In the center of the bridge platform, a blonde-haired young woman slept undisturbed by the countless people passing from one bridge to another, traveling to every corner of Lambastia. She had travelled far; that much was evident from the slightly sullied condition of her clothes and boots. A knapsack served as her pillow, another large bag as support at her back. Her arm rested upon a smaller case, one designed to hold an animal.
The reason for her peace stood beside her, a handsome Chaos Yonyuu that dealt a harsh glare and a quiet growl to anyone that ventured to close to their little island. His wings spread over her, shielding her from the bright morning sun. But no matter how much care he took, the tranquility of her dream was about to vanish...
He stood there before her, a vision of dark beauty. His ghostly-grey mane moved in a non-existent wind, dancing across his elegant neck. He observed her with wide, red eyes, and his sides quivered as he snorted at her. A black-shod hoof stamped the featureless ground. Was it uncertainty she saw in his eyes, or something else entirely?
They stood there for an eternity, horse and woman locked in a staredown that radiated tension. Andra felt an inexplicable pull towards him, a desire to touch him, to run her fingers through the midnight-black hair and breath deep of his scent. Something inside her knew this horse could be dangerous, yet in the way of all dreams, common sense was ignored in place of impulse.
Slowly, trying not to startle him, she stepped towards him. He blinked, stamping his hoof again, but she held his gaze steadily. When she had covered half the distance she raised her arm to shoulder height, extending her hand palm-up for him to sniff. Closer, closer. A tremor ran through his body, yet he didn't flee.
Then she was there, slender fingers stretched out to him in silent greeting. As she stood still, he slowly extended his nose until she could feel his breath upon her skin. Her heart leapt within her, a smile spreading across her face as she smothered a chuckle of delight.
Red eyes glowed, flamed, and he snorted angrily before snapping at her with large, sharp teeth. Andra recoiled, pulling her fingers back in the nick of time. Terror surged through her as he reared. The dark horse of beauty landed on all fours and charged at her, transformed into a monster. She screamed, turning to run. Yet she found she couldn't run, her legs moving too sluggishly to get her out of the horse's path.
It's a dream. I know it's a dream!
Even armed with this knowledge, Andra couldn't shake herself awake. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw the burning red eyes right behind her. He reared again, hooves flashing as he prepared to stamp the life out of her.
"Carmine, help!"
I think you've scared her enough for now.
For Andra, the dream disolved into wakefullness. She sat up with a gasp, reaching out for the Yonyuu. He was at her side instantly, and she threw her arms around his neck and buried her face in his thick fur. He whimpered questioningly, licking her ear in an attempt to comfort her.
"I'm okay, Carmine," she said, her voice muffled by the fur. "Just a bad dream." Was that all it had been? The horse had seemed so real. Even now, she could see it in her mind, recall the smell of its hot breath. When was the last time she had smelled something in a dream? Never.
She had heard of creatures that could twist dreams and reality. If she had encountered one of them, why hadn't it killed her? Was it that voice she had heard just before waking up? Andra glanced around, hoping to find the good Samaritan that had rescued her. No one was paying her attention. No one but Carmine. But she knew it hadn't been his voice that had come to her rescue in the dream...
Mephisto 1/1
Fausta 1/1
Carmine 1/1