As the black mare reflected on their options, a silent communion took place between the siblings. Spoken mostly through touch and glance, Rivaini revealed her concern in parting with the pale stallion again, and Iscariot sought to reassure her that he would be safe. Lonely, granted, but solitude was something that the perlino could bear; overexerting the delicate bone and muscle in his legs was not. And if Iscariot's isolation became too much for him, he could always seek out the companionship of Rhadra in the Peak... or perhaps even make a new friend. If there was one benefit to the separation from his sister, it was the situation had forced the stallion to become more comfortable in opening himself up to strangers.
Rivaini, on the other hand, spent her moments of silent reflection warring against the truth that her mind had already accepted - that what Faolain proposed was the best plan that they had. It was less about concern for her brother - predators were few on this island, and their own kind plenty - and more about her own emotions. The silver bay had spent a matter of days believing that Iscariot was dead, and now that they had been reunited it was difficult to abandon him willingly. Besides, while the perlino was in little danger here, her own safe return was by no means guaranteed. She could easily drown, or be taken captive, or get lost, or...or...
But they couldn't stay here forever, and Rivaini was eager to spend more time with their dark companion - not that such enthusiasm was openly displayed. "No, you are right. Iscariot will be safe here, but any one of us could face danger out there - and I would not have you do it alone." That was a perfectly neutral thing to say, right? The reddish mare pressed her lips to the curve of Iscariot's neck one last time, then stepped closer to Faolain, perplexed by the way her heart lightened even as her stomach sank.
The cream-colored stallion stepped forward as well, touching his muzzle to the black mare's in farewell. His pale eyes brimmed with concern, but the sadness that haunted him was carefully concealed. There was little purpose in making things more difficult for the pair who already shouldered the greatest burden. And besides, this time Iscariot was certain that he would see both again - and that when they reunited in their new home, they would have endless time to spend with one another. If anything, that single thought made his own burden easy to bear. "I'm glad," he was able to respond to Faolain in a light voice. "It's not the most comfortable sleeping place - what with the stones being the opposite of a soft bed, and sand sticking to my coat. I will stay close to the Falls, though, so you can find me easily."
Rivaini just rolled her eyes at the jesting narrative that took place between the two, fighting hard to conceal a smile of her own. She wasn't entirely successful. Where in the Meadow things had felt stilted and tense between her and the other mare, in Iscariot's presence the initial coolness had yielded to warmth. Of course, there was no way to be certain that things would remain that way once they were separated again, but perhaps given time they could be as comfortable with one another as each was with the stallion. Rivaini was certainly eager enough to give it a try. "I'm ready, then. Let's go."
ISCARIOT & RIVAINI
i can see your light |