Life gives you all the things you never wished for. The red mare said wisely. “That it does,” Oswin agreed with a soft murmur and a grim smile. The latter half of her life had taught her that lesson time and time again, and she was tired of learning it. But perhaps her newfound interest in being a more active leader of the Ridge would help make-up for all of the time she spent withdrawn into herself, in being a mother and allowing herself to put blinders on when it came to the rest of the world.

Asphara, the mare introduced herself as, and Oswin repeated the name in her mind as she looked the mare briefly over, wanting to commit it to memory. Every creature in the Ridge deserved to be known by their queen, after all.

Her mind, of course, was still drawn toward the quiet words Asphara had spoken earlier. Oswin wasn’t sure how young the mare was, but she could at least guess she was nowhere near Oswin’s age. To already have learned such hardships of life so young… A bit of sympathy softened the older mare’s face.

“I suppose it’s what you make of the hand life deals you that makes you a survivor or not.” She offered idly, letting her own gaze pull back out to the ocean as well. It was less pressure to simply watch the waves roll in, especially when speaking of topics that could sometimes be difficult to address. “If I had not followed Tyr here to the Ridge, I do not think I would be here any more.” There was a quiet seriousness to her voice, but Oswin was not embarrassed to admit that for as strong as she was, there was a period when she had lost her self-identity so terribly, she had been ready to take herself from the world. While she still hadn’t quite managed to seize the same zest for life she’d had when she was younger, Oswin was able to be grateful every day she awoke and spent time with her children or with Tyr, and now walking through the Ridge, and making all the new memories she would have never had.

“I may not know you very well, Asphara, but I am willing to bet you’re a survivor.” Oswin’s smile deepened as she cast a glance at the red mare she stood with, “you have the spirit of one.”

oswin
this is as brave as I know how to be.
I know it’s gonna hurt you, but please… be a little proud of me.