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Description
Illusion stood at the edge of the Mirror Lake, watching the way the starlight danced off the lake. The gray stallion admired the way the moon hung suspended in the vast blanket of black, a yellow oddysey that reminded him this world was real.
Illusion's eyes strayed back to the lake as movement was seen, and an image formed. His children, now yearlings, were huddled in a group, sleeping. He spotted little Autumn, her once-lame legs now healed. He saw Cade, orphaned when both Illusion and Neizmeth were killed. Cade seemed to be doing alright, and Illusion checked on him often.

Illusion sighed, not a sound of sadness. He hadn't seen his friend Oligo for a while. Since before Vasilli had been kidnapped. Now that Vasilli was home, however, Illusion figured Oligo wouldn't be so busy.
His violet heart stone pulsed gently, casting a weird purple hue to the edges of Mirror Lake.

Oligo's hooves left deep impressions in the soil underneath him; it seemed the long days of rain were finally over but it was going to take awhile for the soil to firm up again. This only made it more difficult to gallop. Luckily as well, the dark creatures had retreated for now. Finally having the chance to take a break, the dapple decided to check on his young one in the living world. The vision of his little white dapple still bought sorrow to his hollow chest. Why? Thoughts of Arwyn - his previous mate - would flood his mind and only bring back dry tears.
Oligo took a few steps forward before realising that someone was already at Mirror Lake; it was hard to tell who it was from a distance so out of pure curiosity, moved closer.

Oligo's heart stone began to glow a lovely shade of blue; he couldn't help but hide the fact that he admired his friend Illusion who was so depressingly standing by the lake. He assumed it was something the grey saw in the lake.
"Is everything alright, Illusion", Oligo asked softly making sure not to scare the grey.

Illusion watched quietly as the image faded from the lake, leaving nothing more but the reflection of the stars again. The gray flicked his ears as he heard a voice, and turned his neck to peer at his visitor. His black forelock fell in front of his eyes and he tossed his head.
When he recognized Oligo, a smile broke out on his face.

"Hey there, Oligo. Long time no see. I've been doing alright, certainly much better since Vasilli is home again." Illusion said softly, stretching his neck out to offer Oligo his muzzle in greetings.
"And how have you been, friend?" he asked the handsome dapple gray, noticing the blue heart stone glowing.

The dapple said nothing in response to Illusion's first statement about Vasilli but merely glanced towards the murky lake that held visions of the real world. His heart stone faded slightly and if he had a heart, it would have sunk. He did however, bump his own muzzle to Illusions in quick, short greeting. "I am doing fine, Illusion. Better now knowing Leek the drama queen is being taken care of." A smile became present on his face and he nodded to himself. "What did your eyes see in Mirror Lake if you don't mind me asking?"

Illusion noticed Oligo's heart stone dim slightly, and decided not to speak of Vasilli anymore. His violet eyes turned back to the lake momentarily.
"I was watching my children, going to bed. They've all grown so much..." his voice lowered to a whisper, a sad smile on his face. Illusion turned back to look at Oligo.

"What do you see, Oligo?" he asked, hoping the dapple wouldn't mind the question, but wouldn't be offended if Oligo decide not to answer it.

The dapple nodded; not knowing what else to say to the grey about his vision. It was hard to be sympathetic when you had similar problems with your own life. Oligo took a few steps towards the edge of the lake and looked in. He only had to wait a moment before the visions of his son came to life. He was doing well it seemed and was being transported to another stable. "I see my son" he started, not bothering to look back at Illusion. "It looks like he is being moved to a new home; but he seems happy enough."

All of a sudden, Oligo stopped talking. His heart stone dimmed completely and there was no longer any life in it. Arwyn. He secretly still loved her but what could he do? He had no more tears left for the cremello but just a heart stone with an invisible crack through the middle.

