That night, in the unicorn stables, all of the unBondeds were abuzz.  {{I mean, we've all been waiting for Skylark and Misty to Bond for *years*, but Firedance? Smoke? The Light sure has some strange things in mind for this class.}} Whisper snatched a mouthful of oats before continuing. {{I mean, who knows who'll be next? Maybe even me!}}

{{Huh. You're snobbery surprises even me sometimes, Whisper.}} Sunbeam sent from one of the corner stalls, his voice gruff. {{Smoke had just as much right to Bond as anyone else here. I don't know what all the fuss is about.}}

{{Oh please, Sunbeam. You know I didn't mean...}}

{{Of course you did, Whisper!}} Phantom sent. {{Of all the nerve...}}

{{Oh lay off!}}

{{Oh swallow your ears!}}

{{Oh...}}

{{Please!}} Starfall's mindvoice sliced through the bickering with authority. His voice had the air of a seasoned leader. {{What is it about Bonding that gets everyone's tails in knots? Can't we all just be happy for the new pairs? We'll all get our chances soon enough.}}

{{Well, I never said...}}

{{Of course you're right, Starfall, but I just resent..}}

{{Please!}} the crimson-horned stallion sent with finality. For a few minutes, the ether was silent.

{{Ah thanks Fally, old pal. All that racket was makin' it hard for a fellow to get his beauty sleep!}} The voice was Spark's, and even Starfall couldn't help but smile. One could always count on the scrappy little stallion to break the tension with a little humor.

{{You're going to need a lot more than sleep, Shrimp!}} Jester sent playfully from across the aisle.

{{Ah, such dazzling repartee, my good man! I think I heard that one from a foal the other day while he was clinging to his momma's teat!}}

The stables erupted with unicorn laughter.

{{Hey!}} a younger 'corn voice interrupted suddenly, from just outside the stables. It was Wishful. {{Hey! Some students are coming to visit us!}}

Jerlain paused as they got to the stable gate. She knew that by coming here, she was stating her hope that the Light might choose her for one of these wonderful creatures. The acknowledgement left her astonished at her own expectations.

She felt herself loose the assurance that always surrounded her when among the human students, suddenly feeling awkward and transparent in her awkwardness. It was an uncomfortable feeling! Feeling as though she wasn't sure of her welcome, feeling unsure of her worthiness, of her social skills even! Worrying that she would end up making a plain fool of herself by saying the wrong thing or just by being dull to be with!

She'd never given much thought to how the shyer members of her yeargroup might have been feeling all these years. Now she felt new understanding and sympathy. Was this the feeling that kept Isabel in the quietest corners all this time?

She bit her lip. She'd hardly ever given that a thought in the past, so intent as she had been on having a good time and enjoying her station as an undoubted part of the in-crowd. She looked down at the floor as she recalled how she'd even in her own mind overlooked Isabel, feeling that it was up to her to make the effort to get herself involved and have some fun.  Now, as she stood near the stable doors, feeling all the weight of her insecurities and embarrassment, she saw a whole new perspective.

After having spent some time in the stables earlier with Miranda and Tia and their new bondeds, Jerlain and Iz had decided it was time that they left the pairs to themselves for awhile. That, and they needed to get ready for the party in the stables later on.

At the dorms, spurred on by her happiness for Miranda and the strange bond that had just formed between her and Jerlain, Iz made sure they met up downstairs and went down to the stables together that evening. Both students had dressed up, their hair freshly washed and combed, and Isabel was wearing the knit dress she'd had on at the Ceremony yesterday evening. As they emerged into the night air, Lorcan arrived to 'escort' them, giving both girls odd looks. Before too long, Smoke and Miranda appeared again, and the group made it's way to the stables.

When they neared the lit building, Iz stopped just before Jerlain did, watching the doorway, wide-eyed. She felt little shivers of fear run through her. She wasn't sure she wanted to be in there, with the possibility of so much disappointment waiting for her.

Lorcan, her junior by a few years, paused as she paused and looked round into her face, seeming to sense her reluctance. "Come on in - anyone you don't know here? I can introduce you no problems - you too Iz." His smile was open and gently encouraging. He didn't include Miranda in the offer, she belonged with the unicorns now after all and would have Smoke to take care of her.

"Thanks Lorcan," Jerlain said quietly, with nothing outwardly apparent to account for the slight reddening of her cheeks as she slowly walked into the stables.

Isabel watched Jerlain walk in, all confidence and calm. *I wish I could be like that* she thought, sighing a little. Lorcan smiled encouragingly at her and waved his arm in front of him. She licked her lips and walked inside.

