he little frown on Velaris' pale face lifted a little when the buckskin male smiled at her. Curiously, she reached her small muzzle toward his, milk whiskers working furiously as the filly sniffed him. Vervain's ear had cocked at the sound of her daughter's whimper. Concern and dread alike pooled in her gut as the sound and the sensation of Nephilim turned away from their reunion. The emotions twisted in her barrel mercilessly as first Zevulun and then Castillon let their attention be drawn by the stallion's movement.

Vervain's ears had mostly turned to flatten against her poll by the time her father had reacted to the small filly. Instead of horror and disgust playing across his face, the brindle found a smile as he leaned down to better acquaint himself with the girl. Her eyes flew to Castillon and the questions so obvious on his features. "Velaris..." answered the smoky overo as if it were a question. Fear of rejection thrummed in the mare's bloodstream as she fearfully looked to her mother to see what she thought.

There was surprise first, then confusion. Realization and then, finally, pity. These and more warred across Daire's face in miniature as she schooled her features. The older mare finally looked at her, trying to give a warm look of surprise rather than the horror Vervain was sure she'd express to Zevulun later when she was out of earshot. Vervain cast another quick nervous glance to Castillon, her brother for all intents and purposes, before turning a little to look back at her daughter.

The filly had turned to look at the rest of the adults now, her blue eyes resting on each face before at last meeting up at her dam. This is our family, honey, explained Vervain, gesturing at each family member to explain their role and relation. This is who we came allllll that way to see. The painted girl seemed to understand well enough and looked up a little more happily at all their faces. Vervain's dark tail swished anxiously, her mind spinning wildly to come up with guesses to what they all thought of her now.

vervain

mare ∙ mutt ∙ black brindle ∙ 16.3 hands
daire's daughter ∙ peyote's prize