Arcana closes her eyes at the velvet touch of his muzzle upon her own. They exchange breath and Arcana is made dizzy by his scent. Everything about Orhan is bliss. His romantic murmurs make her weak in the knees. Why hadn't she sought out this therapy sooner?

Opening her eyes, Arcana sees a halo of stars around the charming figure of her first and only love. She sees his face, cast in shadow, but diffuse starlight is enough to see his expression full of love, melt into surprise, followed by concern. This is the reason she secluded herself on this side of the oasis. She had hoped to avoid the discussion now imminent. Arcana revisits those moments each night in her sleep, in increasing clarity, since her condition became certain. She had been reluctant to revisit them in her waking hours.

"Oh, Orhan.." The words tumble out with a sigh. Her shoulders slump and her nostrils quiver. She doesn't know how to begin. "Just-just promise to protect us. By us, I mean our foal." The painted mare shifts her weight, indicating her obviously-swollen flank. It's a topic they have thus far avoided, but there's no way Orhan isn't aware that they will be parents very soon. "I haven't met him or her yet, but I love our little so much already. If-if anything were to happen, I don't think I could survive it." She trails off, and finishes almost in a whisper. "...Not again."