Illusion was about to respond to Oligo about the dapples son, when the soft glow of his friends heartstone snuffed out suddenly.
Illusion closed his mouth, looking at Oligo with violet eyes. Tentatively, and cautiously, he formed a question in his mind into words in his mouth.

"You want to talk about it?" Ilusion asked softly, not pressuring nor expecting an answer. Illusion was talking about Arwyn. He could see that she still haunted Oligo, and it hurt Illusion to see his friend so down.
Of course, he would understand completely if Oligo chose not to speak; he was merely giving Oligo the window of opportunity. Showing him in the only way he knew how that he cared.

"There is nothing to talk about" Oligo merely replied. He knew that Illusion was referring to Arwyn. It was like they could read each others minds and form a conversation purely through telepathy. "I haven't seen the cremello in months" he simply said, refusing to say the mare's name. His voice seemed drained of all emotion and it was starting to sound robotic, fake, like it wasn't really him talking.

Oligo remained silent for a moment; forming the next few words he would speak into his mind. The topic only sounded more depressing as it went on. "I should be lone. I was born lone and will remain lone like that of the great mountain wolf." A smile actually crept onto his face as he looked to the sky above. There was no moon to be seen but what does it matter. The dapple would like to think of himself as a wolf howling in sorrow to the moon. How depressing...

He looked back to Illusion and laughed to himself. "Everytime I am with you, my atmosphere is always depressing it seems."

"You don't deserve to be lone, Oligo. Its the cremello's loss, as far as I'm concerned." his voice had a slight hardness to it. How could anyone have hurt Oligo this bad?
"I'm sorry..." he said, softer.

Oligo turned his gaze without even bothering to turn his head and noticed that the grey's heart stone was now dimmed. He had no intention of upsetting Illusion but it did seem that way. The dapple was also lost for words for a moment but didn't have to think too long as Illusion finally spoke. The words stabbed him in the chest; right through his heart if he had one. Didn't Illusion know? Of course it was his fault! The reason why Arwyn left him was because he couldn't control his desire to admire Time, the black mare. Other than that, he did nothing. "Maybe she did over-react..." he muttered, not realising he had said it aloud.

Oligo lifted his head and looked at Illusion, the first stallion to have put up with the dapple's aggressive behaviour and push into the soft inner core. "Thank you Illusion. That is probably just what I need."

Arwyn had overreacted, from what Illusion had heard. She had lost something she should have held onto. Oligo.

The dapple Protectors next words touched somewhere deep in Illusion, and he very gently, cautiously pressed his muzzle to his friends neck in brotherly affection.
"Your welcome, friend. I'm always here, even when others are not." he smiled, feeling as if at last, he had done something good since his arrival in the Shadowlands.

The dapple gave in to Illusion's muzzle and merely stood there, taking in the warmth of another. Sometimes he wished moments like these would happen between him and Twist; even if they were only half brothers. Either way, it wasn't going to happen; the pair despised each other. The next words that left Illusions' mouth bought a soft glow to the dapple's deep dark blue heart stone.

Oligo touched the grey's cheek with his own muzzle and pointed to the north with the tip of his nose. "Shall we take a walk?"

Illusion finally pulled away softly, smiling at Oligo. His own purple heart stone lit up again, glowing softly in the darkness.
The stars seemed brighter, too.

"I would like that. It's a nice night," Illusion agreed, nodding for Oligo to lead the way. "Any particular destination in mind?"

"No particular destination" he started. "I just feel like wondering around endlessly for awhile." He smiled, a pure smile, a sight that was pretty much unseen with the dapple grey. It wasn't just a slight smile either, it was a full one and it seemed to light up the stars in the sky to their full extent.

He began walking in no particular direction, hoping that Illusion would follow his every move. For once in his life, he didn't feel like such a lone wolf.

Illusion felt a warm stirring deep in his chest when Oligo smiled; it made him feel so much better. His heart stone exploded in a bright light, pulsing happily as the gray followed after the dapple Protector.

