Falls

The divide among the Peak mares is palpable. Khar'pern knew that the moment her voice was lifted in opposition to Marceline's transgressions, there would be. Despite her disdain for descent amongst her sisters, however, the pale mare felt in her heart it was necessary. Too much had happened for the Lagoon stallions to merely let such a slight pass and as much as the fierce woman wanted to believe in the mountain mares, the fact was simple... they were not ready. Not yet anyway.

With her parting words and what wisdom she had to offer, Khar'pern departed the Peaks in search of solitary solace. She needed the company of her own thoughts to consider the Minister's biting words without being swayed by the thoughts and opinions of others.

Chipped hooves shuffle through the knee-high grasses of the dense woodlands. Paper-thin nostrils flare as the rose-dappled mare inhales a deep breath of cool, water-sweetened air. Fluted lobes twist, listening to the early morning melodies of songbirds that flit to and fro among the treetops. The sound of water rushing over rocks is a welcome reprieve to the biting tone of Marceline's voice that has played on near repeat in her mind. Despite the weight of her heavily pregnant body, Khar'pern's steps hasten, the weight of her belly swinging like a pendulum beneath her.

It does not take her long to reach her destination; the Falls have always held a special place in her heart. A reminder that mountain and forest could work in harmony to create something beautiful if the desire was strong enough.

The pale mare would have loved nothing more than to spend the last weeks of her pregnancy in solitary amid the serene Falls, maybe even reveled in the chance to welcome her newest offspring into the world with the possibility that Khyber might find them and meet the proof of their coupling first hand.... but that is not why she is here.

Seeking her own company had been about the only excuse that she knew Ryvar might believe. The others.... well, they never really paid too much attention to her comings and goings. It was perhaps a part of her nature. Her daughter on the other hand had grown quite protective of her, despite Khar's constant reminders that she could indeed fend for herself even when pregnant.

As the pregnant mare crests the rise leading down the well-worn path to the Falls, a flash of crimson shines bright in the dappled sunlight filtering through the trees above. Nahawi.

even though the stallion had always been nothing but polite and cordial towards her, Khar'pern is suspicious, to say the least.

Silver eyes harden as ash-dusted lips press tightly together in a firm line. Instinctively, the rose-colored mare lifts her small chin, a single brow raising. It was only natural for her to be suspicious of the white-faced stallion, especially considering it was he who had sent word for an audience with her instead of Marceline. Coincidence or carefully planned tactic? She would find out.

'..it's been a while...' The rumble of his voice is much as she remembered it though perhaps far more weighed with experience and age. The heaviness trying to weigh down upon her shoulders. Finely sculpted head is tossed as the stoic mare rids her vision field of the obsidian forelock attempting to veil her view. An almost cocky smile curves its way across her whiskered labrums as the proud huntress closes the remaining distance between them. "Nahawi..." she purrs, her voice devoid of emotion as she blinks up at him in greeting. "I was surprised when you sent for me. In case you have not heard, I am no longer the Prime Minister of the Peaks..." she murmurs, turning her gaze towards the frothing waters. For a moment, Khar'pern forgets the stallion is at her side. Her eyes are soft now as she stares into the bubbling waters. Almost timidly, the pregnant mare inches forward step by step until her front hooves disappear beneath the moving current, and the icy chill of the mountain aquifer laps at her hocks. Droplets of water splash across her face and shoulders, cooling her weary frame and restoring whatever energy the politics of the Peak had stolen from her. When Nahawi speaks again, it is a renewed creature that turns to meet his eyes.

Small, fluted ears lift, her icy silver eyes curious as for a moment, she studies his face with critical eyes. "What is it that you want of the Peak, Nahawi?" she asks. Her voice is devoid of emotion, neither unfriendly nor belying her suspicions. At this moment, she stares at him like a mountain cat sunning among the rocky outcroppings of the peaks. There was potential danger here, a threat that all stallions carried in their testosterone-driven bodies. Yet there was also the balance of cohabitation. What Nahawi had to offer she is not quite sure but eager to know....

Khar'pern

The jungle is dark but full of diamonds;