Hearing Annubis’ nicker of greeting, Izumi raised her head from where she had been plucking at the stems of grass beneath the palm trees near the beach. The breeze from the lapping waves made her silken mane flutter along her neck, and her tail dance around her hocks. There was no fear in her green eyes, no nervousness in the way she stood when he joined her. Though her shyness was still present, Izumi had learned in her time here that Annubis was not one to fear like she had been taught in the Lagoon. As he offers her a warm smile, she can’t help but return it. The feeling still somehow foreign but no longer worrisome.


“I…” she began but then paused. She did not mind his company, so baring it wouldn’t be the trouble he seemed to make it out to be. Annubis clearly had something else on his mind though, so she wasn’t able to tell him otherwise before he moved on to what he wanted to say. Family. Though they were constantly on her mind, and whispered conversations to them, Izumi hadn’t dared to think that someday they might live here with her. Finding them for her was a lot different than fighting for them, Izumi had to remind herself.


“Oh….” She said softly, glancing away a bit embarrassed though she wasn’t sure why. Maybe it was the way he was looking at her, or the way she thought his face was handsome where she hadn’t noticed in such a way before. The strong line of muscles in his body was hard to ignore too, though if she looked anywhere but him, she might not make a stuttering fool of herself. “My mother, Hiyori, was born in the Peak. I don’t remember how she came to be in the Lagoon; I was so young when we were taken there, I don’t remember what it was like outside of it.” Izumi explained before taking a peek at him through her feathery forelock. “I think she was great at being a mother. Always so protective and alert. She kept my sister and I safe, despite being in the Lagoon.” Though such wariness is what taught Izumi to be so shy and worrisome around stallions.


“Himari, my younger sister, was still nursing when I was brought here. So bright eyed and curious of the world, but smart enough not to go running off.” She smiled happily at the memories of the younger filly. “I wonder if she was taken somewhere as nice as this? I truly hope so. She deserves someone kind.”


Izumi’s cheeks flushed as she looked down again, realizing what she had insinuated about Annubis. Though if he were to ask, she would confirm that she thought him kind. He had been to her at least.