The small mare let her mind wander as the unfamiliar names were discussed between the others. Mouse felt a little guilty that she hadn’t made more of an effort in the past to get to know her sisters on the mountain. Just as she’d started to break out of her shell and gain confidence, Osprey had come to fetch her. Perhaps she, too, would know of Adelheid and Macabre if she had stayed.

The change in Wasp’s tone caught Mouse’s attention once more. The grullo listened in horror, mouth slightly agape, to the saga of what had occurred on the islands. Rade was a name she knew and associated with the Lagoon, but she hadn’t heard as much negativity about him as, say, Thane. A slight shudder twitched her hide at the thought of the former Lagoon Boss. It sounded as though this Cullen was just as formidable. It was a surprise to her, as it likely would be to her blanketed friend, that mares had the ability to lead herds now. Despite the horror of what had occurred, Mouse felt a swell of pride that the some of mares on the islands were rising up to control their own fates. And the Peak - her sisters, even though they were currently strangers - had defended them. Despite the gravity of what Wasp had told them, Mouse felt the tiniest of smiles grace her lips, but only for a moment lest the bay get the wrong impression.

As Wasp finished her tale, the grullo glanced up at her friend’s aged face. She leaned into Impa’s sturdy warm shoulder in a show of support, before addressing the mare who had welcomed them. "That is quite a lot to take in, Wasp. Much has changed since I was last here. I am glad to be back, and glad to hear of the strength of the Peak." This last was offered with a smile, and she fell silent in order to allow Impa a turn to speak.