{{Hello!}} Wishful was quite excited to see the students. All the arguing inside had been making her nervous and she hoped the humans would put the unBondeds on better...if not their best behavior. She couldn't for the life of her figure out why everyone was so on edge! First Wildfire and Skydancer, now Whisper and Sunbeam and Phantom...oh! She decided to stop thinking about it, and instead directed her full attention more immediate and less taxing matters. Like, the weather. {{The Weather Board in Pallahade says it's supposed to rain tonight.}} she chattered on cheerfully as they left the darkness behind and entered the warm, yellow glow of the Stables. The  air was sweet with the smell of hay and warm unicorn bodies. {{That why most everyone is here tonight. Except the newly Bondeds, of course, and a few of the Wildborns... oh, and Vertigo and...}}

Swathed in the light and the warm air, Isabel relaxed a little. She smiled at Wishful's sweet mindvoice and the way she so easily wrapped the human students into the conversation. That would be a bondmate she could get along with.

But another unicorn voice soon interrupted. {{At least, that's what most of the Csar's Wyn say,}} Skylark poked his cream-colored nose through an opening of a nearby stall to regard the students. {{There's always some sort of discrepancy between the Prophet-type Wyn and the Nature Wyn, you know. I read the report, though, from the Palace and it seems pretty likely.}}

And then, as if by Skylark's cue, the ether erupted with unicorn voices.

{{I like the rain,}} sent Prism from another stall, farther down. {{I'm just feeling sleepy.}}

Some mumbling from Sunbeam, some contented sighs from a suckling foal.

And Spark: {{I would be sleeping, 'cept everyone's feeling awfully chatty tonight.}}

{{Yeah, including you!}} Jester.

{{Come over here, children!}}

{{No, over here! I have such a difficult itch....}}

{{Hey, will you sing me a story, human-people?}} came a weanling's voice from deeper in the stables. {{I'm lonely.}}

{{Me too!}} piped another foal, kicking the wall of her stall with a tiny hoof. {{Me too! Can I go into the arena, momma?}}

Several unicorns were quietly munching on a large bale of hay at the center of the stables. One of them, an older mare the color of polished brass turned to regard the invisible occupants of one of the stalls. She was the Bonded of one of the visiting Privates from Five Lakes and generally respected across campus as having a quick mind and a gentle heart.  {{Morningstar,}} she sent, {{I just sang you a story, dearheart. Why are you still awake?}}

{{I'm not, momma.}} sent the filly, and was silent.

Stopping near the wall, Iz's mouth dropped open as all the unicorns seemed to talk at once. She felt overwhelmed at first, and then, as they played back and forth, she fell into the rhythm of their conversation. Her blue eyes were bright with excitement. The 'corns wanted them to talk and play with them! Iz looked over at Jerlain and smiled shyly.

Jerlain looked back, her hazel-eyed expression open. Again she felt that wash of friendship that had seemed to hover over her all day and was glad that Isabel was with her to share the welcome they were getting by the unicorns.  Seemingly happiness was better shared.

Somewhere in the stables, Starfall was laughing. {{As you can see, it's business as usual in here. Forgive us for being a little...demanding. Perhaps there is there something I can do for you students?}} he sent, opening the latch of his stall and stepping into the arena. He was a beautiful sight, tall and proud, his crimson horn bright and striking against the pale white of his coat and mane.

Thinking she would speak to one of the younger, gentler 'corns, Iz stopped when Starfall came out of his stall. He was huge. She felt some of her new confidence drain at the flash of his crimson horn.

Not to be outdone, Spark too unlatched his stall door and stepped into the aisle some twenty yards behind Starfall. His small stature and oddly colored orange and red splotched coat were somewhat less impressive. ((Whatever he offers to do, I'll can do it better, my ladies.}} he sent teasingly. {{I am heroic and noble, you see, and always ready to lend fair humans a helping hoof.}}

Starfall gave a long-suffering sigh.

Iz grinned, unable to control the sharp giggle that escaped. Spark certainly wasn't the grand unicorn of stories, but she appreciated his humor. Still, with Starfall standing there, she didn't feel brave enough to talk to any of the 'corns yet. Better to have Jerlain speak first. Or Miranda and Smoke. Or anyone.

{Really, Spark. Must you always make a mockery of everything?}} Starfall snorted.

Spark sighed, relaxed his posture a little, and took a few steps toward Starfall and the students. {{Hey, don't be so sensitive. 'He who can laugh at himself, stands strongest.' Elson said that.}}

Starfall huffed a little. {{'Many cowards hide behind the thick armor of satire.' Marody said that.}}

Spark laughed, hiding the pang of self-consciousness he felt, suddenly.  {{Wasn't Marody also the one that said,}} he affected a high-pitched, slightly dandy mindvoice, {{'Oh, woe! My bananas! My bananas are far too small!'}}  Somewhere, a yearling giggled.

