The clatter of hooves and a greeting as quiet as the mare who uttered it were the indicators that Impa had found Mouse, and the hefty black mare turned her ears toward the source of the sounds before it became evident the little mare was on her blind side. Impa turned, not out or fear or wariness but so that she could see her friend and check the healing progress of her old injuries as well as check for any new ones. Praise be to the sun that she had at least one working eye!

Impa whinnied when her dark gaze landed on Mouse, and she picked her way through the small rocks and piles of snow to join her friend on even ground. “It’s good to see you!” she said with a grin, and reached toward the mare’s shoulder with her nose. “I see you’re looking better. How do you feel, though? Any luck on remembering where you’re from?” And then, worried that both her proximity and sudden dump of questions might cause the grulla to withdraw, Impa stepped back and pointed one ear at Mouse in casual curiosity. She was very interested to know the answer to her own questions, and also to learn more about her friend, but it wouldn’t do to overwhelm her.

At least Mouse looked more at ease in the company of just her. The black mare huffed a content breath and shifted on her feet, her eye wandering away from her companion before drifting back. Upon seeing swollen sides of her friend, both of Impa’s ears came forward and she tossed her nose at Mouse’s barrel. “What’s this?” she asked, and tipped her head to one side as she flashed a wicked grin and joked, “Been romping with the enemy, eh?”