Valve locked eyes with the red mare, unblinking, as she gave a lengthy dissertation on all that was the meaning and origin of the name Gabbar. It was far more information than the black Akhal-Teke had expected to hear, and as a result, she let the pregnant pause in the conversation hang between them as she considered the reason for such an explanation. It was El Halin who broke the silence next, asking the question Valve had anticipated. Why was she asking?

Straightening her posture and lifting her nose ever so slightly toward the grey, Valve inhaled deeply, the cool night air rushing inside her flared nostrils.

“Because he has come here,” she stated simply. Returning her gaze to the red mare, she continued. “He searches for the Honorable Iftikhar and her High Seer, El Halin.”

And now it was Valve’s turn to let the implications of this information settle in the silence between them. She was more than reasonably certain these two mares were the subjects of Gabbar’s search. And thanks to Iftikhar, it was now clear that he was her son as well. Perhaps if Gabbar had not told her exactly who to look for, Valve might have had a more difficult time piecing this puzzle together. Iftikhar was clever, attempting to distance herself from association with him, and Valve wondered why exactly she would do this—perhaps only if she did not want to be found.

It was tempting for Valve to speak again and confirm that she did in fact know precisely who they were, but she refrained. It was more interesting to see if they will give themselves up freely. The dance was a delicate one, but Valve knew every step. It was in her blood as much as fire and holiness was in theirs, respectively.

Underneath Valve’s well-composed exterior, the subject of family, cleverness and fallen soldiers elicited the bubbling of nostalgia. If her father could only see her now, he would surely swell with pride. Slenderman was long dead, but his lessons continued to serve the black mare well.

“Bismillahirrahmanirrahim,” she whispered to herself, in prayer and thanks.

VALVE
slenderman x black heart machine