Havelle is naturally social. She wants to be among the herd, chatting with other young horses her age, or making friends on the common isle, but her life so far has been one long series of unfortunate events. It seems like every time things are going right some new development in her family's drama wrecks it. She is then left picking up all the pieces instead of being herself.

The young mare finds herself, once again, struggling to pick up the pieces for her family, and this time she's not sure if she can. She promised Liland she would get answers from Zjeena and bring his mares home safely, but this task is proving to be more difficult than she ever imagined.

The answers she drew from Zjeena are not the answers she expected. All the pieces of the puzzle fit, but she doesn't want to believe the stallion she grew to love as her father really did all those things to her mother. She doesn't want to admit that her brother may have been right all along.

Here in Paradise, Havelle has no pull. Zjeena's immediate release of all the mares complicated things too. Now it's up to each individual to decide whether to return. This was most noble of Zjeena but if Havelle wants to keep her promise, she would have to convince every mare of Liland's to make the return swim. Havelle just isn't sure this is possible, and even if it were, would she want to? If everything her mother says is true, then what are these mares returning to?

What would she return to? Havelle knows that, in Paradise, she won't be traded like a pawn, but now that she is two, she worries Liland may use her as a bargaining chip to rebuild what he's lost. The thought of going back on her promise to Liland feeds an overwhelming anxiety.

Havelle has wandered the lush landscape of Paradise but is too busy feeding her worries to feed her own rumbling stomach. She paces along a well-worn path, her small hooves tapping out a muffled rhythm on the soft ground. She is on whatever pass, she doesn't know because she lost count, when a familiar voice rings out in the distance. For a moment, she ignores it, passing it off as a call for someone else, and then it registers.

Bacardi!

Havelle's head flies up and her ears swivel with surprise. She forgot they were supposed to meet today. She should have been waiting on the shore! It's a miracle that she heard him. Havelle spins on her heel and springs into action, galloping down the forest trail that leads to the beach. The young mare bursts free of the jungle's verdant shadows and into the blinding light of the midday sun.

Havelle stops, blinking until her eyes adjust. The handsome figure of Bacardi comes into focus. He stands expectantly, near the water. Havelle issues a nicker of greeting and trots towards him. Her expression is pleasant, with ears forward, lips curved into a welcome smile but her eyes are tired and match the wearing lines etched into her face.

She halts before the colt, and reached out towards his muzzle with her own. Her nostrils flare, drinking in the sweet smell ocean and boy. The musk of unrelated male releases a flurry of butterflies in her stomach. Suddenly Havelle is all too aware of her haggard appearance. In keeping to herself, she's neglected to ask anyone to groom her. Her mane is disheveled with messy loops sticking up and ends going every which way on both sides of her neck. There are twigs caught in her tail and smears of mud painting her lower legs. If her cheeks weren't covered in hair, she would be blushing.

"Hey Bacardi, how are you?", Havelle asks as she pulls her muzzle back to herself.