Haunted

Featuring: 1758 Avia, 1785 Khaalida, I123 Aurelion, GF1799 Pyralis, 1823 Khaaleesi, 1824 Koa, 1849 Ilkay, 1848 Feriae, 1860 Evarinya, 744 Fenrin

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A chill had come to the air of Queensbreak. The mornings dawned cool and crisp, and the trees in the valley were starting to turn from their summer shades to a beautiful array of reds and golds.

Dead leaves made their way into the streets, and the wind blew stronger through the valley and city streets. As normal, Leesi was looking for trouble. There was always something to stick her nose into, and she was determined to find something worth her while.

But this autumn morning seemed…. Uniquely dull. Giving up on her quest for trouble, Khaaleesi headed back towards the castle she and her family called home. Or rather, a really large house. Nosing the door open, she immediately heard voices and paused. It sounded like Koa, and was that Ilkay? Leesi had never really cared much for her half uncle, emphasis on half. Abraxas’s dalliances made Leesi a bit angry. She never cared much for those who just messed around and didn’t care for the results of that. Pandora was a different story, she took care of her foals.

Leesi couldn’t be too mad at Abraxas; without his dalliances she wouldn’t exist, and her mother never would have been born.

But with the revelations of the Equinox, that Koa took after Abraxas more than anyone thought… Leesi had barely spoken to her brother since.

But curiosity drove her onward. She had talked a few times with Feriae and Evarinya, Koa’s foals. They were nice enough mares, Leesi liking Evarinya more of the two. Most days Feriae and her strange friend, Fenrin, were out and about exploring the woods. Evarinya was more likely to get into trouble with Leesi.

Turning the corner, Khaaleesi saw Ilkay and Koa talking, standing in the corner by some books.

“What are you two up to?” Leesi said, a bit guarded. She was careful to keep her expression blank.

“Ilkay is going to tell a ghost story tonight,” Koa said with a smile. “The Samhain festival is at the end of the month, and it's a perfect way to get into the spirit!”

Leesi frowned slightly, not having much of a taste for stories. But Koa seemed to be trying, so Leesi nodded. “Who all will be there?”

Koa’s hopeful smile brightened as Leesi acknowledged him. “Well… me, at least. I was going to invite Feriae, Fenrin and Evarinya too. I think Ma and Pa were planning on stopping by too,” Koa said.

A family thing, Leesi thought bitterly.

“Fine, I will see you later,” she said a bit bitterly, turning away.

“It's going to be in the square!” Ilkay called after Leesi, and she simply flicked her long tail in response.

The night was chilly, but the fire was warm. Upon hearing about telling stories, Avia had eagerly joined and opened the night with a haunting, yet creepy song. Leesi looked around at the others. Avia was singing, Koa and Ilkay stood close together whispering. A little further back Leesi spotted her parents standing close together, their cat familiars curled at their hooves. Leesi smiled slightly. Aurelion had his wing draped over Khaalida’s back, tucking her tight and keeping her warm. They whispered to each other occasionally, and Aurelion’s blue hued cat groomed Khaalida’s black cat. They seemed to be in their own world, soft smiles on their faces. Leesi couldn’t hold back the yearning for a love like her parents.

Sure, her and Koa were what could be considered teenagers. But Leesi wanted more. She wanted to be grown, to fall in love. She had already planned to go on land quests of her own, and hoped that in some way, she would be able to find love like her mother had.

Shaking her head, Leesi continued her perusal of the gathered Quirlicorns. Feriae, Fenrin and Evarinya had showed up as well, standing in the corner. Leesi was surprised to see Feriae had a familiar by her side, a strange spotted cat that Leesi had not yet seen. A spark of jealousy hit her. Had Mother’s power just… skipped Koa and herself? Leesi hadn’t even discovered her first magic, and yet Feriae had hers, and if rumors were right, knew two magics as well.

