This is good for her Hiyori thought, reassuring herself that this was the right decision when the mare looked past her daughter and offered her a smile. Himari needed to be able to talk to others, to possibly even make friends, without always being in her mother’s shadow. How else would she make it, if Khyber decided to take her away too, as he had done Izumi? Though being of his blood, he might not be so willing to let her live a life outside the Lagoon.


Allowing her gaze to briefly turn away from the pair, Hiyori looked to their surroundings as her ears perked, listening for any sounds of someone approaching. Thus far, they have been left alone. A silent sigh escapes Hiyori’s lips, grateful for this moment of respite, though she didn’t feel as if they would be allowed it for long. Perhaps once the stranger had rested, she might convince her to move on with them, so that they might stay together, than continue to be alone in this male infested swamp.


***


Himari’s ears flick back briefly to the sound of the stranger’s voice. The hoarse sound is contradicting to her words, but she is forced to believe that this stranger is okay as she claims. Born with a sweet temperament, she didn’t have it in her to argue. “Kindness is all we have to offer here.” She replies, giving a small nod to the brown mare’s appreciation. Though a bit of self-doubt colors her green eyes at the mare’s question. “Yes.” She answers after a few heart beats of hesitation. Born here, she didn’t feel as if she was really a captive, but more of where she simply existed. Her world had never expanded past the Lagoon borders. Though she supposed she still fell under the term of captive, since she didn’t think her father would allow her the freedom to leave on her own. No more than he would allow mother.


“My name is Himari.” She introduced herself, since she hadn’t given her name yet. “My mother is Hiyori.” The girl added, hoping to get this mare’s name now that she had offered theirs.