Meadow

She hadn’t been sure what to expect, but part of Nadja was worried Solomon might not be friendly toward her. Perhaps it was the way Shay had warned her against him; most people of immoral nature did not bother trying to change the minds of those who suspected their motives, and preferred to shut those people out. It seemed this way from her experience, anyway, and she had experienced many people of immoral nature.

She was thus pleasantly surprised when Solomon gestured her closer, his words kind and familiar. The pale golden mare standing with him was also friendly, and the simple warmth of the two as they greeted Nadja was refreshing and satisfied a craving for socializing she had not known she had. The lines of her worry eased slightly, and she offered first the golden mare her muzzle to exchange breaths in greeting, then Solomon. Leja, he had introduced her. "It’s nice to meet you," she said, her voice soft and tired, but warm. "My name is Nadja."

Solomon had asked her if something was wrong, and her amber eyes slipped back to him, embarrassed of his perception of her stress. "Shaydowfax left the Dunes," she explained. "I was hoping you might be able to tell me where she’d gone, or why… I’m afraid I’ve done something wrong for her to leave so suddenly." She didn’t want to get into what had happened with Bahadir right now, but the details were not relevant. She swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat. She felt so drained, but did not want to betray this to either of her companions, so she changed the subject. Conversation was a good distraction, and she suspected the pale tobiano stallion might be trying to convince the dunalino to come home with him. After all, why else do lead stallions ever come to the Crossing?

"How is life in the Cove?" she asked, her voice wavering less than she thought it would. "I never got to see it in spring, but I’m sure it’s beautiful. Have you ever been, Leja?" she turned her attention now to the golden mare. "I’ve just come from Salem, which is terribly hot," she said with a crooked, tired smile. "I would take lovely Tinuvel over the sand if I could." She laughed, the sound light and airy, which reflected her slightly rising mood. It was nice to be around friends, if she could call them that, and she would have liked to. It was healing.

(ooc: ho boy sorry about all the dialogue and EMOTIONAL BAGGAGE LOL)

NADJA