Zjeena's emotions have ranged anywhere from mournful to infuriated since her last conversation with Liland. Liland seems to have that effect on her. Liland's words echo in her mind. "Unlike you i have gotten over our fights..." Has he really? If he had really gotten over everything he would have stayed and said what he meant to say, with or without Rougaru there.
It's not that Zjeena thinks Liland would outright hurt her. He's said a lot of hurtful things, but never has he come after her physically. No, it's not that she was worried about. She trusted Liland not to turn a hoof on her, but his tongue is another matter. Zjeena knew that she would need help returning home or diffusing the situation if emotions ran high. Too much anxiety could send her into an early labor at this point and she was not about to leave herself unprotected on a strange island. She needed a companion for the swim as well. She trusts the ocean about as much as she trusts Liland's temper.
"Come to the bay when your strong enough to come alone." This statement alone is enough to fire up the engines. If there's anything Zjeena hates more, it's being called weak, and in a sense, that's what Liland did. The mare that led his herd for all those years, the mare that bore him healthy twins, she is weak to him? If so, then Zjeena will gladly be weak somewhere else.
And she's sure they'll talk when she returns to the Bay. Zjeena isn't looking forward to it. She owes Liland her word and she won't go back on what she's already she said, but never has Zjeena held such strong regrets. Why would she agree to go back there? What once was her favorite place on these islands, now fills her stomach with dread. And now the mood swings to sadness. Zjeena once again mourns a time when the Bay felt like home.
Confusion turns the ears atop Zjeena's head. She hears a familiar call ring out through the territory. Her head whips around and she sets off at a trot to answer it. Her pregnant belly swings like a pendulum with each bouncing stride. The small mare ignores the discomfort, grunting along the way. Why would Rayna be here? Something must have happened. Surely Liland wouldn't let Rayna come to Paradise?
She breaks free of the treeline where she meets a vision of Rayna, standing forlorn upon the shore of Paradise. She is still wet from her swim. Zjeena traces a direct path to Rayna, her hooves crunching on shells and pebbles strewn along the water's edge. Rayna? Zjeena stops a comfortable distance away and questions the filly. Her eyes study the sad lines of Rayna's young face. "What's wrong?" Concern molds her own expression.