It does not surprise the painted dancer when Cain’s thick baritones resound first over the vast sloping dunes, bringing the beginnings of a smile, tugging her lips upward. Despite her determination to remain indifferent to the stallion, her heart leapt at the sight of his broad form easily closing the distance between them. Small pointed ears perk amid the tangle of wind sept raven locks as he approaches, his muzzle extended to bump against her shoulder. Affection dances in her eyes as playfully she squeals in defiance, her slender legs dancing back and forth beneath her. His gaze is warm as he mentions Twinge and Harlequin cannot help the gentle smile that sweeps across her ash dusted features. He asks if the girl was ready to visit the main island and despite herself, she feels her heart lurch. The long hours of labor were still fresh in her mind, despite the fact that her only daughter was nearly old enough to strike out on her own path in life. Thankfully, so far Twinge had shown no interest in venturing beyond the ocean edge, at least that was the words that kept slipping past her lips. Yet even the watchful Harlequin did not miss the longing and wonder in her daughter’s eyes when she gaze towards the distant rise of islands beyond their borders.

A heavy sigh rolls past her lips as the momentary moment of forlorn passes and she shakes off the residual heaviness with a shudder of skin. ”So far your daughter seems to share my distaste for getting her coat wet.” she begins, pausing to let an amused chuckle rumble from her lungs. ”She has not mentioned to me of traveling to the main island but I am sure if you put the suggestion in her head she would not turn away from the idea.” she finishes, with an affectionate nip at his extended muzzle. The warmth of his skin pressed against her neck is encouraging, even now when she feels herself wanting to shrink away from the growing crowd. She was never a true herd mare, always she reveled in the freedom that the island of Tinuvel and even Salem offered her. Always she could keep her herd in sight but still the space between them was offered should she find a need for reprieve.

Attention draws away from Cain as slowly others begin to emerge from what shade the oasis provided to attend to her call. Small muzzle tips respectfully to the bay mare Berit and her rambunctious young son. There is a warmth to her smile as tentatively she takes a few steps away from Cain, giving the dark colt and his dam the freedom to grab Cain’s attention without being bothered by her closeness. A sympathetic smile spreads across Harlequin’s dark lips at Berit’s words, knowing all too well the struggles of dark skin against the blistering heat that a midday in Salem could produce. A single dial tilts towards Berit, ”I commend you Berit on keeping them all in tow. Twinge herself is enough to make me want to pull my mane out at times.” she muses her thoughts once more drifting to her dear daughter with affection. No doubt she was somewhere nearby chasing a lizard into its hole or frolicking over the sloping dunes after a rabbit. Even at two years of age the girl seemed to have quite the short attention span when it came to serious matters. ”I will keep my words short as possible if you bare with me a few moments longer.” she murmured, turning her gaze to others as they appeared. Though she had not spoken to them all, she had seen each as they joined Cain in the desert sands. Tentatively she found herself drifting once more into her own mind, dropping her finely dished profile to each as they approached. Chimera, the mare who first propositioned a vote for lead mare. Though they had not formerly been introduced, Harlequin recognized her. Next, the dark Melisma appears, like a shadow over the hill she comes, lingering on the edge of their little soiree with reserve in her eyes. A notion Harlequin herself can sympathize with.However it was Melisma that took the initiative to challenge the pale intruder and her large mate to return the control of the lands to Cain where it belonged. The loyalty is a subtle sign that she had not missed. Crowds were not her forte, regardless of how kind a smile she let fall upon her lips. Last of all to join is Cerosi, the mare she knows the least about. Her gentle whicker is warm, despite the unsurity that lingers in her eyes. ”Welcome.” she offers, her gaze lingering on Cerosi before drifting across the others gathered before her inclusively.

Slender hips shift as Harlequin lifts her small head now, her generally soft voice lifted so that even those standing farthest from them can hear her. ”I call you together today because I feel we have been adrift long enough.” she begins, pausing a moment to glance towards Cain with an encouraging smile. ”I feel I speak for all of us when I say that while Cain has done well for us, the absence of a lead mare is becoming more notable as the days pass.” she continues, pausing as a heavy sigh lingers on her words. ”I do not wish to take this role myself, finding contentment in simply being a guardian and advising when requested. However, I do feel that we all have the same thoughts in mind. We must come together and make a decision. At the very least discuss the matter together.” she finishes with a warm smile. ”We all have a voice here, Cain has made sure of that. Now it is time for us to use that voice. “ she begins, pausing again to sweep her gaze around, her dark eyes lingering upon each face before settling last on Cain, careful to make sure that he sees his opinion was included here. ”I see our lead mare as a diplomat. Someone at ease with greeting strangers and welcoming new members with introductions.” she begins again, her dark ooids gazing at Chimera. ” And yet I also see our lead mare as one ready and willing to defend us should an intruder mean us ill will.” she says, her gaze turning to Melisma pointedly. Now she turns to Berit and Cerosi, her dark eyes thoughtful Does anyone else have any suggestions or thoughts on this matter?”