//------------------------------// // The Date // Story: Descendants of the Isle // by Melody Song //------------------------------// Gallus and Sandbar were walking across a bridge to get to where Sandbar was taking him. “Tell me something you’ve never told anyone.” Sandbar suggested “Um...Luna told me once…” Gallus turned “That her full name is Luna Nyxmare. According to her, Luna means moon in pony latin. So her mom named her Moon Nyxmare.” “That’s funny, she named her pretty much after herself. Moon Nyxmare. Nyxmare Moon.” Sandbar said, then smiled “But I meant something about yourself.” “There’s not much to tell… I have an older sister.” “Oh?” “Yeah, Gilda. She’s the best.” Gallus said “Our parents died when we were kids, leaving Gruff to take care of us.” “Your parents... they were Gruff’s daughter and her husband...the Grypas, right?” “Accent over the y. And yes, the Grýpas Talons.” “I’m sorry they died…” “It’s okay. I was too young to remember them anyway.” Gallus replied “So... do you have a full name?” “...Gallus Gruff. Gilda’s is Gilda Gruff.” Gallus replied “...My full name is Sandbar Kelp. Like my dad, Sea Kelp.” “How princely.” Gallus said as they stepped off the bridge. The two continued walking, reaching some stepping stones. “Not really. My parents wanted me to have a normal life... aside from being a Prince.” Sandbar said, trotting to keep pace with Gallus. “Well, it’s better than your grandfather giving you his name because he’s so full of himself, same with Luna’s name.” “I guess... oh, watch your step here.” Sandbar took his claw and helped him step across some of the stones. “The rocks can be slippery. Okay, cover your eyes.” “Why?” “C’mon, just do it.” Sandbar urged. Gallus sighed and used his wing to cover his eyes. He felt Sandbar leading him, and gripped the colt’s hoof with his claw. “Alright... step up.” Sandbar directed, and Gallus did. “Okay, ready? And... open.” Gallus moved his wing and gasped. They were in a beautiful stone pavilion with broken pillars supporting the roof. It looked sturdy nonetheless. A picnic blanket and basket were set there, invitingly. Surrounding them was a large lake, with rocky cliffs on one side, in the deeper area, perfect for jumping into the water. Sandbar smiled. “Well?” “It’s... it’s really pretty.” Gallus said, smiling widely. He was actually enjoying himself. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Mm…” Gallus moaned as he bit into a chocolate cupcake. Sandbar had placed his jacket off to the side, in nothing but his button up shirt now. “Is this your first time?” Sandbar asked, chuckling a bit. Gallus set the cupcake down and began gesturing with his claws. “Well, we don’t really... date on the Isle, it’s more like, gang activity.” he then licked the chocolate off his claws. Sandbar laughed softly and moved closer. “I meant, is this your first time eating a cupcake?” “...Is it bad?” Gallus asked, and Sandbar giggled “A bit. Here…” Sandbar reached and rubbed at the chocolate that was smeared around Gallus’ beak. “Okay, it’s gone.” “Thanks.” Gallus giggled, picking up the cupcake again. “So... you like guys, huh? I thought... since you were with Yona…” “Oh, I’m, uh, Bi actually.” Sandbar rubbed the back of his neck. “What?” “Bi. As in, Bisexual. It means I’m attracted to both genders.” Sandbar explained “Oh…” “Did you... not know that could exist?” “The only sexualities we knew on the Isle were straight, colt-cuddler, and fillyfooler. My um... my sister has a thing going on with one of our friends back there, another female griff. She keeps it on the down low but our gang knows.” “I get it. Snowdrop and my parents were the only ones who knew I was Bi, well, before yesterday…” Sandbar said “Eh, makes sense. Snow blushed pretty hard when Lu kissed her on the cheek before she dragged me off to get ready for this.” Gallus blushed slightly. “Figured she may be a fillyfooler.” “The term is lesbian. And it’s not ‘colt-cuddler’. That and fillyfooler are insults. It’s gay.” Sandbar informed him. “You know...I don’t think we’ve talked much about ourselves. Just our friends.” “There’s not much to say, really.” Gallus took another bite of his cupcake. “I’m sixteen, only ever lived in one place, and have a cool older sister.” “Well, I have a cool younger sister... Coral. She’s a baby, only a year old. Part of the reason my mom and dad want me to take over the kingdom now is so they can spend more time with her, they had her kind of late in their lives.” “And you’re gonna be the king because of that?” “Well, that and it’s customary I do, since sixteen is the coming of age and I have a cutie mark.” “What does your mark mean anyway?” “That I’m great with sea creatures, basically. I got it when my parents took me to the beach where they met. I helped some sea turtle hatchlings.” Sandbar explained, then realized something. “Speaking of animals, where’s Monarch?” “Pharynx said he’d watch him.” Gallus replied, licking off the frosting on his cupcake. “So, do I have to start calling you King Sandbar now or…?” Sandbar sighed and looked away. “A crown doesn’t make you a king.” “It kind of does.” Gallus said “I know I’m from the Isle, and the closest thing we have to a king there is Tempest’s dad, but I picked up enough here to know it actually does.” “That’s... not what I meant.” “Then what did you mean?” Gallus asked, and Sandbar looked over at him. “Well... your grandfather was a herald of evil, and I’ve got the poster parents of goodness. But that doesn’t mean we’re automatically like them.” Sandbar stood up and trotted to the lake. “We get to choose our own destiny, who we’re gonna be. And right now…” Sandbar looked over at Gallus with a smile. “I can look into your eyes, and I can just tell you’re not evil. I can see it.” Gallus blushed and busied himself rubbing chocolate off his face. “If only he knew…” “Hey, you okay?” Sandbar asked, and Gallus nodded. “I’m fine, just thinking.” “Alright.” Sandbar then turned back to the lake. “Wanna go for a swim?” “You mean... right now?” “Of course right now.” “Oh... um... I’m good here.” “Aw, come on, please?” Sandbar asked, taking his claw. Gallus pulled away and reached for a crystal bowl of golden yellow fruit. “I think I’m gonna stay here and try a... what did you call these?” “They’re mango slices.” “Right, I’ll try a mango. I’ve literally never had mango before.” Gallus laughed, then bit into it. His eyes widened at the flavor. “Mm…” “Okay then. Don’t eat all of them.” Sandbar said, laughing softly, and Gallus nodded. Gallus watched Sandbar walk around and up to the rocks, unbuttoning his shirt and laying it aside. Gallus smiled as Sandbar whooped and jumped, landing in the water with a splash. He resurfaced, smiling at Gallus. As Sandbar dove under again, Gallus stood up, then began wandering, lost in his thoughts.