The pale stallions pink skin flushed redder beneath Çiçeks regard, though the warmth of her greeting seemed no less genuine than his own. In fact, the golden mare had a natural charisma that resembled his siblings; a subtle pull that demanded the attention - and affections - of those near her. In other words, Iscariot could not help but to like her regardless of the typical reservations and reluctance he felt amongst strangers. Not that this stopped him from being fumbling and awkward when he extended his creamy muzzle over the curve of Rivainis back to return Çiçeks greeting gesture. Or from stammering when she made the innocuous comment about the ornamentations the fillies had added to his mane.
"I - uh - thanks," the perlino said, pulling back and letting his sapphire gaze fall to the sands. He was suddenly glad that the designs theyd painted on with painstaking care had proven to be too impractical for this hot, humid climate. Between the moisture that accumulated naturally in the air - and the thin sheen of sweat that always seemed to cover his coat - little evidence remained of the war paint except for a tiny colorful streak here or there. Of course, the keen eyes of the silver bay missed nothing; Rivaini glanced at the remnants of a red swirl on Iscariots shoulder, but besides a slight, exasperated shake of her head, forebore to comment. Her brother breathed a sigh of relief at the uncharacteristic silence, wondering whether it was the presence of her friend that curbed her teasing comments.
In truth, the muscular red mare was just glad that Iscariot seemed to have had some fun with his new friends - though she couldnt pretend to understand the appeal of children. They were noisy, overly exuberant creatures that often had an appalling lack of respect for anothers physical boundaries. Of course, in a way, Çiçek could be just as exuberant, and seemed to have as little respect for boundaries when the mood struck her. Rivaini blanched at the proposal that the spotted mare put forth, and sought to wriggle out from underneath the dunalinos embrace to demonstrate how easily she could win a race - if she were inclined to run it. But as if predicting her reaction, Çiçek held on firmly, demonstrating surprising strength for a woman of her slighter build.
Unable to escape - at least not with any amount of her dignity left intact - Rivaini quickly shifted gears, letting her face crumple into a crestfallen expression. Oh but how you wound me, Çi. And here I thought you enjoyed my appearance well enough without the artificial beauty that ornaments provide. She gave a sniff that was perhaps a bit too despondent to be easily believed. Now it was Iscariots turn to roll his lighter-blue eyes at Çiçek, hoping that she wasnt gullible enough to fall for the silver bays overblown act.
Oh please, Rivaini - it wont kill you to let others have a little fun at your expense. How do you think I ended up with so many red feathers in my mane? He gave the pale curtain a toss to emphasize his words, his eyes sliding to meet the spotted dunalinos with a grin that demonstrated whose side he was on. Whatever minor assistance he could offer was hers - including the cards of guilt that he was determined to play. Besides, he added after a brief pause. At least youre conscious. Last time you did this to me, it wasnt exactly consensual. And I figure youre a couple years overdue for a return on that particular brand of humiliation.
Rivaini sighed as heavily as if she were consigning herself to the gallows, gazing up at Çiçek with beseeching eyes in a final appeal. But when it was clear that neither the implacable mare nor her irritating brother were going to relent, her mercurial mood shifted again, this time becoming a mixture of furtive and playful. Fine, but if Fae asks, I fought you two every step of the way. And I didnt enjoy it for even a moment, of course. These were two stipulations that the silver bay could not yield on; she did have a reputation to uphold, after all.
ISCARIOT & RIVAINI
i can see your light |