’...Respect is earned, not given…’ Good point. Khar’pern cannot argue against the words that fall from the russet stallion’s lips. Yet just because he is right doesn’t mean she is willing to admit it to him. He is an ex-lagoon stallion after all.
Pale, silver eyes glitter in the dappled sunlight that filters through the trees above. Raven-tipped ears twitch atop her crown as lithe limbs shift uncomfortably beneath her. What he proposes to do sounds… too good to be true. Having a spy among the mutt ranks? Even she couldn’t manage that and believe me, that had been her intentions when she discovered Khyber’s true identity (at least that's what she tells herself anyway). Paper-thin nostrils flutter as she exhales a leveled breath, mulling over his words even as he colors his suggestion with the decoration of emphasis. As if she hadn’t already thought about it before.
’...A father’s will is nothing to scoff at.’ he sharp gaze returns to his green-blue eyes and for the first time, the dappled mare recognizes the anxiety and pain that hides behind his carefully schooled exterior. He cared. Truly, honestly… this stallion actually cared about his daughter, not just stubborn pride. For once, her stiff demeanor softens. Taunt muscles relax beneath her coat of pre-dawn hues. Cold, emotionless, gaze flickers into something akin to… sympathy?... Longing? How many times as a young filly had she wished for a father and not just a sire? How many nights had been spent in question of her dam over the identity of him? Age changed that for her, but that does not mean she doesn’t wish things to be so fanciful, and if one action could change that course of events for another who was she to stand in the way.
His flattering words are met with a less-than-amused chuckle. The sharply dished facade is given a quick shake, resettling the lacy veil of her forelock across the flat of her brow. ”All I can do for you now Nahawi is give you my word. If I manage to win the election amongst the sisters I will bring your request to them but I cannot make them fight for you or your daughter. To… too many have a distrust for stallions, even doting fathers such as yourself.” she begins, pausing a moment as she turns, her gaze drifting back towards the distant peaks. A reaffirming snort exhales from her lungs as Khar’pern returns her gaze to the stallion’s blazed face, her gaze once more firm. ”I will do what I can to help you and your daughter. Do not make ME regret it.” She finishes with a huff before pivoting her heels and turning back toward the mountains.
Khar'pern
The jungle is dark but full of diamonds;