- the Prairie stands as a symbol of peace and prosperity among the islands
- anyone is welcome to live here so long as they do not bring harm to the Prairie or any of it's residents
- adventure and exploration is not only allowed, but encouraged! residents are asked to use their better judgement and not travel to places that could bring them harm
- the head of the prairie has final say in all prairie matters. the secondary and third positions are not able to be challenged for and are selected by the head
- the guardians take on a more active role in the prairie; they must protect the inhabitants of the prairie and go on patrols of the prairie borderlines and shore. they can welcome strangers to the prairie and invite anyone to live here, though they must inform one of the leaders of any newcomers or visitors
find my nest of salt Posted on October 3, 2023 at 01:18:00 AM by Daire
everything is my fault. . . I'll take the blame
Daire's dark ears tip toward the cream stallion. His tones were hushed, but she could hear him clearly. Perhaps he did truly care for the sweet brindled filly. Maybe that was why Zevulun wasn't removing them from the Prairie, even though Riesling had departed. Not out of any kind of remotely romantic feelings for her, but for the fatherly adoration of her yearling daughter. This was good. That would have made things far too complicated for the already precarious situation.
After all, what would Daire -- what was it Riesling had called her? -- what would a "fickle plaything" know about romance? None of the stallions in all her fifteen years had ever truly loved her. Riesling's father had at least tolerated her behavior, but Daire had always assumed, upon meeting his herd and lead mare, that his heart was spoken for. It had never been an option for Daire, and, as far as she would let herself believe, it wasn't one now. As long as at least Lir and Vervain were happy and alive, that would have to be good enough.
Her resolution to the above point flickered for but a moment when he told her to stay. The black mare stood silently as she listened to Zevulun speak, not moving a single muscle on her face. She'd know better how to react after he finished, surely. “Maybe I shouldn’t have allowed you to stay to begin with, but, for Vervain’s sake and for Lir’s, I’m glad I didn’t. I’m glad they were able to have a safe home to be raised in.” A smooth smile, betraying nothing in mind behind it, lilted at her lips. Yes. Yes, the children. She had much to be grateful for on their account.
Daire vowed to set aside whatever it was that she thought she might be feeling. There could be nothing to it after all. Would he notice the way she sought to reign herself in now? Daire hoped not. She had to be more removed than ever from any kind of inclination. The idea presented then that she should leave, but not now. Not with Vervain still so young. Perhaps. . perhaps when Vervain went out on her own? She knew of fillies as young as two running off, but the brindled mare couldn't imagine the girl would want to leave so soon. Not that she would stop her, of course, but. . yes, when Vervain left, so would she.
It was a silent shift, but a shift nonetheless within the white-riddled mare. She nodded simply, tones polite if not a little more removed this time. "I am very grateful to you that they could have such a thing, Zevulun." Daire made careful eye contact with the creamy male. Her thoughts were almost a mantra as if thinking it would have to make it true. He felt nothing for her. Whatever the inclination, it was one-sided. He was being a remarkable stallion, and she just wasn't used to decentness. That was all. It had to be. . . didn't it?