Her brows raise, ears flicking sideways at the vigilant mare’s vehemence. “Perhaps that is true for some,” she says amiably, “But I’ve found great delight in my own entertainments both as a filly and even now as a grown mare.” She can’t help the frown that creases her lips as she continues, “You speak of fun as if it is a chore...” and then trails off, uncertain of even how to phrase the question at the end of her thought.
Rhadra had grown up fairly alone despite living within a herd. She had companionship among the other children, of course, and not a mare among them would have stood by and watched her grow up hungry for milk or lessons or affection. But, much like with her own sister, Rhadra found that for whatever reason she lacked any lasting or significant bonds with the herd. The three stallions she’d known had alternately not had time for her or were interested in focusing rather negative attention her way, and the last one she’d lived under had had no more time for her than any of the other mares. She had often had to content herself with her own company, for one cannot force bonds.
It has been an exceedingly useful skill on this vaguely impulsive adventure she’s recently embarked on. Rhadra draws herself back to the conversation at hand, intrigued at the description of the islands and finding herself wanting to know even more. “Home was... Hm. There was a wide river and a lot of mostly flat fields. Some groves of trees. Herds here and there, I guess, but never really close enough to mingle. The boss mare never allowed for that.” She rolls one black shoulder in a shrug. “It was a land of routine. The only thing that really stood out was that every once in awhile the band stallion would change. And the babies,” she says with a fond smile, recalling all those bright eyes and eager questions and oh, the endless energy of the young. “I miss the foals. They were always up for a game.”
Her eyes close briefly both in remembrance and to keep at bay that old familiar pain of never having borne her own child. She is adept at maneuvering through that tightness in her chest, and when she open her eyes to look again at her companion her gaze is paired with an easy smile. “I recently visited the Peak,” she says. “I am still in awe from it. Perhaps your family is somewhere up those slopes?” |