Common

Yaga stalls as if struck dumb by my question and it gives me a thrill that tastes rather sweetly of victory. I adored being the center of attention, feeling the eyes of my companions on my skin. I certainly didn't like being invisible, and I'd done an awful lot of being invisible lately.

My theory? The skyscraper-sized mare echoed uncertainly and my grin broadened, splitting my lips like the first bit of water trickled down a dry creekbed. "Mmhmm," I hum, my bright gaze still fixed predator-like on her.

Her initial answer was something of a let-down, but I stayed quiet and let her continue on her own, sass already brewing on my tongue. Of course I was looking for a home; it was the commons, after all. One did not simply waltz into this battlefield of hormones and egos without a true desire to come out of it on the other side with some tangible connection. Just because I'd been unlucky twice and left empty-hooved did not mean that I didn't understand the basic premise of the land... it had just let me down previously.

Thankfully her second observation was more spot on and I nodded, acknowledging she was on the right track. I loved compliments no matter the occasion, but I adored them extra when they were delivered by someone flustered by my presence. "Very astute of you, miss Yaga." The playfulness from earlier still lingered in my tone, but some of the challenging sharpness had been buffed out into something slightly huskier. "I enjoy being treasured, as I'm sure you do too."

Something flickered in my eyes and I let that statement hover for a moment before continuing on with a flick of my short, curly tail. "What do you treasure in this life, Yaga? If you had to choose something - any one thing or person - that you could not live without... who would it be?"

Obviously, the odds of me being her answer right now were small and for good reason, but I had every faith in myself that if she didn't disappear on me like Sihtric had, in time I would become the truth of that answer.