Your mother must of been a wise mare. Yes, yes she was. She had seen things, seen the atrocities that a "Holy" War could bring on a land, she had been the victim of such a War. She insured that she had warned him against petty beliefs and to focus on the change that he could bring about. "Yes, she was very wise. I believe you Nereid and I can feel your passion for those who can not protect themselves," she exposes her heart to him, and he can feel her empathy for all of the innocents who will be exposed.

His heart thunders in his chest at their brief touch, and he knows that it will not be their last. They have been brought together in this very spot, at the same time, and it seems their paths had been destined to be entwined. Perhaps we should head to the Dunes. The thought of her returning with him alights his soul, and excites him to know that a further conversation is to be had. "Of course," he nods with his delicately chiseled head, and invites her to follow him with a soft bump to her shoulder. "Let us go home."

-

The swim to Salem is brief, but he knows that such a short duration between swims could leave her exhausted. So he dares to press his mahogany skin against her silvery touch, in an attempt to offer stability and strength. They swim as one, his strokes becoming hers.

He steps from the frothing waves, each step is tugged on by the sea as she hisses and bubbles at his hooves. He slows momentarily to allow her to take in the sight of the Dunes, and of course to give her a chance to regain her strength. He silently admires the soft curve of her nose, the sharp chisel of her cheekbone, and the way the sea has tangled her silvery tresses.

"That is okay, I know the rest of the way," he says with a fond bump to her shoulder.

A single ear rotates as the distant sound of hooves in the sand draws his attention from Nereid. Shaydowfax makes her way across the beach. He raises a brow as she voices her concern. He did not need to inform her every time he set his hoof in the sea. "Worried?" he questions as he tilts his head. But his question fades as she turns her attention to introduce herself to Nereid. For a moment he shifts his weight, clearly uncomfortable with the initial meeting.