For a moment, Harlequin wonders if there is a sense of hurt that flashes in his eyes, wonders if her retreat to birth Ryolette alone had perhaps hurt his feelings. A small part of her deep down felt the flutterings of her heart, a sense of guilt perhaps. Should she have called for him or sought him out when the time came? No. No, that was not her way. Regardless of the struggling feelings that she found in herself when she met his gaze or the tenderness of his touch when the passions of procreation drove her into his embrace, she could not bring herself to it. She needed to do it alone. He could not see her at her weakest, even if it was to bring his daughter into the world. She was his guardian and she would not be weak for their herd. He shakes his mane, his smile genuine and her own warms despite the creased brow of worry. A single dark ear flickers sideways as she extends her muzzle to his own, inhaling his familiar musky scent and surprising herself with the comfort it brought her. ”No point in losing all your hair worrying over things you can’t change.” she teases, reaching to tug at a straying strand of his alabaster forelock. A light laugh rumbles from her petite breast as she turns her gaze towards the peacefully grazing herd. ”I suppose a few new faces couldn't hurt. As long as you aren’t promising any more of your potential lovers the lead mare position. I think we have enough vying for that role as it is.” she teases, her dark gaze glittering playfully as she gazes back at him.
This time, his attention turns to Ryolette, as he dips his head dramatically in a bow. Harlequin cannot help the dramatic sigh of her own and eye roll as she too turns her gaze to the filly. ”As you can see… your dad has quite the flare for dramatics. Maybe he will tell you about the day we met one day.” she teases with a grin, affectionately nudging Ryo towards him.
Ryolette does not need much encouragement from mother. She had been bubbling excitedly for days now about the herd and about the large stallion that protected them all. Dark eyes blink up at him excitedly, her small tail wagging back and forth like an excited puppy. ”Mommy says you’re my daddy. You own all of this? Does it go on forever? Do you know I have a sister? Do I have more? Momma says I talk alot but I don’t” she bubbles, bouncing towards him, bumping her muzzle against his and weaving herself beneath his outstretched neck. ”You have a LOT of hair dad. Will mine be long too?”
Harlequin smiled and sighed exasperatedly, ”You might not have any if you keep asking all those questions. I might just pull them all out along with my own.” she teases, reaching forward to nip at the russet filly’s flank affectionately. Ryolette paid little heed to her mother, aside from offering her a playful squeal as she whirled around and between Cain’s forelegs, dipping her head to glance up at the black and white mare with her tongue playfully stuck out. ”Nuuuhuuh. Daddy won't let you!” she teases giggling again.
Harlequin chuckled and gave her proud head a tired shake, doing her best to rid herself of the weariness that tugged at her bones. Proudly she lifts her head up, paperthin nostrils flaring as once more the mischievous smile slides across her lips. ”Tired and sore, but no worse for wear I assure you. Though rest assured you will be on daddy duty so I can finally get a nap in peace before the day is over with.” she adds with a gentle grin.