"Sometimes I find that wandering is good for your thoughts. Sounds strange, I know. Seems like the world just slips away when you walk, piece by piece." Illusion said to Oligo, falling into step beside his friend.

The dapple kept on walking; his head looking up to the sky as he did so. As long as he knew that Illusion was beside him, it didn't matter where he went, where THEY went. All the places in the Shadowlands would light their way for them; any place would feel like heaven. "Don't leave me..." Oligo muttered, still looking up at the sky. He didn't care how the grey reacted to that statement. All he cared about was the fact he said it and he meant it.

"Whats wrong with me..." his mind trailed off. "Why am I acting like a lost child..."

Illusion walked beside Oligo, noticing the way his friend watched the stars.
A soft smile crept over Illusions face, and he swished his tail contentedly.
When Oligo spoke, the gray looked at him, slightly in shock. A great rush of feelings filled Illusion; affection, understanding, acceptance. Oligo... he thought.

He gently bummed the dapple with his nose.
"I wasn't planning on it, Oligo. I won't leave you, and that's a promise." Illusion said softly, His violet eyes looking at his friend.
A world of emotions opened up, and Illusion felt another wall come crashing down, deep inside of him. Another piece of me to share... and the bonded ties to Neizmeth were finally beginning to loosen...

With Vasilli and Oligo, Illusion knew that he'd make it.

____________________________________________

Okay so this is a Birthday/Christmas gift for my dear friend *DanceOnMines , featuring her handsome Soul Wraith Oligo and my Illusion.

This is an ongoing(?) RP between the two of them on the site, at the Mirror Lake.
It's a bit of a touchy scene, as you can see, but I am enjoying it and I'm glad Illusion was finally able to break through to Oligo.

Happy Birthday, Dance dear!

Artwork & Illusion (c) *TheForeverPlace
Oligo (c) *DanceOnMines
Vasilli & Soul Wraiths (c) *orengel
Horse References (both) (c) *venomxbaby
BG Image (c) Google

Description
Illusion stood at the edge of the Mirror Lake, watching the way the starlight danced off the lake. The gray stallion admired the way the moon hung suspended in the vast blanket of black, a yellow oddysey that reminded him this world was real.
Illusion's eyes strayed back to the lake as movement was seen, and an image formed. His children, now yearlings, were huddled in a group, sleeping. He spotted little Autumn, her once-lame legs now healed. He saw Cade, orphaned when both Illusion and Neizmeth were killed. Cade seemed to be doing alright, and Illusion checked on him often.

Illusion sighed, not a sound of sadness. He hadn't seen his friend Oligo for a while. Since before Vasilli had been kidnapped. Now that Vasilli was home, however, Illusion figured Oligo wouldn't be so busy.
His violet heart stone pulsed gently, casting a weird purple hue to the edges of Mirror Lake.

Oligo's hooves left deep impressions in the soil underneath him; it seemed the long days of rain were finally over but it was going to take awhile for the soil to firm up again. This only made it more difficult to gallop. Luckily as well, the dark creatures had retreated for now. Finally having the chance to take a break, the dapple decided to check on his young one in the living world. The vision of his little white dapple still bought sorrow to his hollow chest. Why? Thoughts of Arwyn - his previous mate - would flood his mind and only bring back dry tears.
Oligo took a few steps forward before realising that someone was already at Mirror Lake; it was hard to tell who it was from a distance so out of pure curiosity, moved closer.

Oligo's heart stone began to glow a lovely shade of blue; he couldn't help but hide the fact that he admired his friend Illusion who was so depressingly standing by the lake. He assumed it was something the grey saw in the lake.
"Is everything alright, Illusion", Oligo asked softly making sure not to scare the grey.

Illusion watched quietly as the image faded from the lake, leaving nothing more but the reflection of the stars again. The gray flicked his ears as he heard a voice, and turned his neck to peer at his visitor. His black forelock fell in front of his eyes and he tossed his head.
When he recognized Oligo, a smile broke out on his face.

