Common

Her heart fluttered inside of her chest like a caged bird, fragile wings rapping against her ribcage, demanding a freedom she had never thought to give. This was hardly the first time she had put herself at risk of a forced claim; life as a solitary mare wandering through Salem meant that every flicker of attention from a herd leader was rife with danger. The commons, however, presented a fundamental difference from her idle wanderings... or did so, at least, for her.

"Is it not?" She questioned the gold-dusted stallion who had joined her, his placid demeanor disarming her initial worry. Her gaze slid from him to the open space before the both of them and then back, her lips curling into a small smile. "Life is the great unknown."

But Esmeray was not stupid. She knew where she was, and the risks she was taking in coming into the Commons as she had and did not mean to keep being obtuse. "This is no more dangerous than anything else, my friend. I could be raided or fought for or captured against my will as easily in a herd as I might here." She took a half step toward the giant man, offering an exchange of breaths if he wanted it before continuing to elaborate. "At least here, my intent is clear and I might have a shot at finding a companion with suitable interests." Her eyes crinkled with her smile. "No more skulking about alone for me...hopefully, anyway."

Doubt colored her eyes - her face as readable as her mother's - and she dragged in a ragged sigh with a flick of her tail. "What brings you here today?" Somehow, his question had her doubting that he was here to whisk her away. If anything, he seemed to want to escort her back over the territory line and into the safety of the Meadow.