It was strange how two small sentences could deflate what excitement had been building up in his chest since he’d come ‘round the bend to see the two of them there. Then came the question, one he knew he could easily answer, but hesitated still. The selfish part of him wanted to say that Pagan was not a kind figure or that the Inlet was a horrible, horrible place to live. He wanted to deter the sisters from living there (more Foxglove than Firethorn) for his own greed. Yet Nephilim had made a pact with Pagan and he intended to keep it in order to make certain Tinuvel was the strongest island of the five. What greed was in his heart was a nasty thing he knew he shouldn’t give credit to.

“Yeah.” He said finally, trying to keep the defeat from his voice, though a touch of the tone still clung lightly to it. Nephilim cleared his throat and let his eyes return to the sisters from where it had fallen by the wayside as he thought. “Pagan’s a real standup guy. I’m sure you’ll like living with him. He and I have agreed to help each other out in times of need – you know, keep our island strong.” Nephilim was aware he was overindulging information, but he was trying hard to erase the moment he’d faltered.

Just because he knew the sisters and felt… something for Foxglove didn’t mean he had a right to decide where they chose to live or who with. Plus, her father would likely never allow her to have any form of a relationship with him, be it friend or otherwise. Not that Nephilim felt any of that was a fault of his own, but he wasn’t interested in explaining himself to the white splashed and spotted stallion… nor did he think there’d ever be a reason for the pair of them to have an idle chat that didn’t wind up in more exchanged blows. Again, as his gold eyes flickered over Foxglove and then Firethorn he wondered if they had been there that fateful day in the Prairie.

“If you guys like I can take you to the Inlet.” He wished he was telling them he’d give them a tour of the Bay, show them the caves or the hot springs… all that he’d discovered was different and wonderful about this island, particularly the Bay.