Vita Nova watched painfully as Neon struggled against Jabari. She couldn't blame the mare - Neon must have been scared to death. But Jabari was her kin, at the end of the day. So she was grateful to serve as a distraction to her nephew as she worked her way into the middle of the scuffle. There was a part of Nova that knew deep down, this grown-up version of Jabari was still the sweet, kind colt she'd helped raise. She couldn't imagine him hurting anyone - especially a pregnant, stoic mare like Neon. But if he'd come all this way to try to steal someone... Did Nova really know him at all anymore?
It didn't take long for her words and her voice to bring Jabari back to the present. And she could see then, in his eyes, that he was still that same little boy. He was angry, and rightfully so, she mused. But his words cut through her. It was if he was airing all the insults she'd stocked up against herself out loud, finally. Maybe she deserved to hear this. After all, Shamwari had fought Warsaw to keep her safe and won. But still, she followed the grey stallion here. Why? Why would she betray her family? Love and lust were complicated things to unravel. And she hadn't been successful in rooting out the cause of all this yet. She just knew her actions were causing so many she cared deeply about harm and anguish. It was all her fault.
Vita Nova bobbed her head as Jabari went. "You're right. You're right! I know." She said, trying to shout over him to make sure he heard her. She'd take a step closer to him, only to see him slink farther away, so she'd back up, standing next to Neon again. Finally, Neon chimed in and the lead mare of the Inlet sighed deeply, casting her a side eye before bobbing her head in confirmation. "Yes, I do." Jabair was quick to fill in the rest of the details.
She felt helpless and shameful. And as Jabari's anger pittered out, she felt unworthy of his touch or kindness. The words about the state of their family nearly broke her. Tears welled in her eyes and began to spill one by one. "Jabari. I'm so sorry." She said in a hushed tone. Her delicate, dished face came to hang low between her knees. "You have to go. He'll be here any minute." Vita Nova struggled to conjure up the words to explain to Neon. But she'd have to think of something. At least once she knew Jabari had safely slipped away.
Mare | Evaline x Valentine | Smoky Back Splash | 15 hh | © Vinyl |
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