Izizel is still grounded. Avalon had not been at all happy when Zevulun had returned from a trip to the Crossing with their daughter at his heels, chatting nonstop about everything they’d seen. The dark mare had been frantic about Izizel’s absence that entire day, and so she may have overreacted when father and daughter had appeared at dusk.

Her love for Zevulun had not stopped her from taking him to task about not being more alert on his trips and effectively letting their young child wander from the Bay on her own. She had apologized later when they were alone; once she’d calmed down, her rational side had reminded her that Izizel has always been a force unto herself, unable to be controlled.

Of course, Izizel had wished that her mother had waited until that rationality had returned to punish her – a whole year without being able to leave the Bay has been excruciating, and though her punishment is almost done, Avalon had certainly been clever in the timing of it all. By the time Izizel will have served out her sentence, winter will be upon them again and it won’t be safe for her to go anywhere.

She’s certainly getting in lots of practice in wandering by herself, though always within the borders of her home. She won’t risk incurring her mother’s wrath again…surely next time, Avalon would end up confining her to their favorite cave for the rest of her life. She may have been sulking a bit recently, she thinks with an amused snort, hence why she’s unaware of what’s going on with her family of late.

She hadn’t been in the forest when Mariael had been heading that direction, but she’d also heard the call from the beach. Coming from the opposite way, Izizel is late to the party, coming upon a scene of apparent reunion. She’d heard the rumble of multiple voices but she’s missed the entire conversation, only inferring that her aunt knows the newcomers.

She’s lost some of her over-the-top energy as she’s grown but she’s as cheerful as ever as she sidles up to Mariael’s side, pressing her dark nose to her aunt’s pale neck. ”Heya, Auntie Mari!”

She knows that her father is usually the one to leave Tinuvel to seek out new herd members, but she’s never seen anyone come here unprompted, has never imagined that someone would enter an occupied territory without an invitation. She could have sworn that she’d heard two male voices and yet there’s only one standing here now. She stares at him curiously, forgetting that it’s not polite to stare and not even remembering to introduce herself. This is her first ever meet and greet, after all.