fae mover half ou so her face could be seen, so she could see. She looked out across the land. She was small, around 14.3 hands, her frame deliacte. She was not sweating, quite the opposite. Her coat had unfortunatley become quite thin. Even though the sun beat down, it beat down an icy glare.

[Reflection]

Banners flying, daggers digging unto the earth Illusion cantered into the clearing. He arched neck and paused a moment to look around. mare's were everywhere, but there was one that stood out in the sunlight of dawn.....

Illusion approached the fae slowly. He was deep in thought about the last time he had been to the claiming lands. Such an adventure that was... he thought warmly. light flakes of snow started falling from above, and Illusion thought instantly "Angel tears". the last time he had been here he had been known as Faded Illusion. but now he was Illusion, no longer faded. As he grew closer to the fae he took more notice of her. she had a slender, delicate body, and deep dark eyes that held much....but what. he did not know now, but he hoped to find out at a time...

Illusion came to a sudden halt before the mare and gave a slight bow of his head as he warmly greeted her and introduced himself Greetings, I am Illusion. May I have the pleasure of knowing who you are?. His piercing blue orbs stood out among the vast stretch of white that had so densely covered the land....

[echoeddreams]

[E] c h o e d [D] r e a m s

The fae raised her neck, her head held high. Her banner lay down to sleep, while her tresses weaved nto the wind. She looked at the stag, and tossed her head, freeing her orb of her forlock.

Echo thought of her mother galloping of and her eyes flared with rage. But then she remembered how glad she was now of having the experience of growing up tough, of being able to stand on her own four daggers. It's better without parents. She looked into the stags blue orbs, taking in his coat.

Vocal strings were plucked as angelic lyrics left her mouth. I answer to Echoed Dreams or Echo, Illusion. Might as well be polite, but stand on your own feet/hooves. You are yourself She repeated to herself.

[♥ A R i E L A]

[Black] [T]ear// I'm [c]rying for [l]ove but [n]o one can [h]ear me//

All he ever wanted was to find love. To be loved, really. Because, truth be told, he had never really been loved before. His black white form traveled slowly, deliberately across the desolate, discouraging land. His eyes were downcast, coffee-colored orbs caked with dried tears which had never quite disapeared. As his glimmering chasms scanned the land for signs of life, they caught on the figure of a small, gray Arabian mare. She seemed to sparkle in the light, and curiosity drew him towards her.

He was never a believer in love at first sight- although he did believe in true love. After all, how could know what a horse was really like only by looking at them? By seeing them? You can't see a heart with a glance at outward appearances, that much he did know. As he neared the mare, he saw a stag standing beside her and his heart sank a fraction. If he was unfortunate- as he oft was- the mare had already set her heart on her companion.

But he was lonely, and even if he didn't meet a horse he loved, he needed someone to talk to, and both had a friendly gleam in their eye. Perhaps he would find a friend, if not a love. Raising his head, he nodded at the stallion and smiled warmly at the fae. Opening his maw, he let gentle, quiet lyrics flow from his mouth.

Greetings. I am called Black Tear. I apologize if I'm interrupting...

[echoeddreams]

[E] c h o e d [D] r e a m s

The Fae looked up after greeting Illusion. Through her deep orbs which no longer had the rage her mother and put in there in them. Her pillars, which were long and willowy, stood still in the icy glare of the sun the occasional snowflake fall from the sky. A laugh escaped her maw as she remembered the conversation she'd had once with some others she'd met about snowflakes. As Echo around she saw a stag with a painted coat and orbs, orbs which looked like they had hope or something else in them?....

She smiled at the new stag, Black tear, her eyes smiling too. Hello Black Tear, we were just meeting. She tossed her tiara again to rid her eye of being covered. I am Echoed Dreams, or Echo The lyrcs wre plucked from her maw, but not jumpy, smooth and calm. Her misty silver coat glittered gently in the cold watch of the sun.

[♥ A R i E L A]

B]lack T]ear// I'm R]eaching with all my S]trength, R]eaching for the S]un//

The painted stag flicked his ears forward and tossed his long, tangled flaxen tresses away from his attentive gaze. He watched the mare in relative awe. She was so elegant, so smooth and angelic and mysterious. And her name... Echoed Dreams. It was an entrancing name... like the fae herself.

Pleased to meet you, Echo.

The words fell from his mouth easily and pleasantly, like a bubbling brook. He tossed his forelock from his face again as he gazed up at the bright sun for a split second. It was one of those sunny winter days where the sun was shining, and you just couldn't get enough of it. But everywhere you went the warmth of the sun would be just out of reach. With a pang, Black tear realized that was how he felt about love. It was always just, barely out of reach. Would he ever reach it?

