Sparks in the Snow

Kahina
A chill wind rustled through the dry blades of grass that poked up through the snowy plains, the high winter sun glittering on the snow. The little red filly yawned as she woke from her nap, inching just a little closer to her mother. Blinking her eyes, she looked out to the little fire her mama had going. About to settle back down for another round of sleep, the chilly wind ruffled her thick winter coat, and the contrast of cold wind and warmth from her mama and the fire urged her up.

Flicking her tail, she stretched out toward the fire, arching her back like the cats that prowled, whatever those were. Bobbing her head, she gave a little rear and ran a few circles around her mama and the fire, kicking her heels up. Napping was fun, but waking up and getting to play could be even better! Sliding through the snow, Kahina stopped by her mama, and what started as a small nibble of mane became tugging. Mama should play too!

Ember  

Ember was rather enjoying her nap. It was an excellent defense against the cold of winter, even if she did have a fire going and a little filly curled up against her side.

She yawned and blinked and realized the filly was gone. Kahina was as much trouble to keep pinned down as her big sister, and despite the extra effort required to keep up, Ember couldn't help but admire her energy.

The dark doe was just looking around to find her daughter when she felt a nibble on her mane, then a tug. She chuckled and slowly started climbing to her feet. “I’m coming, little one. Do you want something in particular or do you just want me to get up?”

Kahina

The little red filly giggled and reared up as her mama stood up, twirling around on her back legs. Landing back down, she smiled up at her mama. Want? Mama said that sometimes, and so far Kahina usually knew what that word meant. Something she wanted...

Twitching an ear back, she thought about Want. No milk, she wasn’t hungry, play? How to get mama to play. Reaching her nose out, she bumped mama’s shoulder and squealing, ran around to the other side of the fire, and stared back at mama with a wry smile. “Me! Ge’ Me!”

“EEEEH!!!” she yelped as Mama came around the fire to her, and the red filly ran through the fire, delighting in the warmth it gave her skin. A brief image of running with fire flew through her head. Sliding to a stop, she panted as she turned back and looked to her mama.

Ember

Ember smiled at her daughter. Had she had this much energy at that age? Surely not.

Her daughter had no fear of fire, as was always a good sign in young Silverthornes. The gods had not denied the little filly their gracious gift. The dark doe almost called out to her daughter to take care not to trip but she held her tongue. How would her children learn to deal with the dangers of the world if they did not meet them head on?

And Kahina certainly seemed to be meeting the world head on. She giggled and lunged through the fire as Ember trotted behind. The doe could have sworn she saw the fire streaking after her little one as she plunged to a halt.

Ember frowned. Was it a sign? Ember believed in the gods but she didn’t have much faith that they communicated with subtle and unclear omens. She stepped around so that the fire was between herself and her daughter again. If she could replicate the occurrence, she would be satisfied that it was no freak accident of a wayward draft.

“Come here little darling,” she cooed. “Do you like playing in the fire?”

Kahina

The little filly watched her mother trot back away from her. Yes, she was playing! Her grin widened as she heard her mama call to her. “Come here little darling. Do you like playing in the fire?”

Kahina knew the come here and fire, so she nodded. Wheeling around on her heels, she then backed up, wriggling her butt and tail in the air, and then charged through the fire, thinking of how it flicked and licked at her sides. “WHEEE!” she screamed in delight as she slid to a stop just past her mother, the light snow gathering under her hooves. Turning to look at her mama, she panted and smiled, her face aglow with youthful happiness.

Ember

Her daughter ran again through the flames, and again they streaked behind her. Ember had heard of this happening, rarely. Some offspring of talented fire wielders occasionally showed their talents early. Ember had never presumed to think such a thing might happen to get own offspring. Grian must be smiling upon her daughter.

“That’s wonderful, Kahina,” she murmured. “The fire is our gift from the gods, we must always remember to respect it and thank them for their gift. Perhaps some day you’ll be a firebringer yourself. It’s a very honored position for talented does. Do you think you’d like that?”

Kahina

The little red filly tilted her head as her mama spoke, her smile still shining bright. Hearing her name she beamed, though most of the words her mother spoke didn’t quite make sense yet. The tone though, Kahina recognized that it was good. She walked up to her mother, brushing against her legs and rubbing her cheeks against her all the while smiling.

The uptone that mama used when she finished speaking, Kahina knew that too. Looking up at her, the little filly nodded, happy to have pleased her mother. Stretching out, the filly looked out to the plains, yellow grass poking up through the thin snow. She wanted to play a little more, and looking at her mama with the biggest eyes she could imagine, said, “Plway?” without realizing the amazing feat she had just done that her mother was so proud of.

Ember

Ember chuckled at her daughter. She might not understand yet, about talent and her duty to the herd, but she would soon enough. For now there was plenty of time to relax and play.

“Certainly little one,” she said, stretching out her legs. “But this time you’ll have to chase me!”

With a wave of her bobbed tail she hopped away with her little firebrand charging after her.