Indira never asked for a body like this. She began life as a starry-eyed wanderer, but the hardships of life called her to arms, and she answered the call. Indira will not be bound by the tethers of any stallion. She is a free mare, always has been, and always will be. She paid part of her right ear as the price for that. Taking advantage of her doesn't come without a price either. Raider paid for jolly times at Indira's expense with his life. But however good a warrior she is, Indira was not good enough to protect Tarek, and the guilt of her failure weighs her down.
It weighs her down and holds her back. For her guilt, Indira hesitates to return home to the Forest, and this intriguing young stallion is a welcome distraction.
"You might try, and you might win. Not all have fallen at my hooves, but neither have all been so lucky." Indira answers, the empty voids of Raider's eyes stare back at her through a memory. She talks about his death, though his blood may yet stain her hooves, with a callous detachment. He is one of many things that went wrong in this war, and Indira is only sorry she didn't do more damage. Maybe if she had, Hannah, Yngvar, Bella, and Blackout would still be with them.
A cool wind rustles the trees, and combs roughly through Indira's dark mane. It howls over the roar of the falls. Her eyes level with this young stranger. Is there a flash of a challenge in her stare or was that lightening in the distance? Only practice will prepare Indira for a time when her family may need protecting again. Could she stand to learn anything from an opponent like this? He is perhaps no stranger to battle but his fine coat and noble carriage speak of a different experience on the battlefield.
Fat raindrops begin to fall, but Indira is unmoved by them. "I won't compete with my cousin. We will dance.", she states matter-of-factly. The rain continues to fall, harder now, thrown against their sides by driving winds. The darkness of an afternoon sky deepens, and a menacing rumble of thunder sounds in the distance. "Care to join us?", she asks. A mischievous smile forming on her lips. Rainwater streams down her face and drips from her lashes, but Indira's stare holds, unbroken.