[Reflection]

It is a true pleasure to meet you echo...Illusion nodded to Black Tear politely, and turned back to echo. His orbs got caught upon her orbs, they were very unique, and beautiful....Your orbs shine as if the stars have placed a vague spell upon them. Enchanting...... He said wonderusly as his piercing blue orbs gazed into hers.....then he woke up from the slight daze her orbs had had him in and words fell warmly from his maw ...Echoed Dreams-that is a magnificient name...It fits you well... His orbs sparkled warmly to echo and truth vibrated through him. His banners wavered in the light wind caused by the angel tears falling from above....I wonder what it is they are crying for.... he wondered...

[echoeddreams]

-I'm warning you guys know this post may be museless seems as i had to go walking on boxing day my brain has switched off- ahh-

[X.x]//[E] c h o e d [D] r e a m s \\[x.X]

Echo smiled at the compliment, the first compliment she'd ever received, her eyes sparkled. All the other horses she'd met had just talked to her about the weather, whether her mum had gone for a walk by herself or if she'd ran away. Echo had imediatly got bored and annoyed of being asked why she was on her own and soon just got angry, that had taught them. Less of then more of now

She shook her silver head back to the present reality. A pleasure to meet you both. Your name definatley fits you... You do illuminate She meant in a good way and hoped he wouldn't take it offencefly.

-Need muse and stuff-

[♥ A R i E L A]

B]lack T]ear// A]m I N]othing to Y]ou?

Trying his best to hide his sigh of resentment, Black tear felt his head drop slightly. These two were obviously going to fall in love and leave Black Tear alone and forgotten, as he was meant to be. It was a shame too, because Echoed Dreams enchanted him so. He opened his maw to speak, and then closed it again. he knew what he wanted to say to Echo, and he knew it had to say it, he just didn't know how.

Echo...

He began, nervous.

I... I'd really like to get to know you better. You know, just talk and things...

He knew he sounded stupid, especially next to Illusion's charming speech. Yes, that was it. Illusion was charming. Black Tear was not. Black Tear was nothing, really. And with a sinking heart, he realized he was probably 'nothing' to this beautiful fae.

[echoeddreams]

[X.x]//[E] c h o e d [D] r e a m s \\[x.X]

The faes misty coat seemed to have got a lot less dull within this.. conversation if thats what you'd call it. Her eyes warmed as the stag said he'd like to spend time with her. If only... no she musnt think about the past there is no time like the present. That's what echo had learnt. She swished her banner to rid herself of the snowflakes which were tickling her. She raised her tiara to the sky and relised that she was lucky.. but unlucky in a way. Well rephrased... everyone has good luck and bad luck and Echo hoped her bad luck had passed.. forever.

I'm sure we can talk, I'd like to She smiled at Black tear Talking... I love it Inside of echo everything had felt the warmness melting over. It was a new feeling, talking to these to stags. A pleaseurable thing to.

[Reflection]

Suddenly Illusion sunk into what was almost a daze, and warm words fell from his maw Wisdom vibrates through you, I suspect you've been through much...Although you do not have a somber cast upon you, so it appears that you have not been hurt continuously...that or you have been fully mended...which would lead to inner strength....which would come from experience....which originates from confusion....your orbs hold much....maybe an abandonship?....but there is forgiveness....love....kindness....and realization.... His piercing blue orbs did not leave hers as he searched for more.....Your ability to let the dream inside of you echo is strong....one of the strongest....your name sings your heart....Yes...Yes, you are a complex one...that is certian, full of emotions, and....what is it?... he searched deeper into her orbs...delicite love.... Illusion orbs left hers and focuosed on her as he snapped out of the spell her orbs had held him in. Then warm words once again fell from his maw to conclude what it was he had said before Yes, you are most certianly a very unique mare echo... He smiled warmly as he said it. Illusion banners wavered slightly in the "angel tears" and he stomped patiently waiting for what her response would be...

[♥ A R i E L A]

B]lack T]ear// if y]ou could h]ear my h]eart...

<sup>Black Tear looked with slight distaste at Illusion, he seemed to be trying to analyze the beautiful mare out loud. Charming though, wasn't it, he thought, irritated. If only he could be left alone to get to to know Echo maybe he could get his composure better.

I'm sure I can't be as... charming as Illusion.

Black tear said with the smallest of smiles. His dark orbs gazed at the mare, and he seemed to fall away into her deep, fathomless orbs, where the clouds of the heavens were reflected.

But I can tell you that you're far more...

He struggled to think of the right word. She was more stunning, more wonderful, more beautiful, more sweet, more understanding...

