Rivaini

The silver bay was not typically the sort to consider 'what-ifs'; Iscariot had always been the dreamer in their symbiotic relationship. But Faolain's words opened up a realm of possibility that Rivaini - as one who did had rarely paused to agonize over the circumstances that determined the course of her life - had never considered before. If she had known the slender black mare before winding up on the islands, what kind of creature would have stood here in this moment? Already in a short span of knowing one another, Rivaini had found herself less tense in the other mare's presence - and in the absence of that tension, she opened up in ways that only Iscariot had ever seen before. If Faolain had always been with them, perhaps there would be no wall surrounding the vulnerability of her heart. Perhaps she would have been able to trust - and love - as easily as her pale brother did, without fear of the weakness that these things wrought.

It was a beautiful dream to consider - but in the end, it could be nothing more. Because the trio's clay had already been molded by trials and tribulations when they found one another - and despite that truth, somehow they fit. Perhaps not as flawlessly as pieces that had been crafted to suit one another, but Rivaini was learning that there was strength, too, in pliancy. Only that which refused to bend was doomed to break.

"I didn't know what I wanted before," the copper mare offered in response to her companion's words as she followed her into the lake. The water's warm, silky touch was like a soothing caress to muscles that still ached from their swim. In that way, she didn't look forward to the return trip eagerly, though she wanted as much as Faolain to share this place with the stallion who had brought them together. "I still don't, really. Only... I can see what Iscariot saw in you, and I hope that we can share more moments like this." It was the closest she could come to admitting fondness for the dark mare - for now. But as rapidly as the world - and the two creatures whom she shared it with - were transforming her, there was still hope.

We should rest, and get Iscariot... Rivaini stirred fretfully at the Teke's words, the smallest movements of her limbs magnified in the ripples that broke the stillness of the lake's surface. Like Faolain, she felt a certain unease at the thought of leaving this place, though her thoughts were a bit more defined. Fotune had favored them in finding the Ridge, but they could not count on it in helping them to hold the claim that they'd staked. Frowning, she left the water's embrace as well, ears pitching forward to catch the black mare's words. "Despite the fear I felt in leaving Iscariot alone again, I'm glad I came. But... I don't know. Something inside tells me that we must separate again, for the sake of keeping this new home."

Her blue eyes followed the faint trail of their passage across the valley and up the ridge. As if Rivaini were bracing herself for the journey that she knew she needed to face alone. "I can return for Iscariot. If the waters are still rough, we will spend the night on the Crossing before chancing the swim. And I'll stay close to him this time, so if... something happens, I can help. If need be, I'm strong enough to do the swimming for both of us - for a while, anyway." She didn't mention that there was a possiblity neither would return. Life was full of such dangers, but Rivaini could not allow those to sway her course.

mare / five / silver bay tobiano / andalusian mix / 15.3hh