selenium -----
by bellum out of dissolve
She isn’t sure what she and Qadir have done to cause the palomino mare to glare at them with such dislike. It’s possible that she isn’t a fan of visitors, but then why wouldn’t she have left once she was assured that they aren’t here for nefarious purposes? Instead, she seems intent on getting them in trouble with Valve, making their actions seem sinister.
Selenium would love to lash out, to see if the mare is all bark and no bite, but that wouldn’t do them any favors. It would likely get them chased off the island, which would be counterproductive to their goal of letting Qadir see what Salem has to offer.
She, too, looks away from the palomino and focuses on Valve, whose opinion of them is the one that matters in terms of whether they’ll have to immediately move on to the Desert. Qadir describes their situation much better than she could since he’s the one who had convinced her to bring him here. Her heart pangs slightly at the mention of his homesickness, something she can relate to whenever she thinks of Tinuvel. In her case, however, it’s more akin to cowardice rather than an ocean keeping her from her old home.
Valve’s immediate reassurance for Priya earns her respect from Selenium. She’s glad that the black mare doesn’t seem as hostile as her golden counterpart. Priya’s reaction soothes the part of Selenium that would have worried about her once the draft pair leave. It’s nice to know that the nervous mare will have time to get her bearings in an environment that she’s apparently familiar with.
Selenium mentally braces herself automatically when Valve’s attention turns to her and Qadir. She fights not to squirm under the mare’s intense gaze, despite knowing that they haven’t done anything wrong. So many new faces have popped up in quick succession, distracting her from her distaste of the sandy climate. She’s smart enough not to bring up that fact and hopes that Qadir won’t mention it either.
She thinks that Valve’s remark is kind of cryptic and her brain races to untangle the riddle. She huffs a light laugh as she bumps Qadir’s shoulder with her own. ”I think she’s saying that you should just go home instead of slumming it here with us.” Her blue eyes are bright with mirth as she looks back at Valve, trying to convey with a grin that she means no offense.
She wonders if maybe they’ll have to stay longer than originally planned now that they’ve met another outsider who’d come from a desert. Would Qadir want to talk to Priya, see if they could help each other deal with the loss of their respective homes? This place would likely be a comfort and a curse for both of them. Selenium suppresses a shudder at the thought of an extended visit. Selfishly, she thinks if that happens, she’ll have to leave Qadir behind and let him head to the Desert on his own. She’s just not made for this kind of climate.
ten - smoky blue roan overo - draft mix - 17hh |