It was Ava who noticed him first, and Nesrin just after; both mares called warmly to him, inviting him to enjoy the cool water in the warmth of the peachy sunrise with them. It was not lost on him that Nesrin called him ‘brother’; it was not the first time she had called him such, yet he did not mind it, for it suggested a comfortable familiarity between them despite the fact they did had not known each other long at all.

Orhan’s smile brightened as he splashed into the oasis at a leisurely stroll, reaching the mares and offering them each a polite touch of the nose. “Good morning, ladies.” As his eyes dropped to the fillies, who were regarding each other with tentative curiosity, he let loose a gentle chuckle. “It’s nice to see everyone getting to know one another. Ghost is looking beautiful as ever, Ava.” He slipped the little mare a meaningful glance, recalling how the filly’s color had been the subject of some drama the night she was born.

Then his attention turned to Nesrin’s golden little newborn, and his smile brightened. “And who is this new addition?”