A year on since leaving his mother, and Arneis has made no progress. He hasn’t actually accomplished his goal, the harebrained scheme to find his biological mother somehow, and he’s also not made any progress in establishing himself in these islands. He’s poked around a few areas, haunting the Crossing aisle as he wanders aimlessly. The hurt from parting with his mother, the mare who raised him, is still fresh. But Arneis knows with certainty that that door is closed and will never open again; he’s poisoned whatever relationship that once was there. The only chance he has for any sort of maternal figure is to find her, find Riesling. It’s been so long now, though, that the hopelessness has set in. How did he ever think a sheltered young colt such as he would be able to find a mare intentionally hiding herself away? He knows enough of his own history to know his mother had fled whatever manner of beast his father was, so desperate to put distance between them that she swam until she came to these islands. It must not have been far enough, because even here she’d been unwilling to keep him. He has spent so many seasons alone, wandering homeless with nowhere to rest his weary head and he is worn down. Arneis has been avoiding this for as long as possible, but as summer draws to a close and the reality of spending another autumn and another harsh winter as a ghost haunting the Falls sets in, he capitulates. With a heavy sigh, he heads towards the Common - briefly, he had considered the Lagoon, if only because joining their raiding parties would allow him a higher chance to come across his mother. But ultimately, he decided he didn’t have the stomach for it. Holding people captive, joining up with such a hated group of stallions...it isn’t his way. Desperation does not excuse brutality. At least here, he may find some herd willing to welcome him to their ranks, one who will not expect bloodshed and broken families in return for shelter. Arneis stops at the edge of the open meadow, taking a deep breath before stepping out into the open, casting a glance around. He knows the finality of this choice - opening himself to fate, allowing himself to be bound to whoever happens to take pity on him first. There’s nothing for it, though, because he’s certain another season alone will drive him insane.
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