"Hey there, Oligo. Long time no see. I've been doing alright, certainly much better since Vasilli is home again." Illusion said softly, stretching his neck out to offer Oligo his muzzle in greetings.
"And how have you been, friend?" he asked the handsome dapple gray, noticing the blue heart stone glowing.

The dapple said nothing in response to Illusion's first statement about Vasilli but merely glanced towards the murky lake that held visions of the real world. His heart stone faded slightly and if he had a heart, it would have sunk. He did however, bump his own muzzle to Illusions in quick, short greeting. "I am doing fine, Illusion. Better now knowing Leek the drama queen is being taken care of." A smile became present on his face and he nodded to himself. "What did your eyes see in Mirror Lake if you don't mind me asking?"

Illusion noticed Oligo's heart stone dim slightly, and decided not to speak of Vasilli anymore. His violet eyes turned back to the lake momentarily.
"I was watching my children, going to bed. They've all grown so much..." his voice lowered to a whisper, a sad smile on his face. Illusion turned back to look at Oligo.

"What do you see, Oligo?" he asked, hoping the dapple wouldn't mind the question, but wouldn't be offended if Oligo decide not to answer it.

The dapple nodded; not knowing what else to say to the grey about his vision. It was hard to be sympathetic when you had similar problems with your own life. Oligo took a few steps towards the edge of the lake and looked in. He only had to wait a moment before the visions of his son came to life. He was doing well it seemed and was being transported to another stable. "I see my son" he started, not bothering to look back at Illusion. "It looks like he is being moved to a new home; but he seems happy enough."

All of a sudden, Oligo stopped talking. His heart stone dimmed completely and there was no longer any life in it. Arwyn. He secretly still loved her but what could he do? He had no more tears left for the cremello but just a heart stone with an invisible crack through the middle.

Illusion was about to respond to Oligo about the dapples son, when the soft glow of his friends heartstone snuffed out suddenly.
Illusion closed his mouth, looking at Oligo with violet eyes. Tentatively, and cautiously, he formed a question in his mind into words in his mouth.

"You want to talk about it?" Ilusion asked softly, not pressuring nor expecting an answer. Illusion was talking about Arwyn. He could see that she still haunted Oligo, and it hurt Illusion to see his friend so down.
Of course, he would understand completely if Oligo chose not to speak; he was merely giving Oligo the window of opportunity. Showing him in the only way he knew how that he cared.

"There is nothing to talk about" Oligo merely replied. He knew that Illusion was referring to Arwyn. It was like they could read each others minds and form a conversation purely through telepathy. "I haven't seen the cremello in months" he simply said, refusing to say the mare's name. His voice seemed drained of all emotion and it was starting to sound robotic, fake, like it wasn't really him talking.

Oligo remained silent for a moment; forming the next few words he would speak into his mind. The topic only sounded more depressing as it went on. "I should be lone. I was born lone and will remain lone like that of the great mountain wolf." A smile actually crept onto his face as he looked to the sky above. There was no moon to be seen but what does it matter. The dapple would like to think of himself as a wolf howling in sorrow to the moon. How depressing...

He looked back to Illusion and laughed to himself. "Everytime I am with you, my atmosphere is always depressing it seems."

"You don't deserve to be lone, Oligo. Its the cremello's loss, as far as I'm concerned." his voice had a slight hardness to it. How could anyone have hurt Oligo this bad?
"I'm sorry..." he said, softer.

Oligo turned his gaze without even bothering to turn his head and noticed that the grey's heart stone was now dimmed. He had no intention of upsetting Illusion but it did seem that way. The dapple was also lost for words for a moment but didn't have to think too long as Illusion finally spoke. The words stabbed him in the chest; right through his heart if he had one. Didn't Illusion know? Of course it was his fault! The reason why Arwyn left him was because he couldn't control his desire to admire Time, the black mare. Other than that, he did nothing. "Maybe she did over-react..." he muttered, not realising he had said it aloud.

