It was not Orhan that first crested the horizon, but a strange new stallion. He moved with indignant authority and Valve immediately flicked her ears backwards in distaste, only to flick them forward quickly again when Orhan appeared behind him—still slightly lame from the injury she had noticed during their last meeting. Her nostrils flared as she kept her composure, but always holding one eye and ear upon the other stallion. Koray, Orhan’s son. This was news.

“Hello Orhan, Koray,” she acknowledged them both—her tone even but firm. “Evaline has decided to join me so she can connect with Vita Nova once again.”

She was surprised that Orhan did not remember the invitation he had extended for her to come and visit her daughter at the conclusion of their previous meeting. Perhaps he had too much on his mind already. He made no mention of Koray before, which led Valve to believe that he might not have known his son was here. The black mare flicked her tail, assessing the tension between the two stallions and deciding that it may pose a problem.

Vita Nova wasted no time in appearing over the horizon, providing the Akhal-Teke a momentary distraction from her concern. Valve took a step away from Evaline, allowing her this emotional moment with her child, but still she kept one ear tightly fixed on her, just in case something were to go awry. Perhaps it was too risky to have Evaline accompany her today, but she was reasonably confident that Vita Nova would not be the issue. Koray however, was an unknown.

“Now,” Valve said again, hoping that Orhan and Koray would move with her so that Evaline and Vita Nova might have some space. “Shall we discuss any relevant news as per our agreement?”

VALVE
slenderman x black heart machine