Meadow

Talien adored her mate, their relationship built from years of trust and companionship. Likewise, it was not the type of relationship that needed constant monitoring or careful shadowing. Many days, she found herself watching in amused interest as one mare or another plodded along with ears bent backwards and grim expressions on their face as they sought out a wayward male. Talien had never felt the need to feel such trivial emotions for there had never been another in her life quite like Dex.

From youthful foals, he had been her near constant companion. Mother often joked that one day such friendliness would change into something more akin to lifelong commitment. At the time, she had scoffed at the idea and often gave her mother or watchful father gruesome faces to mimic her distaste for such emotions. Had she only known how right they would be. Surely they were watching her now with a knowing smile or even a lighthearted chuckle. Dex was more than a mere best friend, it had taken years to understand the true loss she felt at his absence from her life, but now that he found her, she never planned to be parted from him for long.

Their continued lag on the main island was a sore spot on her mind, as it had been for awhile now. It was not that she was indecisive, but in reality, she was. Tinuvel was far too cold for her own taste, and Dex would find it miserable with his equally short coat. However neither of them had been particularly happy with Atlantis either with all its rain and humidity. She had heard rumors of the deserts of Salem but neither did it seem quite an adequate fit for either of them. Her sole purpose in life was to see Dex happy and she could only imagine him as miserable as herself beneath the hot sun and sweating skin. Luthien then seemed as though the only alternative. Truthfully, she had very little knowledge of Luthien aside from its name. Liland had despised it, having apparently relinquished a mare there to her lover. What she knew now of Liland made her question his distaste in the island and her own curiosity peaked.

However all thoughts of a new island home flee her mind as she nears her beloved mate. Anger flares suddenly as pale silver blue eyes take in the crusted wounds and bruised flesh along his neck and shoulder. Though he did his best to hide it, Talien did not miss the tenderness with which he set down his foreleg. At first she assumed such a venomous attack would be the result of some misunderstanding between stallions. After all, it was not uncommon for stallions to spar with one another over potential mates and though she was intent on being exclusively attached to Dex, she would never dare make such demands from him. Of course he always told her that no other could compare to her in his heart, but still, she could not deny the rise of lust when fall rolled around even if she did her best to ignore it for the time.

Eyes narrow as remarked about being beat by a girl. A mare. Another mare dared to harm her mate? Anger boiled through her veins as the mare of brandished gold imagined how the scene played out. Her innocent lover attempted to shield himself from blow after vicious blow. ”Who did this? Why? I will rip her apart myself!” she fumes reaching forward to gingerly touch her velvet lips to the bites now crusted with dried blood. If nothing else, this was confirmation enough that they needed to leave here. It was time they found their home. Pale eyes gaze up into the multifaceted eyes of emerald green. Deeply she inhaled the earthy scent that she has come to know so well as his. ”Dex…” she murmurs, drawing comfort and strength from the familiarity of his warmth.

His voice is teasing as he asks about her decision and Talien can feel the tension begin to ease from her flesh. A mischievous grin tugs the corners of her ash dusted lips upward as an impish giggle echoes from her lungs. ”Well you seem to have plenty making eyes at you here… its only fair that I get my time in the sun too.” she teases, flicking her chocolate tail playfully against his hip. ”I was thinking we could visit Luthien, see what there is to see. It’s not as hot as Salem or Atlantis and nowhere near as cold as Tinuvel. Perhaps it will be a perfect fit for us.” she adds with a reaffirming nod. Yes, perhaps even then Chronos would join them and what trouble followed her golden son in rumor might dispel itself.