The Lagoon is humid and dark. Around them the world shrinks down and the foliage grows heavy enough there are shadows everywhere. He makes sure the mare is with him. It was not often one came along to the Lagoon so easy and carefree like Sakura.

Gael feels her beside him. She is warm and a comfort, in her own way. Something he has not let himself feel in a long time–she reminds him, if only a bit, of a life he might have had once. When they reach the outcrop of palms, he stops and gently noses a frond out of the way to expose the blue-green waters before them.

“Welcome to your new home,” Gael tells her with a quiet smile. He used to be such a charmer. A stallion with wit and a silver tongue–he can’t explain himself now. He has forgotten most things, he has become like rust.

Gael reaches his nose towards her, wishing to brush down her cheek softly. “This will be your home now and if anyone bothers you they will have to deal with me.” He nods at his own words trying to regain his old self. The fearsome black stallion who used to roam the islands without a worry, challenging and often stealing whatever he wanted. Those days were far behind him though.