[center][h1][color=tan]The Sundom Reborn II[/color][/h1][/center] [hr] The Leon riders flew across the sprawling city in a formation that resembled a V as they rose up and up. They flew so high they could see all of Oraeis like an eagle but unlike an eagle, Leons cast no shadow and it took a trained eye to spot them. That or one got lucky enough to see them climb, it was far easier then. But then again it was far more impressive to say you had spotted them in the sky in the first place. If only his sisters weren't standing next to him, looks of awe on their faces. He rolled his eyes, It wasn't like they hadn't seen the same sight before countless times. But they were girls and girls liked that sort of stuff, he supposed. Least that's what his mother had said when he asked once. He had gotten scolded for that one. "Look! It's Eesis!" cried his younger sister, shoving her hand towards the sky in an ineffective attempt to point. Indeed, if he squinted, Hester could make out a new shape in the sky. It zipped and dove between the faraway beacons before circling the formation of riders at what felt like lightning speeds. How she could tell it was Eesis was a mystery at best, but he knew that he'd be in for another showoff if he challenged it. For now, it was enough to watch the fliers zip across the sky. "Do you think mama is up there?" his sister wondered loudly, brushing her golden hair out of her face. That evoked a stiff exhale from beside Hester, and his other sister shook her head briefly. Next to their little sister and Hester himself, her raven hair stood out almost as much as their sharp blonde did amongst the populace. "Mama is at the temple, Meghan, waiting for us. Remember? If anyone is up there, it's Mother. Now, I don't think we should stand around here all day," she answered crisply, admonishing the youngest of the three. Hester could tell by her face that she was shifting blame on her sister despite having been as taken by the sky herself. Lilian was always talking like she was right and everyone else was wrong - he still remembered all the times she'd gotten him in trouble with his mothers. Meghan unfortunately swallowed the illusion whole and always seemed to nod happily and with awe at anything Lilian said. At least she was equally happy to listen to him. Hester drew a breath to offer his own opinion, but Meg shot her hand toward the sky again. "Eesis is coming!" She cried, and three pair of eyes shot upwards to follow the distant shapes with bated breath. Indeed, the small dot zipping around in the sky seemed almost still, grew as they watched and within moments the small silhouette formed into the massive wingspan of the gigantic Leoness that was Eesis. Her golden fur shone bright as it caught the sun's rays, and she swept low over the city at breakneck speed. Before the children could do more than gasp, the Leoness pounced down on the ground in front of them. She lifted her wings gracefully, which was enough to kick up dust and gravel all around them, and Hester had to shield his face with his arm as the Leoness settled down. He'd barely drawn a breath before Meghan shouted again. "Mommy!" His young sister tumbled towards the great creature, just as Sanya's dark hair flowed free as she slid down from Eesis to intercept Meghan with a gentle hug. He ran over as well, prompting Lilian to follow him and try to beat him to their mother. [color=a187be]"Eesis saw you from above,"[/color] The raven-haired warrior concluded with a calm warmth to her voice, embracing Meghan with an arm. Hester smiled, and for his sin his mother reached out to ruffle his hair with her spare hand. [color=a187be]"I thought you were all going with Lucia to the Temple to talk to the Sun Mother today."[/color] "Mama trusted me to take them there," Lilian explained with swift pride. "Meghan was taking too long, so Mama had to go talk to the priests." "Nuuuh, you liar, you didn't even want to go! You just wanna look at that dumb figurine Jassin gave you!" Meghan bit back quickly, earning her a flushed but deathly glare from her sister. Sanya chuckled ever so slightly, ending the argument swiftly by speaking. [color=a187be]"Well, you're on your way now. Still quite a way, though. You wouldn't want to keep grandmother waiting."[/color] she posited calmly. [color=a187be]"How about a little race? Two versus two?"[/color] Meghan instantly agreed, and Hester felt the pull of challenge himself. Knowing mother, there was some catch to her suggestion, but he'd never refuse a game all the same. Lilian sighed deeply but he could tell she just wanted to appear bothered. [color=a187be]"Alright. Hm. Hester, you've never ridden Eesis, right? Will you team up with me?"[/color] Sanya mused, and instantly both his sisters complained about how unfair that was. Hester's mind spiraled. He would get to ride Eesis? Sanya silenced the budding argument with a tut. She explained why it was his turn - Lilian had ridden with Lucia before and Meghan was too young to steer. Under reassurance that there would be more chances, the girls acquiesced. Hester didn't listen as Sanya went over the rules of the race, staring instead at the shining and massive Leon. Her halo was blinding today, and her giant wings were larger than buildings. He'd always wanted to sit up on a Leon like his mothers, and he'd ridden a cub once by the kennels, but now the moment seemed impossible and insurmountable. Scary and exciting at the same time. Would he even be able to get up that high? His mind raced with new fearful thoughts that awe and wonder had never deigned to greet him with. What if he fell? What if Eesis didn't like him and threw him off? What if he couldn't breathe in the sky? Before he knew it, Lilian shoved him to the side and grabbed Meghan by the hand, and his two sisters ran as fast as possible down the street towards their eventual goal. Mother smiled at him, standing up slowly. [color=a187be]"Shall we get started, Hester?"