It's a shame Zjeena and Monster would not cross paths now. They had found a sort of camaraderie when they met on the crossing isle, and satisfied a mutual urge to spar. Zjeena liked the other mare's style, and would have liked to get the know her more, both on and off the battle-field. But Liland just had to win her in a retaliation battle. This is just one more thing thing for Zjeena to get irritated at Liland about. Of course, Liland had no way of knowing Zjeena hoped to meet up with Monster again. Zjeena understands this, but emotions aren't a rational thing, and with everything else going on, little occurrences like this only add to a mounting bitterness. Liland is stellar at losing battles, except when Zjeena actually wants him to lose.
It seems Liland's bad luck is really Zjeena's, and the bad luck continues today. When Zjeena hopes to climb ashore unnoticed, she is instead immediately greeted by Rougaru. He looks about how Zjeena feels, all bruised and battered and walking with a limp. A smile tugs at the corners of Zjeena's lips. Liland may have lost her, but at least he didn't let her go without a little payback.
The stout little mare stands firm as the strange stallion approaches. Her twin foals hover close to her flank, and she angles her body to shield them. She regards Rougaru through narrowed eyes. Her nostrils wrinkle and her ears turn back. She wears her displeasure on her sleeve.
"The pleasure is all mine." She responds, returning his sarcasm in full. "I'm Zjeena, former lead mare of the Desert. I suppose I have you to thank for that."
Zjeena's eyes sweep the lush landscape beyond the beach. Honestly, Zjeena hates the desert, but it has nothing to do with the food supply. The little mare is built like a tank. She's managed to feed herself and two nursing foals on slim desert pickings and healthy curves remain. It's the heat she doesn't like. Paradise isn't her idea of paradise either. It will be an improvement over the desert, but the cold island of Tinuvel is where she longs to be. "It'll do", she replies through gritted teeth. As much as Zjeena dislikes the desert, she also doesn't like to hear anyone else insult the place. That's her job.
As Rougarou continues to speak, the sarcasm leaves his voice and his stance loses its fighting edge. Perhaps if the conversation hadn't started off the way it did, the mare would do the same, but true pleasantries won't come so easily. Zjeena is still upset, though the sincerity of his warning is enough to catch her off guard. For a moment, her ears flicker forward and her eyes flash surprise. She expected an aggressor like Rougaru to attempt to kill her children before he'd look out for their well being. She's thankful for the warning, but still wary of his intentions. This time, she responds with a "Thank you. I will.", and there is no sarcasm in the tone.
It is in this moment that Nattergal chooses to latch on to nurse. Zjeena flinches with surprise and turns her gaze to her children for just a moment. The colt is eager to eat after his long journey. The filly, however, is more curious. She edges forward, her own gaze fixed on Rougaru. She only stops with a sharp look from her mother.