Aventuras had never spoken to anyone outside of the Cove family, despite nearly being old enough (a season shy) to find a home and family of her own. Her mother had pulled her aside and away from her sisters just a week ago, giving her a talk about the world beyond the Cove borders and the importance of being safe and using good judgment as she grew up and went to look for a herd beyond theirs. In many ways the talk had annoyed Aventuras, given that her mother had little room to talk in her mind, spending the first half of her life with no rules or borders and free to go wherever she pleased. As well, it had brought up the truth Aventuras could no longer avoid; she was becoming an adult. Whereas that had once felt like an exciting prospect, as it became more real, Aventuras found herself feeling nervous.
Not, of course, that she’d shared that information with anyone.
One white ear flicked toward her sister as Margarita spoke of the sort of stallion she wanted. Aventuras snorted, almost having a smart remark about thinking only decent kings had hoards of mares fawning over them like their dad did, but Margarita turned the question on her and she momentarily faltered.
What was Aventuras looking for? The truth was that she didn’t know. Aventuras had yet to feel any sort of curiosity toward the idea of romance. Was it because she hadn’t met another stallion that wasn’t her blood? Or was there something wrong with her? Shouldn’t she have it in her head by now what sort of stallion she might want to catch the eye of and what sort of herd she imagined herself living in?
She managed to roll her eyes at Margarita’s returned tease regarding the Lagoon and echoed her sister’s earlier sentiment regarding the island bachelors. “Blech, no.” There was a small pause before she shifted her weight and said, “I don’t know, actually. I haven’t figured that out yet. Maybe I won’t know until I meet someone.” Or at least that’s what she hoped might happen. Otherwise she feared there was something broken with her.
“C’mon, we won’t get to meet anyone just standing around waiting for them to come by, and I need to get moving or I’m going to fall back asleep.” Aventuras gestured to the path ahead of them, indicating she was offering Margarita the lead on where they went.
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