He does not press her as she watches him with equal amounts of reserve and suspicion. Likewise, even when she is the one to close the distance of space between them, he does not risk encroaching further than what it is she herself already permits him. Respectful. Admirable qualities that immediately gain him some small level of favor in her mind. It is not often that stallions, even kind ones, acted with such control during the months when emotions ran hot with pleasure. Guinevere begins to relax in his company even before she realizes it.
Her question seems to spark a sort of kindred reaction in him. The smile on his ashen lips broadens and his auburn eyes glitter even before he speaks. Home. Family. The words are achingly familiar to the moon dappled mare but she refrains from letting the emotions travel to her eyes for fear that such desires might put her at a disadvantage. Regardless how polite and well mannered the rosy bloodmarked stallion appeared, he was still a stranger to her and giving him an advantage did not seem like the wisest of decisions. He welcomes her to join him, to join his family in the Dunes. It almost seems too perfect.’There are around fifteen of us….’ he continues, the audible snap of his maroon tail causing her ears to tilt backwards and then forwards again as her hooves shift beneath her. Fifteen was a large number, even for a family unit. Though darkness still shrouds most of her memories, there is not nearly as many members of her family, at least from what she can remember.
”What’s the catch?” Before she can catch herself the words blurt from her lips. Equal measures of surprise and shame flash across her silver eyes. Absently, she glances down at her own hooves in shame for a moment and exhales a heavy sigh. ”Forgive me..” she begins, lifting her gaze to once more meet his kind eyes, ”That was rude of me.” she breathes in an admonished whisper, offering him a weakened smile. ”What I mean is that your offer is kind, far kinder than I deserve. I am not sure I have anything to offer you in return.”
