Adelheid studied the other mare through narrowed eyes. The way she quirked her ears, held her head lower, held her back hoof in a place of relaxed ease. This was the form others took and she knew it was the sign of calm and friendship, not the hostility Adelheid embodied. She took a deep breath and exhaled. This time, when she let the breath out of her lungs she unclenched her jaws and let her ears raise from their flattened position. Though they were in presumably a peaceful surrounding, one where even deer were known to let their guard down, with her companion so relaxed Adelheid could not allow herself to let her guard down. She had too often thought herself safe only to have something attack and break that illusion. Where Rhadra’s head lowered, Adelheid’s raised, but not in aggression or dominance. No, now her eyes become attentive and her senses attuned to the world around them. Completely abandoning their original pose, her ears flicked around to capture every sound of the meadow. They would not be caught unaware, and this mare’s relaxed pose would not be broken if Adelheid could help it.
No more alone than you. The words struck the woman in a way she did not expect them to. Suddenly she was acutely aware of just how alone she was. She had abandoned everyone she had known, and in turn they had abandoned her. Her bloodlines ran deep in these islands, but she would not be able to name more than two siblings and less ‘friends.’ Frustration filled her and for a second her ears flicked back again and she stamped her foot in irritation with herself. At once she felt guilty, knowing how counter her demeanor was to the other mare. Sighing again, she turned her head slightly away in apologetic shame. Sorry. she mumbled just loud enough for the other to probably hear. You reminded me of something.
Though it may or may not have been apparent, Adelheid was actively trying soothe herself and not scare anyone or anything away. This other mare had done nothing to her and so far seemed perfectly friendly. Taika had been friendly. Jetta, though spacy, had been kind. Kindness had been dotted throughout Adelheid’s life, coupled with tragedy. Another sigh came from her and she shook herself out.
Being alone is never… fun. And the winter was coming on fast. Are you new to the islands?
Adelheid
It’s Your Illusion - A Fatal Contradiction |