as I wandered the forest, the green leaves among, i heard a wild flower singing a song

while she is wise enough to the ways of the world, petal was surprisingly inexperienced herself when it came to the opposite sex. she had spent her life warding off unwelcome advances, except shamwari’s perhaps. even he knew, though, that between them was an unspoken barrier, a wall she had built between them, friendly, close, but not more. she remained untouched, untethered.

her existence had been a bargaining chip from the beginning, she was born to be traded away, to be used, plucked and put in a vase until she withered until somehow she had made a life away from that fate, finding a true friend in shamwari. while she had come in the beginning having been “claimed” by him it was clear that he had no intention of forcing her against her will to do anything. she had been lucky not to run into anyone during her time away from the prairie who had other ideas. she had largely spent the time alone for the sole purpose of protecting her freedom. never had she met anyone that inspired her to risk that freedom altogether.

the petite mare is surprised when she can’t seem to budge the shy smile that has crept to her features. she had expected something different than this lighthearted easy going stallion. she laughs quietly when he suggests she sprint some time as he did, wondering when the last time she had raced along for the pure joy of it. too long ago. maybe never? i should try it sometime… she agrees with him quietly, almost speaking more to herself but is left wondering what he means by taking the edge off. does he feel stifled here? anxious?

she follows him into the grass, happily wading through to his side. his statement and following question floods her with curiosity and as they walk further inland, eventually breaking free from the swaying tall grass that tickles her shoulders, she offers an answer. it feels like we have known each other longer than it has really been i suppose.. but a lot has happened since i first came to the prairie. she feels a heaviness weighing on her, an unwillingness to bring this conversation to the place it will ultimately end up some day and so she decides to have it over with. i was friends with your mother for a short time before i left. my heart broke for your father, and for you too i suppose, when i came back to find she had passed… her clear blue eyes rest gently on him, knowing that if jabari is anything like his father, he has a big heart. she doesn’t want to wound it.

while she is momentarily distracted by his mention of shamwari, wondering how speaks of her, what he has told his son, she is certain her latest comment will steer the conversation away from her relationship with his father. as she wanders beside him she finds her gaze drawn to the patches of white that lace his body, and the solid muscles that loom beneath, she wonders, embarrassed to admit it to herself, if perhaps, that is a good thing.