Desert

Twinge felt a sense of relief flood through her soul. She had always told mother that she had no intentions of ever leaving the Desert but Harlequin knew better, even back then. When Twinge finally had the heart to tell her mother of the desire to venture beyond the Desert, the black and white mare had merely smiled and nuzzled her daughter’s crimson cheek gently. However prepared Harlequin had been for that moment, it was nowhere near the uncertainty she felt as she approached her father that day. She knew he loved her, treasured her as he did all his children and she never missed the gleam of adoration that danced in his dark eyes when he thought her not looking. She knew that Cain would never stop her from doing something that she truly wanted to do, but she had been so afraid that the sadness in his eyes would stop her words in her throat and once again she would find herself staring out at the distant islands with longing and unrelenting hunger for adventure in her veins. Knowing now, that despite the sadness it caused him, he hid the sorrow from her and replaced it instead with playful banter and understanding tones, well it made her love him even more.

She giggled impishly as he teased the fine hairs of her black and white mane. An exasperated groan leaves her lips as she jerks her mane from his reach and snakes her head back to nip his shoulder playfully. ”Daddd… you know if you keep it up you will leave me with a very noticeable bald spot. I won't be hard to spot then.” she says with a laugh. He tells her of his hope that she sees everything that she wanted to see in their wide world and Twinge finds her gaze once more trailing to the distance. A single earlobe tilts backwards as she lets out a heavy sigh. She was thrilled with the idea of being able to see the world and having her sire’ blessing at such a quest, but not at the prospect of leaving him and all that she had ever known behind. ”Any parting words of wisdom from an old man?” she asks with a mischievous grin, once more turning her gaze to his dark face.