Taytim

The mother grinned impishly, watching Rodrigo and her daughter. The giant knight was so careful around the filly, who had started to test her boundaries almost the moment she had been found her feet. Even in the face of such a larger creature, Taika curiously stuck her nose out. The chestnut mare worried what the filly would eventually stick her nose into. Taytim returned Rodrigo’s nips and brushes, having missed his companionship and the feeling of stable security and tranquility his presence brought. For all her wandering spirit commanded her, it was nice for her to know she had someone she knew she could call a friend.

Watching Ysabell’s expression made young Taika take a small step back. On some level she knew she could have insulted the big mare, but her words confused her. Once again, her head stretched out and she regained her steps forward. Demi-god? Her small, young, voice questioned. Sacrifice?

Taytim smirked and put her nose to the youngling’s ear. ”A demi-god is a creature, sacrifice means we are going to let it eat you.” She lipped at Taika’s ears and developing mohawk. “Nom nom nom.”

The filly’s eyes widened and she tossed her head in young fear. She bolted feet away from her mother, kicking her heels as if fighting off whatever a demi-god was. She snorted and came to a stop right beside Rodrigo. Her clear dark gray eyes looked up at him and she straightened herself to be as big and tall as she could be standing beside the comparatively massive stallion. Another snort came from her soft velvet nose. This one will save me. She declared.

Deep inside Taytim, her heart broke at the confidence her daughter said the words. She tried not to let her wince be obvious to anyone around. “Rodrigo might not always be here to save you, Taika.” Taytim remembered their bargain, he could leave at anytime, as could she. She would not let her daughter grow up with an illusion of a promise she could not make come true. Other than friendship, there was nothing to tie the stallion to them. Much less to tie the stallion to a filly that was not his.

Taika’s expression made it obvious she did not approve of the answer. Instead she stomped over to Ysabell, forgetting it was the mare who threatened to sacrifice her in the first place. This one will save me then!

This time Taytim laughed at her daughter. “I don’t think Ysabell has it in her to save you, sweetie.” She was convinced the pirate queen would be the one causing the trouble.

Taika stuck her head out, ears twisting back. I will save myself! She declared finally, stomping over to her mother and bumping her forehead against her shoulder, snorting again.

While the filly pouted against her shoulder, Taytim eyed the two other horses. "What do you two know of gods and demi-gods?" It was not the first time these concepts had been presented to her, and they were stories she dearly wanted Taika to hear. She had been raised in a small world of black and white. The same was not going to be true for her offspring.

~:Mare

~:Morgan Mutt

~:14.2hh

~:Black Chestnut

~:4 Years