The painted mare had not intended to let her mind lose itself deep in her thoughts and yet, that is just what happened. The Ridge held so many memories for her, memories of times with Charby and happiness. She had not been completely immune to the red marked mare’s unhappiness, nor had she paid it much attention. After all, father and mother both seemed to have similar emotions all the time and not once had they merely disappeared… well, not until they had.

Really she blamed herself. She should have noticed it, maybe paid it more heed. Charby had once talked her away from the high cliffs and now, now she wondered if that option was not a better one. Pale blue eyes stare down the beach towards the high, porous cliffs, watching as the ocean waves frothed and sprayed around the jagged points jutting from the sea. It was not until the sound of his husky voice breaks above the chattering gulls does Rivka realize that she is no longer alone.

”Huh? Oh…” she stammers, her dark lashes fluttering as she blinks away the mirages of memory and turns her finely dished head to gaze up at her companion. Tyr. At least, that had been the name that Psychedelic had muttered a time or two in exasperation. He had been a lagoon bachelor for a time, at least, that was how she had known him. The uproar he brought in his wake was surprising even to her. She had always assumed that the bachelor stallions enjoyed their carefree lifestyle. At least that is what it had appeared to her in the short time she spent amongst them. Yet here he was, a battle scarred Lagoon… well, ex-lagoon stallion staring at her with expectant eyes.

’...not the expression I expected…’ his words cause her own ears to drop back in shame. Yes, perhaps she should be grateful. He HAD fought for her freedom, even if that freedom was still a question in her own mind. A strained smile flutters across her lips as she drops her gaze to his sand covered hooves. ”I’m sorry… I did not mean too.” she murmurs, pausing a moment as a heavy sigh gathers in her breast. ’....Only giving back what was taken from you..’ his words resound in her mind and she dares to lift her gaze towards the cliff face once more. ”I thank you… but I do not think you have the power to give back what was taken from me…” she murmurs, her voice trailing off as the sigh exhales and she lifts her midnight blue eyes to the tall stranger. ”But I thank you nonetheless.” she breathes, tilting her head slightly in a respectful gesture she had seen Charby and father take towards strangers from other islands. ”My name is Rivka… I do not think I caught your name… before.” she adds, forcing a smile across her dark lips once more.