It was strange, really, yet more proof to him that the gods had such a sense of humor. Despite his firm attempts, the unearthly beings seemed determined to prove him wrong again and again. That was why it had taken him so long to regain Paradise. It was also why the stallion that had left here frustrated and angry that a forgotten mare and her foal had slipped his grasp now were the reason for the laughter and joy and whatever the soft warmth was that lifted his heart and made his hooves feel even lighter. The sterling beast had all but forgotten what it was like to feel this manner, to find… happiness? Was that the emotion that swelled within him? Whatever it was, he refused to spend any further time trying to name or describe it. As fleeting as life could be, he would not dare to risk missing a second of it, lost in his own thoughts instead of relishing what lay before him. And that, in this moment, is the determined little filly with her ears flattened against her outstretched neck as she stretches her strides, kicking up sand in her wake.

The silver beast adjusted his stride, shortening his gait to allow the young girl to maintain a clear distance ahead of him. Golden eyes glimmer with a pride he does not deserve when she slides easily to a halt beneath the chosen tree, looking back first to her mother and then to him with excitement dancing in her eyes. Annubis slowed his gait as he neared, eyeing the mother bird with the same wariness with which her stiff, still frame focused on the filly. ’Look mama, they're back!’ she innocent voice is filled with excitement, completely oblivious to the potential danger that glares down at her with a protective clacking of its beak and fluffing feathers. Tension began to gather beneath his sterling body, preparing the seasoned stallion to take motion at a moment’s notice. He is not quite sure what more he could do besides rush at the mother, should she decide to take flight, but he damn well would do it. Promise would keep her innocence for as long as he could still draw breath.

’..Yes they are, sweetie’.. Hymn’s gentle, motherly voice rises, soothing the rise of anxiety in his breast. He risks a glance towards the grullo painted mare as she approaches, careful to not stand too near to him, despite the growing bridge of acceptance. Time. It would take time for him to tear down those walls that she had built around herself. She would need time, and he would need patience, something that he had always been lacking. For her, for her he would do his best.

So he does not try to close in the distance, instead offers her a warm smile, admiring the fine contour’s of her face that the sunlight dappling through the tree’s above highlighted. She was beautiful, and it made him wonder just what could have been so important that the chimera stallion found himself needing to leave her behind.

Shaking the thought from his mind as Promise turns her wide eyes to him, he takes a step forward. Dipping his head, he tilts his head to gaze up at the brightly colored, tense bird. ”I think she is asking the same question about us down here.” he muses, ruffling a patch of the filly’s pale locks. He glances back towards Hymn ”She is being a good mom…. Just trying to protect her babies.” he murmured, offering the gentle mare a genuine appreciative smile. There was more than one creature with those qualities around here.