Rivka is still new to this world, new in so much as she was an innocent child, kept hidden away like a precious treasure beneath the thick canopy of green trees and shrouding vines of the jungle. She had always been Rougaru’s precious daughter, a treasure in the way his green eyes would gleam proudly at her or cut harshly towards mother Vanya when the patchwork mare had a particularly harsh word. She had been utterly lost and confused when first father and then Vanya disappeared, her only solace and refuge had been Charby and the protection that the half blind mare had to offer her. What had started out as a mere child’s hopeful dream of home, had turned into reality. A reality that had a way of distorting itself, but not into anything nightmarish or devastating. No, Charybdis had become something entirely unexpected. She was a mentor, a mother and a friend. Things that the carefree stardust girl had never realized she ever needed. Of course she remembered mother Vanya, remembered her hard gaze and even sharper tongue, remembered the rare moments she managed to gain pleasure from the painted mare and how happy she had felt at the veiled praises. However Charybdis was different. Regardless of how foolish Rivka might be, she always had a gentle smile on her face, even when she had gently nudges her back away from the crumbling edge of the cliffs.

Being without the Ridge guardian left an aching in her soul that Rivka did not expect. Sure she missed the warmth in her father’s eyes and even the comfort in Vanya’s nearness, but it was nothing like the longing she felt to be close to the red and white mare again. So when the mare burst onto the scene, her legs and belly black with the same dark mire that coated the young Peyote, Rivka found her heart soaring. She was a sight to behold, with dark ears laced tightly against the sides of her neck and white legs thrusting forward with authoritative command. The sound of her lilted tones is exhilarating, breathing hope into the black and white mare who moments ago felt the downtrodden hopelessness of a slave beginning to creep into her blood and twine its fingers around her heart. No longer did she fear the lagoon stallion. ”Charby!” she squeaks, excitement drawing her hooves a few steps towards the Ridge queen and her silent companion. Yet even in her excitement, Rivka realizes the severity of the moment. The Ridge and its residents were alone, because Charybdis was here attempting to retrieve her. Their peaceful existence was at risk and it was her fault.

Though neither Charybdis or the lagoon boss bother to glance in her direction, the discussion leaving both of their lips revolves around her. Like a chess match, the two exchange sharp jabs towards one another, promising that the impending explosion of anger would be a vicious battle indeed. And to top things off, the strange mud covered colt takes off with a shout, startling her into a quick two beat trot away from where he had stood only moments ago. ”Charybdis.” she murmurs, her pale blue eyes rimmed in white as fear prickles at the black and white hairs along her spine. She watches in horror as the promise of impending battle begins to grow more and more real. ”Please….” she murmurs, taking a single step towards the dunalino stallion, her dark head bent and thick lashes blinking slowly over hopeful eyes. ”Can I please go home? With Charby?” she pleads, hoping that her gentle voice might be enough to soothe the beast into submission or at the very least protect Charybdis from a fight that might place her and her unborn child at risk. Not for her sake. ”....I….I’ll do anything… please.” she begs, lifting her small head ever so slightly to let the stallion see the promise in her words. Whatever it took to save Charby.