The noise of the jungle nearly overpowered them. Birds called and responded to another, playing their own games, and in the distance Çiçek heard the high-pitched keening of monkeys. The ocean breeze tousled the lush vegetation bordering the coast, shushing leaves to and fro so that they fought for dominance over the sound of the waves. Her ears were so filled with sound that when a mare popped out from the shadows she jerked her head back in surprise, a startled, “Oh!” bubbling out of her throat so that she almost dropped the flower she’d picked. The surprise in her eyes quickly turned to mirth, and Çiçek laughed again at the silliness of the situation, pretending not to notice any awkwardness between the three of them.

Thankfully, the regal mare didn’t seem too perturbed by her presence, and a glimmer of mischief returned to her eyes as she followed the curve of her slow smile. “Why, thank you, kind stranger,” she replied, her words edging carefully around the stem of the bloom in her mouth. The golden mare watched and waited as the bay carefully smoothed their chosen spot in Faolain’s raven tresses. She didn’t miss the affection in the stranger’s actions, as well as the comfort and familiarity with which her escort leaned into her touch. Just as in the Meadow, there was something unspoken happening here - something she could catch an outline of, hidden behind curtains of propriety, but couldn’t quite make out.

When it was time, and the bay had finished her prepping, Çiçek stepped gingerly forward, closing the distance between the three of them. Her muzzle couldn’t help but to brush against that of the strong mare, and the scent of her mixed with that of Faolain filled her nares as she worked the bloom into the sea of black at her poll. When it was positioned to her liking, and secured enough that a shake or a run wouldn’t easily knock it loose, she took a step or two back, admiring their handiwork. “Güzel,” she declared. Faolain thanked them, and Çiçek, ever observant, couldn’t help but notice the weight in her tone. Her amber gaze warmed again, and when she murmured a soft, “You’re welcome,” in return, her voice was laced with a gentle sort of tenderness.

Çiçek was happy to acknowledge the ‘Teke’s - or, honestly, anyone’s - emotions. She found it best to face them head-on, to succumb to them… but she knew others were not as open as she tended to be, and so when Faolain’s voice brightened and her gaze shimmered with mischief, the spotted mare seamlessly switched gears. The soft smile on her face turned saucy, only widening when Faolain offered to return the favor. “I thought you’d never ask!” she quickly answered, jauntily tossing her head.

“Before we get any farther into each other’s space, though…” Çiçek broke eye contact with Faolain, turning her head to look fully upon the silver-haired newcomer. “You simply must introduce me to your oh-so-helpful companion here.” This mare seemed to hold some importance here, or at least she did to the ‘Teke, and if Çiçek was going to learn anything else about these Islands, this was as good a place to start as any.

The mare stretched her muzzle out to the bay, offering a more formal exchange of breaths. “What’s your name?” she asked, curious and open. “I’m Çiçek.”