595. Snow

Ariel watched the snow fall in Kyra's quiet eyes, snow globes lost in thought. The snow fell in large flakes, an army of parachutes from the endless grey, falling by ones, landing, reuniting, as one. From the heavens as if postcards from Zoe and Von, snow fell across the land, a pristine blanket, silent warmth in a thousand messages, each flake, falling, falling, softly falling.

Bravo appeared in the distance as a metallic mountain in winter, sitting as a home sits with warm lights glowing, spilling forth memories and comfort, a place to die if one were inclined. Word had gone forth and Goldie and Pinkie were waiting on the dock, buzzing like bees in the soft flurries. Their metallic skins glistened with surrendered flakes, their mechanical eyes fluttering in familiar clicks and clacks as if crying, a sound missed all the more now in the hearing.

The snow fell on Bravo and on Goldie and when Kyra emerged from the transport, it fell on her too. Her black hair, speckled with snow, each flake alighting on head and shoulder like birds, perching as if they belonged, as if they were home too. The snow fell in waves, heavy, as it seemed now, from outside, standing in the cold. Ariel stuck her tongue out, catching flakes, her left hand tightly holding Kyra's while her right held Em's, a foal bursting in energy, delighted to be alive. As Ariel tugged, Kyra looked at Em, "We're home."

"Home," said Em. "Home." Her voice faded. (scene fades to Trev)