You're just so much more than any mare I've ever met, Echo.</sup>

ooc- sorry, no muse XP

[echoeddreams]

[X.x]//[E] c h o e d [D] r e a m s \\[x.X]

Echo smiled, It was true she'd been hurt and abonded, she had mended it, and forgetton it, and forgiven her mother, well she wanted to... But her mother was never anywhere, she remembered her mother. She'd had a tall towering but graceful, delicate frame, the same arabian frame has her, the same deep orbs, but with very[/b] different emotions lingering in them. Her coat had been a solid brown with only a star on her head. The star that she represented. But she needed to know why, why her mother had just left her. Left her to die if she hadn't taken action.

You are indeed right.. She looked at Illusion, shocked that he'd been able to work her out as well as that. She listened to Back Tear, her auds flicking forward. That is not true Black Tear, you just have a different style. She was charmed with obth horses but was still stuck. Stuck on a path. For the first time ever. Her heart glowed at the compliment, More than any mare? Surely.. I mean.. She was wordless. Both stags were charming in their own way.

[♥ A R i E L A]

B]lack T]ear// m]aybe we b]oth s]uffered. M]aybe we b]oth can l]ove.

Black tear felt as if his heart was welling up with joy from her simple compliment. So maybe, just maybe, she did like him. Love him, as much as he loved her. he knew he couldn't tell her now, because something told him she was still deciding between him and Illusion. As he watched her shocked expression at his words, he smiled gently at her.I've met many beautiful, stunning mares. But I never felt the same way with them as I do with you.

He raised his tiara ever so slightly and gazed into her dark, almost black orbs, shining as if lit from behind. As he gazed into her deep, absorbing chasms, he thought of Illusion's words. maybe abandonship... and then Echo's you are indeed right...

And then something fell into place. Abandonship. Yes, he had been abandoned. Abandoned by love, by his heart, by hope. Maybe Illusion spoke of a different sort of abandonment, but to Tear it was all the same. And he wanted to know why. Why everything had abandoned him at such a critical stage. Was that how she felt?

I'm sorry if I'm wrong Echo... or if I'm intruding... but if Illusion is right, and you were- abandoned?

He spoke the last word in a question, uncertain. His next lyrics fell from his maw in a whisper, a sweet, gentle whisper that was carried with the wind to the ears of the enchanting fae beside him.

Do you wish you knew why? Because I do.

[echoeddreams]

[X.x]//[E] c h o e d [D] r e a m s \\[x.X]

Echo tossed her head up to make sure she could see. How could a few simple words have changed her life You will never live up to my standard[/i] Her mother had been angry, hurt and upset. It had all been unfair for her mother. She'd had her luck early and not late. But now Echo knew how her mother felt, how happy she'd been.

Echo nodded Yes, I was abandoned Her voice was quiet, thoughtful. And I really Do wish I knew why... why she left me. Why she hated me. Why she felt like I was just an obstactle blocking her road. 'her road to freedom. She didn't get anywhere, I watched her for I while hoping she swished her tail gently, thoughtful.

She turned her head to each stag in turn, still finding it hard. So much choice in life but one wrong turn adnd it would all explode and you'd be left. Left like her mother was. Left like my mother was She repeated the words aloud. Reliesing she was not setting the brightest of moods she looked at both stags, still as thoughtful as before.

[♥ A R i E L A]

B]lack T]ear// I w]ant to s]ee the sun s]hine in your s]mile.

As Tear listened to Echo's lyrics, he realized how terrible this beautiful fae's past must have been and how strong she must be to survive and still be so bright and happy. He fished around for something comforting to say, and realized nothing he knew now seemed just right. Perhaps the best he could do was tell her that her mother was wrong.

I don't know why your mother hated you, Echo. I don't know why she thought you were an obstacle, but I can tell you one thing.

He paused as he gazed lovingly into her deep, pained black orbs. He tried to take her pain and away and keep it for himself, but he knew that could never work. Only love would work, and he did love her. If only she loved him back.

Your mother was wrong. Dead wrong. You aren't an obstacle, you're anything but an obstacle. You're beautiful you're smart, you're strong and you survived something that would have driven many horses insane. And as for her hating you? I'd have to say she was probably the only horse in the entire world who could hate you.

Gazing into the deep brown orbs of the mare he loved, Black Tear realized that at the moment, the only thing he cared about was making her smile again.

