Pilar took another couple of steps toward him and bowed her head down beside his so that conversation might not be so difficult amidst the relentless rain.

“Yes, that’s right. I’m here.”

She felt a tinge of guilt at her selfishness. She hadn’t considered how her mingling about the Commons and then taking a leisurely detour to the Paradise might cause Kasabian to worry. Pilar had not taken her time getting here out of disrespect; she merely thought it would be more interesting to take the scenic route. Young and hungry, she wanted to explore. She had a thirst for knowledge and a tendency toward spontaneity. Remembering what he had said when they first met—how a lack of thought meant merely existing without purpose—she decides that it was no use feeling guilty. Pilar had operated in accordance with Kasabian's own values it seemed, which would explain why he wasn’t angry with her. Perhaps she had known this subconsciously, and therefore wasn’t testing him at all—only doing as any mare free of obligations might do. The guise of risk had only made it more exciting however, though in her heart she was quite relieved that Kasabian might be the sort of stallion who would let her get away with most anything. The truer this seemed, the more respect and admiration she would have for him.

Pilar nodded. There wasn’t trouble finding the Ridge. The precipice that taunted her from afar was an easy landmark to spot from the ocean.

“It’s just rain,” she continued. “No need for apologies. Unless of course you can control the rain, then I’m afraid you have some explaining to do.”

She grinned, attempting to brighten the mood enough to show Kasabian that there was no ill will, and that other than being a little damp, all was well in her world.

Hearing another voice, an unfamiliar feminine one, caused Pilar to lift her head in Sylvia’s direction. It appeared that they weren’t as alone as Pilar initially had believed. This mare seemed to radiate kindness and compassion, which was no small feat under these conditions. Pilar smiled politely at her offer to help as Kasabian asked her name. She waited a moment for her reply before speaking again.

“I’m okay, though if you know of anywhere where there might be some shelter from the rain around here I wouldn’t mind knowing the way.”

Perhaps Kasabian might be interested in such a place as well. After all, he couldn’t lay in the pouring rain forever, and she would hate to see him wash away.


pilar

photo © Sally Mann