Oligo lifted his head and looked at Illusion, the first stallion to have put up with the dapple's aggressive behaviour and push into the soft inner core. "Thank you Illusion. That is probably just what I need."

Arwyn had overreacted, from what Illusion had heard. She had lost something she should have held onto. Oligo.

The dapple Protectors next words touched somewhere deep in Illusion, and he very gently, cautiously pressed his muzzle to his friends neck in brotherly affection.
"Your welcome, friend. I'm always here, even when others are not." he smiled, feeling as if at last, he had done something good since his arrival in the Shadowlands.

The dapple gave in to Illusion's muzzle and merely stood there, taking in the warmth of another. Sometimes he wished moments like these would happen between him and Twist; even if they were only half brothers. Either way, it wasn't going to happen; the pair despised each other. The next words that left Illusions' mouth bought a soft glow to the dapple's deep dark blue heart stone.

Oligo touched the grey's cheek with his own muzzle and pointed to the north with the tip of his nose. "Shall we take a walk?"

Illusion finally pulled away softly, smiling at Oligo. His own purple heart stone lit up again, glowing softly in the darkness.
The stars seemed brighter, too.

"I would like that. It's a nice night," Illusion agreed, nodding for Oligo to lead the way. "Any particular destination in mind?"

"No particular destination" he started. "I just feel like wondering around endlessly for awhile." He smiled, a pure smile, a sight that was pretty much unseen with the dapple grey. It wasn't just a slight smile either, it was a full one and it seemed to light up the stars in the sky to their full extent.

He began walking in no particular direction, hoping that Illusion would follow his every move. For once in his life, he didn't feel like such a lone wolf.

Illusion felt a warm stirring deep in his chest when Oligo smiled; it made him feel so much better. His heart stone exploded in a bright light, pulsing happily as the gray followed after the dapple Protector.

"Sometimes I find that wandering is good for your thoughts. Sounds strange, I know. Seems like the world just slips away when you walk, piece by piece." Illusion said to Oligo, falling into step beside his friend.

The dapple kept on walking; his head looking up to the sky as he did so. As long as he knew that Illusion was beside him, it didn't matter where he went, where THEY went. All the places in the Shadowlands would light their way for them; any place would feel like heaven. "Don't leave me..." Oligo muttered, still looking up at the sky. He didn't care how the grey reacted to that statement. All he cared about was the fact he said it and he meant it.

"Whats wrong with me..." his mind trailed off. "Why am I acting like a lost child..."

Illusion walked beside Oligo, noticing the way his friend watched the stars.
A soft smile crept over Illusions face, and he swished his tail contentedly.
When Oligo spoke, the gray looked at him, slightly in shock. A great rush of feelings filled Illusion; affection, understanding, acceptance. Oligo... he thought.

He gently bummed the dapple with his nose.
"I wasn't planning on it, Oligo. I won't leave you, and that's a promise." Illusion said softly, His violet eyes looking at his friend.
A world of emotions opened up, and Illusion felt another wall come crashing down, deep inside of him. Another piece of me to share... and the bonded ties to Neizmeth were finally beginning to loosen...

With Vasilli and Oligo, Illusion knew that he'd make it.

____________________________________________

Okay so this is a Birthday/Christmas gift for my dear friend *DanceOnMines , featuring her handsome Soul Wraith Oligo and my Illusion.

This is an ongoing(?) RP between the two of them on the site, at the Mirror Lake.
It's a bit of a touchy scene, as you can see, but I am enjoying it and I'm glad Illusion was finally able to break through to Oligo.

Happy Birthday, Dance dear!

Artwork & Illusion (c) *TheForeverPlace
Oligo (c) *DanceOnMines
Vasilli & Soul Wraiths (c) *orengel
Horse References (both) (c) *venomxbaby
BG Image (c) Google