[Reflection]

Illusion listened thoughtfully to Echo and Black Tear. At the talk of abandonship a pain was sent through Illusion's heart. only a sleep or so ago he had been faded Illusion and he was locked in fades of confusion. but he had been set free...before that he could not remember much about his past. But it was crystal clear now....He had been through much more then only abandonship....his blue orbs clouded slightly in pain of the memories...much more....When Illusion spoke again his voice was quiet and emotion vibrated through each word as each memory returned...I understand how you feel echo....My life has has few expieriences that have not held within somber, dreadful events....My life begun with abandonship, and threw upon me much, much more after....I was plunged into a darkness that is not lit by even the dim candle of a soul...I was lost... He held his head heavily as the memories lost to him flooded back in vast remorse It took me so...so very long to rekindle the light of my soul...Then he slowly raised his head and focused his deep, piercing blue orbs into hers and continued this time stronger and more powerful But you....you have a soul stronger then any I have seen in such a ...very long time....you were not confined in the barred walls of sadness, or dejection....you have a forgiving heart...full of memories that do not weaken you....but....they uniquely, strengthen you..... he bobbed his head surly as he continued Yes...you are a unique one...destined for great, most certianly..... He stomped his hoof concludedly and then a sudden change in voice happened as he quizzically asked her a question Echo...Do you.... he paused searching deeper into her orbs Do you believe in magic? For it appears that there is freed magic....in your orbs...A kind I have never before seen..... his gaze never ceased as he searched...entranced by a spell cast by her orbs that seemed to teem with magic...

[echoeddreams]

[X.x]//[E] c h o e d [D] r e a m s \\[x.X]

Echo listened to them. Your mother was wrong. Dead wrong. You aren't an obstacle, you're anything but an obstacle. You're beautiful you're smart, you're strong and you survived something that would have driven many horses insane. And as for her hating you? I'd have to say she was probably the only horse in the entire world who could hate you.[/i][/color] Was it true? She thought about it and smiled. If he meant it.. Then thought about Illusions words. But you....you have a soul stronger then any I have seen in such a ...very long time....you were not confined in the barred walls of sadness, or dejection....you have a forgiving heart...full of memories that do not weaken you....but....they uniquely, strengthen you..... But you....you have a soul stronger then any I have seen in such a ...very long time....you were not confined in the barred walls of sadness, or dejection....you have a forgiving heart...full of memories that do not weaken you....but....they uniquely, strengthen you..... But you....you have a soul stronger then any I have seen in such a ...very long time....you were not confined in the barred walls of sadness, or dejection....you have a forgiving heart...full of memories that do not weaken you....but....they uniquely, strengthen you..... you believe in magic? For it appears that there is freed magic....in your orbs...A kind I have never before seen.....[/i] She thought deeper, her past erased from her memory for a few minutes.

Yes, I believe in Magic- in sense. Not magic as in little leaping but magic as things and miracles happpening She paused and looked straight at Black Tear then Illusion meeting someone special, having the joy of something happening- even if nothing like it had never happened before The lyrics were honied (sweet) but only just loud enough to be heard.

-BTW ginger cordial is spicy of ginger-

[♥ A R i E L A]

B]lack T]ear// S]he l]oves me, s]he l]oves me n]ot

<sup>Black Tear looked at her the whole time, listening with all his heart. He knew Illusion could charm her easily, but he had treasured those few, wonderful moments when she seemed to be speaking just to him. As he listened the to fae's angelic lyrics, he realized that his meeting her was magic... a miracle.

I've suffered too, Echo, and I think that it was magic, as Illusion puts it- miracles that helped us survive, but it wasn't all magic. I think It was partly strength, because I can see how strong you are Echo.

He paused, he knew he had to say this he just didn't know how. Finally, he let the words fall from his maw without thinking. Perhaps, he thought with a smirk, a miracle would take over.

And you have the right to decline this offer... because I can't force you to love me. But I love you Echo, I love you more than I've ever loved a mare before- and I've loved a few. So I ask you to join me in home home at Long Valley.

There. He said it. It was out in the open, just hanging there waiting for someone to speak. As the silence rang, he stared into Echo's deep, starry orbs. It's wasn't a pleading gaze, no. It was rather a gaze full of admiration, love, and hope. He felt like he was playing the child's game of picking daisy leaves. She loves me... she loves me not... she loves me... she loves me not... Did she love him?</sup>

[echoeddreams]

[X.x]//[E] c h o e d [D] r e a m s \\[x.X]

Echoe stopped herself from gaping. She... Well she knew what to say. It made sense. She supposed Illusion would be a good friend. Her mind drifted, she was shocked but she knew what she was gonna say. She could tell. It came.

I can't decline, I couldn't so I'm sorry Illusion but She turned her tiara back to Black tear Of course Black Tear Give me on reason why I shouldn't, her grey coat gleaming her orbs sparkling. She felt happy. Today she'd been trully happy. Forever and now.