The pair kept a steady pace as they cut across the desert plains, slowing further as the sand deepened and rose in undulating hills, obscuring their sight of the unknown land ahead. Here, one of the two broke their rhythm and took the first dune alone, and paused there a moment, teetering awkwardly before gaining her footing.

After taking stock of the dips and rises and finding no predators lurking, nor anything else of concern, the mare whickered over her shoulder to her companion, who had turned to watch the way behind, and at her summons, he turned and ventured around between the shallow pathways, waiting for her to descend and ascend the next before venturing further inland.

In this manner, they continued on, one always looking behind, the other ahead, until the stallion caught a fresh scent on the breeze; the same musk that they had come across, older and fading, a while back. And at last the pair stood together again, scanning the rippling sand.

Squinting beneath the distant winter sun, the mare spotted the movement of a silhouette and lost it beneath the peaks and valleys of sands. The male at her side snorted softly and extended his muzzle, guiding her attention, and when she caught sight of the figure again, she announced their presence, even if they had already been spotted.

Once her call faded, almost as one the pair slipped down the side of the dune, and wove their way through the gullies in the direction of the patrolling figure. It was the mare who spoke, having slowed and come to a halt when the desert born male came into view, seeming far more as though he belonged than the dark, white-patched siblings.

“Greetings, I am Gisella,” she greeted, and then turned one ear back, tilting her head in a subtle gesture. “And my brother is Ottavio. We have recently returned to the isles and are seeking to acquaint ourselves with how they have changed in our absence.” They had heard whisper of their father’s passing, and weren’t quite ready to return to a Tinuvel without him. “If you would permit us to rest for the remainder of the day near your oasis, we would take our leave come sunset.”

Her eyes were bright, and fixed on the stallion before her, while her brother, shifting into a relaxed stance behind and slightly off to one side, allowed his attention to drift, almost detaching himself from the conversation in a sense, for he was not a natural conversationalist, and trusted Gisella to make arrangements for them both.

"We do not expect hospitality without anything in return - while my brother rests, I would keep watch where you would post me." It might seem a suspicious offer from a stranger, even if she were a mare and not a stallion that might the arabian's home or herd. Far from it...

Now that the pair had stopped moving, it was clear that Ottavio was favoring a foreleg - the right was bent at the knee and the hoof tipped up.