when her dark eyes, warm and earthy, glance into his blue ones, she knows she stands on the precipice of something. she feels his hesitation, sees the thoughts and distractions swirling in his mind and notices his choice not to name them. she is not sure however, if it is for her benefit or his own. something in her heart tells her that he means it to be for her own good… but she wonders, if maybe he just wishes not to think of those things…

the small golden mare is confused at times, by his reaction to her… she is naive and in a small measure aware of this… it causes her to feel bashful and a little nervous around him.. but she is also practical and has some amount of wisdom that surpasses most of her youthful counterparts. she notices how, occasionally, his eyes will linger in a masculine predatory manner. stuck on the roundness of her hip or the fineness of her structure in general. those moments conflict with his efforts to shield her from his thoughts, to protect her and encourage her as he might a child. it doesn’t necessarily upset her, the idea he might view her as a filly only. she was nubile enough. It gives her time to work out her own feelings at least but it does keep her wondering what he truly thinks of her.

her golden ears flicker gently to catch his soft encouragement and she is heartened by it. his subtle confidence in her causes a small measure of pride, something she is unaccustomed to, to swell in her heart. as they stand abreast, she forgets the confusion he causes in her, guided by instinct and trust, and basks in his quiet touch. there is a pleasure in the waiting and wondering, and having things unsaid.

when he steps away, though just slightly, she feels the void of his presence at her side and it unnerves her. it is then she knows her fear of the waves isn’t the only thing that holds her here. regardless of how he views her she knows part of her, the innocent mare that has never known this type of interest before, has changed and she must see it through somehow. his words cause a twisting sensation within her. she is at least a little bit certain, of what she wants, but also what she must eventually do. she could not leave daphne wondering forever, where she had gone. nor could she forget about her mother. the time would come when she would have to leave if only for some time. she speaks solemnly to him, her voice soft and serious as usual. i would stay with you. this place is… it suits me more than the prairie…. she lets that wish hang in the air, like a hummingbird before it must move on once again. she had chosen her words carefully. it is not for the ridge that she would stay. it is hard for her now, to discern his motive for asking. is it because he wishes her to stay? or because maybe she seems happy here? or because she is too afraid of the sea to venture forth…. she thinks perhaps it is a mixture of all three. the smokey ash colored stallion clearly cares for her general well-being. and seems to enjoy her company. she speaks again as she closes the gap between them again, reassuring her place in the world if only for a moment. she speaks again, honestly. i must eventually find my mother. and tell my sister of my whereabouts. it is decided then.