Kore’s pulse, already fast from exertion, quickened as the duo made their way down the dune towards her. The way they moved across the sand felt heavier to her, less practiced, and though the golden one came readily, his pale companion seemed mistrustful. She couldn’t blame him for looking through and behind her, searching for the thing that she had been fleeing so desperately just moments ago. Luckily for them, her pursuers - those ghosts, invisible, chasing her across the ocean - only had eyes for her.

The more gregarious of the two greeted her when they came near, and she couldn’t help but grin in response to his cheerfulness. After being raised amongst women - and hearing the many stories, some good, most bad, few truly horrific, about the ways of men - the company of stallions still put her on edge, and the lightness of his speech endeared him to her. His reasons for their arrival to the Dunes seemed genuine, and the innocence in his expression was unlike anything she’d been trained to assume about his motives. Perhaps there was more to him than she’d been led to believe.

At his question, her face fell slightly, and she glanced over her shoulder, back in the direction of the oasis. “I don’t -” Kore sighed, turning back to face them. Her eyes met first Raziel’s, then settled on Ramiel’s friendlier ones.

“I’m not the one who makes those decisions. I’ve only just arrived, myself, and I don’t know much about this place, or what the rules are, or who is allowed to be here.” Her sheepish tone betrayed her frustration at her own ignorance. She wished she had more for them, and her gaze broke Ramiel’s and went instead towards the ground, one front hoof digging a bit into the sand. “I’m sorry…”

The bay let the silence hang there, awkward, before she realized she hadn’t introduced herself. Stupid, useless girl. Have you forgotten your upbringing so quickly? Her next words came out in a tumble, and she kicked herself internally for her rudeness. “I’m Kore. Did you say you weren’t from here? Did you come from the larger island, just north of here?”

Did they know things she didn’t? Perhaps they were the ones with answers for her. If they had what she wanted - the information she’d craved since awakening on the beach, alone, nearly a week ago - she would tell them everything she knew, however little it was.

One could only hope.