Inlet

"Who is there?" The disembodied voice drifts through the trees like a ghost. It causes Mizuki to pause and Ameyuki to bolt to safety behind her mother. Evidently the painted filly still hadn’t grown out of her nervous disposition.

Mizuki lifts her head into the cold air to answer. “We’re sorry, Wise one, we didn’t mean to disturb your peace.” She knew that old didn’t necessarily mean wise but Mizuki presumed it would be a respectful term to use for an elder. Slowly the little white mare crunched through the snow. Her daughter followed behind a little more cautiously. They passed a few more trees until they came to a small clearing that would be a perfect meeting spot. Mizuki scanned between the tree trunks with her dark eyes until she spotted the older mare.

A gentle smile spread across her lips. “My name is Mizuki,” she introduced herself with a courteous bow of her dainty head. She then motioned her head towards her daughter, still standing shyly behind her rump. “And this is Ameyuki,” she took a moment to remember what Nicodemus had called her, “Ameyuki de Nicodemus.” Her heart still swelled with pride every time she used her daughter's full name. Ameyuki, still peering out from behind her mother, also bowed when she was introduced.

Mizuki then turned her attention back towards the older mare, “Are you Ysabel?” Mizuki wasn’t sure if there was a possibility for misidentification. How many old mares sought solitude amongst the pine trees of the Inlet?