His eyes did not miss the pursing of her lips or the slit of eye she showed him as he approached. Perhaps he should have turned back around rather than disturb her, but he could not take back his introduction now. He smiled at her lilting accent as she introduced herself, and he gave her a friendly head bob. “It’s nice to meet you as well Grier.” He followed her glance to the waves briefly, then turned his head to face her again. Before he could ask what her vendetta against the ocean was, she made an inquiry of him.

With a chuckle, he answered, “I have been here for just over a year. I actually was sent here in the from Tinuvel, too, though I was lucky enough that I hadn’t grown a winter coat yet.” He paused for a breath or two, then continued. “Ah, well, you may shed a tear or two then. It does get hotter, but there are lovely little sheltered areas created by overhanging foliage. And the summer rains help to cool things down. How long—” His inquiry was cut off by the appearance of another pony, also covered in shaggy hair. Without knowing, he shared Grier’s assumption that this was another Bay resident.

A moment later the deep tones of Rougaru’s voice met his ears. Gnome shuffled back a few steps, angling his body to open the gathering to both the chocolate colored stallion as well as the quiet red pony. He stood quietly as Rougaru and Grier exchanged words. This was a very different Rougaru than the one the dun had first encountered. He was softer, more polite. The exchange he had shown with Monster must have been specific to their unique relationship.

Grier didn’t seem to agree with Gnome’s silent assessment, or else she was just irritated in general. A smirk played upon the splashed stallion’s pink lips in response to her tone. He allowed for enough response time from Rougaru and the other mare – Valka, he presumed, since that is what the silver bay had called her. Then, he returned to the question he had been about to ask before all the interruptions. “Grier, how long have you been on the islands? Had you lived in the Bay the whole time?” He kept his focus mainly on the painted mare, though he did briefly glance over to Rougaru with a slight nod of acknowledgement.

Gnome