Acting on unstable emotions wasn't something Bleu did often. She always had a backup plan. She planned what she would say or do before she had to say or do anything. So when she left the hills, it was out of anger and jealousy. She had left because Dexter hadn't waited for her.

He had knocked up Lady Glow, and countless others. And that stung, because he hadn't even bothered to give her what she wanted most. What he knew she wanted most. And so she left, trailing behind the only other creature who hadn't broken her heart.

Arcus.

He was her saving grace, but he would be her downfall. Dexter had shoved her into a dark pit whereas Arcus had dragged her out of that pit and into a darker one. But for some reason she liked the idea of going insane, alongside someone who was equally as bonkers.

So that explained why she decided to be the one to give birth to Arcus' child. She hoped that they could have a future, a future that lasted longer than her and Dexters did.

It was most definitely Dexter's fault that she left. He had grown selfish and so instead of waiting for him to throw her out, she left before he could. She didn't want to go back, or at least not anytime soon.

She didn't want to have to step into her former home and breath in the stench of pregnant mares and newborn foals. Maybe if he had came to her first, his lead mare, then him going off to breed wouldn't be a slap to the face. She felt unwanted for a third time in her life and it was a bitter emotion. The only way she could deal with the pain was to attempt to move on.

So as she moved across the vast land, she mentally ripped apart any remaining memories she had shared with Dexter. And so far that plan was failing miserably. It was like her past with him was permanently embedded in her mind.

Licking her chapped lips, she focused on finding Arcus. But she didn't have to concentrate long because his booming voice had ricocheted into her pricked ears. Go to sleep? Confused, she hurried her pace, her heart fluttering in excitement.

Her muscles ached from walking for so long but she didn't feel tired at all. "Arcus..." Her voice wavered as she moved her burning gaze to see a younger mare, clutching a brown object.

Drawing closer, she took a closer look at the younger horse and as she analyzed her scared expression verses Arcus' annoyed one she realized the mare wasn't what Bleu assumed her to be. "Arcus... I have so much to say."

She took a deep breath, and she felt her self saddening as she prepared to dive into her story. She glanced at the child once more, though she didn't feel like this was a story to tell in front of such a young audience.

"But that's a story for later. Now tell me, who is this and what is that?" She tossed her head to his companion, dipping into a joking manner. Bleu was desperate to lighten the dark mood she had been stuck in for the past few weeks.

It was choking her, making her irritable and completely irrational. It was like when the monster came out of the forest, clutching her without even touching her. And in those moments, she had felt so weak and scared, like she couldn't do anything.

But now, she could definitely make things better. She just needed to find a distraction, and this stranger was a perfect way to take her mind off of more serious matters.

SEE I'VE COME TO BURN YOUR KINGDOM DOWN

b l e u
mare / 3 years old / of the ridge