Though she was better at concealing it than her pale brother, Rivaini felt just as self-conscious amongst strangers as he. A jesting comment made at Iscariot’s expense - or sometimes, her own - was but one of the tactics to diffuse tension that she’d learned since her arrival. This time, however, it was not entirely successful. While the paler sister of the pair greeted them pleasantly enough, there was a certain rigidity in the silent language of her body - a strain that was barely noticeable until she glanced at the one she’d introduced as Tisiphone. With only her own experience to draw from, the auburn mare assumed that Megaera was simply protective of her sibling, and emphasized ease in her own posture to demonstrate her harmlessness. And when she offered a response to the mare’s musings, her voice betrayed neither exasperation nor resentment at this perceived lack of trust.
If nothing else, she certainly understood the need to place herself between the one who shared her blood and any potential dangers.
“It seems like a different lifetime that I once pondered the same,” Rivaini spoke sympathetically. She didn’t mention that in addition to being in a strange and unfamiliar land, she’d also been completely alone, and had believed Iscariot to be dead. It was far from a joyful memory, and she’d taken a long time to find her way back from the dark path it’d set her to wandering. “But I’m afraid I don’t have an easy answer for you,” she continued after a pause that lasted the span of a few breaths. “It took me some time to find my way on the islands, and even then I only managed with the help of a friend.” Without Faolain, would she have found the perlino stallion? Or would she have inevitably moved on, leaving her brother unknowingly behind her? As if to reassure herself that he had not vanished, Rivaini shuffled a single step to her left, so that her red shoulder brushed his.
Iscariot had only a glance to spare for his sister in response. Throughout the words that Megaera and Rivaini had exchanged, his senses had remained captivated by the silent, darker figure who stood at the silver dunskin’s side. He had seen her curiosity transform into something like fear at their approach, though it was difficult for the creamy Andalusian to comprehend why. His pale body was delicate to the point of appearing effeminate, clearly demonstrating Iscariot’s lack of physical strength. In fact, even motionless his weak hind limbs trembled and threatened to buckle beneath him at any moment. It was a detail that only the discerning eye might note, but fear of the mockery he’d undoubtedly suffer for such a scene left him hyperaware of the muscles’ every quiver.
To take his mind off the pain that seemed to radiate out from his very bones, the perlino weighed in with words of his own. Words that addressed both of the strangers, though his icy-blue eyes remained unerringly on Tisiphone’s gold. “Rivaini and Faolain - our friend - found a home on an island called Atlantis that lies to the south. It’s a bright and beautiful place, and reminded me of the home we left behind.” Not that he harbored any desire to return to the land in which he’d been born, but the warmth and seclusion of the Ridge had offered a welcome respite from the cold, bleak, and crowded Crossing. His pale head tilted curiously as he continued to regard the voiceless seal bay, hoping to coax some speech from her with a gentle question. “Is it a new home that you seek, Tisiphone? If so, then perhaps I can aid in your search by suggesting the island whose qualities best match what you’re looking for.”
Rivaini - though not as emotionally intuitive as her brother - was perceptive in other ways. She was quick to determine that the perlino had singled out the silent one of the pair intentionally, and she did feel a subtle tug towards the white-blanketed mare. Perhaps it was simply a reflection of what Iscariot felt. Or maybe it was because Tisiphone’s reserved demeanor reminded her so strongly of how her brother had been - silent, sorrowful, and a little scared - before she had appointed herself as his protector. Either way, she felt an irrational urge to protect the dark sabino, though she wasn’t certain what this stranger might need protecting from. Even if they had fled from some perceived danger - such as Rivaini and Iscariot had done - it was unlikely to have followed them here. And certainly she could not be imposing enough to have cast this spell of silence over the stranger. Not with both sky-blue eyes warm and gentle and wide open, no secrets concealed in their clear depths. At least, not until the silver skeins of her forelock - a single, tattered gold feather tangled into it - was swept over one by the wind’s playful tug.
Once Rivaini might have believed herself capable of inspiring fear and awe in another. But that was before both her thoughts and her heart had been softened by the love of two mares.
ISCARIOT & RIVAINI
i can see your light |