Nereid cannot fully wrap her mind around the notion of a home so unlike here or her old. It is not a bad thing that caution has risen its head, causing uncertainty to taint her thoughts. She holds respect for this new terrain, an old instinct to be wary of a home she does not know and thus is vulnerable to attack and losing herself in a place not known for many landmarks. It will take some time to become comfortable with knowing at least the basics of this new home and assure herself that should danger arise, she would know in which direction to flee for safety or the part in which her protector favored so that her hooves would automatically lead her in his direction. Even if the danger comes within, due to internal panic or a mind plagued by fruitless what-ifs, she would find the one who could ease all of her misplaced guilt and emotions.

When he motioned for her to follow, to begin the journey to their new home, Nereid hesitated to follow. Not because of him or doubts about the future but the simple fact that she would have to once more breach the ocean waters to reach the Dunes. It had been a month since she had immersed herself in the turbulent waves and laid down her life in the hands of the ocean gods. Once upon a time Nereid would have gladly swam across the endless stretch of sea but not anymore. Now all she could do shift nervously, auds swiveling from side to side as she debated on what to do

“Gabbar is with me….I am not alone….I am safe.”

Repeating this once, twice, thrice allowed for most of the nervous tension to leave her body. Taking a deep breath, Nereid slowly walked toward her knight and briefly stopped beside him to take a moment of warmth and comfort before heading for the shore. Her pillars felt like lead, stomach churning with unease and her lungs seemed incapable of taking a deep breath. I can do this. she thought before plunging into the cold-tepid waters.

The journey was not an easy one to make. In truth, Nereid was tempted to make detours whenever she spotted one of the other islands. Her muscled burned from exertion, the waves pushing and pulling her constantly as well as fear causing unnecessary movement to occur in which wasted precious energy. Moments came when Nereid swam in place, throwing a glance toward her protector as though seeking strength and comfort from him before striking forth once more. Only the notion that she would soon be free of the waves and have a permanent place to reside with someone who cared kept her going.

Hooves sank into wet sand with exhaustion and relief, pillars shaking as she stood in the shallow waters. Her coat was a darker hue of ashen gray, mane and plume dripping and plastered against her neck and hindquarters, ribcage expanding with each haggard breath she took. She had made it. Despite all misgivings and desire to turn around she had persevered and this is what she had to show for it. Peering around at the half-way point of their journey, because she knew better than to believe that the journey was over, Nereid could not help the smile that danced across her lips or the rush of excitement that pounded in her blood. “Do you wish to rest for a moment or shall we continue on?” she questioned, peering over at Gabbar.

[Oh, congratulations! I’m only in my second semester so I’m not as harried but close with all these finals and pre-final exams. Thank you! I love her a lot and Gabbar seems to be the perfect balm. I admit to spying on some of his old threads. Wasn’t sure if you wanted me to reply to our Commons thread or the Dunes so I took a while before finally replying. Sorry!]

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