The spring grass was at the same time dull and sweet. It still carried the taste of frozen soil, but also of new life. It was not a bad taste. Spring grass was always most delicious after a season of limp brown blades you had to dig for. Kirova grazed for a few moments, watching as nothing of interest happened around her in the Common. She had not yet learned what exactly the Common was; she would have learned, had she resisted Vasilisa’s claim, but Kirova never discovered the black mare’s willingness to use force. She was oblivious of such social interactions here.
The mahogany mare was not alone for very long. As she grew bored of watching the others, her ears fell lazily to the sides, until she picked up footfalls approaching from her left and they twisted forward again. She turned to see who the stranger was, but found that she recognized the black figure and the handsomely arched nose. ”Lukasz?” she said, her tone surprised but friendly. She had hoped to see him again, but assumed it would be when she got around to visiting the Badlands. She had only come to the Crossing isle after Lisa’s disappearance because it was the one other island she knew how to find. She was glad to see Lukasz here, much sooner than anticipated. ”It’s good to see you again,” she said, extending her muzzle in greeting. ”Of course you’re not disturbing me. I am alone today,” she said with a smile. ”How have you been? What brings you to the Crossing again?”
As soon as Lukasz had approached, Kirova’s attention had abandoned the other subjects of the Common. Her memories of the dark stallion were fond, and she was glad he had come to approach her knowing he had been very shy on their first meeting. If she had known of Vasilisa’s willingness to use force to bring her to the Thicket, she would have resisted, and probably would have seen the Badlands sooner. She could not imagine Lukasz being the type to use force, though she did not know him well. She appreciated his gentle demeanor and calm voice, and her already pleasant mood had only improved upon her friend’s arrival.
”...speech”