[/color] she offered calmly. Hester nodded quickly. He'd thought of this for so long; ever since Lilian had bragged about her city tour. Now it seemed all the more scary. He stalked towards Eesis and her golden fur, and before he knew it, Sanya lifted him up on her shoulder and scaled the large Leoness. She seated herself and lowered him down in front of her, safely nestled against his mother. The beast beneath him rumbled, and he gasped, reaching forwards to grab the fur in mild panic. [color=a187be]"I used to be scared of flying. Eesis helped me understand that we can be masters of the sky as well. As long as we respect the rules of the air."[/color] "The rules? He asked his mother, fighting the urge to try and get off of the leoness. He was already so high up. [color=a187be]"One. Trust your mount,"[/color] his mother instructed calmly. Eesis began to shift beneath them, and rumbled a little. Soft fur gripped in his hands, and Hester leant back against Sanya to be safe. His mother wrapped one arm around him safely. [color=a187be]"Two. Stay properly seated."[/color] A rush of wind brushed through his hair and the warm breeze rushed over his face as Eesis spread her wings. Helplessly, Hester watched as the city seemed to slip away around them. Lowering away under him. Soon, he realized they were flying. It was exciting, terrifying, exhilarating. [color=a187be]"Three. Don't look straight down until you're comfortable with heights."[/color] Sanya continued. Hester nodded slowly, his eyes daring to scan along Eesis wings as she gently slid through the air amidst the towers of the city, far below where she'd usually fly. Eventually, he dared to look at the horizon. At the structures. He was flying! His mother continued talking. There were many rules to flying, most of them about safety. It helped to listen, a centering voice to remind him that he was safe. Hester watched the city skid by beneath them, listened to upset joyfs barking at Eesis from below, felt the wind grip him gently as they sailed through the air. Small people could be seen gesturing and waving as they sailed by, and soon enough Eesis small tilts in the air didn't seem so bad. It was fun, enthralling even. And just like that, it was over. Before Hester could fully register it, the firmness of the leoness planting her paws on the ground brought them to a stop. He drew a long breath and glanced at the temple, feeling his heart calm down. "Hah! We won, we won!" Meghan shouted with glee, jumping and skipping at Eesis side below. Sanya ruffled Hester's hair and lifted him down from his safe seat before climbing down herself. The ground under his feet felt extra heavy, like it pushed up against him. [color=a187be]"Ah, I got lost in the air. Seems like we lost, Hester. Better luck next time."[/color] his mother offered with a tranquil smile. Hester looked up at her and smiled back. [color=a187be]"Let's all go see Mama, shall we?"[/color] For once, all three children agreed. ------ Lilian looked up at the statue of the Sun Mother, towering over all as they entered the room. She felt the same familiar warmth that she often felt, kissing her skin and wrapping around her like a hug from mama. Meghan spotted her first and let out a cry of glee as she raced towards her, followed by Hester. She too, was about to run but stopped herself, she wasn’t a child anymore. She could walk beside mother with her head held tall, just like her. They walked down the stainless white stones until they came into ear shot of their family. “...And it was so fun! I want to fly all the time!” Hester exclaimed. “I want to go flying too! Take me flying mama! Pleeeeeaaassseeee!” Meghan whined. Lilian rolled her eyes at the two, they were so young. Flying was, of course, a privilege saved for those who could actually fly. Which was her, obviously. [color=tan]”Ahhh, I am glad you enjoyed yourself Hester and Meghan, patience. You will fly with me or your mother soon enough, you all will.”[/color] Mama looked at Lilian and smiled. Embarrassed, she looked away briefly before making eye contact again as she walked over to her. [color=tan]”There they are.”[/color] her mother cooed, embracing Lilian in a hug. She resisted a bit before giving in. Mama’s tattoo’s began to snake around her, adding to the warmth she felt in her heart. A small, sudden jab surprised her and she looked up at her mama who had a small look of surprise on her face too. [color=tan]”She is quite active today.”[/color] she mused and Lilian looked down at her mom's stomach. It was Meghan who rushed forward and placed her hands on mama’s belly. “I want to feel a kick too!” Hester in the meantime began to play with his hands and stayed to the side of mama, leaning in for a better look. Lilian, ever curious, did the same as Meghan while mama briefly touched the side of her face before reaching out to their mother. [color=tan]”This one will be fierce like her mother, I think but still with the same soft heart.”[/color] she snickered. Mother reached out and the two held hands while exchanging a smile. [color=a187be]"Hmm, I suppose you could say that."[/color] she mused with a smile, reaching her free hand to touch Mama's belly, [Color=a187be]"But this one will be better for it."[/color] They shared a look, one that Lilian could not decipher so she shrugged it off as adult things. She pulled away from her parents and sighed. "Are we going to see grandmother now?" She crossed her arms. Truth be told, she had a lot to say to grandma and to be in her presence was wonderous! "Sunlight sunlight sunlight is so bright!" Meghan cheered loudly much to the annoyance of Lilian as she skipped around them. Honestly she just wished she would grow up already. Ugh, it was already bad enough her friends didn't want her around. [Color=tan]"Yes of course. She is eager to talk hear from you, it's been so long."[/color] Lilian noticed another look shared between her mothers and opened her mouth to speak but mama was too quick. [Color=tan]"Come now children. Let's go talk to your grandmother. Meghan."[/color] she outstretched her hand to her sister and the younger girl snatched it up like a vulture. They then ventured further into the temple. [Hider=Summary] Lucia and Sanya had some kids (no thanks to divinity) and we see them in a small chapter of their lives, the childhood years. [/hider] [Hider=MP] I wonder if En cares anymore about mp usage? [/hider]