She had a home. Odd, she hadn’t sought one out, nor had she assumed she needed one, but now that the bay stallion had offered her a place to stay and a purpose to fulfill, it was all Avangeline could think of. Gone was the plague of sorrow and emptiness which had clawed away at her inside and left her feeling hollower than before. Avangeline was filled now. Before her it seemed as if both the stallion and his home (their home!) took on new, brighter colors. In truth it was her emotions allowing her to pay closer attention to everything she’d previously looked at but felt nothing for.
There would be plenty of time to marvel over every grain of sand or thorny bit of shrubbery. Avangeline snapped her attention back to the bay as he spoke, her black-tipped ears pointed forward and her gaze attentive. A quick nod was given when he asked as to whether or not she could navigate in this terrain (the stranger had been right, she was meant for Salem) while she stayed quiet otherwise. Learn the borders; get to know everyone; herd accountability. Mentally she checked the list away as to what he noted were her new responsibilities and offered a sharp, decisive nod when he’d finished, agreeing to his terms.
Then came his question. Avangeline did not answer right away. She thought over what he asked and though excitement coursed through her and her heart sung for what felt like the first time in ages, Avangeline knew it would be careless of her to agree to something important without giving it proper thought. It only took a few seconds, but she knew she was capable. “I can.” She said with a firm nod, though her smile crept back quite quickly to her mouth.
She didn’t think about what might happen if one of those who wanted to drink from the oasis – who shouldn’t drink from the oasis – became violent. She didn’t think about the day she’d lost courage when the red mare – Iftikhar – had attacked her. She only thought of a home. Of a purpose. Of a family.
Avangeline’s smile was almost a touch shy as she regarded the stallion she now knew as Gabbar. He was handsome, she thought, and kind too. Her smile was almost shyer.
“It’s nice to meet you, Gabbar.” She paused and looked at the desert beyond, her smile growing. Her gaze returned to his. “You don’t have to live alone anymore. Neither of us do.”
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