Oswin’s pale ears perked as she watched the large, handsome stallion. She learned a lot in what words he gave her in response. He struck her as the sort who only spoke when there was something important to say, and in spite of herself (and somewhat to her surprise), Oswin found herself respecting that aspect in him. Was she always so predictable, to feel no romantic attraction to any stallion or mare she crossed paths with, only when there was some reason it couldn’t be a perfect union? Why didn’t she settle without a lover completely? Why was she, too, a victim of craving physical touch, just as much as the next horse? Couldn’t she control herself?

Coming here in fall, she reflected grumpily to herself as her blue eyes steadied with his greens, had been a mistake.

“I’m impressed.” She admitted and didn’t hide just how surprised she was from her tone. Maybe it would be seen as rude, to think she had so little faith in the bachelors that they truly believed in this goal the same way she believed in hers for the Peak. Oswin hoped, quietly to herself, right then and there that the Lagoon Boss Rade and his General were successful. She hoped the vision they were seeing for the Lagoon came to fruition. She hoped hers for the Peak did, too.

“You know, you’re the second stallion on these islands who’s told me he’s recently turned over a new leaf.” Oswin reflected curiously, thinking of Solomon’s admittance of his previously fraught relationship with the Peak. “I hope I keep hearing more of those stories.” She smiled, but even if her words and mind were on the growth of men on the islands, her eyes were full of him. Truth be told, there was plenty to look at and admire, even underneath the shadowed cloak of the Lagoon’s treetops. Oswin wondered what he would look like beneath the night sky at the top of her Peak, with the stars and the moon bright in the sky behind him.

“You still haven’t told me your name,” she said, and her voice was softer and dreamier than she’d intended it to be, trapped in some daydream of him awash in white, glowing light. Very quickly she realized exactly how she’d sounded and how she was looking at him, too. Appalled, Oswin blinked, snapping herself out of it, and cleared her throat. “Sorry, I-” She couldn’t think of anything to say. She floundered and felt the heat rise in her cheeks.

oswin
this is as brave as I know how to be.
I know it’s gonna hurt you, but please… be a little proud of me.