róisín

They seem surprisingly alike considering their size difference, and the red-gold girl can feel herself relaxing the longer they converse. It's a bit like speaking to an old friend, even though this is the first time they've met and it scratches an itch she hadn't realized she'd had. As much as she adored Iscariot, there was no denying that the two of them had years of history between them. That magic of learning about a new equine had faded with familiarity, and while on most days she'd probably prefer the worn-in comfort of a long-time friend, today it felt exciting to meet someone new.

"It is," Róisín assures her with an easy grin, her mind drifting back to the beautiful jungle she'd called home for most of her life. It was a far cry from this bleak landscape, but she supposed both had their own kind of beauty. "The mainland birds would be flocking away about now in great huge clouds overhead. It's amazing to watch them swoop in unison like eddies in the water."

Her smile turns wistful, but she opts not to elaborate further. She could talk for hours about the flowers that bloomed in the night like little moons and the gangs of howling monkeys that swooped overhead. Or the sound of the waterfalls that dripped down parts of the Ridge like a mane down a crest. Even the primal thrill of coming across the tracks of a panther in the morning, before the day's traffic obscured them. Each beloved detail of her home felt worthy of being shared, but she abstained. Talking about it hurt more than she cared to admit to someone new.

"I don't mind," the dun girl answered quickly and turned her face back to Fei. She didn't mind at all, really, although she thought it might be more prudent to skip over the history that lead to her choice. Those horror stories were, hopefully, a part of the past and not her future any longer.

"My da used to tell me stories of the warrior women of the Peak, and how they stood up for those that couldn't fight for themselves." The memories of her father's stories were always saturated in her adoration of him, and it always warmed her to think back of the scattered moments of his time she'd been able to steal for herself.

"My family hasn't had an easy go of it," she hedged carefully, suddenly unsure if Fei had any relation or affiliation with any of the oppressors from her history. Even now, with Cullen dethroned and Aranck believed dead, she could not rest. Nyimara was still out there, and therefore, still a threat. "I always wanted to be strong enough to protect them... So I came here to learn how to be strong enough."

The young girl laughs softly to conceal the pain she hadn't been able to leech entirely from her voice and then lifts her gaze back to her sweet companion. "Why did you leave home, Fei? If you don't mind my asking of course!"

mare . 3 . mutt . dun sabino . 14.3 hh . björn x siobhan . love

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