Desert

Harlequin cannot help but to smile and roll her eyes as Cain began to go on and on about the possible dangers that Ryo might encounter in the Desert. Of course with Cain and the other mares watchful for any possible dangers and herself on patrol more times than she cared to count, the likelihood that the filly would run into such dangers was small. Still, it made her heart warm at the way the red filly glanced around them as though she half expected the creatures to appear at the mere mention in their conversation.

Though Ryo tried to remain aloof and carefree, the small filly could not help the sudden furrow of her brows as Cain began to list the various animals that were potential dangers in the desert. Dark eyes shift around them, listening intently as though she expected one of the creatures to emerge. Subconsciously she leans against Cain’s foreleg, finding reassurance in the solid stone of his muscular leg. She had never seen some of the creatures he mentions. A snake yes, mother had shown her one of those but Harlequin had said that the one they saw did not have a dangerous bite. Ryo was not certain that any legless creature like the slithering serpent could be dangerous but if mother warned to be cautious then by nature she felt she needed to be too. A jackal? Mentally she made a note to ask him about it later. Maybe he would even take her to see one.

He assured her that he would protect her, a fact that caused a big beaming smile to curl across her lips as she reached up to nuzzle his whiskered muzzle happily. However as he promised to always be watching, Ryo cannot help but to giggle and shake her head playfully, ”Always? That's kinda creepy. Even momma can't do that.” she remarks with a rather proud tilt of her head.

Harlequin flicks her tail irritably at Ryo at the small red girl’s last comment but says nothing. It did little to help that Ryo was right. In fact, she swore the girl enjoyed hiding from her dam among the rocks and brush just to see the look of concern and panic hit Harle’s face. After the third incident, the black and white mare caught onto her daughter’s shenanigans but she was not about to admit that the first two occasions really had her in a distressed state.

Cain draws her attention to him once more, the furrowed brows disappearing behind a smirking grin of her own as it slides easily into place. Dark eyes glitter in the bright sunlight as he reaches to brush his lips against her own. Somewhere deep within her breast, she once more feels the fluttering of warmth that stirs her heart. The desire to press herself against him rises but ever the defiant, Harlequin does her best to shove them aside and instead bumps his muzzle with her own. ”Yes I suppose you could say that… though it may just be the battle of wills I find most entertaining… You might never know.” she adds with a wink before chuckling and giving her own head a shake. He encourages her to get some rest and despite herself Harlequin gives him a weary smile. ”I think I will take you up on that offer. Let her wear you out for a bit.” she teases bending her head to nuzzle the filly’s brow affectionately. ”Mind your father Ryo…” she murmurs before turning her attention once more to Cain. Lips trail along the muscular curve of his neck as she allows her ashen labrums to linger against the soft silk of his cheek for a brief moment, savoring the familiar masculine scent that radiates from his frame. ”I’ll be near the river if you need me.” she murmurs before taking a step back and turning towards the shaded palms.