SA | Stormbreak

Thunder cracked and rumbled overheard, so loud that Adelita swore she could feel the vibrations in her legs. The wind howled and whistled above her head, ripping her mane wildly about and threatening to topple her with each vigorous gust. It was with a bowed head that she fought against it, and yet even still, her pace was slow and determined in the wake of the willful wind as she made her way towards the bursting riverbanks.

Thunderstorms she had seen plenty of in her lifetime. She had relished them as a child even as her siblings had cowered at the thundering booms, always tempted to dash out and feel the pounding rain against her skin. There was something freeing about the rain, something enticing about the power that Alya and Cascade's domains held when they met in such a wild and untamed form.

But this- this was beyond anything she had ever before seen. And it was was more than simply the wind that rattled her.

Her pace was slowed even more by the thick mud that sucked at her hooves, only releasing her after a particularly forceful yank. It was difficult to see with the sheets of rain pounding down on her eyes, but even with the limited visibility, it became startling clear why their Sultan had summoned reinforcements to aid in the disaster relief.

The rivers that had once been dry now threatened to burst their bank, water dark and angry as it rose above the surrounding ground. Looking at it now, it was almost difficult to believe that Serora often suffered from droughts, and it was a cruel irony that it was now too much water that threatened their lives.

Adelita's eyes narrowed as she raised them against the biting elements, trying to make out the figures that were already busy at work. There were plenty of others already here, but through squinted eyes it was difficult to tell who was who. Voices raised and were instantly lost to the din, drowned out by the roaring river and swept away by the jealous wind. From a distance it was impossible to tell who was there or what was said, and Adelita allowed her head to drop once more with a frustrated sigh.

Her eyes focused on the ground as she slogged forward. Unfinished tasks would become apparent once she had reached them, she was sure. But for now, she simply had to focus on reaching the side of her comrades.

Despite the best efforts of the storm, words thrown to the mercy of the wind - and the familiar call of her name - reached her ears. Her eyes fought open against the rage of the storm, but a grim smile touched her muzzle as the distinct, almost daunting form of their Sultan appeared in her peripheral vision.

She'd assumed the members of their group would run into each other again once they reached the river's edge, but the reassurance her comrades were safe - or as safe as one could be while braving such elements - was a welcome addition all the same.

Adelita redirected her path towards her gathering comrades, a renewed vigor in her steps. Still, her pace far slower than she would have liked. Mud relentlessly engulfed her hooves, particularly soft areas sinking her up to her hocks. Already she knew it was going to take ages to wash away the grime of their excursion today; granted she ever managed to get fully dry after being exposed to this rain.

Close enough now to hear the shouts of orders and make out familiar forms and faces, it was easier to see the progress that had been made, as well as just how swollen the river was. Water crashed and threatened to spill from it's bed, and an icy shiver that had nothing to do with the chill in the air raced down Adelita's spine. Unwanted thoughts of what would happen should someone get caught in the unforgiving current plagued her mind, and with shake of her head Adelita forced her focus back to the Sultan.

Only a few paces from him now, she noted the wind was calmer here. Not dead, but certainly not as biting as it was elsewhere, and with a jolt she realized it was likely the influence of one of Alya's blessings. A more than useful asset to have, on a day like this.

Soaked to the bone, her coat matted and looking distinctly more mud coloured than grulla - and still she couldn't help cocking her head and offering her superior a strained grin, even as water ran in rivulets off the edges of her face.

"I was beginning to worry you'd lot left me to do all the hard work," she managed to call above the storm, words accompanied by a wry grin.

Adelita responded with a good-natured smile, fading quickly as he continued. Even with the increased volume of his voice, it was difficult to catch every word - but she understood the concerns. This sort of work was difficult labour in the best of conditions. Throw in copious amount of water and mud, and it was downright dangerous trying to maintain a foothold on the softening river banks.

"It doesn't look like it, does it?" Adelita replied with a grim nod, her eyes straying to the dark clouds that obscured the horizon. "I hope most people have gotten the idea to evacuate low lying areas near the rivers. If the water manages to break these banks, it's all going to start happening awfully quick."

Quicker than we can react, came the grim, unbidden thought, one she left unvoiced. She doubted the same one hadn't already crossed the Sultan's. She shook her head, fruitlessly displacing some of the water that had accumulated around her ears. It would all return in a moments time, she knew, but at least for a moment her ears felt slightly less waterlogged.

Adelita found herself almost, almost, missing the straightforwardness of the fights against Aodh. At least those fights had consisted of solid goals; hit them hard and get out swiftly, dodging any retaliation on the way out. Fighting the nature of time and the very elements was proving to be... slightly more complicated of an endeavor.

"I'll start helping with fortifying the banks," Adelita offered, her eyes glancing to where the sandbags were being hauled out. "Hopefully we can finish up sooner rather than later and get somewhere slightly warmer. I wouldn't mind being able to feel my hooves again."