Common

Faolain was not surprised when the pale wraith of a mare explained further that this was a new place for her, unfamiliar and unexplored. She nodded understandingly, remembering how own first days on the big central island. She had been less dazed than Snegurochka; had, in fact, been far too energetic and ambitious. It felt like much longer ago than it was in reality, as though the many seasons equated to a great many years of experience packed in that short time. Faolain supposed that may not be far from the truth. She had grown a great deal since her arrival, and her life had changed drastically, in practically all aspects. She had calmed down quite a bit as well; two (was it three?) years ago she might have been itching to run, to goad her new friend into a race before bombarding her with questions. Faolain realized now that she had been far too intense in her youth, and while it had suited her in those years of wanderlust and insatiable curiosity, it suited her no longer. At least not outwardly, she thought. She could still be intense, but it was at her core, comfortable contained and useful on rare occasions when she required herself to be... bigger. But mostly she did not, and today was certainly one of those days when her fiery heart was not an inferno but a warm coal, and she relaxed with the knowledge that she did not need to chase or interrogate in order to learn about these new companions of hers. She offered a genuine smile to no one in particular, but she hoped it would help to put Snegurochka at ease, and to kindle the friendship she was beginning to sense between herself and Medusa.

It was not hard to pick up that the pale mare seemed to relax with the change of discussion, and Faolain was as curious with it as Snegurochka was relieved. So, Medusa was Rougaru’s child. Faolain did not attempt to hide the pleasurable surprise that bloomed in her eyes at this news. “I thought you looked familiar!” she said. “I’ve never met Monster, but I should soon - Rougaru and I have become allies, and have a child between us. My queen Rivaini carried his son Hades, who is two seasons old, now.” She beamed with pride at the mention of Hades, who was not hers of flesh and blood, but certainly in heart. The flame-haired colt had done had exactly what Rougaru thought he might - their two kingdoms, if you could call the Ridge a kingdom with how many of its inhabitants were rambunctious children, had indeed grown closer through his conception. Faolain had been pleased to learn that Rougaru was an attentive and caring father, and this was evidenced further by Medusa’s kindness towards herself and the pale newcomer.

Medusa seemed confident in Snegurochka, and eager to help. Faolain nodded in agreement. “The Ridge has open borders. You are free to stay there or visit, whenever you want or need.” She turned back to Medusa again. She did not want to overwhelm the pale mare, or cause her to feel obligated one way or the other, but she was also curious about the Inlet of which the painted mare spoke. “What brought you to Tinuvel from Paradise? That must have been a big change.” She had visited the Inlet once, but was otherwise only familiar with the winter island through her contact with Solomon. She thought again of her plans to visit the Cove, and her glaze flickered to Snegurochka.

“This place, the Crossing, is surrounded by other islands, all of them very different but easy to reach if you’re comfortable swimming. My home is on Atlantis, the southernmost island, and Medusa is on Tinuvel, the northernmost. If you do not wish to leave the Crossing, you will be relatively safe here, and you now know of two safe places to which you can travel whenever you’d like.” She tried to keep the information simple and succinct. She continued to listen to Medusa for a few moments, but did not load further information on Snegurochka. After a time she took a step back, pulling away from their small formation, and nodded to the two mares.

“I should return home - it is difficult to be away from my family,” she said warmly, with an apologetic smile. It was not a lie, but she also knew that information required some time to digest, and suspected the pale mare may be close to reaching a point of saturation with the things Medusa and herself had told her of her new surroundings. More advice would probably not help, and she did miss Rivaini and Hades. She trusted that, should Snegurochka need anything, Medusa would be capable of providing it, or of finding Faolain again otherwise.

She bowed her head to each mare in turn. “It was good to meet both of you,” she said. “Either of you are welcome in the Ridge. Medusa, if you ever visit your father in Paradise, please come say hello. Hades would love to meet you.” With that, she turned seaward and began the journey back to the Ridge.