Phantom Hollow alluvium ii

"@Silverbirch, look."

fireflies, glowing here and there, and then again, and then another.

she nickered gently at her foal, and to fancy and cedar, then stepped forward, whisking her plume through the tall grass.

the little beads of light rose in unison, circling silverbirch's head for an angelic moment.

Cedar leaned heavily against Fancy’s flank, heavy from the burden of injury. While Fancy’s head lifted to watch the fireflies dance, Cedar remained still, head resting upon her herdmate’s round hindquarters. 

Fancy remained still; she’d begun to sense that Cedar was losing hope. And while she thought a romp through a firefly-filled glade might lift her spirits, she seemed to show no interest. Fancy wouldn’t push her. 

Instead, she smiled lightly and watched the mother and daughter as they enjoyed the dizzying dance of the fireflies.

Silverbirch lifted her head abruptly, nostrils flaring. Here- there- all around her! Glowing lights that disappeared- only to reappear somewhere else!

As her mother moved through the grasses and stirred them with a swish of her tail, the fireflies rose around them. With a shrill whinney, the filly reared and then dashed forward, bounding in circles so that she could see the fireflies as they took flight.

fancy and cedar remained placidly nearby. the lead mare signalled no danger, and so selenia was free to frisk with her filly.

the dark eyes shone as silverbirch reared; she followed suit, coming down in a golden flicker and following the shapes that her beloved daughter ran among the grasses and the glowing bodies.