The other stallion didn't seem to notice. {{Well, yes, he lived just north of Aedalfar and was very proud of his banana crop...hey!}} one could almost see Starfall's horn turn a new shade of crimson as he realized the implication of Spark's words. {{Are you trying to pick a fight with me, Spark?}}

Isabel watched the interplay with a hint of worry. She didn't know much about either of the 'corns -- both were too outgoing for her to feel comfortable with -- but Starfall was significantly bigger than the scrappy orange male. She knew the 'corns wouldn't hurt each other, of course, but she didn't like the uneasy feel in the air.

{{Me? Noooo...}} The truth was, Spark wasn't sure what he was doing. At first he had just been trying to lighten the mood a bit. He hated to see everyone fighting as they had been! But now... now, he just seemed to be contributing to that mood. But he had gone too far now to stop. He knew Starfall wouldn't dare do anything in front of the humans, but still, his honor had been wounded. Spark knew he would pay for it sooner or later.

Perhaps the humans, though, were the key to settling things a bit.  His head high, Spark began to trot towards the small throng of students.  Perhaps if he stumbled a little the students would laugh and Starfall would feel....

He never had a chance to finish that thought. Not that he didn't stumble. He did, right in front of everyone. Except, when his feet gave way beneath him it was hardly intentional. No one laughed...and he was far too
preoccupied to notice.

It was just that, as he was trotting towards Starfall and the students, his eyes happened to lock with one of the girls standing there. One of the most beautiful girls and...

Isabel felt safer, somehow, staring at the small 'corn. But when she met his eyes she had one gleaming moment of terror before she was swept away.

Everyone in the stables felt it. In different ways, of course.

For all of the humans and unicorns not Isabel and Spark, the Bonding manifested in their minds as a beautiful idea...an old song or a fragment of poetry for some, an image of something shining, a swift feeling of joy, the urge to dance!

It was, perhaps, the first time that so many had felt even the tiniest sliver of an experience that had been, until now, reserved only for two. And, for a moment, everyone present let out a tiny gasp of surprise as they were hit with tiny bits of magical shrapnel from the Bonding occuring in the center of the arena.

It was, perhaps, the greatest gift Spark could have given to the unBonded.

But, of course, at the moment he wasn't thinking about that.  Instead, Spark had felt something deep in the pit of his being suddenly catch flame. And suddenly, his mind and essence were flooded with searing white light that burned so brightly he could no longer remember where he was, what he was, who he was. Indeed, he could feel part of himself being burned away...his edges, the very borders of him!, he realized. What was happening...?

Suddenly, he was free! He could feel himself oozing out of himself like a puddle of liquid thoughts, he could feel the world with his mind! There was no sight, no sound, no touch...but there were new senses there. Senses he could not describe. His soul sang!

Desperately, he fought to scatter, to seep into existence and become a part of everything else. Was there really need for him to stay? To knock about his prison shell of a body when he could be weaving and diving through the very fabric of it all. But then he felt it. *Her*. He could feel her presence nearby, like a beacon it pulsed to his rhythm and drew him closer despite himself. She was pouring outwards and was shining with such brightness...his essence rushed to meet hers.

For a long, lonely moment, Isabel's soul reached out to Spark and couldn't find him there. And then he seemed to melt into her, his essence filling her up like fire until she was sure that she must be shining like the sun.  And then it didn't matter what she looked like because suddenly she was no longer one, but two.

Memories mixed. Thoughts stuck to thoughts. Two became one became two again, except that both were somehow different as they were drawn back into their own bodies.  She thought of her sister, Cali, and didn't find it strange to remember having a unicorn for a mother. They divvied memories between them, letting their hearts and minds touch and share. And then that oneness split again and Iz felt herself return, but different.

It didn't even matter much to him now, that he was going back. He had tasted someone else's existence! One glorious facet was enough to tide him over until it was time to experience the rest. One glorious facet to cherish!

Isabel felt a joy purer than she had ever known sweep through her. Spark's essence burned with it, poured it into her and shared what had happened, pulling her soul into a dance to music beyond sound. The others saw the girl standing there, shaking with laughter, her eyes wide-open, shining and focused on Spark.

His borders had been redrawn.

His edges were now her edges were not their edges: a great new frontier existed now for both of their minds and spirits to explore.

He didn't need to say her name because he had a hold of her self and he kept it gently, safely--like his most precious treasure.

Blinking, Isabel lifted her hand and lay it on Spark's nose. She stroked it once, feeling the soft warmth and the heat of his breath when she reached the end. "You love me," she whispered, knowing that to be true
above all else, and promptly burst into tears.

Spark stepped forward, bumping her gently. [Don't cry,] he sent privately, his mindvoice smiling. [I'm not that bad!] Iz hiccuped and started giggling and hugged her new bondmate tightly around the neck.