Leesi shoved down her jealousy as Ilkay moved to the front by the fire, and cleared this throat.

“This is a story of a place where the world was much different. Cities like this one were not so uncommon, and magic was strong in all equines from birth, that of telekinesis and moving objects with their minds,” Ilkay began.

Leesi’s attention was snagged by movement in the corner of her vision, and she looked over to see Pyralis enter the square, standing apart from the others. Leesi was surprised that her sometimes aunt, sometimes uncle, had joined them. Pyra had a habit of holding themselves at a distance, never quite getting close to anyone. Leesi was fairly certain that the only ones that Pyra ever talked to at length were Khaaleesi and Liana.

Ilkay’s voice pulled Leesi back in, and she turned, focusing back on the story.

“This house was not like other houses. A witch had lived there, and had a notorious reputation. Looking back, it wasn’t a reputation driven by fear, but rather because her magic was so strong, and it was rumored she knew the dark arts. But the witch passed one winter night, and the house was up for sale. However the equines of this city refused to go inside, claiming it was haunted.”

Leesi found her mind wandering again, her gaze flowing over the Quirlicorns gathered in the square. She really had no mind for stories, and Ilkay’s deep voice and the flickering flames pulled her into a bit of a sleepy state. She had been born a princess of these Quirls, but as she stood there she realized that they were not simply Quirlicorns to rule over, but also her family.

In their weird ways, they were all a family. There were roles, and status, but they were only really used for formal events. It was the only time Leesi really felt like a princess. And looking over at her mother, so full of youth, Leesi knew she would wait a long time to ever rule on her own. It was why she wanted, no needed, a land of her own. She wanted the space. Her family was a bit suffocating at times, and perhaps it was time for her to break off and start her own life.

But not yet. Not until after Samhain at least.

“The young mare stood in the haunted house, listening to the wails and screeches. She debated many times if a bet was worth this insanity, but she was a brave youngster. Instead of turning back, she continued forward, though the strange maze of hallways. She followed the noises instead of running from them, down the hallways covered with cobwebs and half in disrepair,” Ilkay continued. “The hallway where the noises seemed to be coming from, and where the sound was loudest came from a cracked doorway at the end of the hall. The young mare approached it and saw a large shadow, which turned swift at her entrance, the wailing growing louder.”

Gasps were heard from where Feriae stood with Fenrin and Evarinya, the small antlered mare unable to hold back. Leesi didn’t realize, but a small smile came across her maw for a few seconds at that. The young mare looked thoroughly spooked, though her half sister looked as bored as Leesi was with the story.

Leesi looked around again and saw Koa looking enthralled, Avia listening closely, and her parents still standing together, snuggled with their familiars. Looking back, Leesi spotted a small shape fluttering around Avia, and figured that was her hummingbird familiar and smiled.

The thought of familiars brought Leesi once again back to the story Ilkay was sharing.

“To the mare's surprise, as she spoke with the shadow she learned it was the familiar of the witch who had lived there. The cries and wails had been its laments of pain at the passing of its witch. As she spoke to the familiar and began to soothe it, the shadows shrunk and wailing noises grew quieter. When the shadows fully dissipated the form of a cat rested in its place, pitch black with smaller shadows swirling around its paws. A partnership was formed then, between the cat and the young mare. The mare stayed, and learned what there was to learn about magic, and went on to be one of the greatest witches of her time,” Ilkay finished.

There were cheers after Ilkay finished, and he bowed. Leesi however, was standing there thinking to herself. She murmured goodnights to the others as they passed, and it was Koa who was left standing by her side.

“What's wrong Leesi? Are you scared?” Koa tried to joke, but his smile faded as her expression remained the same.

“I hope I find my familiar soon,” Leesi finally murmured in a rare moment of weakness.

Koa smiled and nuzzled his twin. Their bond seemed restored, in Koa’s eyes. “You will Leesi, you will,” he replied, and the twins headed down the streets towards home together.