Such a small physical stature didn't stop Valka from towering over Mazarine for all this time. Perceptions are all about presence, and Valka has so much of it. In this moment though, all of that begins to change. Who knew, all it would take is a simple conversation to straighten out the tangled misconceptions in Mazarine's young brain.
Mazarine never pictured Valka as a young mare like herself, tumbling out of control through a world of men who grab and pull her in every which direction. Mazarine pictured a mare like this born with the confidence she needed to never fall victim to a society like this in the first place but given a little thought, it makes sense that such experiences would drive her to become the mare she is today. What else would give Valka the drive? Suddenly, Mazarine feels like they may have some common ground to stand on after all and that common ground isn't just the cold and rocky terrain of Tinuvel.
"Really?" Mazarine can't help but question. She sees the sincerity in Valka's eyes but can't grasp the reality without some time to process. Her ears are turned by a cautious optimism. As Valka frees Mazarine from her bonds, so does she tie her to the Bay with a different kind of tether. The strongest chains are forged by loyalty, and this is what begins to take shape as Mazarine takes this gift and holds it close. The more she is encouraged to leave of her own volition, the less she wants to.
The young mare thinks back on the brief interactions she had with Solomon, not unpleasant, but neither were they groundbreaking. Solomon was nice to Mazarine, as was Cain. They are both handsome in their own way, but they both failed to set her heart aflutter. There was friendly exchange but lack of passion. Mazarine craves connection, but the kind of connection she seeks can be found with anyone as much as they could be found with the stallions of years past. A brief image of Najaat flashes unbidden behind her eyes. Mazarine barely spoke to the mare but something about her pretty face sticks with Mazarine after all this time. The weakness in her knees should be a message loud and clear but Mazarine doesn't understand the feelings in herself. She still doesn't know what she wants or why.
Mazarine levels a newly-softened gaze with Valka's. "Thank you for this, Valka." And Mazarine doesn't just mean the heat of their bodies pressed together to chase away the chill. "Knowing I have a choice, I'll stay." Her brows knit as she struggles to see into her own hazy future. "I don't know what I want or where I belong, but maybe if I take some time to explore my options, I'll discover, it's here." Mazarine offers the stocky mare a half-hearted smile. It's the first time her lips have turned this way in a long time.