Viveka doesn’t run from him, which is quite frankly a more positive reaction than Rafe was really expecting. The little colt peeks out from behind Viveka, and as it usually does when faced with his children, an overwhelming urge to protect this tiny life and his mother settles in. The colt creeps forward and Rafe meets his curious muzzle with his own, eyes soft and ears pricked forward as they meet. He smells of Viveka and the ocean and that milk-soft baby scent that always seems to cling to foals. It in equal parts relaxes Rafe and makes him even more tense. They’re too exposed here; and as the colt moves forward, tables around Rafe’s legs to sniff curiously he is only more aware of how little ability he would have to fight right now.
“I left from the Prairie,” Rafe tells her when she says she wasn’t expecting him. How to explain to her everything that has happened with Fell? When the shadowy stallion came for her, she had already left and was safely tucked away with Zevulun. But the pale appaloosa hasn't spared Fell’s ego, either, and so Viveka and the child are not safe. Especially here, out in the open. Back in the Prairie, well…she has apparently twice the protection. He’d never expected to find one of his sisters here - and Riesling, at that. The one he trusts most to protect their family with every ounce of her will. He remembers well her sacrifice when their father disappeared and she had to bargain for their lives, their home. And apparently she has chosen Zevulun as her stallion –which means Viveka would be as safe there as she would in the Badlands, and also means that Rafe cannot so easily dismiss Zevulun or call him an enemy. “Zevulun is fine,” he adds, in case she gets some idea that he went for violence. “But after Fell challenged me for you, I thought to check in on the state of things there.” And discuss the coming war - but neither she nor the child need to hear of that right now.
The colt blurts out that they match, breaking the tense moment and Rafe hums in agreement. “Yes, little one. I’m your father, Rafe. What did your mother name you?” He glances back up to Viveka then, gaze sharp on her face and nods. “Home,” Rafe murmurs softly. Home with him, home with the herd. Back safe in the Badlands, where their son can grow up strong and free from the threats of the main isle. “I would have you both close, where I can keep you safe. Zevulun is no easy target - you’d be safe enough there, if you must stay. But until Fell is dealt with, pick one of us and remain there.” He extends his muzzle to her, risking a gentle touch. She’s so volatile he never actually knows how she will react, but he is relieved to have found her, to have met his son, and even more relieved that she hasn’t spit in his face and run. “If he comes for you in the Prairie,” Rafe tells her, serious and soft, “And Zevulun loses, I will not rest until you and the child return to me in the Badlands.”