The arrival of Persephone broke the stallion’s concentration away from the sad mare. They both watched the roan mare come from the winter forest, warm breath in clouds of white around her. Though Zevulun and Persephone had seen little of one another in the past, seeing her again, still here in her forest, both warmed him and made him feel an empty sort of ache. He wished he could walk the beaches of the Bay and watch Mariael emerge, queen as she was always meant to be. Zevulun’s smile softened as she recognized him and he dipped his head, ears perking forward.
Before any catching up could occur, Persephone’s concern turned (rightly so) to the poor, frightened mare. Ramiel hadn’t looked away from her for very long, only giving one curious glance toward the mare he heard occasional stories about and then back to her. The poor thing he just wanted to tuck into his side and offer his warmth. Of course, Ramiel knew that as a strange stallion that would likely not be a welcomed comfort in her personal space.
His ears twitched as she said the name of someone who claimed she’d be safe here. Roheryn? Who was that? What was she fleeing from? What couldn’t get her if she came to the Forest?
The poor mare didn’t give more answers, only stumbled through an apologetic goodbye and turned around to go.
“Wait! Don’t go!” Ramiel called out before he realized he’d spoken, then looked sheepishly at his father and the Forest queen, Persephone. He cleared his throat and looked back off toward where she was slowly walking away.
“Go on, go after her,” Zevulun encouraged, “make sure she’s safe. If you need us-”
“I’ll call for you.” Ramiel gave him a grateful look, then glanced at Persephone with a more apologetic one. Even if this mare was a stranger to him, he couldn’t let her wander off alone in the state she was in. He was sure the queen of the Forest would agree that she shouldn’t be alone, she had a sort of caring nature about her. Ramiel started off toward the emotion-wrecked mare, leaving his father back at the Forest border with Persephone.
Zevulun glanced over at Persephone and smiled. “Well, interesting circumstances to meet under again, I suppose. But, hello... again.” He chuckled lightly and dipped his head. "You're right, it's been a long time." He tried not to let himself be so hopeful, but he couldn’t help the way his voice lifted with the next question he asked. “I was hoping maybe... Well, does Freya still live with you here?”
(ooc: erin, I'll start a new thread for ramiel and thea!)
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