Harlequin does not miss the worry on Cain’s face, but the rambunctious and playful filly makes it hard to linger long in concern. Not to mention that boyish charm that Cain always seemed to find for her benefit. She worried; it was part of what made her good at what she did. She worried for the safety of her herd and for the foals that roamed in abundance here. Like any stallion, Cain had his enemies. Regardless of how he tried to protect them from it, on occasion, those enemies followed him home. She had seen it more and more as of late and knew that as their herd established itself further into this land, that threat would not disappear but only strengthen and grow. He was their protector, but he was never safe.
He gives his proud head a toss and offers her that impish grin she has come to know him well for. Once more, the fluttering in her heart of ice beats to life and the hunger for his touch burns in her breast. She teases him of his interest in strong-willed mares and he smirks in response. A light chuckle echoes from her lungs as she gives her proud head another shake. Yes. One way or another, it would all work itself out in time. How foolish of her to think that their struggles were in not having a lead mare and now so many were eager for the chance to stand beside him in diplomatic fashion. As much as she liked the idea of being queen in title and authority, Harlequin knew now the wisdom in the way her own mother had loved Soljor, it was never a need for the authority of the crown, but merely the need to see his happiness.
Watching now as he gazed with such fondness at the fiery young filly seeking refuge under her sire, Harlequin can say no more does she wonder of her feelings. Genuine is her fondness for him and she would do all within her power to see it continue to grow and blossom as it did in this moment. The realization is heavy, like the weight of a drenching downpour that occasionally found its way to their desert sands, but the weight it lifts from her soul is enough to draw the breath from her lungs.
Warmly her smile turns back to Cain, dark eyes of near black glisten mischeviously as he glances at her mention of their first meeting. A dance. Perhaps in a way it had been. A struggle between two stubborn souls determined to never give an inch or a mile to the other. It had taken time, patience that was slowly learned from both before together they managed to find a ground of common interest in which they could come to an understanding. Their herd deserved wholeness and Harlequin would see it happen. Silently she listens as father and daughter interact, content to watch from the sidelines as the small red filly stared up in wide-eyed fascination as her father spoke. Ryo would be the death of her, already she could see it. A knowing chuckle echoes from her lungs as she shot Cain a playfully dark glare. ”Careful the picture you paint…. You might not be thinking it so amazing when you are stuck combing the Desert sands for your adventurous offspring.” she teases, giving her proud head a shake. Ryolette offers her mother a derisive snort but the gleam in her baby eyes is bright, ”Not true. I can take care of myself.” she teases bumping her tail against Cain’s strong foreleg. ”Not like there is ever anything dangerous here anyway. You said yourself dad keeps us safe!” she replies staring up at her mother expectantly. Harlequin cannot help but to laugh aloud as affectionately she reaches down to tug at Ryolette’s fuzzy forelock. ”That I did.” she murmurs, beaming proudly up at Cain. ”I won’t deny her…. But neither can you, stubborn mule.” she chides pressing her muzzle momentarily against his own before withdrawing. He gives her a knowing smile, offering rather quickly to take the boisterous filly off her hands while she took rest. Worry furrows her brow as she tilts her chin towards him, ”Are you sure?"