†
There is so much about her he does not know. She smiles, a small expression, and murmurs, 'I remember.' Does she refer to her own experience adjusting to Atlantis's jungle, or does she recall bearing witness to Temblor fumbling through navigating Paradise and all its pitfalls? He watches her glance flit away and wonders about the motivations of this quiet, unassuming mare. To all appearances she has no ambitions, but well does he know how deceiving such appearances are. He has met at least one great actress. It was a shocking revelation to understand there might be more like her out there.
In his gut, however, he doesn't feel Sonorae is such a beast. The request he makes of her strikes very real fear in her eyes and reveals a depth of self-abasement he personally can't comprehend. He thought she was merely humble. Instead, Sonorae shakes her head repeatedly, stumbling through her astonishment to land heavily with a phrase so laden with belief in her own insignificance it makes his heart ache. 'You don't want me.'
Temblor draws in another breath, pulls the soothing scent of jasmine into his lungs and holds it there until it suffuses his blood. His original intent with Sonorae had been to locate her erstwhile stallion and reunite them— an idealist's dream, the ambition of a bleeding heart. Even now he tells himself he does not intend to keep her, but the reality is he needs her. Their herd will be stronger with her in it. He would be a fool to let such a resource go to waste, or hasten her dismissal from Paradise.
There is also the swell of his masculine pride with every minute they spend together. He feels responsible for Sonorae, and protective. Temblor does not want to give her up. He wants to put his shoulder against that dense wall she hides behind and lean on it, find the place where it might buckle enough to allow him to pass through without lasting damage, to invite her out to the other side and show her the world is not out to hurt her.
his eyes catch
in the mirror,
held
by his own
admission
Sonorae offers an alternative to his request, one that tumbles out of her all at once, and Temblor stares at her blankly. In this moment he can't think of a single thing about Paradise he wants to know.
"I need your help, Sonorae," he says gently, rebuffing her attempt to assist him otherwise. "You know this jungle better than me, better than anyone who might come home to us who hasn't grown up here themselves. Your knowledge of this land is invaluable. I am asking you to share your strength with the herd."
He draws in another fragrant breath, wondering how she will react to that subtext.
TEMBLOR
& swallows you whole
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